Silver Springs

Silver Springs  - Throughout history, Silver Springs has been a timeless oasis and a place of unparalleled natural beauty, offering respite to early settlers who drew sustenance from its 99.8% pure artesian spring waters.  In the early 1500s, Timucuan Indians settled in the area around Silver Spring which they referred to as Ocali, a subprovince of Timucua.  In 1539, the area was invaded by Spaniards, led by Hernando de Soto, looking to exploit wealth.  After many battles, the Ocali Indians were able to retain their claimed territory.  In time, the Timucuans were succeeded by other Indian tribes include the Seminole Indians.  In 1835, Chief Osceola and the Seminoles retreated to the southern swamps.  His slashing of the peace treaty the U.S. presented to him is the famous gesture that gained him the respect of the Seminole Indians.  In the 1850s, commerce was introduced to the Silver Springs area as barges carried cotton, lumber and nonperishables up the Silver River the the area's growing population.  The 6 original Tarzan movies from the 1930s and 1940s were stot at Silver Springs, as well as "The Yearling", "The Creature from the Black Lagoon" and more than 100 episodes of "Sea Hunt".  Today, millions of guests come to the park to enjoy nature and see the crystal clear waters that gush forth with such force and purity.

Orlando Attraction Ticket

Magic Kingdom - Epcot - Animal Kingdom - MGM - Universal - IOA - SeaWorld - Busch Gardens

    Silver Springs Theme Park

• Lighthouse Ride - carries 50 people at a time nearly 80 feet into the air for a bird's-eye view of Silver Springs, the Silver River and the area's wildlife. The ride will feature a unique combination of a carousel and gondola ride with a telescoping outer tower that quietly rises above Silver Springs. At night the Lighthouse Ride will be illuminated by more than 3,500 computer controlled Turbo-Lights encircling the tower and flashing sequentially
• Fort King River Cruise - passengers travel back through Silver Springs' 10,000 year history and encounter interactive sites and exhibits beginning with a working archaeological dig site. Other scenes on the riverbanks include a Seminole village, the 1830s Fort King Army stockade, a late-1800s riverboat dock and train depot, and an authentic Florida pioneer settlement. The last exhibit is a movie set representing the many classic films and TV shows that have been shot at Silver Springs since the early 1900s.
• Fantastic Fountains - Also now open is Silver Springs' new Fantastic Fountains water show. Presented throughout the day inside the remodeled Fantastic Theater, the show features 1,045 water jets and 17 water features inside a 5,600 gallon tank that spray out more than 1,000 gallons of water per minute. The fast-paced program will produce a series of fountains and water designs that jump, twist and twirl in synchronization to a dazzling light show and musical score of patriotic music and hits from the '50s.
• Glass Bottom Boats - offering passengers an unparalleled view of the underwater life in the Silver River.  Invented in 1878, these boats take guests on a dramatic tour of 7 major spring formations.
• Fort King River Cruise - a journey into Silver Springs' 10,000 year history with sightings of native Florida wildlife
• Lost River Voyage - Transporting guests back in time to wild Florida as it was thousands of years ago.  Cypress trees line the banks of the river where alligators, heron and osprey bask.
• World of Bears - the largest exhibit of its kind in the US.  Bears exhibited in naturalistic outdoor habitats include brown bears, Asiatic black bears, spectacled bears and North American black bears.
• Panther Prowl - offers guests the unique opportunity to see, photograph and learn about North America's largest wild cats.
• Big Gator Lagoon - More than 3 dozen of Florida's largest alligators are on exhibit in a 1 acre natural cypress swamp featuring fresh spring water and basking areas.
• Alligator & Crocodile Encounter - the second largest collection of crocodilian species in the U.S.  13 of the world's 23 species of alligators, crocodiles, caimens and gavials are displayed.
• Sobek - believed to be the world's largest American crocodile in the care of man, resides in his habitat on Cypress Point.  The reptile measures 16 fee and weighs nearly 2000 pounds.
• Reptiles of the World - featuring a collection of reptiles from 4 continents.  Guests are enthralled when reptile handlers give an educational presentation dispelling some of the myths about these fascinating cold-blooded animals.