San Diego Zoo Most expensive zoo in the US

Looking at their ranking it is not San Diego's position that makes me wonder if it is worth it. Some of the other among the top priced zoos, although in expensive cities, do seem to offer far far far less for the dollar.
 
Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium is a privately owned zoo with a vast animal collection that is located in Arizona. For a family of 4 (two adults and two children) it would cost almost $100 for a visit and that is outrageously expensive considering what is on offer. San Diego is worth much more than many of the other zoos ranked highly on the list of most expensive facilities on the link that is provided.
 
jbnbsn99 said:
Wouldn't Disney's Animal Kingdom be the most expensive?
Click to expand...

I agree! Though I don't remember the exact cost I remember visiting one year with my whole family (5 people) and 2 or 3 relatives and the cost was I think over $200!

For the record I personally think the makers of that list should take a second look at the highlights for those zoos. Especially with Cincinnati not including Sumatran Rhinos and Bronx's being the baby gibbon.

~Thylo:cool:
 
And i thought the bronx was expensive at 62 dollars but when you add on extra exhibits it nears 85. This is why I have had a membership for 15 years, otherwise I would go about twice a year.
 
ThylacineAlive said:
I agree! Though I don't remember the exact cost I remember visiting one year with my whole family (5 people) and 2 or 3 relatives and the cost was I think over $200!

For the record I personally think the makers of that list should take a second look at the highlights for those zoos. Especially with Cincinnati not including Sumatran Rhinos and Bronx's being the baby gibbon.

~Thylo:cool:
Click to expand...

- Disney is a theme park with a zoo included. Any theme park you visit will be expensive (except six flags) at around 90 dollars a person. San diego costs the same as visiting six flags at around 40 dollars a person. That does not include expensive food and drink.
 
ThylacineAlive said:
I agree! Though I don't remember the exact cost I remember visiting one year with my whole family (5 people) and 2 or 3 relatives and the cost was I think over $200!

For the record I personally think the makers of that list should take a second look at the highlights for those zoos. Especially with Cincinnati not including Sumatran Rhinos and Bronx's being the baby gibbon.

~Thylo:cool:
Click to expand...

Judging by your family members your total cost when you visit Cincinnati (admission) will be about $40.
 
It does look like some of the others on the high end have less to offer -- like hundreds of animals instead of thousands. But there are plenty others with thousands of animals that cost far less than San Diego. The Bronx for instance has 11,000 animals and costs $63 for a family of four. San Diego has 4,500 animals and costs $166.
 
Moebelle said:
Judging by your family members your total cost when you visit Cincinnati (admission) will be about $40.
Click to expand...

Oh only my Mom and I are going (and maybe my sister) so it'll be a lot less. That's why we may be able to afford going to Columbus as well. Though the plan is to go to the zoo on two days so what would you estimate the cost for two people for two days?

~Thylo:cool:
 
Out of the top five, the Phoenix Zoo is the only non tax-supported zoo.
 
If the report is correct that Brookfield Zoo has null developed acres, then it is one giant ripoff. Imagine charging that much money for a zoo that is not even one acre in size! :eek: (Or maybe the report made a typographical error).

Miami Metrozoo has a shockingly high membership fee ($250) which makes becoming a member of questionable value.

As stated above, list is only non profit institutions and it would be interesting to do a straight comparison of all zoos. As mentioned, the for profit Wildlife World in my state is way out of wack for value for money and the same with the equally expensive Out Of Africa also in my state.

Although San Diego is quite expensive, it is also severely crowded. Same with Los Angeles Zoo. If they lowered their admission prices, the crowds would literally be unbearable.

The shock on the list is Central Florida Zoo, which IMO is absolutely a second rate zoo. When I went years ago it was cheap and I am surprised to see they feel they can justify higher admission prices now.
 
Arizona Docent said:
The shock on the list is Central Florida Zoo, which IMO is absolutely a second rate zoo. When I went years ago it was cheap and I am surprised to see they feel they can justify higher admission prices now.
Click to expand...

I think the Central Florida Zoo's prices are so high because they are planning to open many exhibits (Indian Rhino, otter, tiger) in the next few years. Also being near a major tourist destination like Orlando probably allows them to charge more as people are expecting to spend more money while on vacation.
 
RickyYoung said:
...Do you think it's worth that much more?
Click to expand...

Yes. Especially when you factor in the support and running of the San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy. A lot of money seems to get poured into that and the Frozen Zoo. None of which sounds cheap.


If you want to talk expensive, the PAWS Sanctuary in Galt, CA charges $250/day. I can't remember if that's per person or for two. Still, that's a lot of money for a single day.
 
ThylacineAlive said:
Oh only my Mom and I are going (and maybe my sister) so it'll be a lot less. That's why we may be able to afford going to Columbus as well. Though the plan is to go to the zoo on two days so what would you estimate the cost for two people for two days?

~Thylo:cool:
Click to expand...

For two days without your sister would be $60, and if she does come it would be $80. $15 for adults (including teens) and $10 for children. But isn't your sister three or less? If she is then she gets in free.
 
Arizona Docent said:
Although San Diego is quite expensive, it is also severely crowded. Same with Los Angeles Zoo. If they lowered their admission prices, the crowds would literally be unbearable.
Click to expand...

That's the same situation with the Bronx Zoo. And at times I feel it is unbearable. While it's true they charge extra fees for some of their exhibits (like Congo Gorilla Forest and JungleWorld) you have to remember that they're a global organization and are one of the most involved zoos in the world when it comes to conservation in the wild. And the zoo does have deals to get around the expensive fees. You can buy tickets that gives you free access to the exhibits that charge extra fees and if you buy online it costs only a little more than a regular ticket bought at the gate. And don't forget the membership cards that get you free admission into the zoo, the exhibits, and discounts on the gift shops and food. Not to mention the membership gets you similar (if not, the exact) same deals at the other four WCS facilities- Prospect Park, Central Park, Queens, and the New York Aquarium.

I, too, personally think it is worth it, RickyYouth.

~Thylo:cool:
 
Moebelle said:
For two days without your sister would be $60, and if she does come it would be $80. $15 for adults (including teens) and $10 for children. But isn't your sister three or less? If she is then she gets in free.
Click to expand...

She's 11, where did you get three or less from?

Is there some kind of special deal we can get so it's cheaper? You can respond in PM is you want so not to divert the topic of this thread any further.

~Thylo:cool:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top