Orlando: Everglades Airboat Ride and Wildlife Park Ticket

About This Experience

You drive yourself to Wild Florida, a privately owned airboat dock and animal park on Lake Cypress, south-east of Kissimmee. The ride comes first: 30 minutes by default, or an hour if you book the longer option. The captain hands out ear defenders, then runs the boat across open lake, marsh grass and narrow channels, cutting the engine near nests and basking spots so everyone can look and take photos.

After the boat you have the park to yourselves for as long as you like. It is a walk-around mix of Florida and exotic animals: alligators large and small, zebras, deer, tortoises, sloths and birds, with a hands-on alligator demonstration at set times. Kids who got restless on the boat usually perk up here, and there is a covered playground and misters for the hotter hours.

The name needs a word of explanation. The operator calls these wetlands the Central Florida Everglades because Lake Cypress sits in the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, the headwaters that eventually drain toward Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades. You are not in Everglades National Park, which is roughly four hours south; you are at the top of the same water system, and the wildlife is much the same.

The trade-offs are distance, noise and sun. It is about 34 miles from the Disney area and the last stretch is rural, so rideshares back can be hard to find. The boats are loud and open, and wild gators are likely but never promised. If your kids hate loud noises, or you have no car and a tight schedule, a Kissimmee airboat closer to town or a hotel-pickup tour is easier.

Highlights

• Skim across open lake, marsh and winding channels at the top of the Everglades water system
• Pull up quietly beside basking alligators, nests and wading birds when the captain cuts the engine
• Choose a 30-minute ride for little ones or a full hour for keener wildlife spotters
• Walk the park afterwards to see zebras, sloths, tortoises and big captive gators up close
• Catch a live, hands-on alligator demonstration from the park's keepers

What's Included

• ✓ Airboat eco tour of 30 minutes, or 1 hour if you book that option
• ✓ Live captain-guide commentary in English
• ✓ Wildlife park admission for the same day
• ✓ Live alligator demonstration
• ✓ Wildlife exhibits including zebras, deer, tortoises, alligators and birds

Not Included

• Gratuities for the captain
• Photos holding a live alligator
• Barbecue meals, snacks and drinks
• Gift shop purchases and paid animal encounters
• Transport to Kenansville

What to Bring

• Sun hat and sunglasses that will not blow off
• Sunscreen, reapplied before the boat
• Refillable water bottle for each child
• Child-sized ear muffs if you have a baby or toddler
• Light jacket for winter mornings on the water

Good to Know & Caveats

• Wild alligators are common here but sightings are not guaranteed; the park's captive gators are a sure thing.
• Children five and under must wear a life jacket on the airboat; the operator sets no minimum age to ride.
• Ear protection headphones are handed out to children and adults before the boat leaves.
• Rides run from 9 AM to 4:30 PM; check in about 45 minutes early. In summer, aim for the first ride.
• The Crusher gator show runs at 11 AM and 3:45 PM, weather and gator permitting.
• Paid encounters have age minimums: 8 for sloth and porcupine, 12 for lemur and gator feeding.
• There is no splash pad, but outside food is allowed and there are misters in the park.
• If a storm cancels your ride, the operator offers a reschedule or refund.

Meeting Point

Wild Florida Airboats & Gator Park, 3301 Lake Cypress Rd, Kenansville, FL 34739. Parking is on site; there is no hotel pickup.