Experience the Wild Side of Florida At Wild Florida Near Orlando

As a lifelong Floridian, I’ve experienced much of Florida’s wilder side. I’ve ridden airboats through the Everglades west of Miami, eaten frog legs, and seen many of the animals visitors meet in zoos out in the wild. It’s been many years, though, since those Everglades days in Miami, and I also wanted to take my teen son to experience an airboat ride at least once. So, we headed out to Wild Florida Airboats and Gator Park near Orlando for a unique Florida experience.

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Wild Florida At a Glance

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What is Wild Florida Airboats and Gator Park?

Wild Florida is an attraction in central Florida south of Orlando, which provides an education experience in the headwaters of the Everglades. On pristine Cypress Lake, the facility aims to “provide an unforgettable experience that promotes a connection with animals while inspiring education and conservation.” It comprises three major attractions – the airboat rides, the Gator Park, and the Drive-Through Safari Park. We skipped the Drive-Through Safari Park, though I’ve read good reviews about it. We enjoyed the airboat ride and Gator Park and highly recommend them, especially to anyone who is a new resident or a visitor to Florida who wants to learn more about the real Florida.

Where is Wild Florida Airboats and Gator Park?

Wild Florida sits on the eastern shore of Cypress Lake in Kenansville, Florida. This is approximately 40 miles from Orlando and approximately 65 miles from Cocoa Beach.

Things to Do at Wild Florida Airboats and Gator Park

Wild Florida provides enough activities to spend an entire day there. They also accommodate large groups and offer space for a unique special event such as a birthday party or wedding.

Airboat Rides

The airboat rides at Wild Florida were, for us, the chief attraction. We took the road trip over from Tampa in June, so I booked our one-hour ride at 9 AM to avoid afternoon thunderstorms. With a two and a half hour drive from Tampa, we left at 6 AM. Unfortunately, we hit traffic, bathroom delays, and construction and ended up arriving too late for our 9 AM ride. The customer service, however, was excellent and very accommodating. They rebooked us for a thirty-minute tour (the only one available) at 10 AM and promptly refunded the difference. 

The airboats used by Wild Florida are group boats which are Coast Guard certified and operated by licensed captains. Airboats are flat-bottomed aluminum boats which are commonly powered by aircraft engines, though some airboats use V8 automotive engines. The engine sits above the water at the back of the boat and turns a large propeller. Airboat manufacturers traditionally made the three-blade prop from wood. Newer boats often use lighter composite materials for their props. They equipped the airboats with seatbelts and headphones to protect guests’ hearing from the loud noise of the engine.

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Our captain was very knowledgeable about the wildlife and took the time to explain the ecosystem on the lake and in the wetlands surrounding the lake. Though we were thrilled to fly across the water at speed, it was just as thrilling to stop and photograph and video the gators. We saw several gators, as well as several bird species, such as herons, egrets, and moorhens. 

Cypress Lake’s depth stays around four to five feet throughout much of the lake. A calm summer morning reflected blue skies and white clouds on the lake’s glass-smooth surface. It was a gorgeous day to be out on a boat, and I wished we had arrived on time to spend more of the morning on the lake. The teen son declared the ride one of the best experiences ever. I call that a win-win every time.

Gator Park

The Alligator Park at Wild Florida provides sanctuary for over 200 native and exotic species of animals. The chief attraction here is, of course, the alligators. A variety of species call Gator Park home, including Crusher, a large male which helps educate the public through daily animal shows, and Blizzard and Snow, two rare albino alligators. They removed many of the alligators who live in Gator Park from nuisance situations where the gators lived too close to humans. Rather than killing these nuisance gators, they go to live at Wild Florida.

Other animals found at the park include a Florida panther, bobcats, lemurs, two-toed sloths, and an aviary filled with birds. The Hawk Swamp walk features a raised wood boardwalk that passes through a part of the cypress swamp where owls and other birds nest in trees. Wild Florida’s Gator Park also offers a petting zoo where kids can feed and learn about baby animals and a playground where they can burn off a little excess energy.

Animal Shows

The highlight of Gator Park is definitely the Crusher show. A massive alligator who was removed from a nuisance situation, Crusher only entertains the crowd when he wants to. His handlers clarified that if Crusher isn’t feeling the need to interact with them, they cancel the show and try again at the next show time. Fortunately, Crusher eventually participated, much to the delight of several groups who attended. Other animal shows include exotic animal shows and alligator feedings.

Drive-Through Safari Park

The Safari Park at Wild Florida requires a separate ticket purchase from the airboat rides. Both include admission to Gator Park. Visitors to the drive-through park can experience a more intimate experience than on a crowded bus tour. The self-guided tour travels down gravel paths where over 150 animals roam free on 170 acres. The four-mile excursion allows visitors to observe animals such as giraffes, zebras, alligators, American bison, and antelope just feet away. For a separate fee, visitors can also feed giraffes from an elevated platform.

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Chomp House Grill

The adventure doesn’t end with animal encounters. Try a culinary adventure at the onsite restaurant, Chomp House Grill, where a classically trained chef prepares classic Florida dishes, such as gator nuggets and fried catfish. For less adventurous palates, the grill serves traditional burgers, tenders, and hot dogs, and they also offer vegetarian options.

Special Events

Last, Wild Florida provides a unique setting for special events. Their Cypress Ballroom offers air-conditioned space which can be used for corporate or intimate events. The Gator Pavilion offers covered outdoor space swamp side, and the Recreation Field is the perfect spot for corporate games, an outdoor wedding, or a party.

Other Information You Might Find Useful

Though Wild Florida Airboats and Gator Park is in a more rural part of Florida, it’s not far from other places of interest. If a trip to Orlando includes Wild Florida, you might like these other attractions and need local places to sleep and eat.

Attractions Near Wild Florida

When in the area, plan an extra day to enjoy the other attractions south of Orlando. First, the beautiful beaches of Cocoa Beach are just over an hour away to the east. Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center are also in the area near Cocoa Beach and are worth a day or two. The immediate area around Wild Florida offers several airboat tour companies and wildlife parks such as Amazing Animals and Reptile World Serpentarium.

Also near Wild Florida are several golf courses, some public such as Harmony Golf Preserve and Grenelefe Golf and Tennis Resort. There are also several excellent state parks in the area, including Allen Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve and Lake Kissimmee State Park. The collection of lakes south of Wild Florida is called Kissimmee Chain of Lakes and is widely considered some of the best freshwater fishing in Florida. 

Places to Eat Near Wild Florida

Though Wild Florida offers an onsite restaurant, visitors who prefer different meal options will find several places nearby. Velma’s Diner is a good diner spot. For pizza and Italian, try Bella Roma Pizza. For wings and brews, head north to Canoe Creek Sports Tavern. Highway 192, several miles north of Wild Florida, offers several national chains such as Culver’s, Chick-Fil-A, Village Inn, and Beef O’Brady’s.

Hotels Near Wild Florida Airboats and Gator Park

Wild Florida’s rural location means there are few hotels or vacation rentals nearby. One of the most popular is Camp Mack, a Guy Harvey Lodge, though there’s no direct route from Wild Florida to Camp Mack. The easiest option for lodging is the multitude of hotels and motels on Highway 192 in Kissimmee.

Final Thoughts on Wild Florida

Wild Florida Airboats is a fun, alligator-centric attraction near Kissimmee and Orlando’s major theme parks. Get to know Florida’s most feared predator, learn more about the headwaters of the Everglades, and see animals from around the world up close from the comfort of your car. Next time you visit Orlando, take a day to experience this unique side of Florida.

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