Gatorland and snakes!!

We will be visiting Florida for the first time next week and I wanted to say that I have found this forum invaluable over the past few weeks so thanks everybody! Could somebody please answer a silly question for me? We are planning to visit Gatorland and as I have a phobia of snakes was wondering whether staff actually walk around the park with snakes(YUK) or whether they are just involved in so called 'shows' - the thought of literally bumping into one fills me with dread!! If so, I'll be giving it a miss but my husband and son will love it.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by carolb
We will be visiting Florida for the first time next week and I wanted to say that I have found this forum invaluable over the past few weeks so thanks everybody! Could somebody please answer a silly question for me? We are planning to visit Gatorland and as I have a phobia of snakes was wondering whether staff actually walk around the park with snakes(YUK) or whether they are just involved in so called 'shows' - the thought of literally bumping into one fills me with dread!! If so, I'll be giving it a miss but my husband and son will love it.
[/quote]

We went to gatorland last month and did not see anyone carrying snakes around just the offer of having a photo taken with one, but thats it, oh a few in tanks too![msneek]

They do a show that has a snake in it, but we didnt see people walking around with them, The
place is really good, our kids loved the day there

I've only ever seen snakes there in glass cases. :)

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by blott
I've only ever seen snakes there in glass cases. :)
[/quote]

Are these glass cases in a specific 'snakes area' and can you avoid them?

They did have a snake called Star and you could have her round your neck for a photo. A friend of mine used to be Star's handler and minder!! Star has now retired and I don't think that she has been or is going to be replaced.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Carla
They did have a snake called Star and you could have her round your neck for a photo. A friend of mine used to be Star's handler and minder!! Star has now retired and I don't think that she has been or is going to be replaced.
[/quote]


That's a relief!!

Thanks everyone for your replies - I appreciate it.

In fact, there is a Reptile Show in SILVER SPRINGS where brave souls (not me!) are invited to fondle non-poisonous (so they claim) snakes after the event. My 9-year old niece was the only one brave enough.[msnembarrased][msnembarrased]

Nostromo the Silver Springs would be right up my 7 year old's alley - whereabouts is it in relation to US27? I think we have at least 5 hours where we haven't planned to do something! We're off in 7 days!

You can also get to handle snakes at the Reptile World & Serpentarium, which is just East of St Cloud along the 192... They have venom collecting demonstrations every day.[:p]

There are lizards, turtles and aligators to see as well as loads of snakes.