DURING COVID MAKE RESERVATIONS, THEY WERE SOLD OU...

DURING COVID MAKE RESERVATIONS, THEY WERE SOLD OUT! We were going to take a spontaneous trip, on Sunday, Labor Day Weekend, and thankfully my bf checked the website, and our 3:40 time slot sold out as he was purchasing, so we had to choose an earlier slot... hindsight 20/20, we lucked out because we would have missed half the park, half the experiences and memories ifwe had gone later! We arrived for our 1:40 time slot, and left at closing time: 5pm.

Mist-fans, sanitation stations, water bottle fillers at each water fountain, and bathrooms conveniently located throughout the park. Highly recommend bringing a camelback from home for ice water, or atleast a water bottle to refill.

This was the BEST Zoo experience we've ever had!

That's saying something... I've been to San Diego Zoo, Philadelphia Zoo, Omaha Zoo, several "drive thru zoos" (ie: Bear Country in South Dakota, Six Flags Safaris, etc), and while many of those are much larger, this place takes the cake!

Riding the Sky Lift, first, was a good idea, because later in the day we were so consumed with animal viewing, that we didn't make it back to the entrance area till we were leaving the park. The cost is $4 per person, at the gate, for unlimited rides.

We got to pet an uncaged wallaby (with which there were about half a dozen roaming around) and the giraffes. Recommend bringing cash if you plan to feed animals like the giraffes, elephants, parrots, and whatever else might be feed-able by patrons. Also, giraffe petting / feeding enclosure had a max of 8 patrons, so expect a line and get there early enough. We almost missed out because there was 12 minutes before closing time, and they warn that they'll take as many as they can, but will NOT be able to get the whole line. So if it's important to you, prioritize!

The animals are in great health, not lethargic, and seem very happy! We were there around feeding time (which was around 4pm), so they were very active!

We managed to catch video of the tiger prowl, and nearly pounce at a Zoo Keeper that was on the other side of the fence with her arms out-spread like she would have caught it in a hug, before the tiger started stroping against the fence, chuffing happily as he nuzzled the palms of her hands thru the fence.

We got video of a Zoo Keeper patiently teaching the Barn Owl how to crate-train for vet visits, and allowing to learn "only if he wants to."

We have video of otters doing back flips where the waterfall in their enclosure splashes down.

This is all just to point out how active and happy the animals seem to be in their beautiful enclosures (most having interior and exterior viewing areas, or atleast their own hideaways from the heat). Very well-maintained grounds and animals by caring, jovial staff. Very positive and memorable trip. Can't wait till we have a child, to experience it again, thru their eyes. :)