Definitely makes Islands look like it's actually part of the main zoo and not tacked on... Which I guess was actually the case with the last map. It's definitely an improvement!
I’ve got to confess that I’m not the biggest fan of that new map. The silhouettes aren’t too distinct and a great deal of animals don’t even have one which makes it all but impossible to use the map without constantly referring to the numbers. To be fair, that was also an issue with the previous map, but less so. Much like with the new London map, while I don’t mind the coloured zones, I don’t really see what they add to it. Some of the inconsistencies with what merits its own number confuse me. The goats and peafowl in the lion complex do, but all of Madagascar is under one label? This will no doubt be a very controversial statement, but I preferred the old one. Yes, it was childish, but it was more unique and probably (although I won’t be able to say for sure without visiting since the new map has been adopted) equally difficult to use.
Hadn’t thought of that use for the coloured zones. I’m sure it will indeed prove helpful. You are correct that the zones on London’s map, which doesn’t use numbers, are quite pointless. I wonder if any other UK zoos will adopt a similar format in the future.This is a carry over from at least the last three or four Chester map designs - basically ever since they started adding animal icons they've only ever added them for an arbitrary number of keystone species.
Basically it's not an icon map, it just has icons to call your eye to a few notable exhibits.
Both of these are direct carry-overs from the previous map design you liked better - they are using the same list of labels and the same coloured zones.
On this map, what the coloured zones add is saving you searching the whole map if you're trying to look up an enclosure location from the list of labels. If I recall London doesn't really use them for anything?
EDIT: Oh, also, adding new exhibits to the map in a completely inconsistent way is very classic Chester map - as Madagascar was added partway through the last design that's why it's all lumped in.
I'm too young to remember this map but that logo certainly brings me nostalgia. That and the old green block font that used to be on almost all the buildings, some of which stuck around until pretty recently.It's possible there's some sort of colour coding in the guide or on the directional signs at London I guess but I don't recall noticing it.
For the record, this is my favourite Chester map; this and its immediate predecessor that seems to be absent from the gallery are the nostalgic ones for me: Zoo Map - 1998 - ZooChat
(also note the yellow-and-green 'ark' logo with 'zoological gardens' in full)
It's possible there's some sort of colour coding in the guide or on the directional signs at London I guess but I don't recall noticing it.
For the record, this is my favourite Chester map; this and its immediate predecessor that seems to be absent from the gallery are the nostalgic ones for me: Zoo Map - 1998 - ZooChat
(also note the yellow-and-green 'ark' logo with 'zoological gardens' in full)
It's possible there's some sort of colour coding in the guide or on the directional signs at London I guess but I don't recall noticing it.
A much nicer map right out of the gate - which means this monstrosity retains the title of worst Chester map ever.
Current Map at Chester, 16/04/11 - ZooChat
(a hard-to-see pale green line with a passing resemblance to the layout of Chester Zoo with words scrawled over it like like graffiti...)
