Zoosiana
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Zoosiana is described as a 'hidden jewel' that exceeds expectations once inside, offering a high-quality, family-friendly zoo experience. It stands out for its well-cared-for animals, beautifully maintained and shaded exhibits, and exceptionally friendly and passionate staff. The venue caters particularly well to families with young children, featuring unique attractions like a gem mine and a safari train ride, all set on newly repaired, smooth, and fully concrete walking paths for enhanced accessibility.
Key Highlights
- ✓Animals are consistently reported as well taken care of.
- ✓Exhibits are beautifully maintained and offer an amazing variety of animals.
- ✓Much of the park is shaded and breezy, enhancing visitor comfort.
- ✓Restrooms are very clean.
- ✓Staff is friendly, kind, knowledgeable (e.g., at the gem mine), and visibly passionate about the animals.
- ✓Features a unique gem mine activity where kids can pan for gemstones, fossils, and other items.
- ✓Offers a train ride that goes through a safari area.
- ✓Convenient and 'cute' wagons are available for rent for only $3.
- ✓Walking paths are entirely concrete and recently repaired, ensuring a smoother and handicapped accessible experience.
- ✓Not super busy, allowing for a more relaxed visit.
Standout Features
- ⭐Well-cared-for animals and their living environments.
- ⭐Friendly, kind, and passionate staff.
- ⭐Beautifully maintained exhibits with a wide variety of animals.
- ⭐Abundant shaded and breezy areas throughout the park.
- ⭐Very clean restrooms.
- ⭐Interactive gem mine activity (panning for gemstones/fossils).
- ⭐Safari train ride.
- ⭐Affordable wagon rentals ($3) for young children.
- ⭐Huge gift shop stocked with various items.
- ⭐Newly repaired, smooth, and entirely concrete walking paths.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Don't be deterred by the exterior appearance from the road; it's considered a 'hidden jewel' once you enter.
- →Consider renting a wagon for $3, especially with young children, for added convenience.
- →Be aware that specific areas, such as the aviary, may be under renovation and temporarily closed.
- →It's particularly well-suited for families with young children.
- →Utilize the shaded areas for comfort, especially on warmer days.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Some areas, specifically the aviary, are currently under renovation and may be inaccessible or closed.
- ⚠A power outage was reported, though it was quickly resolved and did not significantly affect one reviewer's experience, it indicates potential for operational interruptions.
- ⚠Snacks and refreshments are available but described as 'a little pricey' (though reviewers found the overall experience worth it).
Price & Value
The overall experience is considered 'a little pricey but that's normal and worth it for the experience.' Wagon rentals are explicitly priced at $3. Snacks and refreshments are available, implying an additional cost, but no specific prices were provided beyond the wagons.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •The entire zoo area is handicapped accessible due to the entire walking path being concrete.
- •Paths have recently undergone repairs, resulting in a smoother experience for wheelchairs and strollers.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Snacks and refreshments are available for purchase on-site. No explicit mention of outside food policy.
🚗Parking Info
- •No specific details regarding parking availability, cost, or ease were mentioned in the reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •One review noted it was 'not super busy', suggesting it might offer a more relaxed visit compared to larger, more crowded venues.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No specific safety features were explicitly mentioned in the reviews, beyond the general presence of friendly and kind staff.
⏰When to Avoid
- • If your primary interest is a specific exhibit known to be under renovation (e.g., the aviary).
- • Expectation of very low prices for on-site snacks and refreshments.
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
Field Trip Admission
$9 per student, $14 per teacher/chaperone/other adultDuration: Full day
Admission into Zoosiana, includes enjoyment of all animals, exhibits, and the Jungle Lodge Playground. Various amenities available as add-ons.
Includes:
- •Zoo admission
- •Jungle Lodge Playground
Cub Combo (Field Trip Add-on)
$4 eachFood and drink package for field trip attendees.
Includes:
- •Hot dog
- •Bag of plain Lays chips
- •7.5oz Sprite
Gem Mine (Field Trip Option)
$9 eachA mining experience to discover treasures. Sift through sandy aggregate at the old-time sluice to find gemstones, fossils, emeralds, amethysts, and more. Explorers keep their treasures!
Includes:
- •Gem mining experience
- •Kept treasures
🍎Food Policy
- • No outside food or drinks are allowed for the safety of animals.
- • Cub Combos (hot dog, chips, drink) are available for purchase.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Safety is the #1 priority. Guests must adhere to all warnings and instructions, and respect railings/barriers.
- • Cruelty to animals, including taunting, excessive screaming, and throwing of objects, is not tolerated and may lead to legal recourse.
- • Children must be supervised at all times by the adult accompanying them.
- • Do not litter.
- • Zoosiana is a 100% smoke-free environment.
- • Shoes and shirts are required of all guests.
- • Modest dress is expected; revealing or offensive clothes are not appropriate. Clothing containing obscenities, vulgarities, or profanities will require changing or turning shirts inside out. Admission may be denied at management's discretion.
- • Guests are expected to take care of the park, its facilities, and components. Vandalism and other destructive/disruptive actions are not allowed.
- • Anything else generally accepted by society as being unacceptable and/or wrong is not allowed.
📅Booking Policy
- • Memberships are valid for one year from the month of purchase (except holiday gift memberships are for the following calendar year, Jan 2 - Dec 31).
- • Member benefits (including admission) are only for persons listed on the valid and current membership card.
- • Membership sales are final and non-refundable.
- • Memberships are non-transferable.
- • Membership card must be presented (with a valid identification card) to redeem any benefit, including admission.
🚗Parking Information
- • Parking lot available (implied by service animal relief policy). No specific details on cost or capacity.
What People Say
What's Great
- Friendly and helpful staff (mentioned in 6 reviews)
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 3 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Can get crowded during peak times (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Kelli K
a week agoThe power had gone out when we got there, but it didn't really affect anything for us. It came back on after about 30 mins of us being there. We had a good time and the animals looked take care of. They definitely have quite a few areas that are under renovation, like the aviary. It wasn't super busy. I think families with young kids would benefit from the experience more
Haley Bug
a month agoThe entire experience from start to finish was just amazing! My two year old had a blast! The restrooms were very clean, a little pricey but that's normal and worth it for the experience! The little wagons they have for the kids are so cute & convenient for only $3 to rent! 9/10
Zach Johnson
a week agoThis zoo seems like it is a total scam from the road, but once you get through the gate it is like a hidden jewel! The exhibits are beautifully maintained, the variety of animals is amazing, and so much of the park is shaded and breezy. Our family of 6 loved every minute of it! We will definitely be back!
S
4 months agoWe absolutely adore this zoo! The animals are well taken care of and the staff is always so friendly and kind! Especially this man in the photo! His love for these animals touched my heart. Wonderful zoo we love it here!
David Scarbrough Jr (DāDā)
a month agoNice zoo. They have a gem mine to pan for gemstones, fossils and other things. The young lady that works the gem mine was very knowledgeable and helpful, and you could tell that she loves what she does. Snacks and refreshments are available. The gift shop is huge and stocked with various items. They have a train ride that goes through the safari area. The entire walking path is concrete; we were informed by the staff that some areas needed repairing and it had just been finished. So the entire zoo area is handicapped accessible and would definitely be smoother.