AZA reciprocal memberships and discounts

[MGolka]

Part of the reason this conundrum exists is documented in the book Zoo Nebraska by Carson Vaughan. Back in the early 2000s, Zoo Nebraska (a small now defunct zoo in northeastern Nebraska, almost 3 hours from Omaha) entered into reciprocity agreements with other zoos in the area, including Henry Doorly Zoo and they offered free admission to zoo members. Doc Simmons was a huge proponent of small zoos and was supportive of helping others out.

However, this backfired on Henry Doorly because the cost of a membership to Zoo Nebraska was super low compared to Omaha, and in the online age, of course people took advantage. Zoo Nebraska had a marketing campaign that stated members would get in free to Omaha's Zoo, so naturally tons of people started buying Zoo Nebraska memberships. Zoo Nebraska's memberships swelled to more than 20,000 members, with half of those members having addresses in the Omaha Metro area.

Becoming aware of this, Henry Doorly dropped their reciprocity agreement with Zoo Nebraska in 2004 because they were losing money from their own member-base to a place that most of these "members" would never visit in their lifetime.

I'm almost certain that this event had a lot to do with the "close geographical proximity" wording that AZA has.

Now whether you think Omaha was being greedy in this situation, remember that this zoo started going through a massive transformation at this time as the Desert Dome was starting to come to fruition and opened in 2003, with many more major projects following. A loss of 10k members from your base is a huge loss that could have put of lot of Omaha's eventual projects on the chopping block if the trend continued.

 

[TinoPup]

It is a benefit, so I am not sure that even Racine is in violation. While considering the entirety of North America as "Close geographic proximity" would be a stretch, I don't think they are actually "required" to accept anyone else's membership. But it certainly violates the sprit of the plan, I mean, how many tourists from out of state with a AZA membership are actually trying to get it?

The AZA ends the reciprocity statements with:
"AZA cannot mediate reciprocity disputes between participating zoos and aquariums."

If they aren't going to accept *any* other membership for reciprocity, then they shouldn't be part of the program, since that's entirely what the program is.

 

[birdsandbats]

If they aren't going to accept *any* other membership for reciprocity, then they shouldn't be part of the program, since that's entirely what the program is.

Yes, but they aren't *technically* in violation of any rules.

 

[JVM]

Becoming aware of this, Henry Doorly dropped their reciprocity agreement with Zoo Nebraska in 2004 because they were losing money from their own member-base to a place that most of these "members" would never visit in their lifetime..

Thank you for the insight. This makes the situation much much more understandable than the difference between Milwaukee and the other Wisconsin sites.

Take note of the red and blue 100% / 50% after the zoos if you want to get the most benefit from where you buy the original membership. In Illinois somewhere like Peoria with its 100% would perhaps be your best option to buy a membership.

Thank you for looking into that, I'll keep it in mind! Peoria and Miller are both on a list of zoos I'd like to hit on an upcoming road trip so handling that in advance could be helpful.

 

[SwampDonkey]

If they aren't going to accept *any* other membership for reciprocity, then they shouldn't be part of the program, since that's entirely what the program is.

Yes, but they aren't *technically* in violation of any rules.

I suspect when they said "any" they really were either uninformed or meaning "any local" zoo. Here is the page and quote on their website, it clearly states their policy. They do leave some wiggle room, but I don't think they are really intending it to be all AZA members:

About AZA Reciprocal Admissions Program
One of the benefits of becoming a member of your local AZA zoo or aquarium is reciprocal admission to any of the other AZA member zoos and aquariums that participate in the Reciprocal Admissions Program.

The Program covers admission to the main facility on normal operating days and hours and may exclude exhibits or events requiring an additional fee.

Not all AZA institutions participate in the Reciprocal Admissions Program. Also, note that participating AZA institutions located in close geographic proximity to each other are not required to offer free admission to each other's members in order to participate in this program.* Please be sure and call ahead BEFORE you visit!

If a zoo or aquarium is not on our list, there is no reciprocation with free or discounted admission.



Note: Zoo admission policies are subject to change. Some zoos are not open all year. Reciprocity applies only for admission to the main facility on normal operating days/hours and may exclude exhibits or events requiring an additional fee. Membership categories, parking fees, guest privileges and gift shop discount vary among institutions. We reciprocate to the extent of each individual zoos rules.

Please note: The Milwaukee County Zoo and the Brookfield Zoo do not honor this reciprocal arrangement.

The Racine Zoo DOES NOT reciprocate with zoos that are located in close geographic proximity to our zoo. This includes the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, N.E.W. Zoo in Green Bay, Milwaukee County Zoo and the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo.

Please note: Our reciprocal discount is 50% off admission.



*Subject to change



AZA Reciprocal Admissions | Free Zoos and Aquarium Admission

 

[JVM]

Very cruel of Milwaukee to deny people discounted admission to the famously expensive Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago!

 

[TinoPup]

Very cruel of Milwaukee to deny people discounted admission to the famously expensive Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago!

Several free zoos are part of the program. They still have memberships that cost money.

 

[JVM]

Several free zoos are part of the program. They still have memberships that cost money.

I am aware but I thought we were discussing admission discounts. Are there membership discounts as well?

 

[TinoPup]

I am aware but I thought we were discussing admission discounts. Are there membership discounts as well?

No, it usually says what the discount is on the pdf. For instance Smithsonian is free to visit, so if you are a member of a different zoo in the program, you get 10% off in the gift shops.

 

[SwampDonkey]

No, it usually says what the discount is on the pdf. For instance Smithsonian is free to visit, so if you are a member of a different zoo in the program, you get 10% off in the gift shops.

Yep, I can verify the discount at National, I was able to use it in June when we were there.

 

[TinoPup]

Yep, I can verify the discount at National, I was able to use it in June when we were there.

I've used it, too. Gift shop employees don't always know about it, but if you go to the guest services desk (in the building by cheetahs/asia) they'll refund you the 10%.