Late Night Openings

[Shorts]

I've noticed there's quite a few UK zoos opening "late nights" in some capacity this year, perhaps more than ever before.

I wondered if anyone here has visited "after hours" and wondered what their opinions were? Was it worthwhile? Was it well organised? Would you recommend/go again? Is it financially viable for the zoo?

I'm particularly intrigued with those places opening during week days and wonder how many would drag themselves to a zoo after a days work (not that we all necessarily work "normal hours" and/or week days).

 

[zoogiraffe]

Well I did the Blackbrook late night opening,and yes I would do it again as it was unique chance to see a collection that I know well,at a time that I don't normally get to see it at.That said I'm not sure I would venture out after a hard days work,at a weekend no problem.

 

[bluetoffeezoo]

I did a late night at Knowsley Safari park and even though it absolutely hammered it down it was a very enjoyable evening as the animals where bemused that we were still there, can't wait for the next one

 

[OrangePerson]

I've been to Colchester and Chester and would definitely recommend it. You see animals more active than usual or bedding down (but maybe that's just for those rare people who like chimps)

 

[Pootle]

I did a late night at Knowsley Safari park and even though it absolutely hammered it down it was a very enjoyable evening as the animals where bemused that we were still there, can't wait for the next one

17th August the next one, to say it hammered it down didn't do it justice, I have never seen so much rain falll in this country in two hours!!

 

[sooty mangabey]

Have been to Colchester this year, and last. It's an excellent evening. Less crowded than a normal day, lots going on, very Colchester-ish (cheerful, not perfect but great fun). Lots and lots of feeding talks and training sessions, better-than-average restaurant. They make a real effort. On the whole, the people who are there -the visitors - seem to be more switched on and engaged than a typical day-time crowd.

I was at London recently on a Friday, before a late night opening. The whole angle there is very different. Children aren't allowed, and instead the thing is targeted at a young adult audience - there were lots of tents from different breweries, for example, as well a silent disco. Not my cup of tea, but it all looked like it would be quite jolly - although I hope that partying folk are able to treat the zoo with respect. Lots of horrible-looking temporary things on the lawn - portaloos, the disco booth (is that the right word?)and so on.

 

[SMR]

Chester's Lazy Summer Evenings were always worth attending - animals behave differently late in the day (especially when they're not expecting to see visitors) and the number of children visiting was greatly reduced.

Chester have stopped doing them though; complaints from curators about needing staff to keep the houses open and not enough visitors, which aside from some lousy weather, was their own fault as the dates were either not announced at all or only decided upon with very short notice.

 

[Gigit]

I was at London recently on a Friday, before a late night opening. The whole angle there is very different. Children aren't allowed, and instead the thing is targeted at a young adult audience - there were lots of tents from different breweries, for example, as well a silent disco. Not my cup of tea, but it all looked like it would be quite jolly - although I hope that partying folk are able to treat the zoo with respect. Lots of horrible-looking temporary things on the lawn - portaloos, the disco booth (is that the right word?)and so on.

My daughter went to London Zoo Late a couple of weeks ago so I asked for her comments (she doesn't share my passion for zoos). It sounds as though the zoo is just a venue for an event. She said it was fun and very busy. Only a few enclosures were open so she didn't see many animals. She would go again but might spend more time looking round rather than in the beer tents.

 

[volvox]

London Zoo's late night openings are hugely successful and mostly sell out all through June and July. Not my cup of tea – as Sooty Mangabee says – aimed at young adults (indeed, the age limit is 18+) – very lively and lots of booze. But I think Gigit's daughter's attention was probably on the partying aspect – as far as I know, all animal exhibits are open, though whether the animals are awake is another matter!

 

[Gigit]

London Zoo's late night openings ........ I think Gigit's daughter's attention was probably on the partying aspect – as far as I know, all animal exhibits are open, though whether the animals are awake is another matter!

I'll let her know

 

[TARZAN]

Have been to Colchester this year, and last. It's an excellent evening. Less crowded than a normal day, lots going on, very Colchester-ish (cheerful, not perfect but great fun). Lots and lots of feeding talks and training sessions, better-than-average restaurant. They make a real effort. On the whole, the people who are there -the visitors - seem to be more switched on and engaged than a typical day-time crowd.

I was at London recently on a Friday, before a late night opening. The whole angle there is very different. Children aren't allowed, and instead the thing is targeted at a young adult audience - there were lots of tents from different breweries, for example, as well a silent disco. Not my cup of tea, but it all looked like it would be quite jolly - although I hope that partying folk are able to treat the zoo with respect. Lots of horrible-looking temporary things on the lawn - portaloos, the disco booth (is that the right word?)and so on.

I think I prefer Colchester's approach to late night openings to that of London, from what I have read here, forgive my ignorance but what exactly is a "silent disco"?

 

[sooty mangabey]

forgive my ignorance but what exactly is a "silent disco"?

I think it is where revellers wear their iPods and dance, so there is no extraneous noise but nonetheless all participants are able to boogie. But I may be wrong. I am too old for such folderol, sadly.

 

[volvox]

Nearly, but not quite... all dancers are issued with proper headphones and the same music is piped through all, so that everyone boogies to the same beat! And you can sing along too.It is particularly useful in London Zoo where the dance area is near the lamas and the noise would otherwise disturb them. I have tried it (though I am also strictly speaking too mature for such larks) and it is strangely satisfying. Sometimes the MCs (or whatever) pipe two different numbers and you can choose your headphones, and you get two different sets of bopping in one arena! That's quite enough on that subject... think I'll go and lie down...

 

[TARZAN]

I think it is where revellers wear their iPods and dance, so there is no extraneous noise but nonetheless all participants are able to boogie. But I may be wrong. I am too old for such folderol, sadly.

"Folderol"!, what a marvellous word, the last time I heard that it was in the lyrics of the song "the Prince of Humbug" sung by Michael Crawford in the musical Barnum, circa 1885 I get the gist of what a silent disco is now thanks,the London evenings appear to be aimed at the young adults, marketed as more of a drinking/social evening and the zoo used as a setting,very well but I sincerely hope someone who has had perhaps too many bottles of pils suddenly does not decide it would be a good idea to jump into an enclosure for a chat with the animals or some hurray Henries taking it upon themselves full of vino to go skinny dipping on Penguin beach. On the other side of the pound coin these evenings would appear to be successful, therefore, I would hope financially successful for the zoo, I like the sound of that, "The tills are alive with the sound of silent music", very good.

 

[pipaluk]

I've only been to whipsnade in june(report in main thread) & colchester's last december.
Whipsnade was nothing like London's appears to be, although
there were circus acts, a band, bar & food festival stalls on the main lawn, these were easily avoided.There were several talks & demonstrations & many animals were more active than usual.
My main complaint is the price, even as a member booking about 6 weeks in advance i had to pay roughly 50% of the usual entrance fee,wheras non members got in from 3pm for usual entrance fee so members are losing out!
I enjoyed colchesters and it was good to see some species such as aardvarks,tamandua and sloth far more active.Again, loads of talks there too, only thing that ruined it was a torrential downpour. Bonus point to Colchester as only normal entrance charged,members & reciprocal cardholders free!

 

[Pootle]

Talking of prices, has anyone seen Woburns late night offer this year? I was looking their website a few weeks back when I saw it advertised. £59.00 for adults and £49.00 for children. That's a bit steep I think, it does say there is music and dancers and a BBQ (I bet drinks are not free). Also animal talks later in the evening. However it is from 5pm-9pm so there appears a fair amount to cram into that time. I visited earlier in the year and I really liked the place, but this seems expensive. Worst offer about it is that Woburn season ticket holders only get £5.00 off the cost!

 

[Woofie]

I was at London recently on a Friday, before a late night opening. The whole angle there is very different. Children aren't allowed, and instead the thing is targeted at a young adult audience - there were lots of tents from different breweries, for example, as well a silent disco. Not my cup of tea, but it all looked like it would be quite jolly - although I hope that partying folk are able to treat the zoo with respect. Lots of horrible-looking temporary things on the lawn - portaloos, the disco booth (is that the right word?)and so on.

I've been a couple of times, and it's surprisingly sedate considering how much drink is available. It's a pretty pleasant atmosphere really, I've never seen anyone acting particularly rowdy.


At London, pretty much everything is open for the first couple of hours, then a few things close at 8:30, a few at 9:00 and a few at 9:30. There are talks and that kind of thing too, although I didn't catch any this year. I did have more luck with the anteaters than I ever have before though, and the Rainforest enclosure was more active than I've ever seen it before!

Anyway, yes, I'd say it's worth it... quite a different experience from visiting in the day.