Is it correct to have a mixed theme park and zoo?

[OrangePerson]

However, zoo enthusiasts and theme park enthusiasts are minorities! The bulk of visitors, particularly families with kids of varying ages, would welcome the variety offered by both animals as well as rides.

I was going to say exactly the same, none of these places survive on the custom of 'enthusiasts' but of people out for a good day!

 

[TARZAN]

I was going to say exactly the same, none of these places survive on the custom of 'enthusiasts' but of people out for a good day!

And the same could be said for every other zoo in the country.

 

[OrangePerson]

And the same could be said for every other zoo in the country.

Of course it is! I wasn't suggesting otherwise. "Enthusiasts" often believe they are essential to what they are enthusiastic about, whereas it's the masses who are really their bread and butter.

 

[Bubbles]

Just a thought, you mention when the park used to be open in the winter period, perhaps they could consider re opening in the winter the zoo part of the park at a reduced admission charge, this would be beneficial not only to us and other zoo visitors but also to the park by providing some income during a time when it is currently closed. Have you ever considered suggesting this to Flamingo Land?

Yes, I certainly will, thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Goretex]

I think there would be some people who might visit zoos with a theme park too and then might actually show more interest in animals. But I don't like theme parks I'd go to a zoo with no theme park.

 

[Simon McGlary]

I would go to a zoo without a theme park before one with, purely because I go to see the animals and watch and observe behaviours. One of my pet hates at safari parks, for example, are the amusement areas but they are the for two reasons, to generate cash and to tire out hyper kidsa that have sat in cars half the day!

If done sympathetically and the animals aren't unduly stressed then I can see how it can be of benefit. I was 15 whenI was last at Flamingo Land, back in 1977. At that time it was a caravan park and zoo with no pretentions to be a theme park. I can imagine the rivalry between the rides staff and the animal staff though! Hopefully good constructive rivalry!

 

[sealion]

Being both a zoo enthusiast and theme park enthusiast I see no problem with the concept. (Obviously as long as there is no offending noise pollution etc.)

Theme parks have become more and more popular and draw thousands and thousands of people to them each year. Many of the parks (if not all) that started off as zoos (Chessington etc) will have looked towards the amusement industry to help boost visitor numbers and their reputation to the general public. (As theme parks appeal to a much wider range of people.)
As demonstated in many of the parks in Florida, this high number of guests paying for world class thrills (generally with animal encounters on the side) means that such parks can spend a lot of money on making their animal exhibits world class.

 

[PAT]

Another good point about the mixed attractions is that they have more money to spend on the animals than a zoo by itself would evr have. Whenever I look at photos from Disney's Animal Kingdom I'm always left wondering whether a zoo could achieve their high level of exhibitry and keep it up without the extra money bought in by the theme park.
Dreamworld on the Gold Coast is an example of a mixed attraction. It's primarily a theme park but has a small Australian collection and a Sumatran tiger exhibit. The money raised from visitors that goes towards tiger conservation could be coming from people that wouldn't visit a zoo by itself and therefore wouldn't give their money to the cause otherwise.

 

[NigeW]

There is so much more to a Theme Park than rides, and I would certainly hesitate to call Flamingo Land a Theme Park. Amusement Park, yes.

A Theme Park contains many forms of entertainment: shows, exhibits of various types, a theme running through the landscaping and above all is interactive. Many of the best new immersive zoo exhibits are moving into Theme Park territory I would suggest.

Having experienced the three Zoo/Theme Park combinations in Florida, I would answer the OP with a resounding Yes, they certainly do work, and I think Animal Kingdom in particular has to be one of the best family days out anywhere, its truly superb.

 

[Blossom]

There is so much more to a Theme Park than rides, and I would certainly hesitate to call Flamingo Land a Theme Park. Amusement Park, yes..

Why Amusement park, not theme park?

 

[jerseygorilla]

West Midlands Safari Park make you pay separate for the amusement rides, and so you do not need to pay the extra if you only wish to go round the Safari Park itself. I think this is much better than at places like Flamingoland or Drayton Manor where you have to pay fo admission to everything, even if you only want to visit the zoo.

 

[Screvier20]

The now closed Catskill Game Farm had about a dozen Kiddie Rides. Has seen in this YouTube video. The rides cost extra.

 

[hadrada]

I have no problem with the mix of both,as long as the animals are suitably seperated from the rides etc.

Having said that i/we would resent having to pay to get into both,when myself and my wife would only want to see the zoological part,but of course when we have children that might change,but im hoping they will take after their parents.