Walt Disney chose Florida for the biggest and baddest theme park this side of Saturn.

First, the Magic Kingdom, then Epcot, followed by a water park, an animal park and more.

The Magic Kingdom alone attracts more than 20 million visitors a year.

There was a time when Sunshine State attractions weren’t so huge, so crowded and so expensive. You could stop at a Florida roadside attraction, ride in a glass-bottom boat, gaze in wonder as mermaids cavorted underwater or watch a macho guy wrestle an alligator.

Advance ticket purchases were unnecessary and you didn’t have to spend a week’s paycheck to get in the gate.

Time marches on and many classic Florida attractions have passed into entertainment heaven.

The Black Hills Passion Play in Lake Wales closed in 1998. Once popular Cypress Gardens bit the dust in 2009. Tiki Gardens in Indian Rocks Beach is now a parking lot.

Fortunately, some of the state’s classic attractions continue to welcome visitors.

Most have evolved into something more or less than they once were, but they remain among the living and are often enjoyable, uncrowded and relatively inexpensive.

We departed South Georgia for a mid-March road trip through northern and central Florida to visit five of the state’s classic attractions, several of which we had visited as children.

We wanted to see what might have changed and gain a sense whether these tourist attractions retained their old magic.

Our first stop was the St. Augustine Alligator Farm.

Founded in 1893 by a couple of enterprising fellows who collected local alligators, this is one of the state’s oldest tourist attractions. The operation moved to its current location in 1920 and remained fairly modest until new owners in 1937 began acquiring additional animals and birds.

Exhibits have been added and expanded through the years, and in 1989, the facility was accredited by the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

We were surprised at the current scope of the park. Although alligators and crocodiles continue as the main attractions, the park also has exotic birds and mammals.

The zip line is also popular. A stop here is worth at least half a day.

Next it was south on U.S. 27 to Clermont’s Citrus Tower.

Built for $150,000 in 1956, the 226-foot-tall tower is topped by a glass observation deck that once offered an expansive view of 17 million citrus trees.

The facility included a large citrus packing operation where visitors could order shipments home.

Major freezes in 1983, 1985 and 1989 decimated the region’s citrus groves and today’s visitors who ride an elevator to the observation deck view miles of residential developments.

Still, the views are impressive.

Citrus Tower was purchased in 1995 by Greg and Susan Horman who were mostly interested in the 12 acres of prime commercial property, but fell in love with the tower.

The following morning we headed further south on U.S. 27 to Lake Wales for a stop at Bok Tower.

The 205-foot tower and surrounding Frederick Law Olmsted Jr.-designed gardens were a gift to the people by Edward Bok, an editor and author who wintered here. The beautiful 205-foot tower has a 60-bell carillon used for daily concerts.

While the tower is the park’s focal point, strolling through the gardens is one of the great pleasures of a visit. A 20-room Mediterranean-style mansion is open for tours.

Bok Tower continues as one of Florida’s greatest treasures.

Next it was northwest to Weeki Wachee Springs, one of Florida’s earliest and best-known tourist stops.

The facility had fallen into disrepair and was acquired in 2008 by the state of Florida.

The mermaid show we attended, which must have been similar to one we viewed many decades ago, was quite enjoyable. The state park also includes a popular water park with four large water slides plus short boat tours on the Weeki Wachee River.

Wildlife shows are also offered.

The entrance fee of $13 per adult ($8 for children) covers everything and is one of the state’s great bargains.

Our last stop was at Silver Springs near Ocala, an attraction that dates from the 1870s.

The park is best-known for its glass-bottom boat tours along the crystal-clear Silver River. For a time it was also a water park and animal park but that part of Silver Springs was discontinued when it became a state park in 2013.

Glass-bottom boat tours are still popular with visitors who can also rent kayaks and paddleboards.

The park has an impressive boardwalk with numerous chairs and benches scattered along the walkways. The glass-bottom boat tour ($11) was fun and the entrance fee of $2 is a steal.

David and Kay Scott are authors of “Complete Guide to the National Park Lodges” (Globe Pequot). Visit them at mypages.valdosta.edu/dlscott/Scott.html. They live in Valdosta, Ga.