Gatorland: Combining Gators and Thrills
When people think of Florida they usually think of two things, Walt Disney World and Florida Alligators. With this being said, their Orlando attraction planning without Gatorland would be a big regret. Built in 1949 and still owned by the same family, this place has been labeled the “Alligator Capital of The World” with good reason.
Featuring thousands of crocodiles and alligators, Gatorland provides a birds-eye view of the natural alligator breeding marsh from a boardwalk and observation towers. Even though the park can be remembered by entrance through a large alligator head, this Orlando attraction is best known for rescuing and buying troubled alligators from trappers that otherwise would have been slaughtered for skin and meat. Housing them here saves their lives. Between 1981 and 1999, Gatorland was the only place worldwide where alligators were artificially inseminated also promoting the gator’s existence.
Upon opening, this Orlando attraction housed alligators and snakes for visitors to see. It was the first major attraction in central Florida. Since then, it has grown into a popular vacation site for people wanting to have a thrill while seeing alligators in their natural habitat. Keeping up with the major theme parks with its own adventures has kept Gatorland on the map of Orlando attractions to visit.
A nice fact to remember: With all the themed areas evolving, Gatorland has held its own. In 1965, the Iron Horse Theme Engine, a miniature, open-air locomotive, made its maiden run. It transported over 7.5 million visitors on a tour around the park.
Nowadays, visitors to the Orlando attraction can see gator wranglers, at Gatorland, in a unique alligator wrestling show called none other than, “Gator Wrestlin’ Show.” Keeping it “Florida Cracker” style, wranglers catch six to eight foot alligators by hand, while guests watch in a shaded 800 seat stadium. These wranglers climb onto the snapping alligators back and point out survival techniques. After a few stupid stunts the alligator is put to sleep only to be awakened by tickling it.
This Orlando attraction opened its newest adventure, Gator Zip Line, in 2012. Set seven stories in the air, multi-set launch pads run the length of 1200 feet across Cuban and Nile crocodiles. Guests end up soaring at 25 mph in which the thrill is only complete after flying over 130 Florida alligators looking up from their natural breeding marsh. The Zip Line can be experienced in the day or night.
If you or your teen have an extra interest in alligators, why not train them? For reservations, and extra fees, a person twelve years of age or older can experience what it’s like to be an alligator trainer through “Trainer for the Day.” Call ahead for information and reservations.
Gatorland is an Orlando attraction that should be seen by all. Birthday parties are available if plans are made ahead of time. This is the perfect place to enjoy the thrill and excitement of a theme park while viewing the instincts of alligators in their natural environment. Saving this endangered species has been kept in the family from the beginning here in Orlando.
Orlando Dinner Show: Capone’s, Follows Guests’ Feedback
When it comes to Orlando dinner shows, Capone’s Dinner & Show is at the top of the list when it comes to customer service and applying constructive feedback from guests. Evidence of this comes in the form of many additions and improvements made by the staff at Capone’s.
Recently a new fresh salad bar was added to the all-you-can-eat dinner buffet. For years the salad items were placed in the regular buffet line. Guests that like salad tend to take a little longer in creating their salad masterpiece. This would slow up the line for those that wanted to fill up on the hot dishes. Mama Capone tried serving the salads on plates at the tables, which resolved the line at the buffet, however, it left some salad-lovers wanting more. The new salad bar, included in the cost of your show ticket, allows guests that love salad to take their time creating their masterpiece AND lets them come back as often as they’d like. Meat-lovers are delayed no more!
In fact, meat-lovers are more in love with Capone’s Dinner & Show than ever before. Also included in the improvements and response to guest feedback is an all-new meat carving station. Fresh hot selections of delicious steak, moist roasted turkey and a spectacular herb and cheese-stuffed pork tenderloin are featured in this new addition. Meat can be had at will, and as with the rest of the buffet, you may return to the meat carving station as often as you’d like.
Both of these new food services have sped up the regular buffet line. Not only that, but they have allowed the salads to be colder and fresher, and the meat to be hotter and moister. No pre-sliced selections to dry out under the heat lamps.
Other improvements over the years include interior renovations, upgrade in sound system, new shows, new costumes, new gift shop items, upgraded beverage selections and many, many more changes. Bottom line, the “boss” and “wise guys” at Capone’s Dinner & Show listen. Speak and you shall be heard. Nearly every review on Trip Advisor is responded to as well. This gang certainly cares about their guests’ experience. There is even a page on their website in which the owner explains his goal for guests to have a good experience.
If it has been awhile since you’ve visited Capone’s Dinner & Show, you’ll certainly appreciate the improvements (not that is was ever bad to start with). If you’ve never experienced this delightful Orlando dinner show, you should make plans to go. Your entire family will enjoy it. At half price (order tickets online), you don’t even have to wait for a special occasion to have an evening out at this attraction. They are open every night of the year.
They claim you’ll leave “walking the walk and talking the talk.” Just don’t talk too loud…they’re listening to every word...in a good way! Enjoy the show and buffet improvements. This is one great dinner show experience.
Zip Lines: The Thrill of Nature at Its Finest
Every Orlando attraction planning consists of seeing major theme parks and water parks. When people plan a vacation, yes, it usually consists of seeing the famous Walt Disney World and Universal Studios theme parks. A different kind of Orlando attraction many people do not consider is Zip Lines.
With all the focus of the thrill being on “death defying” drop offs and being turned upside down on roller coasters, a new type of thrill is becoming popular in Central Florida. Zip Lines add to the thrill by allowing a person to fly through the air at 25mph, attached to a line only by a harness. Now that is a real thrill ride.
There are now four major Zip Line Orlando attractions to choose from and several within a short drive of the Orlando attraction area, with talk of more being added due to the popularity growing. With the choices available the parks do offer more than just a fly on a line through the air.
The different Zip Line parks offer different additional sites to see and things to do; the zip line being the main focus though, it should not be overlooked.
Florida Eco Safaris has you soaring 68 feet off the ground along seven different Zip Lines and three sky-bridges. Being scared of heights is not an option at this park. An Orlando attraction to surpass any, it does offer a Cypress Canopy Cycle Zip Line for those not wanting to soar across the tree tops by a harness. On this cycle line, people are able to sit and pedal the way across the tree tops while suspended from high tension steel cables.
This nature park is home to the first major Zip Line roller coaster in the United States, The Rattlesnake. Along with The Rattlesnake, four other Zip Line adventures are available.
Also at this Zip Line Orlando attraction, Coach Safaris and Horseback Safaris are available. For one admission price into the park, a person can view the conservation wildlife areas at the 4700 acre eco-ranch in a new way. This untouched area includes Cypress Domes, Pine Flatwoods and Marsh. Soaring across the tree tops, or on a safari, a person is giving the opportunity to see black bears, alligators, the endangered Florida panther and over 200 species of birds in a safe inhabitant.
This Zip Line Park, although located in the Orlando/Kissimmee area (St. Cloud/South Osceola County), it is still a great Orlando attraction that should not be overlooked. The great thing about this park is that it involves day and moonlight night packages. Another amazing fact about this nature viewing area is that it donates thirty percent of its revenue back into conserving the surrounding wetland areas.
While visiting famous theme and water parks should be the main focus of your vacation to Orlando, do not forget to add Orlando attractions with Zip Lines to the agenda. Viewing endangered wildlife conservation sites is a wonderful learning experience for the entire family. Being able to see all this while soaring across the tree tops at 25 mph, now that is another thrill all on its own.
Green Meadows Petting Farm: Relax with the Animals
While the majority of Orlando attraction planning will consist of the major theme parks that made Orlando, FL popular, all “to see” lists should include a zoo. Better still would be a petting zoo. Green Meadows is the perfect place to take young children and is great for the “older” child to get away from the excitement of the crowded parks and relax with the animals.
This Orlando attraction houses over 300 different farm animals available for everyone to touch and see. This site claims it is an “educational and fun experience” for all whether you are a Florida resident, a tourist, child, or adult. If is fun for everyone through providing a relaxing atmosphere. Farm animals can also become a comedy show after a while.
Green Meadows Petting Farm provides two hour guided tours while teaching guests about: turkeys, chickens, pigs, donkeys, ducks, geese, and so many more animals. Even if you believe you know all there is to know about farm animals, this Orlando attraction is sure to find something to teach you.
Encouragement is given to guests to touch the animals. The main goal of the petting farm is to educate children, as well as adults, about farm animals. The owners believe that touching the animals will help them better accomplish the goal of learning about them. Relaxing under the shade trees covering the farm, while interacting with the animals, is the best way to escape the crowds.
Along with touching the animals every visitor to the farm has an opportunity to milk a cow, or try to at least. An educational experience if there ever was one. Many people do not realize what running a real farm actually entails, this atmosphere and hands on education, helps people to respect farmers.
After the two-hour guided tour visitors are able to take pony rides, hay rides, or ride an express train. There is something for even the littlest visitor to be entertained for hours at this Orlando attraction. Adult children can relax off the beaten path while watching their children enjoy the animals; sometimes even laughing at their children’s initial reaction to some animals.
This Orlando attraction is open year round. It is a fabulous place for schools to take a field trip to, Teachers can go online and download the packet they need with pricing and permission forms. Discounts for groups of ten or more people are available.
Celebrating a birthday at this Orlando attraction will make it extra special. Seeing your birthday kid enjoy the animals with their friends makes it memorable for you. Green Meadows Petting Farm hosts large events around Halloween, Easter, and Christmas also. Checking online, or calling the farm ahead of time, can provide needed details,
Petting Farms are not just for children. This Orlando attraction creates fond memories for everyone that attends. From the youngest kid to the oldest adult, make memories to last a lifetime at Green Meadows Petting Farm. Farm animals can be an educating experience. Relax with the farm animals and separate from the crowds.
Happy Mother’s Day Weekend!
Just a quick note from Al and the gang at Capone’s Dinner & Show to wish all Mother’s a very Happy Mother’s Day weekend. We certainly hope that whatever your plans are for this special time, you’ll think of Mom and include her (if you can) in your plans. Our Mother’s Day Matinee is filling up fast. The afternoon show begins at 1:00 p.m. For those who want to take Mom out to a later dinner, we’re having our regular evening show at 7:30 p.m. this Sunday.
This Friday’s Orlando dinner show photo features who else, but new “momma” Bunny June with Fingers and Francis Alouicous Salvatorio, Jr.; AKA “Little Pinky.” The parenthood experience in the all-new show has some hilarious moments in which all mothers will be able to relate to. Capone’s Dinner & Show is delightful for the entire family. Read some recent reviews…
Orlando dinner show review sent in by ‘zootsE’ on Trip Advisor, written April 30, 2013.
“What fun! The staff are very courteous, and stay in character the entire time. The way they incorporate the audience into the show is brilliant! The food was good, stuffed roast pork was very tender and tasty. The rest in the buffet section, was buffet food. Good. But you come here for the entertainment. Shortly after the act began the lead actresses wireless mike died. Without missing a beat, she continued, made jokes about the malfunction, and soon she was handed a regular microphone to finish out that scene. Flawless. Seating was comfortable and it was nice to get to chat with the people along side you and share ideas of other places to go. This is a must see, suitable for children of all ages.”
Another Orlando dinner show sent in by ‘Brendadoo’ on Trip Advisor, written May 7, 2013.
“A great experience for the young and old. Great buffet with lots to choose from. Very friendly staff and an interesting show. All others are very expensive and this one had a 1/2 price sale. Look for coupons. All food and drinks were included in the price and they just kept bringing them. You didn’t have to ask.”
The wise guys/gals and Al, here at Capone’s Dinner & Show, thank everyone for their positive reviews. We love our repeat offenders! We also love having your friends and families join us year after year as our guests. You are the reason our show and service continue to be the best in Central Florida.
Don’t forget to treat mom this weekend if you’re able. Of course, we think a dinner show is a perfect way to have fun with your entire gang! See you at Capone’s!
