There’s so much more than just hatching. Don’t miss our exciting new lineup.
Thank You for a Snappy 2024 Hatching Festival!
ACTIVITIES & FOOD
GATORVENTURES
Get your hands dirty and join our zookeepers beyond the fences.
So You Want To Hatch A Baby Gator?
It’s Hatching Season here at Gatorama, and while the babies are in the incubators, we thought we’d give you a little information to help make your Festival Experience everything it can be.
We have been active research partners with The University of Florida for many years. This year the results are in! As part of our mission to preserve the species continues, we are going to let Mother Nature take full control of The Hatching Festival this year, even down to the time of day.
Mother Nature is funny, she doesn’t like to be rushed and has yet to get a watch, so we will hatch no baby until it’s ready. Don’t worry, in all the years we have had the Hatching Festival, we’ve always been able to accommodate our guests. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the time printed on your hatch ticket.
In order to adhere to CDC recommendations, you will be hatching in small groups. When you check in, you’ll be given a ticket for your hatching group. This way, you can enjoy the park and listen for your group to be called. Okee reports that it’s an egg-cellent presentation by Gatorama’s own Allen Register.
Meanwhile, we will be checking on babies to see who is ready to be hatched. We will distribute gloves (they are necessary for your safety and the safety of our babies) and direct you to a Hatching Station.
All CDC guidelines that are in effect for our state will be observed during hatching. This includes protocols on gatherings. For your safety and comfort, families that are traveling together will be assigned a hatching station. Please make sure you stick to your hatching station, as ‘jumping’ stations is not allowed.
Once you’ve finished hatching and taking a few selfies, your guide will take the baby and place it in the ‘Nursery’. Your turn is now over. While we are busy sanitizing our stations, another group will be called to the barn and you will be free to check out all of the exciting things there are to do at Gatorama.
As Okee says “The Early Bird Catches The Worm”, or is it Gator? When you’re done, try your hand at some of our Gatorventures. Either way, the fun isn’t over!
