21 vintage shots of Orlando's Gatorland attraction

Gatorland, the self-proclaimed "Alligator Capital of the World", has been part of the Central Florida tourism scene since it opened its jaws in 1949. The park offers the chance for up-close and personal encounters with more than just alligators. You'll also find yourself in close (but safe!) quarters with snakes, absolutely humongous tortoises and all the cuddly animals at the petting zoo.

Check out these photos from the State of Florida archives. While some of the photos are undated, many of them come from the 70s to the mid-90s.

If this gallery doesn't scratch your vintage Orlando attractions itch, 'Before there was Disney: 29 photos of tourist attractions that were here before the Mouse' should do the trick.

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View showing alligators and sign.State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
View showing alligators and sign.
State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Alligator wrestling State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Alligator wrestling
State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Baby alligators.State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Baby alligators.
State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Employee feeding alligators.State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Employee feeding alligators.
State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Close-up view of an alligator.State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Close-up view of an alligator.
State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Entrance to the Gatorland theme park.State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Entrance to the Gatorland theme park.
State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Employee feeding an alligator.State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Employee feeding an alligator.
State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Tourists observing alligators at the Gatorland.State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Tourists observing alligators at the Gatorland.
State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Gatorland theme park employee handling a rattlesnake.State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Gatorland theme park employee handling a rattlesnake.
State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
View showing an employee feeding an alligator.State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
View showing an employee feeding an alligator.
State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
View showing an alligator leaping out of the water for food on a rope.State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
View showing an alligator leaping out of the water for food on a rope.
State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Sightseers on footbridge at the Gatorland Zoo swampState Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Sightseers on footbridge at the Gatorland Zoo swamp
State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Tourists on train at the Gatorland theme park.State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Tourists on train at the Gatorland theme park.
State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Alligators at Gatorland. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Alligators at Gatorland.
State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
View showing the tour train.State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
View showing the tour train.
State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Gatorland attraction in St. Augustine.State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Gatorland attraction in St. Augustine.
State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Girl feeds the goat at Gatorland.State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Girl feeds the goat at Gatorland.
State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Tourists on train at the Gatorland theme park.State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Tourists on train at the Gatorland theme park.
State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Visitors walking on footbridgeState Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Visitors walking on footbridge
State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
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