ZooTampa: Creatures of the Night during the Day

 

Can you still enjoy the Creatures of the Night theming around ZooTampa without going to the night time event? After spending a Saturday afternoon at the Zoo I can say “Yes! You can!” I call it Creatures of the Night Day

There are 3 reasons you might want to visit during the daytime:

1. You do not want to participate in the scare zones, but still want to experience the theming
2.  You want to prepare your children ahead of time for the scare zones and other changes to the zoo.
3. You are visiting and Creatures of the Night does not fit into your schedule because it is only on the weekends

The decorations are incorporated throughout the entire park. It was fun to guess what I might see when I come back at night based on the decorations. Many of the Habitats had Jack o’ Lanterns and each one I saw had a different face carved into it. There are walls throughout the park that are fun photo backgrounds. When I arrived around noon, there were animal characters dressed in Halloween outfits taking pictures with children near the entrance. There is a giant troll that sits above the walkway that dips under the Safari road and leads to the back of the park. I thought he was simply a statue, but when I walked by at 3:30 he was moving and talking.

The Shoes are giving Wizard of Oz

I, too, would be silently screaming if I was in a box with snakes

The Scare zones have a 3 pumpkin rating system

1.    Great for all ages.
2.    Some jumps and scares. Good for most groups, but you may experience some eerie encounters.
3.    Eeriest of the areas. May be too intense for some of the younger creatures in your group.

Sacre Zone guide in front one of the scare zones

Some of the Scare Zones are simply walkways during the day. This gives families an opportunity to walk through in the daylight and mentally and emotionally prepare children for what they will experience at night. The Manatee building is one of the scare zones and features statues on a box along the path. At night some of the statues are actually actors, by walking through in the day you can spot the boxes that will hold an actor. Several years ago, my family walked through while my niece was small and the actors recognized that there was a small child in our group and did not scare us. We appreciated that because the area was rated for older kids at the time, but my niece wanted to see the fish and manatees. The night we went was not busy and there was not another group near us, so that helped the actors recognize that a small child was in the scare zone.

Sitting on the Siren's Throne

An empty box where an actor will stand during Creatures of The Night 

The walkway under the safari ride that leads to the back half of the park is a Scare Zone rated 2 pumpkins. If you are trying to avoid scare zones above 1 pumpkin, you will be limited to the front half of the park only by going at night.  When I walked through at 3:30pm the bubble machines where turned on in preparation for the event.

The Safari ride did not have any special theming to the story or decorations. I waited an hour to ride so I could find out, so you don’t have to! If you are trying to prioritize your day to experience the creatures of the night decorations and atmosphere and you see an hour long wait at the safari, I say save the ride for another day.  

The Chefs at ZooTampa have prepared a special menu for the season and you do NOT have to go at night to enjoy the special treats. At the Pizza Co. in Africa the only item that could not be ordered before 4pm was the calzone. The Medusa jack o lantern is a Bell pepper cleverly filled with Zucchini noodles to mimic the snakes on Medusa’s head. The zucchini filling is delicious. The bell pepper just tasted like a raw bell pepper. If I ate it again, I would eat the bell pepper first, so I could end with the better flavors of the zucchini and pumpkin seeds.

Cost

ZooTampa has changed their pricing structure in the last few years, so if you haven’t looked recently be aware that there are changes besides sticker price. The Pay for a Day ticket now includes Creatures of the Night and Christmas in the Wild. The Membership plans have been restructured and renamed.

Pay for Day: 

·        Ages 13 = $47.95

·        Ages 3-11 = $37.95

Creatures of the Night

·        $34.95 after 4pm

Membership:

·        $119 for a Pair (1 Member and 1 Guest)

·        $169 for a Trio (2 Members and 1 Guest)

·        $219 for a Quad (2 members and 2 Guests)

·        $248 for a Family (4 Members and 2 Guests)

ZooTampa participates in reciprocal admission with other Zoos around the country. If you are visiting Tampa and have a membership with another zoo you can buy a daily ticket for half price.

https://www.aza.org/reciprocity

Accessibility

ZooTampa has extensive information on their website about the accessibility accommodations available and what to expect. There is a 10-page accessibility guide available for download that includes contact information and additional resources on the website. Here are a few things I noticed while skimming through everything: 

• Purple wristband for Sensory Processing Disorder to shorten wait times for mechanical rides during normal hours.
• An overview of the pathway texture
• Adult Changing table in Wallaroo Station 
• Low vision map (located on the Autism Spectrum Disorders tab)
• Resources under the Autism Spectrum Disorders tab are in English and Spanish

https://zootampa.org/visit/accessibility/

Gators, and Panthers, and Snakes, Oh My! - Gatorland, FL

Historic entrance to Gatorland

I grew up in the Florida swamp, so I initially did not see the appeal of Gatorland. I have seen plenty of alligators in the wild, so what does this place have to offer besides seeing alligators?

I discovered there is much to learn and experience at Gatorland. We did not have the time to see and do everything the place has to offer in just one day. I quickly started making plans to visit again. I am particularly interested in the zipline tour, but there are several other tour options if ziplining is not up your alley. 

Gatorland provides a home for alligators that will not survive in the wild.  Its newest resident is Jawlene the little alligator missing it the top of its snout. You can also see Albino and Luecistic alligators. Because of their lack of pigment, they do not have the camouflage they need in the wild. 

  

Demonstration of the the alligators' lower jaw lack of strength

A snake making an appearance at Up Close Encounters

There are three unique shows throughout the day: 2 educational and 1 just for fun. The shows weave education in with silliness. At “Alligators: Legends of the Swamp” I learned you can’t poke a gator in the eyes because they sink into the head when they sense a threat. It is like blinking for humans. “Up Close Encounters” shows off creatures like snakes and spiders. These two shows are both educational and fun. They utilize audience participation, so get ready to volunteer if you want to participate. Both shows have photo opportunities with the animals after the show for a cash donation that goes towards feeding the animals. “Gator Jumparoo” was the last show of the day for us and it was silly, fun entertainment that showed the jumping power of alligators.  The Entertainers played double and triple duty all day. We continued to see guys from the first show in the other shows throughout the days and one was also our train conductor.

The surprising highlight of my day was feeding an emu! For only a quarter I was able to get a palmful of dried corn, and after patiently waiting, an emu ate the corn straight from my hand! The beak was not sharp, and the pecking was surprisingly gentle. Groups with children placed their corn on the railing for the emus to eat because it does look scarier than it is. 

Cuddles is a fun photo opportunity and he is not real 

There is also an aviary with birdseed sticks for sale and a petting zoo. You can also feed the gators in several areas of the park.

  

An alligator relaxing in position to catch flies

For children, there is a splash pad and playground. Since Florida is hot year-round, I recommend planning some splash pad time to cool off.

If you are visiting from out of town and want to experience a slice of Florida swamp, there is a boardwalk on the far south side of the property with informational signs on the plants and history of the area. The boardwalk is a loop and has a sign of estimated walk times based on your typical walking speed. We overestimated how long it would take us because we were enjoying the quiet nature. The road noise was surprisingly diminished, and the place has a feel of being out in the middle of nowhere. There are benches and gazebos throughout the boardwalk.   

Peaceful boardwalk through the swamp

There is a train that loops around the back part of the park. There is only one station in operation, so it is a ride, not just transportation. One criticism about the train: it is squealy, so if you have ears sensitive to high pitched sounds, it will not be enjoyable.

Us on the Train! Benches fit 2 adults.  

Cost

There are Child, Adult, and Senior prices for Day Passes and Annual Passes. Current costs:

·        Child (ages 3-12 years): $22.99 + tax

·        Adult:  $32.99 + tax

·        Senior (60 years and up): 31.98 + tax

If you plan on spending more than 1 day at Gatorland, it is worth it to pay for the Annual Pass because it is $12 more than a single day ticket without any specials. Plus, you get discounts with an annual pass.

There are many photo and animal encounter opportunities that take cash. Each opportunity is relatively inexpensive, $5-$10, but it can add up. I recommend bringing small bills and making room in your budget.

The train is $3 for unlimited rides.

Coming up in October, is "Gators, Ghosts, and Goblins." Costumes are welcome and it is free with admission. Check out their website for more information: https://www.gatorland.com/gators-ghosts-and-goblins-halloween-2023/ 

There are a handful of pressed penny machines that each have unique designs. They are the new kind that take a credit card. There is also a wax sculpture machine like the ones that used to be popular growing up in the 90’s.          

One of the many pressed penny machines in the park. Each one has different designs

                                                                                                                                                                    

Accessibility

The Gator Gauntlet zipline is an accessible zipline that participants lay in` a hammock like harness. The website has an informational video: https://www.gatorland.com/experiences/gator-gauntlet/

Gator Jumparoo has an area for wheelchairs that give an unobstructed view of the show by using plexiglass instead of railing.

I believe the train had a car that accommodated wheelchairs. 

There is a boardwalk throughout the park that may be difficult to roll wheels over. I don’t believe my sister had any trouble with her stroller on the boardwalk.  There is also a tower that overlooks the swamp that is stairs only.

The Wheelchair and Stroller view of Jumparoo

Gatorland Website:

 https://www.gatorland.com/

 

 

Wine making in School? - Door Peninsula Winery

It seems like you cannot drive more than 10 minutes in any direction without coming across a winery with a tour and tasting in Door County. When I was there in May, it felt overwhelming to choose which tour would be the best one. Ultimately, the decision was made based on price because I was on a graduation trip and needed to stretch my dollars until I started my new job. 

However, penny pinching isn’t the only reason to choose Door Peninsula Winery. The tour features local history and award-winning wines. In fact, even if you do not typically drink wine, the tour still has interesting information to offer. I only have two pictures from this tour. I thought I had taken several, but it looks like I was just living in the moment.

On approach to the Door Peninsula Winery, I noticed a bell hanging over what appeared to be the front entrance of the building.  During our visit, we learned the building was once a schoolhouse that the winery built around.  The tour starts with the history of the building and relics from the locals who attended school there. After the bit of fun schoolhouse history, the tour moves on into the brewery to discuss the process of winemaking and distilling. Our tour was mainly women having a Girls Day Out. My dad was the only man on the tour excluding the tour guide in training.

Before the winery added on to the original schoolhouse 

If you are traveling with children, you can make the tour educational by focusing on what attending school was like in the small community. You can also incorporate lessons on food chemistry and preservation.

We opted to do our tasting before the tour. Every beverage we tasted was delicious and the bartender was knowledgeable and advised us on the order in which we should try our choices. If we tried to order something with a strong flavor, he told us to wait and save it for the end or else we would not be able to taste anything else. He was also able to tailor his advice to our individual palates, so that we would have the best tasting experience.

Cost

Tour

The tour cost us $3 per person when we went in May 2023. However, the website now states that tours are free. Pricing may be seasonal. If you would like a glass of wine to enjoy during the tour it is a $7 upgrade.

Tasting

The wine tasting is free and we enjoyed approximately 1 ounce sized samples of 5 beverages each. Do bring cash for tips for the bartenders. The bartenders work hard to quickly serve a bar full of people.  

The Distillery tasting is an upgrade that we opted not to do. The website currently states it is $18 and includes a shot glass and 2 oz of chocolate covered cherries.

Souvenirs

There is a pressed penny machine downstairs by the bathroom. At the time of our visit, it was an old fashioned machine that required a penny and quarters.

The store had many fun drinking vessels for sale as well as other souvenirs.

Pressed Penny Machine near the restrooms

Accessibility

The tour begins by descending a flight of stairs. If you need an elevator, call ahead to confirm accessibility because I do not remember seeing an elevator near the start of the tour. I may have walked by it while focused on something else and just missed it.

Website

https://store.dcwine.com/winery/

 

Door County Time Machine - The Ridges Sanctuary

The Ridges Sanctuary is a great place to learn about the natural history of Door County.  Walking through the property is like walking through a living exhibit showcasing how landscapes change with time.

The landscape is a pattern of Ridges and Swales and each set of ridge and swale is a different type of habitat full of native flora and fauna. Wait! What is a “Ridge” and a “Swale?” Have you ever noticed the ripples waves make in the sand as they crash on land then retreat into the sea or lake? Ridges and swales are a much larger version of those ripples. As the water of Lake Michigan shrink back, it leaves behind ripples in the landscape that become home to a variety of native plants and animals. The ridges are the high points of those ripples, and the swales are the lows. Trees grow on the ridges and the swales hold water for fish, dragonflies, and frogs.

Hiking on one of the ridges

On the boardwalk over one of the swales

The sanctuary is like a time machine because the ridge and swale furthest from the shore once looked like the ridge and swale closest to the shore. As you walk inland, the land becomes drier and the plants change and the type of creatures who live there change.

If you are interested in lighthouses or naval navigation, there is a set of range lights located on the property. The upper range light is located inland at the top of a house and the lower range light was once located on the shore of Lake Michigan. The lower range is still standing, but the shore has moved further away, so it is now also located inland. The purpose of the range lights is to give ships a guide to safely navigate into Bailey Harbor. Captains line up the upper and lower lights, so they are in a straight line to avoid shipwreck.   

Mom and I with the light from the upper range light and in front of the lower range light house

You can explore the sanctuary on your own or join a tour. My parents and I opted for the tour. Our guide identified plants and animals, informed us on scientific projects happening in the sanctuary, and gave us the historical background for the area. We were also able to go into the house of the upper range light. The knowledge our guide shared with us is well worth the extra $5 per person.

Cost:

$5 to walk the trails solo or $10 for a guided hike with a knowledgeable volunteer.

Tips for visiting:

·        Bring your lunch. There is no food to buy on the property, but there is an area outside Cooks-Albert Fuller Nature Center with tables and benches to enjoy a packed lunch or you can go to a nearby park and eat on the shore.

·        Comfortable walking shoes. The tour is about 1.5 - 2 hours and I recorded 1.7 miles on my Garmen watch.

·        Bring a water bottle. There are no drinking fountains in nature, so bring your own hydration.

Looking out the window of the upper light. The lower light is at the end of  boardwalk.

Accessibility

There is boardwalk from the quarter mile between the nature center and range lights and also between the upper and lower range lights. If you need the use of a wheelchair, there is a Trackchair, or all terrain wheel chair, available at the nature center. Reservations need to be made 1 week in advance and can only be used on the designated trails. The Trackchair is free to use with either a membership or the $5 trail fee. Find out more here: https://www.ridgessanctuary.org/trackchair/

Website:  https://www.ridgessanctuary.org/

One of the frogs that calls the swales home.