ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Whipsnade, THE RIP OFF.

The last two years I have visited three major UK zoos - London, Chester, Port Lympne and I was certainly never harassed or forced to get in a photo line. Is this something new or are people on this thread just overreacting?

I don't think photographers at these places harass or force people into photo lines- the procedure is more as you describe. If it wasn't there would be plenty more objections I'm sure.
 
The vast majority of US Zoos (and theme parks and museums) do not allow people to take in their own food (except snacks for very young children). It has been that way for as long as I can remember. I personally enjoy having lunch at the zoo as part of the experience and my biggest complaint is when a zoo does NOT have a good cafeteria. In fact that is one thing I like about the European zoos I visited - excellent food offerings.

This would certainly irritate me and put me off from future visits. When I visit the zoo I want to spend the time looking at the animals, I don't want to take 30-60 minutes out of a packed-as-it-is day so I can eat. Instead, I like to take snacky things (sandwiches, chocolate, crisps and pepsi) so I can eat as I'm wandering around. Sometimes (in summer) I am happy to take the 10 minutes out due to longer opening times so I can have a sit-down picnic on a lawn or a bench - something that really adds to the day.

Also, being a fussy eater, it would make me starve, as I've yet to go to a zoo that cater's for my highly picky tastes. I know they can't cater for everybody, so I'm not complaining, but that is why I always take my own food with me.
 
Also, being a fussy eater, it would make me starve, as I've yet to go to a zoo that cater's for my highly picky tastes. I know they can't cater for everybody, so I'm not complaining, but that is why I always take my own food with me.

Me too, I have lots of dietary restrictions and wouldn't be at all impressed if I went to a zoo which banned people from taking their own food.
 
A day ticket for Longleat for an adult is £26.

An adult ticket for Whipsnade at peak time is £19.50. Even with £4 parking Whipsnade is cheaper.


I really don't get the Whipsnade hate (much as I would also prefer not to pay for parking!).

Wow just had a look at the Longleat site, and can't believe how much the prices have shot up since i last went about three years ago. I certainly will not be rushing back there, and if i do i will not be taking my kids. Rip off Britain is alive and well in UK zoos and safari parks it seems.
 
Well it's what happened at Whipsnade on Saturday.

I'll take your word for it.;) Did they try to get you to line up for your photo? I personally don't approve of this sort of thing anyway but I am surprised if they have become that intrusive. They would certainly get short shrift from me too.
 
Rip off Britain is alive and well in UK zoos and safari parks it seems.

I wonder how much the continuing increase in Petrol prices will affect Zoo/wildlife park visiting this year too. Not only the travel to the location, but in the case of Safari Parks, the organised traffic jam inside some animal reserves- at current prices is petrol too precious to waste like that now?
 
I'll take your word for it.;) Did they try to get you to line up for your photo? I personally don't approve of this sort of thing anyway but I am surprised if they have become that intrusive. They would certainly get short shrift from me too.

It's all in my first post. We were herded to the photographer then onto the ticket booths. The fact the chap called me miserable for nat wanting my pic taken was what really got my blood boiling, after the other chap had shouted at me to get back in line, because i thought they were queuing for the photographer. Then finding out i had to pay for parking in this establishment in the middle of nowhere made me apoplectic.
 
Wow just had a look at the Longleat site, and can't believe how much the prices have shot up since i last went about three years ago. I certainly will not be rushing back there, and if i do i will not be taking my kids. Rip off Britain is alive and well in UK zoos and safari parks it seems.

Come to Belfast! £8.90 for an adult, £4.70 for 4-18 and under 4s are free! And thats just the summer admission prices, a few quid is knocked off during winter...bargain..
 
Chester will be starting it up soon, apparently. It is a new development.
It started last week, unusually without any fanfare whatsoever. There are boards full of photos on the way out of the main entrance with photographs of people standing amidst a group of elephants, supposedly in the wilds of Africa.
 
It started last week, unusually without any fanfare whatsoever. There are boards full of photos on the way out of the main entrance with photographs of people standing amidst a group of elephants, supposedly in the wilds of Africa.

The typical environment of the Asian elephants in the picture (from what I saw at a passing glance anyway) :p
 
Still on about costs but diverting the topic slightly (hopefully in my favour :) )

We are going to West Midland Safari Park this Saturday. Does anyone know about any potential offers available on the internet or vouchers?.

Having looked on their website their costs seem reasonable (doesn't stop me asking for discount though) and you get to go again later in the year it seems having paid once. In fact it seems Longleat is now just about twice as expensive as Knowsley and WMSP.
 
Still on about costs but diverting the topic slightly (hopefully in my favour :) )

We are going to West Midland Safari Park this Saturday. Does anyone know about any potential offers available on the internet or vouchers?.

Having looked on their website their costs seem reasonable (doesn't stop me asking for discount though) and you get to go again later in the year it seems having paid once. In fact it seems Longleat is now just about twice as expensive as Knowsley and WMSP.

They have an offer for people on their mailing list at the moment as I have just been sent it - makes the entry fee about £2.50 to £5 cheaper (ish) the benefit of any paying guest at WMSP is they give you a free return trip ticket so essentially you are getting two trips for the price of one - that's always a good selling point!
 
Can anyone get on their mailing list? - If so how do I go about it, just had a quick look on the website and didn't see anything.

It is an impressive offer they have where you pay once and get to visit twice.
 
Can anyone get on their mailing list? - If so how do I go about it, just had a quick look on the website and didn't see anything.

It is an impressive offer they have where you pay once and get to visit twice.

It's so you go back and pay to go on the rides again.;)
 
If you go in August the park is open till 9pm but do agree with Johnny Morris the free return ticket is to get you spending on the rides and cafes again
 
If you go in August the park is open till 9pm but do agree with Johnny Morris the free return ticket is to get you spending on the rides and cafes again

Don't get me wrong, it's a great deal if you are only interested in the animals, which i'm sure most (all) of us are on here. Howletts were doing an annual ticket for the price of a day ticket when i went in January, but Kent is a little too far for me to make a return journey this year so i passed on the opportunity. I did get a return visit within the year for the National marine aquarium in Plymouth which i'll be visiting next month.
 
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