Central Florida’s 1st place Favorite Local Hidden Gem
Known as the “Alligator Capital of the World,” Gatorland has been a fixture in Central Florida for more than 70 years. Even with its longevity, the 110-acre amusement park and wildlife preserve feels like a secret, magical place for the locals to introduce their visiting friends and family to. That’s probably why so many of you voted Gatorland your Favorite Hidden Gem in Central Florida.
“Central Florida is one of the most special places in the entire U.S.,” says Savannah Boan, Gatorland’s Crocodilian Enrichment Coordinator and the International Ambassador to Gatorland Global. “There is nowhere else in the world where you can go from a morning at Gatorland or Disney or Universal to an afternoon kayak trip to see some wildlife and then end the night with a world class show in downtown Orlando. We have it all here and a community that consistently supports one another. Central Florida gives us all big hugs and encourages us to go forward and do great things.”
Gatorland’s popularity is in part due to people like Boan — she has a massed an Instagram following of more than 274,000 followers — showcasing the power, beauty and diversity of these reptiles and of course, the gators themselves.
Gatorland’s love of diversity isn’t just for the gators but for Central Florida’s LGBTQ community as well.
“Every time Gatorland faces a disaster, it is the Central Florida residents, and especially the LGBTQ residents, that return to the park and help us get back on our feet,” Boan says. “We thank you for that, and we thank you for making Central Florida more beautiful every day just by being in it!”
Boan adds a big thank you to all those readers who voted for Gatorland as their favorite hidden gem.
“It makes our hearts smile to feel so much love,” she says. “Gatorland has been a family owned and operated small business for over 70 years now and we couldn’t do it without all the support from all of you. We love being a part of this amazing community and we are honored by this win.”
