ORLANDO -- With the economy tripping and falling, at least on Central Florida Attraction has found what it believes to be a winning strategy.
Gatorland is combining deep discounts with a brand new feature -- rare white alligators.
The park may have parrots, wild birds and a water fun play area, but it is really all about the gators -- and now it has the rarest of the rare.
"Oh, this is hugely important to us. To have something we can go into the marketplace right now, something as neat as these white alligators that people are really fascinated with, in an economic downturn, you combine that with our Florida resident special, we're
hoping to do wonders with this," said Mark McHugh, of Gatorland.
The Florida resident special has boosted attendance 50 to 60 percent since it started -- impressive in this economy.
Now the park is hoping the White Gator Swamp will generate even more business.
The white gators came from the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans in return for an alligator they lent to that zoo.
Incidentally, the gators are not albinos -- it is a rare mutation, characterized by, in addition to the white skin -- blue eyes, which are strikingly blue in person.
"You know, you stare into those blue eyes and it's supposed to bring good fortune," McHugh said. "I've been staring for months now, and it's working right now."
Gatorland is no Disney, Universal or SeaWorld, but it does have its own niche, and it has something the other parks don't -- history. Gatorland first opened 60 years ago in 1949.
Another draw is the famous gator mouth entrance, built by the owners' son in 1963, and even today it is a must-have picture for tourists and locals alike.
The White Gator Swamp officially opens Saturday.
The Florida Resident Special cuts admission for Florida residents more than in half to $9.99. It is currently good through Feb. 28.
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