One more Gatorland tidbit today: The attraction will reinstitute its occasional Florida resident discount, beginning this Friday, Nov. 20, in connection with the relaunch of its Gator Jumparoo show. Admission for Floridians will be $14.99 general, $9.99 for ages 3-12. Normally, it's $22.99 and $14.99.

Gatorland aims to put more snap into one of its classic shows by adding new blood.

The Gator Jumparoo, a mainstay of the south Orlando attraction for 25 years, is undergoing a structural facelift and is being recast with younger, thinner and presumably jumpier alligators.

Previously, any alligator in Gatorland's main lake could swim in the Jumparoo area and try to snatch chicken during the performances. Some of the animals were getting lazy about it, said Mike Hileman, Gatorland's director of entertainment.

"They didn't care if they worked for their food or not. We retired those guys," Hileman said. "Now we've got the younger generation. They're agile, they're quicker, they're more athletic."

Improvements to the Jumparoo area include underwater fencing that keeps the general population out of the show. Gatorland is now moving 30 select alligators there from the north end of the attraction, where they've been trained for performances.

(Photo by Rachel Sonnenshine/Orlando Sentinel)

"Jumping and grabbing things is kind of a natural behavior," said Mark McHugh, present and chief executive officer of Gatorland. "Jumping and grabbing pieces of chicken is something we teach them."

The alligators aren't used to being around people, and they'll have a few days to get acclimated to their new digs.

"It's a little bit of a culture shock to them," Hileman said. The soft opening of the revamped Jumparoo is set for Friday, and the park plans for the show to be at full strength by the first of December. The gators' behavior will determine the true timetable.

"Anytime you have a new project with animals you have an outline, and you go from there," Hileman said.

Gatorland workers will spend three days moving 250 alligators on its property. Part of that process includes a quick medical exam of the gators bound for the Jumparoo. A veternarian takes blood and vital statistics while three people straddle the animal and hold it into place. A towel over the alligator's eyes helps keep it calm, but it doesn't stop it from hissing when being moved from spot to spot.

The first new inhabitant was a female, about 9 feet, 7 inches long. She's probably about 15 years old, Gatorland officials said. After landing at her new pad, she popped her head above the water's surface and stared down her handlers. 

Other Jumparoo alterations include a new deck for the show with a platform that juts into the center of the water. That is designed for better viewing from all sides and will bring the action closer to guests, Hileman says. Some visual obstacles have been removed as well. Older style of jumps -- frequently with poles -- has been abandoned, Hileman said.

"We're doing everything by hands now," he said.

The show will maintain its down-home style featuring comical actors vying for a position as gator wrestler.

"All the fans of Bubba and Cooter don't have to worry," Hileman said.

And no need to fret about those retired alligators either. Gatorland plans to open a new exhibit featuring the big guys in February.

Check out photos of Gatorland through the years.

Time for a wrap-up of Halloween events at Central Florida attractions, from continuing, to coming up, to concluding. But we'll beging with the mild, kid-oriented, trick-or-treating events and move up to The Horrors.

+ This Sunday, Oct. 25, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. is Old Town's safe trick-or-treating. Kids get candy from the various merchants at the Kissimmee complex. Get into the Grimm Haunted House for only $1 if you wear a Halloween costume. Details at www.old-town.com.

+ SeaWorld's Spooktacular continues this Saturday and Sunday plus Friday the 30th and Saturday the 31st. Seafaring characters and trick-or-treating ensues at noon each day, plus an Abby Cadabby Halloween attraction is set up on the stage of Bayside Stadium. Included in regular SeaWorld admission. Details: www.seaworldspooktacular.com.

+ Orlando Science Center has events planned for Oct. 30 and 31. The Howl at the Moon Overnight Adventure starts at 5:30 p.m. Friday and runs until 10 a.m. the next day. Offerings include educational (not spooky) workshops, live shows, giant-screen film, exploration of the science center, dinner, breakfast plus guests will sleep in one of the exhibit halls. The overnighter costs $35 per adult, $45 per child. This is for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade.

On the Saturday morning of Oct. 31, at the Science Center, 10 a.m.-noon, is Lil Frankenstein Monster Bash, which is aimed at the 3-to-5-year-old set. Activities include educatonal activities and a snack. Cost is $25 per parent and child  plus regular OSC admission.

Pre-register for Howl at the Moon and Lil Frankenstein by calling 407-514-2112.

On the afternoon of Oct. 31 is the Spooktacular Science Extravaganza, in which all four floors of the science center are creeped out. Expect crafts, live shows, treats, face painting, "Gross Out experiments" and a rare daylight appearance by Count Dracula. This experience is included in regular science center admission. Details at www.osg.org.

+ On Oct. 31,  the Orange County Regional History Center will host free trick-or-treating for kids. The history center will host three floors of treats, plus crafts and a "not so scary" maze. It's for ages 12 and under, and kids must be accompanied by an adult. Hours for the event are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Details at www.thehistorycenter.org.

+ Forever Florida, the eco-attraction in Osceola County, holds Howling Halloween events on Oct. 23, 24, 30 and 31, 7 p.m.-midnight. Activities include nighttime ziplining, hayrides and more. Reservations recommended. More info, pricing, directions at www.foreverflorida.com/FestivalDays.

+ Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party evenings continue at the Magic Kingdom. Remaining dates are Oct. 22, 23, 25, 27, 29 and Nov. 1. Halloween night is sold out. This is an after-hours, separate ticket event (normal theme-park admission does not grant admission to Not So Scary). Save with advance purchase at www.disneyworld.com/halloween.

+ A combination of intense scares and down-home humor is Gatorland's Gator Hollow events, which have two dates left: Oct. 23 and 24, beginning at 7 p.m. Aliens and zombies and rednecks, oh my. $10 per person, free parking. Details at www.gatorland.com.

+ Scarier still: Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios. Remaining dates are Oct. 22, 23, 24, 30 and 31. Begins at 6:30 p.m., check www.halloweenhorrornights.com/orlando for ticket options.

+ Scarier still, part 2: Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens in Tampa. Remaining dates are Oct. 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30 and 31 at 7:30 p.m. Go to www.howloscream.com/tampa for ticketing options.

You might not associate Halloween and Gatorland together, but the longtime attraction's Gator Hallow has the potential to change that.

Gatorland has had Halloween programs in the past, and last year it attempted to upgrade beyond just people jumping out at you with a two-day Gator Hallow, an after hours, separate-ticket event. Unfortunately, one of those nights was rained out. This year, there are four evenings scheduled: Oct. 16, 17, 23 and 24.

At a preview earlier this week, I wasn't sure to expect, and that was part of the thrill. The atmosphere out there is unfamiliar, especially in the dark, so something spooky could potentially come at you from any direction. We even viewed the ticket taker suspiciously.

The basics and backstory: Groups of about 25 people are toured through the Gatorland grounds under the auspices of solving why folks have gone missing. Along the way, you encounter aliens, a startling number of zombies, a couple of rednecks (aka Bubba and Cooter), real alligators in the swamp and a few fun surprises that I won't spoil here (and, boy, is it tempting).

Gatorland will present its Halloween-driven after-hours event four nights in October. It's Gator Howl will feature a showdown between zombies and aliens. And if that's not scary enough, there's hundreds of gators in its murky waters -- and Gatorland's own Bubba and Cooter will be on hand too (We kid, we kid!).

Gator Howl will be held 7 p.m.-10 p.m. on Oct. 16, 17, 23 and 24. Admission is $10 per person (adults and children). The event is not included in regular daytime admission to the South Orange Blossom Trail park.

Tickets are available in advance or at the door or at www.gatorland.com. For more info, call 407-855-5496, Ext. 0.

Check out Gatorland photos in our gallery

Just in time for Labor Day, Gatorland is re-introducing its $9.99 admission price  for Florida residents -- adults and children. The deal is good through the end of September.

That will also mark the end of the current display of Gatorland's white alligators. The foursome -- all brothers -- moved from Louisiana into special digs at the Orange Blossom Trail attraction earlier this month. As of October, they will begin "breeding introductions," which Gatorland notes can be tedious and treacherous. The boys are very territorial.

So look now -- legend has it that folks who stare into the blue eyes of the white gators will receive good fortune.

 

The four white gator at Gatorland has been named, courtesy of contest winner Alisa King of Orlando. King submitted "Trezo Je" as a moniker, which she says is Cajun for "treasure's eye." These alligators -- born in Louisiana -- are known as leucistic, and they sport incredibly BLUE eyes.

As a prize, King got some "alone time" with the 10-foot creature, on Sunday. Legend has it if you look into the eyes of the white gators, you'll receive great fortune. King should play the lottery this week.

Trezo Je in on exhibit at Gatorland alongside his brothers Bouya Blan (white fog), Feros Zonbi (fierce ghost) and Jeyan Kwok (giant fang). The park has extended their stay in the public eye through September. After that, the foursome will be "off exhibit" until Nov. 20 for breeding introductions to a female alligator that carries the leucistic gene -- something that's not been tried before.

Gatorland is running a Florida-resident discount through Sept. 7. General admission is $14.99 and $9.99 for ages 3-12.

Gatorland has extended its Florida-resident discount through Sept. 7 -- Labor Day. Adult admission to the attraction, which started in 1949, will be $14.99. Proof of residency is required. Children's admission (ages 3-12) will be $9.99.

(Shameless self-promotion: Gatorland says you can save even more with the $5-off coupon that's running in Friday's Orlando Sentinel.)

The extension gives folks even more time to check out its four white alligators on display. Legend has it that those who stare into the blue, blue eyes of the leucistic gators will receive good fortune. These alligators will be available to the general public for a limited time, so get an eyeful now.

More info: www.gatorland.com or 800-393-JAWS.

Gatorland is taking a chomp out of admission prices for Florida residents in June and July.

The South Orange Blossom Trail attraction is lopping off  $8 off its regular adult admission so that tickets will be $14.99. Children ages 3-12 will be admitted for $9.99. Proof of residency will be required.

The park, which opened in 1949, is currently featuring four leucistic alligators -- white-skinned with blue eyes. Legend has it that those who stare directly into the eyes of the ivory beauties will receive good fortune.

We've said it before, we'll say it again: For the money, you can't beat the G-land. Especially as long as the $9.99 Florida resident promo is running (they keep extending it, but it won't last forever; you must have proof of residency), and especially especially with the new white gator exhibit that officially opens this weekend. With that in mind, here are a few notes from a recent trip with family, including a 6- and 9-year old.