Chester Zoo Islands - Opening and impressions

Forgot to mention... The school house in Sumba is now showing the 3D films of Sumatra. There are 3 short films.

The first is a boat journey along a river through the rainforest.
Second is of a waterfall and stream.
Third is a speeded up 'day in the life of a forest' from dawn to dusk.

All have the actual sounds recorded in the field, with projections on all 4 walls of the school house. I actually really enjoyed them and it offered a sense of what it would be like to be there in person. I expect they may be opportunity to update the films in the future?
 
OrangePerson said:
I always assume the reason the hell-hole that is Las Vegas has fake Italy and fake Paris is because many of the people who go there will never get the opportunity to travel to those places.
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Or because it's more convenient and catering to their specific needs. In case of Las Vegas: why travel to places with weird unfriendly foreigners and everything NOT written in American English when you can visit an American version instead? ;)
 
On Sunday the guide on my boat hardly said a word. I think he knew Nisha, Ophidia, Zoogiraffe and I were members. :p

And it was a different boat for me this time, I've sailed in two now.
 
bongorob said:
On Sunday the guide on my boat hardly said a word. I think he knew Nisha, Ophidia, Zoogiraffe and I were members. :p

And it was a different boat for me this time, I've sailed in two now.
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Think I've done 8 trips now....I keep asking questions to the guides to see their level of basic knowledge of the zoo. It is not good at all. I've been on several trips where other passengers have asked quite basic questions and I have had to answer them as the guide didn't have a clue. It's a shame as they clearly haven't been trained properly. Having a teaching and training background I would LOVE to spend some time with those guides and get them up to speed!

I reckon they should use the volunteers in the boats as guides - they are far more knowledgeable and interested in talking about the zoo.
 
I agree with the guides some haven't got a clue , one poor girl last week had only been there 3 weeks and couldn't answer most of the questions being asked ... we however a few weeks back had a lad on there that seemed to know a lot about the islands ... can't remember his name though it was a weird name , he was playing a game with the kids that were on the boat to keep them interested in it
 
ChesterZooFan said:
Babirusa enclosure has now been heavily planted and the bare earth seeded, so think we are still a few weeks away from them moving over until the grass establishes itself.
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Having visited today, I think babirusa are moving (or may have just moved). The water was running in their new stream and pool in Islands and fresh branches had been scattered around the enclosure this afternoon. I didn't see any babirusa or otters on leaving RotRA, which doesn't prove much by itself.

ChesterZooFan said:
Forgot to mention... The school house in Sumba is now showing the 3D films of Sumatra. There are 3 short films.
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I don't think they are actually 3D films, because there aren't any 3D glasses around (with crossed polarisers). The school house is dark and square with white walls, projectors are mounted in the ceiling and the films of 4 separate views of the forest are projected on each wall. In effect you are surrounded by the forest's sights and sounds. Although there were only 2 parents + 2 toddlers in the room when I looked in, they made so much noise that I didn't get much chance to enjoy the experience.

Alan
 
gentle lemur said:
Having visited today, I think babirusa are moving (or may have just moved). The water was running in their new stream and pool in Islands and fresh branches had been scattered around the enclosure this afternoon. I didn't see any babirusa or otters on leaving RotRA, which doesn't prove much by itself.



I don't think they are actually 3D films, because there aren't any 3D glasses around (with crossed polarisers). The school house is dark and square with white walls, projectors are mounted in the ceiling and the films of 4 separate views of the forest are projected on each wall. In effect you are surrounded by the forest's sights and sounds. Although there were only 2 parents + 2 toddlers in the room when I looked in, they made so much noise that I didn't get much chance to enjoy the experience.

Alan
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!!! I meant 360 not 3D.....won't post after a glass of wine next time.....
 
We are due to make our annual visit enroute to the Highlands next week (didn't go last year as went to Blackpool zoo) instead.

Can I ask approx how long it takes to have a boat ride and good look around the islands (well all that is open presently) as we only have about 4 hours at Chester and we have to plan a 'highlights' tour to make the most of our time there?

My partner is really looking forward to the fake rock, he enjoyed mocking the hunting dog exhibit when we first went I think he has just read too many comments mocking the rock at Colchester! He is not a fan of Chester zoo and is always a reluctant visitor, he just finds it too large to have a decent day out there and finds it so commercial. We have been on whole weekend visits so its not just that we make these 'condensed' visits so having a whole new area will prove a challenge!

So an approx visit time will help a lot to plan our route so I can keep him happy with carnivores and me some primates and apes! We usually go hunting dogs to bears, bats and cheetahs way anyway!
 
karenZOO said:
We are due to make our annual visit enroute to the Highlands next week (didn't go last year as went to Blackpool zoo) instead.

Can I ask approx how long it takes to have a boat ride and good look around the islands (well all that is open presently) as we only have about 4 hours at Chester and we have to plan a 'highlights' tour to make the most of our time there?

My partner is really looking forward to the fake rock, he enjoyed mocking the hunting dog exhibit when we first went I think he has just read too many comments mocking the rock at Colchester! He is not a fan of Chester zoo and is always a reluctant visitor, he just finds it too large to have a decent day out there and finds it so commercial. We have been on whole weekend visits so its not just that we make these 'condensed' visits so having a whole new area will prove a challenge!

So an approx visit time will help a lot to plan our route so I can keep him happy with carnivores and me some primates and apes! We usually go hunting dogs to bears, bats and cheetahs way anyway!
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The boat ride lasts approx 15 mins but the queue can be anything from 15mins to 1hr depending on what time you go (queue times are posted at the entrance). If there is a long queue I would skip the boat ride - although it is a thoroughly enjoyable part of Islands it isn't worth using 25% of your time on it. The rest of Islands can take from 45mins to 2 hours depending on how long you chose to dwell at each exhibit (e.g. I could happily spend 30mins watching the pigs forage but you can see them in 5!). But in my opinion if you want to get the most from Islands and appreciate all the details and additional 'theming' I would say a couple of hours not including the boat trip.
 
Visited on Thursday (27th ) with my 76 year old Mother ... ashamed to say it was my first Zoo visit this year ( don`t ask it`s been a hell of an 8 months so far ) . Only news I can add is that trio of Babirusa were in situ on Thursday and also according to the keeper stationed by the enclosure had been moved over the day before . I do have a photo to prove it but it`s pretty awful so excuse me if I don`t submit visual evidence :D .
The Zoo was very busy ( good to see ) and I spent a long time in Tropical Realm taking photos for the archives ( mine not zoochat`s ) .
Looking forward to seeing Islands again when it`s , er , finished !! ;)
 
karenZOO said:
Can I ask approx how long it takes to have a boat ride and good look around the islands (well all that is open presently) as we only have about 4 hours at Chester and we have to plan a 'highlights' tour to make the most of our time there?
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Don't bother with it, it is not finished. Wait till next year

karenZOO said:
he just finds it too large to have a decent day out there and finds it so commercial. We have been on whole weekend visits so its not just that we make these 'condensed' visits so having a whole new area will prove a challenge!
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Can you get him to explain the commercial comment as I just do not understand it.
 
taun said:
Can you get him to explain the commercial comment as I just do not understand it.
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Would be interesting to see his explanation, but - even as a long-time Chester member and supporter - I find the commercial elements intrusive:

e.g.

1. As you walk in they photograph you, and try to sell the photos back to you when you leave.
2. You're 'invited' to make a voluntary additional donation as part of your admission price (some claim its voluntary nature is not always made entirely clear).
3. Inside you are invited to contribute to various causes, buy all manner of tat, have your face painted etc etc etc
4. I find the catering pretty reasonable, but there are many who find it expensive.
5. Then there's the monorail (extra charge) and the Islands boat trip (currently free but, I understand, to be charged for in future.

And then there's the Gift Shop. Which used to sell a range of decent books and videos (see how old I am ? :) ) but now seems entirely devoted to jewellery, soft toys, and tat.
 
SHAVINGTONZOO said:
e.g.

1. As you walk in they photograph you, and try to sell the photos back to you when you leave. A little annoying but standard fair at most paid days out
2. You're 'invited' to make a voluntary additional donation as part of your admission price (some claim its voluntary nature is not always made entirely clear). Been a member that long that I have not had to go through this, but voluntary addition not related to gift aid
3. Inside you are invited to contribute to various causes, buy all manner of tat, have your face painted etc etc etc Must blank all this out
4. I find the catering pretty reasonable, but there are many who find it expensive. Not there long enough but hots drinks are reasonable
5. Then there's the monorail (extra charge) and the Islands boat trip (currently free but, I understand, to be charged for in future. If the boat ride is to be charged I will be really disappointed as it is so much better than the monorail IMO

And then there's the Gift Shop. Which used to sell a range of decent books and videos (see how old I am ? :) ) but now seems entirely devoted to jewellery, soft toys, and tat.
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Thoughts in blue but certainly see the points, guess I have got used to Chester as it is. Most of this you can ignore though.
 
SHAVINGTONZOO said:
Would be interesting to see his explanation, but - even as a long-time Chester member and supporter - I find the commercial elements intrusive:

And then there's the Gift Shop. Which used to sell a range of decent books and videos (see how old I am ? :) ) but now seems entirely devoted to jewellery, soft toys, and tat.
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Must admit I agree here as most of the toys are Poundland Toys at outrageous prices.
 
My thoughts are in bold.

SHAVINGTONZOO said:
Would be interesting to see his explanation, but - even as a long-time Chester member and supporter - I find the commercial elements intrusive:

e.g.

1. As you walk in they photograph you, and try to sell the photos back to you when you leave. When I visted they didn't do this, there was a photographer at the entrance to RotRA, but I just walked past.
2. You're 'invited' to make a voluntary additional donation as part of your admission price (some claim its voluntary nature is not always made entirely clear). The majority of zoos and other attractions do this, and it was made clear to me.
3. Inside you are invited to contribute to various causes, buy all manner of tat, have your face painted etc etc etc They are trying to make money, that is what they do, get over it, almost everywhere does it.
4. I find the catering pretty reasonable, but there are many who find it expensive. It isn't paticurlarly expensive, anyway they don't have any competition, so they can get away with it.
5. Then there's the monorail (extra charge) and the Islands boat trip (currently free but, I understand, to be charged for in future. Now that is annoying.

And then there's the Gift Shop. Which used to sell a range of decent books and videos (see how old I am ? :) ) but now seems entirely devoted to jewellery, soft toys, and tat. See my point to number three, anyway, thnat is what they make the most money from, so they will sell that stuff, as the majority of visitors are children, they want toys. Not as many are zoo enthusiasts, they want books, it is simple business.
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SHAVINGTONZOO said:
Would be interesting to see his explanation, but - even as a long-time Chester member and supporter - I find the commercial elements intrusive:

e.g.

1. As you walk in they photograph you, and try to sell the photos back to you when you leave.
2. You're 'invited' to make a voluntary additional donation as part of your admission price (some claim its voluntary nature is not always made entirely clear).
3. Inside you are invited to contribute to various causes, buy all manner of tat, have your face painted etc etc etc
4. I find the catering pretty reasonable, but there are many who find it expensive.
5. Then there's the monorail (extra charge) and the Islands boat trip (currently free but, I understand, to be charged for in future.

And then there's the Gift Shop. Which used to sell a range of decent books and videos (see how old I am ? :) ) but now seems entirely devoted to jewellery, soft toys, and tat.
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You can say no to all of these if you wish.
I think you overstate number 3 - all the 'invitations' are just written notices which are not really intrusive. I may agree that some of these features are more intrusive than I would like to see in an ideal world; but we have to face facts, face painting and a visit to the Gift Shop are part of the zoo's attraction for children - I'd rather that they enjoyed the whole experience, and learned a little about the animals, rather than going away mildly bored and not wanting to return. Most of the merchandise in the shops (you forgot to mention that there are 3 now ;)) has no appeal to me - but I am pleased to see that there are plenty of small cheap items as well as expensive ones and that the more exotic items are from Fair Trade sources. Don't forget that most people who buy books etc use Amazon or one of its competitors nowadays. If you wish to keep the boat trip free of charge, go to the AGM and raise the issue.

Alan
 
adrian1963 said:
Must admit I agree here as most of the toys are Poundland Toys at outrageous prices.
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No, not at all...

we have 4 year old twin nephew/niece who we have bought birthday and christmas gifts for, not gone over budget, the gifts have survived and still valued by the kids.

we've bought many quirkey and different gifts from the gft shop.

some of the action/safari figures are exactly the same as those sold at knowsley, and at the same price...
 
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