Gatorland on Fire

[maggiegrace1]

So sad..

We went every year when I was a kid..We have pictures in the entranceway..This makes me want to cry..

 

[BiggerTigger]

I can remember driving by there almost everyday I went into work. The gator mouth always put a smile on my face when I saw it. My thoughts and prayers go out to them.

P.S. Wasn't Gatorland up for sale at one time in the past year or so?

 

[CatLady]

I drove by a couple hours ago (my veterinarian is across the street from Gatorland). They had just reopened the road, and it's really sad to see. Very creepy to see the big gator mouth entrance all blackened and not much building supporting it.

WFTV just reported that Gatorland's insurance will cover the wages of the employees for a few days while they make some sort of makeshift entrance at another part of the park. I'm glad they have good insurance. It's such a classic roadside attraction, and it would be sad to see them have to shut down entirely. I just hope that if they rebuild, they can preserve that gator mouth around the door.

 

[Space Mountain]

The mouth seemed to be the only thing left...

Does anyone know yet what animals were killed from the fire? I heard some snakes and maybe some birds.

 

[Tim G]

The sadness...

<img src= "http://www.orlandosentinel.com/media/photo/2006-11/26279123.jpg">

<img src = "http://www.orlandosentinel.com/media/photo/2006-11/26277619.jpg">

<img src = "http://www.orlandosentinel.com/media/photo/2006-11/26279555.jpg">

<img src = "http://www.orlandosentinel.com/media/photo/2006-11/26277447.jpg">

<img src = "http://www.orlandosentinel.com/media/photo/2006-11/26277789.jpg">

<img src = "http://www.orlandosentinel.com/media/photo/2006-11/26277787.jpg">

 

[Nemo14]

Thanks for the pics Corrus. Soooo sad.
They're reporting up here that 2 snakes and 2 crocs died.

 

[goofntink]

We know Frank And Mark from Gatorland, and they are hoping to have the park back open before Thanksgiving. The good thing about it all is that they only lost 3 animals, 2 pythons and one alligator. They thought another one had died but they found it this afternoon in one of the ponds. Also Fortunately, Frank said they didn't lose the Parks icon, the Gator main entrance because it was built out of concrete. A liitle cleaning and some paint and he will be good as new.

 

[garyhoov]

We were literally on our way there when we heard the news. I tried to convince myself that it wouldn't be that bad and maybe they'd even still be open, but when we got close, it was clear from the police lines and fire trucks that it was bad.

Here's to better times:

http://web.archive.org/web/20050308164245/http://home.comcast.net/~ghoover/day_2.htm



http://home.comcast.net/~ghoover/Day 4.htm

 

[Tigggrl]

Thanks for the Pics Gary!:sohappy: