The idea took hold for me and my almost adult children. The best day we had at the resort was counting the species of birds, spotting the gators, watching the turtles splash into the water when we got close, and observing just how fast nesting birds can stuff an old ticket booth shack full of nesting material. I swear nesting birds can move a one ton bale of dry plant matter in a day! There were some buildings stuffed so full of nests they were from floor to ceiling, only now the floor was almost at the ceiling.
I went to Adventure Island in 1984 or thereabouts. I agree with you. It was a wonderful experience. Somewhat sanitized nature, but still a real experience. I thought back then they said that the goal wasn’t particularly to make a profit, but to provide a positive experience in an environment where everything wasn’t virtual.