Columbus Zoo Posts Zoombezi Bay Info

The Columbus Zoo has posted a page on their website with information about the new park, opening in May 2008. The page, linked below, contains descriptions of the 6 new slide complexes, as well as some "Splashy" Facts.

http://www.columbuszoo.org/news/newsroom/waterprk.html

Still no details on the dry part of the park.

They must hire a 13-year old to write their press releases.

And to pick the name. ;)

That name is terrible. What's with this latest fad of giving everything African-sounding names starting with the letter Z? Zonga, Zinga, Zoombezi...??? When did Africa start being the thing that fantasies are made of?

Although I don't like the name, I can understand why they are theming it to Africa. Remember this is a zoo and that it's animals are categorized by the continent they live on. The connection to the waterpark will likely be from the Africa section of the zoo.

The connection makes sense (as do the names of the coasters at BGA) but it just strikes me as completely unoriginal. So much creativity could have been employed, but wasn't.

I can't wait to hear what they're going to call the Sea Dragon.

Its not like zoos have huge marketing budgets. I think the name is fine.

A huge marketing budget isn't necessary for someone- or a group of people- to be creative. I think they just got lazy.

A big marketing budget is necessary to hire creative people who can also do other things within a non-profit though. I guess I don't get whats so lazy about it. It fits in perfectly with a zoo that has an African area.

Did anyone read the description for the slide CannonBowl? Is 36 riders per hour a typo or just going to be a ridiculous line to stand in?

Without having read the description, I'm going to assume that's a typo.

^^ So it's necessary to have a big marketing budget to hire people capable of coming up with something that shows a little creative flair? But still, that's getting beyond the point. For all the recent conversation on this site about facts and opinions and whatnot, it is my opinion that Zoombezi Bay is a generic name that does little more than mimick a popular trend in the amusement industry rather than going a little outside the box and doing justice to what is likely a spectacular addition to the zoo.

*** Edited 8/13/2007 5:29:25 PM UTC by Rob Ascough***

Well, you have to admit it IS a 'Zoo' to begin with.
Which would make a name beginning with the same three letters almost the natural thing to do...

-'Playa

I guess. But isn't the idea of adding amusements and water attractions to a zoo meant to illustrate that it's more than just a zoo?

What would prefer? The Columbus Zoo, Aquarium and Wildwater Kingdom? :) What amusement park within 500 miles of Columbus has an african name anyway?

How about Columbus Zoo and Olde Time Family "Water Sports" :)

-Tambo

I would advise against the Wildwater Kingdom name. Honestly, I have no idea what to call the place. I just think Zoombezi Bay is lame.

I'm fairly certain eightdotthree was being sarcastic.

I was under the impression that there was a contest to choose the final name. The other names weren't that great either, but...it is just a name.