Miami …the last hoorah! (March 2009)

The Last Hoorah! Before we were leaving, we wanted to do one last thing… another air-boat ride into the everglades. We had done one in the beginning of our visit 3 months earlier up on the north end by Shark Valley… a bit pricey for what you got and a bit hokkie at times… but the “nature”part was truly enjoyable. This time we planned to go the southern end by Everglades National Park… a place called “Alligator Park”. Recommended to be better at the campground. The newer airboats up by Shark Valley had raised “stadium type seats” and quieter engines… Alligator Park had the older type flat boats and much, much, noisier engines… but the ride was nicer and the park was bigger. In the park preserve area we got to see alligators, crocodiles, some birds, and some other animals… only a few small gators actually on the airboat ride. They had 2 shows, as they call them… lets just say… demonstrations. Alligator handling… not really what you might expect from the title… “alligator wrestling” and alligator feeding. Like with most attractions here in south Florida… the word “Attractions” and “Shows” are used rather loosely and conjure up images and expectations that rarely are met by what you actually get… hence the label… “Tourist Trap”… which rather applies to most “Attractions”… and the word “Show” could be more accurately described as a “Carnie Act”… perhaps then your expectations would not exceed the actual presentation. Aside from that… it is what it is… and it was worth doing one time to have the experience. Maybe I’m getting older and expect a little more bang for my buck… especially in these economically depressed times where almost everything is being offered as a better bargain for the customer… but some hold onto the bigger profit margins because they have a captive audience? But you can draw your own conclusions. A good experience, a fun time, but a bit overpriced for what you get. Perhaps all the attractions that I am use to seeing (Disney, Seaworld etc), perpetuate an air of disappointment upon other so called attractions when you get less for your money. Less quality (presentation not as good), less quantity

( much less to see and do ), and shorter time for the experience ( it’s all over in about an hour). But as mentioned before… just consider that it is what it is! I’d still say if you have not done it before… do it once! The “nature part” of things is great! Don’t forget the ear plugs! … and hold into your hat!