The San Diego Wild Animal Park: See Your Favorite Animals In a Different Way!
Written: Sep 08 '02 (Updated Sep 08 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: You get to see animals in their natural habitat (instead of cages)
Cons: High Prices
The Bottom Line: If you are tired of seeing animals locked up in cages, come to The San Diego Wild Animal Park, where the animals run freely!
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| tkd_grant's Full Review: San Diego Wild Animal Park |
Ok, so you’re visiting (or live in) the San Diego area and you are in the mood to see some animals. The first thought that comes into a tourist’s mind is “Let’s go to the world-famous, San Diego Zoo!” Aren’t I right? Well, most locals (if not all) know that there’s an even better “zoo” for seeing all your favorite animals…The San Diego Wild Animal Park!
Located just thirty-two miles northeast of downtown San Diego (east of a city in north San Diego County called Esondido), you will find this preserve of wildlife. The San Diego Wild Animal Park offers you a entirely different experience than the San Diego Zoo. As the “Park” allows you to see Asian and African wildlife in their natural habitat (instead of cages).
Animals
Upon arriving at the park, the first thing you will do is (after purchasing a ticket of course) go through a big gate with several different species of birds flying around. Make sure you duck and cover…hehe. It’s like you are in one big cage (you are actually surrounded by a big net) with birds going this way and that. Okay, after making your way through the birds, now comes some decision making. Do you want to go on the fifty-five minute, five mile Wgasa Bush Lineway Tour and see several different species of Asian and African animals running around freely over hills? Note: The Tour takes you around the entire park. Or do you prefer to see the Gorillas? Or go and see several African animals? Or do you want to hand-feed (feed them nectar) some beautiful Lorikeets? Note: There is a small fee to get in to this activity. When I was younger I was afraid that the birds would bite me, and sometimes they did (but it wasn’t that painful). This is now one of my favorite things to do here! But I wouldn’t really recommend this activity to younger children. My suggestion is to do what you want to do first, in case you run out of time and don’t get to see/do what you wanted to see/do.
Some other activities in the “Park” include the Elephant Presentation (watch Elephants show off their intelligence and strength! Show times are at 1:00 P.M. and 3:00 P.M.), Hidden Jungle (walk through a large greenhouse filled with many species of butterflies), and you can go to the Nursery and Petting Kraal (come see pets being raised and even touch some animals). The times we come to this particular area, there are Koala Bears being raised. It is neat to see them climbing their Eucalyptus Trees. I highly recommend the Kraal to younger children. These are just some of the many (my favorite activities) activities offered at The San Diego Wild Animal Park. So if the activities I mention didn’t sound like anything fun or exciting, don’t worry! There’s plenty to do here!
Food
Okay…if you have been reading my other travel reviews, you have probably started to notice something in common….high prices! And the “Park” is no exception (unless things have changed, which I doubt). Yes the prices are high, but I haven’t been here in a while so I can’t say the exact prices, but they are probably somewhere around the $10 range if you’re looking for a combo meal.
The Wild Animal Park offers two dining experiences: Thorn Tree Terrace and Mombasa Island Cooker. If I recall, I ate at the Thorn Tree Terrace last time which offers the normal, American Food- sandwiches, hamburgers, salads, etc. I believe I had a sandwich, which tasted pretty normal. Nothing spectacular. Most amusement parks/zoos don’t offer gourmet, so what do you expect? All I know about Mombasa Island Cooker is that they serve pretty much the same food as Thorn Tree, plus some Italian and Asian specialties. Haven’t eaten here, but just hearing Italian and Asian specialties makes me here the cash register go chi-ching, chi-ching.
Cleanliness
If I remember correctly (and I’m almost positive), the “Park” is very clean. Yeah, you might see a piece of trash here and there, but hey, what do you expect? There’s always gonna be someone who litters anywhere you go. But overall, the “Park” is very clean.
Prices
Adults (ages 12 and older): $26.50
Children (ages 3-11): $19.50
Seniors (60 and over): $23.85
Parking (per vehicle): $6.00
Children ages two and younger are free!
Opening and Closing Times
The San Diego Wild Animal Park is open every single day of the year. Currently, the fall hours are in: 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. As I say about every park, make sure you get here early to avoid large crowds!
Overall
Every time I come here, I always have a good time. Believe it or not (and some will disagree), I like the “Park” better than the "Zoo". The reason being that the animals are in the open and not in cages. I think creates a different feel. The food is okay, the prices are pretty high, but seeing the animals is great. And isn’t that the reason we even come here in the first place? That’s what I thought. Oh yes, let me mention that in the summertime, there is a "Parade of Lights" each night. Why am I mentioning this now that summer is over?? Oh well, thought you might as well know. Okay, anyway, I highly recommend The San Diego Wild Animal Park. So what are you waiting for? Come see this amazing place!
Have fun!
Recommended:
Yes
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tkd_grant
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Member: Grant
Location: California
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