San Diego Zoo vs. Wild Animal Park

[talie95]

Hello everyone.... we are planning a trip to sea world in April and we will probably spend a couple days there and then I was thinking of going either to the Zoo or Wild Animal Park. I have 2 girls (ages 4 and 7) and I'm trying to decide which one to go to. I've been to the Zoo before but it's probably been over 20 years and of course, I've never been to the Wild Animal Park. What is the difference between these two parks as far as exhibits, shows, etc. and if you could pick one to visit, which would it be?

Thanks!!
Natalie

 

[ScooterL]

Hmm...with a 4-year-old and a 7-year-old I think I'd recommend the Zoo. There is even more walking at the WAP than there is at the Zoo, and that gets pretty tiring for little legs. At least at the Zoo you can get a ticket for the Kangaroo bus, which you can get off and on at various points.

The Zoo also has the Childrens' Zoo, which I think your kids would enjoy. And there are the koalas and the panda bears to see. I'm not sure what shows the WAP has these days. There's two shows at the Zoo - the Wild Ones show, which is my favorite, and then a show with sea lions and other critters in the Wegeforth Bowl.

 

[Ron Nelson]

Good Evening,

we just got back from a 2 week vacation down in California, we did both the zoo and wildlife park and the kids (twin 5yr old boys & 9yr old daughter) prefered the zoo. The wildlife park has the same animals as the zoo as the zoo has more animals to see. The neet thing with the wildlife park is that you get to see the animals in their more natural habitat. if your staying in San Diego the zoo is in San Diego where the Wildlife park is about 50 minutes away. One thing I would highly recomend if you are going to the zoo is the 2 1/2 hour VIP Tour, the whole family thought it was totally awsome. you get a person tour guide that takes you through half the zoo behind the seens. We got to see 2 polar bears up close (about a foot away) they were in a cage as they were trying to bread the two but it was pretty cool. We also got to pet a rhino and feed/pet a giraff, got to see the baby panda that was behind the adult pandas that was not on display. you also meet the zoo keepers that answer all questions and inform you on what they are trying to do. It was $300.00/group but worth every penny. I would not recomend the wildlife VIP tour as you spend more time driving around than seeing the animals.

Ron