Guided Tours in Orlando

We got there about an hour early for our tour thinking that would be enough time to check out the zoo area… The zoo was actually pricier than we expected. They also had some nature shows at specific times which were fun. We chose just the half-hour airboat ride, which turned out to be perfect for the kids. Even with just a half hour we saw several large alligators, some baby alligators, and other wildlife. Overall, great experience – would definitely recommend.

Bought tickets at Shades of Green in Orlando, just like the salesperson suggested- so happy we did! This was hands down one of the best experiences we’ve had! We had an 8:45 tour and got there early. Laura was our guide and she did an excellent job spotting gators and other wildlife right away! We saw adult gators, baby gators, swamp chickens, great blue herons, snail kites, and a bald eagle. We got really close! She was knowledgeable and made it a great time - all the kids on board (ages 8-14) LOVED it when she drove right through grassy areas and turned sharply. They provided ear protection. I suggest dressing warmly as it’s cooler near the water. Bring a hat, sunglasses, and a hair tie (which I forgot). This was such a great way to take a break from all the theme parks and Orlando activities. Afterward, we shed our layers and enjoyed the zoo…what an incredible experience! We stayed for the gator feeding, fed the parakeets and baby gators (and the big ones)…all the kids said this was the best zoo they’d ever been to (and we’ve been to some good ones!). You can really get close to all the animals and there was even a peacock roaming around! Bathrooms were clean, gift shops had loads to buy and a great selection of drinks and snacks. We didn’t eat at the restaurant, but the prices looked pretty reasonable: ($12) for a burger. I would 100% recommend this adventure and would come back in the future.