Back in 2009, the San Diego Zoo send shockwaves throughout zoochat, when the zoo opened the what's arguably the parks most controversial exhibit area of all time, Elephant Odyssey. Ever since then, zoochatters have been at odds with the zoo, not only on the exhibit, but questing if the zoo is truly what its hyped up to be. Is that "world famous" status true? Or is it just another big American zoo (Sounds like a Dr. Seuss book)? A few years after EO, the zoo opened its next big attraction, Panda Trek. The zoo is put on the map for its reputation with breeding Giant Pandas, and so this area attracts thousands of visitors everyday, but many zoochatters express disappointment with the clunky sightlines and lack of innovation of the area. Think I'm joking? Read comments of the photo below to see what I'm talking about.
Panda Trek | ZooChat
Its not just the zoo that zoochatters have thought gone down hill, but also the Safari Park. The name change, while minor to some, was received poorly on zoochat. Of course, that could be blown off, but there was one thing that couldn't. That's when the park closed its main attraction, The Monorail. Its no secret that monorails have a high upkeep coast, but the thought the park without was a crazy one some decades ago, but today, its no where to be seen. The ride was replaced with "Journey to Africa." A 30 min, additional fee,tram tour through the African field exhibits. While impressive on first glance, it was quickly seen that this is no where near as good as the monorail. The monorail was free with park admission, was 50 min, and covered every single field exhibit, including the Asian Savannah, which can now only be seen through a caravan safari (Though there are plans in the future for full time public access).
However, in 2015, the zoo announced Africa Rocks, an 8 acre addition that would replace some of the worst outdated exhibits in the whole zoo. We all held are breath, well not literally because it took like 2 years before they opened some of it. This had the potential to be a real turn around for the zoo. But plans were slowly scaled back, and the exhibit was delayed several months. Several animal habitats were cut, such as zebra and hyena exhibits, and a nocturnal house. We all thought that this would be another flop. Luckily, of the exhibits that have opened so far, the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive from zoochatters and the genral public alike. The African Penguin and shark habitat has spectacular under water viewing, and a plentiful about of space for both species. And the new Dwarf Crocodile habitat is lush and one of the best of its kind in North America. And with the new Madagascar habitat opening in a few days, its only going to get better.
It not just Africa Rocks though since then, the park has also opened a expansion of the Australian area, a new reptile walk and an Asian Leopards habitat. The Safari Park has also improved with a fantastic new tiger habitat, and an interactive Australian area coming next year. Of course there are some areas are both parks that are in need of desperate improvement. The mediocre bear and cat grottos, The disgracefully small monkey crib cages, the boiling hot geographical mess that is the urban jungle, and the ugly cages that are scattered around the childrens zoo all need some improvement. Luckily a renovation of the children's zoo is next on the zoos list projects.
So with all this said, what do you think? Has the much touted San Diego zoo redeemed itself after years of disappointment? Or does it still lack the creativity and innovation that it made the zoo what it is in the first place?
Panda Trek | ZooChat
Its not just the zoo that zoochatters have thought gone down hill, but also the Safari Park. The name change, while minor to some, was received poorly on zoochat. Of course, that could be blown off, but there was one thing that couldn't. That's when the park closed its main attraction, The Monorail. Its no secret that monorails have a high upkeep coast, but the thought the park without was a crazy one some decades ago, but today, its no where to be seen. The ride was replaced with "Journey to Africa." A 30 min, additional fee,tram tour through the African field exhibits. While impressive on first glance, it was quickly seen that this is no where near as good as the monorail. The monorail was free with park admission, was 50 min, and covered every single field exhibit, including the Asian Savannah, which can now only be seen through a caravan safari (Though there are plans in the future for full time public access).
However, in 2015, the zoo announced Africa Rocks, an 8 acre addition that would replace some of the worst outdated exhibits in the whole zoo. We all held are breath, well not literally because it took like 2 years before they opened some of it. This had the potential to be a real turn around for the zoo. But plans were slowly scaled back, and the exhibit was delayed several months. Several animal habitats were cut, such as zebra and hyena exhibits, and a nocturnal house. We all thought that this would be another flop. Luckily, of the exhibits that have opened so far, the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive from zoochatters and the genral public alike. The African Penguin and shark habitat has spectacular under water viewing, and a plentiful about of space for both species. And the new Dwarf Crocodile habitat is lush and one of the best of its kind in North America. And with the new Madagascar habitat opening in a few days, its only going to get better.
It not just Africa Rocks though since then, the park has also opened a expansion of the Australian area, a new reptile walk and an Asian Leopards habitat. The Safari Park has also improved with a fantastic new tiger habitat, and an interactive Australian area coming next year. Of course there are some areas are both parks that are in need of desperate improvement. The mediocre bear and cat grottos, The disgracefully small monkey crib cages, the boiling hot geographical mess that is the urban jungle, and the ugly cages that are scattered around the childrens zoo all need some improvement. Luckily a renovation of the children's zoo is next on the zoos list projects.
So with all this said, what do you think? Has the much touted San Diego zoo redeemed itself after years of disappointment? Or does it still lack the creativity and innovation that it made the zoo what it is in the first place?
) that has even heard of major zoos being in Omaha and Saint Louis, and yet they are #2 and #3 on my list! Publicity has gone a long way in San Diego and the amount of money from private donations is incredible for San Diego Zoo Global.
