While we were in California on vacation, we hit the San Diego Zoo. There was a whole lot to do: shows, demonstrations, keeper talks. And, oh yes, check out as many of the 3700 animals as we could in a day.
The zoo is very accommodating to people with disabilities. We received an Easy Access Pass that's for guests who have difficulty standing in line or who have limited mobility, and it enabled us to bypass the crowded area where you board the zoo bus tour.
The map of the zoo states, "The San Diego Zoo was designed in an area with natural hills and valleys, which are inherent barriers to disabled access. The Zoo is making an effort to remove barriers to access; however many are technically not feasible to remove." There's also a whole lot of ground to cover (100 acres!) and once again, as in Disneyland, we rented a wheelchair for when Max got weary. The zoo has an on-call shuttle available to transport individuals with disabilities around the park, and we took it a few times.
The 35-minute tour on a double-decker bus is a good first activity, so you can scope everything out. Max was mesmerized; we had to go once more before we left.
Here's some of what we saw throughout our day. None of us could get enough of the pandas. Max has a thing for hippos; Sabrina and me, monkeys; and Dave, elephants. Which animals are your kids' favorites? Which are yours?
Here's some of what we saw throughout our day. None of us could get enough of the pandas. Max has a thing for hippos; Sabrina and me, monkeys; and Dave, elephants. Which animals are your kids' favorites? Which are yours?
Beautiful pictures! We are hoping to go this summer, and I know Addie will be mesmerized by the "raffs."
ReplyDeleteThey are always cool to watch, they move so gracefully—like animal models!
DeleteIf you loved the San Diego Zoo, next time do the San Diego Wild Animal Park! They have an optional truck ride (for an extra cost) that will take you down into the reserve and you can hand-feed giraffes and black rhinos! It's quite and experience and the park is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI know, I wish we'd had the time! A definite reason to return.
DeleteEllen....
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you were able to enjoy the zoo sans any sensory meltdowns!! Good job, Max!! ;-D
My favorite zoo animal? It was lions. And still is!! But then our zoo removed their lion exhibit. Sadly!! So, in an effort to move forward with life, I chose another favorite zoo animal. Elephants!! The older I get {I am swiftly approaching thirty!!} I've decided that I also love zebras!! Did you know that their stripe pattern is unique? Like the human fingerprint. Or a snowflake. Like people in general!! God is a God of detail, and I love it!! Oh yeah. And zebras neigh just like their horse relatives!! I have heard one!! ;)
My Down syndrome brother's favorite zoo animal? It would be monkeys!! And wolves!! ;-D
--Raelyn
Yes, I've noticed that about zebra stripes! Sabrina commented, "Wouldn't it be awesome if you could draw lines on them the other way and then play tic-tac-toe?" !!!
DeleteTo Sabrina. Crack. Me. Up!!
Delete--Raelyn
Hey Ellen -
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons we feel the San Diego Zoo does a great job is because they invested time in having their staff trained by Kids Included Together. (kitonline.org) They have been an Affiliate of KIT for over 4 years and we are very proud of how they have incorporated inclusion into all parts of their organization. We hope other zoos will follow them!
SO wonderful they are an affiliate of KIT's! I was so impressed by how accommodating they were.
DeleteIs that giant (stuffed)bear Sabrina's? I cant let my 4 yo daughter see that or she will want it.
ReplyDeleteNo! It was on the train!!!
DeleteMy favorite is all the big cats (and the reptiles/insects).
ReplyDeleteAnonymous....
DeleteI forgot about reptiles being a favorite zoo animal of mine!! Snakes!! I love, love, love snakes!! Because I am an oddball!! ;)
--Raelyn
Amur leopards are my whole heart. I love them so much I just can't even handle it. My spirit animal is the wolf spider. Gabriel, on the other hand, is OBSESSED with monkeys.
ReplyDeleteAs a kid, my parents had this nutty obsession with zoos. We're on a trip? Zoo. We're halfway across the world? Zoo. We're bored? Zoo. I was almost always grouchy about these trips, but all the info infused into my brain and I accidentally became a zoo connoisseur. Now when I get dragged along to some random zoo, I analyze architecture, stylization, animal husbandry styles, everything. My two favourite zoos have been San Diego and Berlin, although (here goes my zoo-critique brain...) as a Canadian in Germany, it was pretty hilarious to see Plains Bison housed in a habitat decorated with West Coast Aboriginal art. As for animals, I do love bison, although snow leopards will probably always win me over as fave.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if the SD Zoo does this but I know its affiliated Wild Animal Park does -- people with disabilities who pay to get in can have a care attendant come in free! That's really nice for us -- we can buy a membership and it would include Sammie's nanny/aide! most places, if we buy a membership, and our Sammie goes without us, that person has to pay separately. I thought the Wild Animal Park was super accommodating. I get tears in my eyes thinking about places that go above and beyond for our kiddos!
ReplyDeleteWho doesn't love the zoo???? There's something instinctively magically about the zoo. Really!
ReplyDelete