Rides at zoos

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janfrederick said:
I think Seaworld would agree.

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I was going to mention Seaworld, since those parks seem to have found a great way to mix educational animal exhibits with mechanical rides.

When I go to a traditional zoo, I go for the animals. That said, I'm definitely not averse to mechanical rides as long as they don't eclipse the primary purpose of the zoo, which is to care for animals and use them to educate people. The Denzer Zoo has a small train and an Endangered Species carousel (I believe those things are a product of Carouselworks?) and I don't feel they did anything to detract from what the zoo was all about. Both were upcharge attractions so I get the impression that money made from both ultimately go to the upkeep of the zoo, which doesn't bother me at all. When it comes to zoos, I like to see them make as much money as possible.

Milwaukee Zoo has a kickass train that has been there for as long as I can remember (at least thirty-five years as I can remember back to five). They added a carousel about five or six years ago.

Let's not forget the two biggest zoos that have rides...Disney's Animal Kingdom and Busch Gardens Africa!

Then there is the Columbus Zoo, which now boasts a complete waterpark and amusement park (with 52-year-old wooden roller coaster) inside the Zoo gates, along with the carousel and boat ride that they've had for a few years now...

(the carousel, by the way, is the one that came from Olentangy Park. It was removed from Wyandot Lake back when Six Flags was still operating the place, so that's not the carousel that got auctioned off)

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

And since the zoo is not-for-profit, won't the money made from running the rides and waterpark have to go towards the care of the animals? I don't see how that could be a bad thing.

Rob, I agree with you. On the other side of thing, look how BGA has intergrated their rides and animal exhibits. Ditto with Animal Kingdom. They aren't exaclty zoo, but more like animal-themed parks. Wheras zoos have rides with animal themes.

Disneyland during the Christmas season is a zoo. ;)

Yeah, but it's mostly just primates . . .