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Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium
Categories: Active Life Amusement Parks Active Life Zoos Active Life Aquariums Amusement Parks, Zoos, Aquariums [Edit]
16523 W Northern AveLitchfield Park, AZ 85340
(623) 935-9453
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 9 am - 6 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
55 reviews for Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium
Review Highlights
"Also make sure to bring quarters to feed the giraffes."
(in 9 reviews)
"It appears that they treat their animals VERY well."
(in 36 reviews)
"That way you get to see the animals up close and personal."
(in 4 reviews)
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55 reviews in English
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Review from Monica L.
Tempe, AZ
1/17/2012
The Best Place EVERRR!!!! Had one of my best times out here. It is clear everyone enjoys working here and is very knowledable about the animals. The petting zoo is so much fun..Loved the giraffe feeding.
The strangest part of this experience was the fine dining...A wonderful little resturaunt, where you have the choice of dining outside while watching the antics of the flamingos and the wild birds...the dancing macaw was very entertaining. Or you can choose to dine in the dining room with a huge circular shark tank...no seat is a bad seat.
All the food that my friends and I had was good...the best being the Kobe beef burger.
Will return most definitely and have told everyone I know of the joyful experience. -
Review from Stacey H.
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
I want to start with one simple fact, you MUST get some elephants. My son was so disappointed.
When I was a kid this was the best zoo the staff took the time to talk to random kids about the animals and how they lived. Now the few staff forced to interact was rude. The gift shop/ticket sales people were all more interested in conversations with other employees. The folks at the touch tanks were extremely rude sharing not a single fact about the animals. The price is steep for what they're offering in my opinion. I'd like to see a zoo where the animals move and are active, not where every animal must be stared at only to see if it's breathing.
We won't be returning, we'll stick to the Phoenix Zoo and trips to San Diego Zoo. -
Review from Tylar H.
Chandler, AZ
12/14/2011
This place is a blast, you get a lot of up close experiences with the animals like no other zoo. It's a little pricey but definitely worth it for the experience. I found the place to be very clean, the staff was friendly and seemed to love their work, although this could be related to the fact that there were probably only 100 other people there total.
The animals seemed very happy, seemed to love people and were quite interactive. My favorite part was the kangaroo area where the animals are free to walk right up to you(and do). I would have paid the admission just for that. Also the sting ray tank was great you stick in your hand and they rub against you not unlike my dog does.
I do feel like the size of the enclosures were too small for many of the animals, but they seem to do the best with the space they have. I saw lots of shelters, enrichment activities, and a staff that seemed to really care. That coupled with animals that seemed happy and loved people makes me think that they are doing a good job in care. -
Review from Chheng L.
2/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
I haven't been to the zoo since I was a kid so I had a fun filled morning here. We spent a good 3-4 hrs walking through the entire zoo. Tickets were a bit pricy ($58 for two adults) but it was worth it. My BF was like a fat kid in a candy store here. He must've took over a hundred photos of all the animals. My favorite part was seeing the tigers... so cute! A lot of the animals I really wanted to see were sleeping (lion, white tiger, jaguar, cheetah...) but I still manage to snap some photos of them. We also had fun feeding the giraffes... and having them lick your hands with their slimy black tongues. haha. I saw a lot of animals here that I have not seen in my life before which was pretty cool. There was lots and lots of birds... a little too much that we got tired of seeing birds by the end. It was great, but if they had pandas or koalas that would've made it super awesome!!!
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Review from Maggie F.
12/7/2011 3 photos
Just the right amount of fun for the little people :)
This zoo has grown, but it is still the perfect size to allow kids to walk (or run) from exhibit to exhibit without over exerting themselves. They still having enough energy left to play on the very well planned play ground situated right between the zoo & the aquarium. Whoever decided to put it up is a genius, I really needed a break by then, lol! Although my nieces & nephew didn't get tired till we were in the car on the way home, the little train ride was fun & the kids got to rest for a bit while still being entertained.
There are 2 restaurants/cafe's in the zoo/aquarium, but you are allowed to bring food in. We were there for about 3 hours. I packed plenty of snacks & juice boxes to get us through & there are plenty of benches where you can sit for mini snack breaks :)
Daytime Admission to Zoo & Aquarium
Adults: $27.50 + tax
Kids 3 to 12 Years: $14.25 + tax
2 & younger: Free
The animals are close up & everything is really geared towards kids, so it's worth the trip. Sometimes there are coupons mailed out but you can also go onto the following website and print one out. It's good for the whole family. It's good till Jan 2nd.
http://www.phoenixkids...
The other upside is that this zoo is opened every day of the year! -
Review from Elizabeth N.
Honolulu, HI
12/6/2011
Came here over the Thanksgiving Holiday with my husband and 2 year old. For a small little zoo, this place packs a punch. I've been to several zoos, including the world famous San Diego Zoo, and what this zoo lacks in size and "polish", it makes up for in intimacy and amenities for little kids. It's the perfect size for kids. Not too big, not too small.
What zoo can you go to and get face to face with a giraffe and even feed them for $.50??? Not any I've been to. I do agree that the initial price of the admission is a shocker but this a private zoo and for it being private, the variety of animals they have is impressive. The only animals they don't have are elephants and hippos but they're working on it. Overall, the animals seem happy here. The only animal that seemed kinda sad to me was the Rhino.
Yes, the other little attractions cost extra (like the train, merry go round etc) but considering how expensive it is to run a place like this, it's an honest asking. I think this place is great for little kids as there's lots of open space, a big play area and lots of animals in their petting zoo. If you're going here expecting a first class zoo environment (San Diego, Ohio etc) you will be dissapointed, but if you come here and want to see some cool animals up close than you'll enjoy yourself.
Pros:
-Intimate environment, can get up close and feed animals
-Environment is catered for little kids
-I'm super biased here, but the location. My in-laws live in surprise so this place was a hop skip and a jump from their home.
-There were enough shady areas and places to rest all about the park
-Free parking
Cons:
-Admission is a bit pricey, but look out for coupons in local newspapers, online etc. I think in the summer/hot months you can get buy 1 get 1 free admission. But in the more comfortable months (Winter/fall) it was only $3 off.
-Dusty! Nothing is paved, so where closed toed shoes. Bring hand sanitizer and wet wipes.
Tips:
Again, wear closed toed shoes and socks or you will have some nasty feet at the end of the day. And though they say "no outside food", if done responsibly (like in a back pack, or kids stroller) you can easily bring in your own water and food. I'm not talking cooler action, but a sandwhich or two and bottled water and snacks? Cake. You could probably smuggle that in too. =) Go early when its not too hot and crowded. -
Review from Yanira S.
Chandler, AZ
I'm a big zoo girl so I'm happy to report that WIldlife World Zoo rocks! It's spacious, has strange creatures galore and I never get the crowded vibe here like I do at Phoenix Zoo. I know this is because it's out in the middle of nowhere (aka LItchfield Park) but it's worth the drive on the weekends knowing I'll get to feed some giraffes and visit the new aquarium facilities. The petting zoo is pretty neat, when else are you going to get to pet a doe?
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Review from Jimmy M.
9/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
This Zoo is okay. Bring lots of money because it will cost you 73 dollars for 2 adults and one kid over 2 and then all the ride. The exhibits were a little lacking in the zoo side of things but the aquarium was pretty nice, especially considering it was in Arizona. The boat ride and the carrasel were closed which was a bummer but the train and log flume were open. Each ride costs money on top of admission and they only take cash. Additionally the snack bar only takes cash as well so be ready for that.
The highlights for my kids was the petting zoo, the train ride, log flume and feeding the stingrays. A good place to take your kids but be ready to drop some serious money here. After ridding the rides, eating at the snack bar, admission, and the gift shop I dropped about 250$. -
Review from James M.
Kent, WA
8/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Went on a hot August day. There were not many people there, so we didn't have to fight any crowds! It was well over 100 degrees, so if you go during hot weather, make sure you stay hydrated! Water was $3.00 a bottle, but we refilled them at the chilled water fountains in the indoor exhibits. ;-) We survived!
The zoo was a lot of fun. Feeding the giraffes is a highlight. Bring lots of quarters. A little spendy for the animal food, fifty cents for a small handful. But it was fun!
Make sure you feed the parrots! It's a freebie and happens several times a day. They land on you and eat the apple chunks you're holding. After about 20 minutes, the apples come out the other end, so be warned!
Although the zoo has an open feel for the larger animals, I was a little discouraged with the caged monkeys and other small animals. I thought the chain-link cages distracted from the otherwise great zoo experience.
Well worth the time and money! Recommended! -
Review from Jennifer L.
Belmont, CA
Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium is a privately run zoo, aquarium, and park geared toward families. We visited on a hot afternoon recently and saw a lot of animals that appeared to be well-cared for.
I am generally zoo-averse. I think it has something to do with having seen "Gorillas in the Mist" and seeing some zoos where the animals are cooped up in cages that are too small for them to live a happy life. I'd rather watch the animals on PBS or go on safari and see the animals in their own habitat. That being said, I am okay with places that take care of animals that are already not in the wild, as long as the conditions are good.
Wildlife World Zoo's monkeys were purchased from an overseas meat trade (being in a zoo is better than being eaten, I think!). Some of the animals were donated by people who had them and didn't know what to do with them. Some animals were bred in captivity.
I thought that the tortoise and the animals in the petting zoo could've used more supervision from zoo staff. http://www.yelp.com/bi... I didn't see any guests abusing the animals, but I hope there are cameras or enough staff present to make sure that it never happens. Many animal exhitbits are interactive, and I didn't notice zoo personnel near all of the interactive exhibits.
When you visit the Congo Cooker, they don't provide straws in order to protect the animals. In this case, they're putting the animals first, which is great.
Highlights for us included:
+ Feeding the parrots cut apples which they ate out of our hands. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
+ Riding the safari train ride where we saw lots of animals. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
+ Petting the stingray, sea star, and lobster.
+ Seeing the baby animals.
Tips and other info:
* If you're going during hot weather, visit during the morning before it gets scorching. Save the aquarium for last, since it's cooler inside.
* There are coupons available for discounts of admission in the Entertainment book and local newspaper.
* Tiburon Restaurant is located on the grounds of Wildlife World Zoo and has lovely views of the aquarium. We didn't eat here, though it appears to have nice ambiance and an extensive menu with a variety including a kids' menu. http://www.tiburonrest...
* The playground is downwind of the petting zoo, so it doesn't smell great there. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
There was one goat in the petting zoo that was especially aggressive with us, which wasn't that fun. We hadn't purchased any feed, so he settled for our clothing. http://www.yelp.com/bi... All in all, it was a very fun afternoon and a very stimulating place to take kids. -
Review from Awesome O.
Phoenix, AZ
4/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Anyone driving out here for the first time should know that once you exit the highway, there aren't any gas stations. I nearly ran out of gas because I didn't know I was gonna end up way out in the boonies. I mean, where do all the farmers out here get their fuel?
As for the zoo itself, there are some animals that you won't see at the phoenix zoo and of course there's the aquarium but I don't really think I'll be going back. The reason I came here to begin with was so my girlfriend could see some penguins. I have to remind myself that we do live in the desert but the penguin exhibit was really sad. It's very small and although the entire front of it is glass, the entire area quickly fills up with children, obstructing the view.
I think instead of driving from the east valley, next time I'll make the trek up to Out of Africa, which I've heard is quite an experience. -
Review from Bob S.
Saline, MI
4/6/2011
The entrance fees are very high to this park. $25 for adults and like $16 for kids. After that, every ride in the zoo costs a lot of money. If you want to ride on the tram (I don't recommend that) that is $6/person. If you want to ride on the train, another $4/person. If you want on the log ride, then $6/person.
The zoo itself is substandard. Chain link fences surround the cages, and all the pathways are gravel, leading to a dusty walk around.
The Aquarium IS fun. The kids loved touching the sting rays, and seeing all the sharks and penguins and fish.
Bring your lunch. The cafeterias are poor. They all have a different name but serve overpriced hotdogs and subs. Bring bottled water. This park seems to have removed all the drinking fountains and placed Coke machines in their place. Also enjoyed the corporate sponsors as you walk around....too bad they can't chip in for drinking fountains. -
Review from Wendy K.
Mesa, AZ
1/23/2011
We were pleasantly surprised about our experience at this zoo. We went on a nice day in January, the temp was in the low 70's. The temperature makes a difference for a zoo experience, because who wants to walk around anyplace when it's hot?
This zoo has more of a "wildlife" park feel. Many of the animals were separated from the humans with natural barriers such as water or wood poles. It didn't have the penitentiary feel that a traditional zoo has.
There were many animals at this zoo that we have never seen so it was very enjoyable. Plenty of exotic birds, lots of monkeys, and many of the usual zoo favorites. We enjoyed getting close up looks of the rhino, giraffes -loved the up high feeding station- and the white tigers.
The aquarium was fascinating too and I was very impressed for Arizona. I've been to the aquarium in Newport, Oregon, Scripps in San Diego, and a few others, and this one certainly measured up.
Worth a visit with the family. Make sure you get a coupon so you can save a few bucks. -
Review from Carrie M.
Mesa, AZ
2/22/2011
Wildlife World Zoo is one of the best zoos I've seen, and that includes the world-renowned San Diego Zoo. It's far superior to the Phoenix Zoo, with more variety and a less crowded layout. I'm generally not a big fan of zoos (I don't like to see wild animals caged), but at this zoo, the habitats seemed much more natural and open.
My fiance and his 5-year-old son took me to this zoo as a birthday present on a beautiful February afternoon. We had a "buy one, get one free" coupon, which was a great deal. We spent the better part of 5 hours wandering around the zoo - it's huge! They have the usual suspects: giraffes, monkeys, rhinos, and cougars... but it's home to a lot of unusual animals, as well. Kangaroo Island is home to a few different species of kangaroo, and they also have a beautiful white tiger. We were lucky enough to see a few new babies in the "nursery", and we also got to feed the giraffes! (Tip: bring lots of quarters to feed the various animals)
There are a few "rides" that cost extra money: a train, skylift, carousel, and boat. We chose to ride the train, which takes you through a few of the habitats for an up-close and personal look at the animals. The train's driver narrated the short (10 minute) ride, which made it a good educational experience.
After we had fully explored the zoo, we headed over to the aquarium. As far as aquariums go, it was pretty average... but to a scuba diver trapped in the desert, it was heaven! There are basically three buildings, each with a theme. They have a good variety of sea life (including penguins!), and the tanks are designed and lit well. There were a few "touch tanks", with sea stars, urchins, and rays. I was pleased to find that there was no additional fee for this (although feeding the rays does cost extra).
The most unique and exciting part for me was the shark tank, which is located partially inside of a restaurant! Sharks are my absolute favorites, and I can't wait to go back and enjoy a meal there. (Unfortunately, we had to leave early that day.) I
I highly recommend Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium to anyone looking for an outstanding zoo experience, or just someplace fun to take the kids on a nice day. -
Review from Amy B.
12/24/2010
I came here yesterday after wanting to come here for some time, and am glad that I finally made it. This zoo is way out on the west side of town, out in the middle of literally no where. Its worth every mile of the drive, as the place is huge and has LOTS to see and do.
I spent $29 dollars on admission, and that got me into the whole park. The place is huge, so make sure to get a map! They have an extensive bird display, all sorts of wild animals, and a wonderful new aquarium.
Some of the animals were a sight to see, and you could almost walk up and pet them. I was actually able to pet the Lllamas, and got up close and personal with a few other of the animals in there as well. They have a wonderful bird feeding station that you can go in and feed the birds apples and they will come up and sit right on your arms and head.
They have wild howling dogs witch I found so cute and wonderful to listen to, a Girraffe feeding station, lions, Emus, all sorts of deer and some of the ducks and birds wonder about the grounds as well. I got up close and personal with Peacocks as well! The exotic birds and parrots are really pretty!
They also have a Koi pond and a beautiful aquarium as well. The aquarium is part of the park and does not require seperate admission. They have sharks, lobsters, all sorts of coral and see life here as well. You can even go up and pet the stingrays as well.
Make sure to eat before you get here, as theres really nothing close to the zoo before you arrive, and some of the food is pricy at the park. I made the mistake of not eating before I arrived, and had to grab a $4 hot dog after getting in since I was way hungry. They do have a nice sit down resturant here in the park near the entrance & aquarium, but its a little pricy to just grab a bite to eat at. They have a little snack shack that sells hot dogs and nachos, but its going to set you back a few bucks for medicore food at movie theatre prices.
Regardless of what side of town you live on, take the time to come here and visit. Its not the most glamorous zoo, but it is quite extensive and worth the trip. I drove 40 miles each way to visit here, and I would gladly go again. Also, bring a few dollars in quarters so you can feed the girraffes, as they have little machines that sell you girraffe food for 50 cents for a handful of food.
Its grate for kids and adults, and I consider it on the list of things to do in Phoenix that to me are worth the time and money for what you get... -
Review from Megan H.
Prescott, AZ
9/2/2011
AWESOME! i took my kids here and we had a blast! It was very hot, but that's to be expected in phoenix! Loved all the animals (which there was a ton), and the aquarium was beautiful! Such a fun place for a family outing! My boys really enjoyed all the monkeys, the petting area, and the giraffe feeding (me too)! I would definitely go back!
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Review from Christy T.
Tempe, AZ
Updated - 8/27/2010
I absolutely love this place and do not go nearly enough. Since my last visit, the aquarium exhibits have matured and they are really something to look at. The tanks are gorgeous, the sea ray exhibit is an real kick and like any kid, I got a thrill out of touching and feeding them. The enormity of some of the tanks is impressive and the shark tank in particular is really impressive. They have a great variety of both, native, fresh water and salt water fish, turtles, eels, rays and a huge spiny lobster exhibit. The aquarium also houses penguins, and they were a kick to watch.
At 110 in the shade, I didn't view many of the outdoor animals, however, there is a pretty extensive bird, small cat and small money exhibit, along with the lions, tigers, giraffe, and the like.
A thrill that kept me captivated for hours and I can't wait to go back.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/24/2009
I had a blast! We roamed around on a gorgeous spring day walking along a dirt path among the open… Read more »
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Review from Tina N.
Phoenix, AZ
7/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Spread out. Water ride wasn't working. We did ride the train though. Staff was helpful and friendly. They had signs posted not to bring in outside drinks and such, however I observed several individuals carrying cups from McDonalds. Hmmmm
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Review from Jenna W.
Scottsdale, AZ
4/21/2011
First, the cost was ridiculously expensive. I think I could have gone to Disneyland for less. The animals lived in sub par conditions. I was horrified to see their baby hogwarts in a glass room with electric blankets hanging down and the hogwarts nibbling on the electrical cords. I was saddened to see the white tiger pace as they were in a cage too small and looked so unhappy. On top of a very high admission fee, they also charged a few dollars for every attraction. I will never return.
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Review from Courtney M.
Tempe, AZ
8/10/2010
As an avid lover of the ocean and fish, I live a very sad life here in land-locked Arizona.
For our anniversary my boyfriend surprised me by taking me here. It was the best aquarium experience of my life. I've been to many aquariums in more aquatic states and I still prefer this one. It was small enough that I didn't feel overwhelmed and big enough that I felt satisfied.
It appears that they treat their animals VERY well. Everything we saw looked happy and healthy. We didn't check out the zoo section because we came later in the day when it was closed but I would love to check it out next time. We did see giraffes peeking at us though!
It was a very pleasant nice quiet date. Seriously, way less crowded than any other zoo. -
Review from Megan D.
2/21/2010
For someone who has mixed feelings about zoos in general, I have to say that WWZ was pretty damn cool. I've lived in Phoenix since '95 and I just went for the first time. What is that nonsense! It's like a hidden gem that no one talks about.
Admittedly, the parking lot and area where you pay to get in are a little ghetto, but it gets so much better so quickly! The variety of critters is amazing and, for the most part, they do appear to have enough room and comfortable quarters (although I worry about them in the summer heat). The exhibits are such that you can get literally within touching distance to most of the animals, and in turn the animals are pretty mellow -- hanging out nice and close, not frightened of their admirers. So cool to see some of these gorgeous creatures so close!
The aquariums are pretty cool too, although in general things without fur or feathers freak me out. Lots of hands-on exhibits, where you can touch stingrays, starfish, crabs, and the like if you are so inclined (I was so not).
I'm a sucker for the petting zoo, where I thoroughly enjoyed being raped by twelve goats and two deer. Those bastards are aggressive and had no qualms about gnawing on my fingers, jacket, and rings when my little goat kibbles were all gone. Oh, but they're so cute. I wanted to take one of the twee little pygmy goats and stick it in my bag.
Feeding the giraffes was another highlight. It's just so much better to be able to get up so close and personal to the creatures.
The best part is that it wasn't very crowded, although the inclement weather probably helped with that. I hate battling all the overexcited bratty children at places like this, but really, it was mellow. The admission cost is about what I expected ($27 ish?), and same goes for the cost and quality of the food. The food is cash only, be 'ware! -
Review from Lee Ann D.
Charlotte, NC
6/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was completely surprised at how close some of the animals are to you! I personally fed the Giraffes and freaked out and ran like a little kid but it was pretty neat! My most favorite part of our trip there was when we walked over to the Aquarium side and we noticed they had a BAR!! This made us very happy so we escaped the heat and the kids for a few drinks!! All in all I would say the day at the zoo was great!
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Review from Jack T.
Phoenix, AZ
3/8/2008
Expensive, but worth it! I got to feed a giraffe. That was cool. Lots of different animals, and the nicest petting zoo I've ever seen (the deer ate our map, though).
All the places to buy food carry generic stuff like hotdogs and ice cream (I got suckered in and bought an ice cream sandwich for $3). Nothing fancy here.
I don't know if I was just tired today or what, but I was pretty exhausted by the end of the whole thing, so I'd bring kids here just to have them conk out in the car on the drive home.
I was kind of bummed that they don't have elephants. But that's a pretty petty thing to complain about when you can get licked by a giraffe or hand some food to a monkey.
On top of all the great animals to see out-of-doors, their small mammal and reptile buildings are pretty impressive. -
Review from Heather C.
Scottsdale, AZ
4/1/2008
I have to say it appears my idea of a great zoo differs greatly from my fellow yelpers.
This zoo does have some great features. Fantastic variety of animals from all over the world. And if you like tigers, this is the zoo for you. The animals appear well-cared for and the grounds are reasonably clean.
However, it escapes me how this zoo can warrant a five-star rating given the number of "exhibits" that are merely large cages sitting side-by-side like little hotel rooms. Don't get me wrong, some of the exhibits are great and well-designed. But many others are terrible and seem to offer little to the animals except shelter. Perhaps this zoo houses more animals than it can adequately support.
For $18 a ticket, I expect more.
IListed in: Fun for the Un-Fit
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Review from Jessica F.
Phoenix, AZ
3/14/2009 4 photos
Hands Down Better than the Phoenix Zoo!
I'd never really heard about this zoo until I got coupon in the mail, but I went today for the first time and don't know who had more fun - me or 2 year old daughter!
I like the Wildlife World Zoo better than the Phoenix Zoo because overall it's less crowded, you can get closer up to the animals, and there are a lot more interactive exhibits. You can actually enter the kangaroo pen and walk on the path with the kangaroos lounging just feet from you. We got to to pet a bunch of animals today including the sting rays, giraffes, goats, baby deer, and llamas.
The newest exhibit at the zoo is the aquarium and it had some beautiful fish and a lot of different species. The sharks are still really small since they're babies, but nonetheless they were cool to watch. We got to see the black footed penguins at feeding time and they were so cute I wanted to take them home with me!
We didn't eat there since the food was pretty expensive, but the menu at the Tiberon Restaurant looked pretty good. They have a buffet for $18/adult if you're looking for a big meal.
If you're planning to go on a weekend I suggest going early - they open at 9 on Saturday. When we left at 12:45 there was a long line to buy tickets and a lot more people walking around the park. I'll be sure to go back again when I have visitors in town or want to teach my daughter more about animals as she gets older. -
Review from Drew H.
Phoenix, AZ
8/10/2008
I am a photographer. This place is great for upclose opportunities to shoot wildlife. However...
You get the sense that many of the animals could escape their habitats at any time. The flamingos have LONG legs as we all know, yet the only thing preventing them from leaving their little area is a string of railroad ties that are only 2-3 feet tall! Even the giraffes have the same size wall! Its not exactly an easy feeling after what happened in San Diego:)
This place is dirty. My heart strings tug every time we visit as I see food wrappers in mass collection all over the place. They do not do a very good job cleaning the habitats.
Much more opportunities to get close to the animals compared to most zoos, but is it worth it?Listed in: Nature Places to Photograph
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Review from Vesna C.
Avondale, AZ
5/18/2011
Our favorite place in the West Valley, we always have best time at the ZOO. I only wish rides where included in the entrance price, even if it meant raising it. It can get really pricy with kids.
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Review from Amy D.
3/9/2008
I just had my first trip to the Wildlife World Zoo. It was great! I like that it's dirt, makes it seem more genuine than the Phoenix Zoo. The map was easy to read and I got to skip over what I really wasn't interested it. I'm not big on birds :P
I also got to feed the giraffes! Gross! But, cool!
There are animals you won't see anywhere else: the albino alligator, which was my reason for going there in the first place. You won't get to get as close to a rhino as here.
It's also less commercial than other zoos: no plastic lids or straws, not inundated with vending
There are even a train ride and sky ride!
I went with a 4-yr old. I was exhausted and needed a nap. Not sure if it was because there was so much to see, or that I went with a kid. I'm not around kids very often! -
Review from Jeff L.
Phoenix, AZ
4/27/2009
Visited the zoo with a friend to mainly see the new aquarium.
I've been to this zoo before and have always been kind of "whatever" about it. Yeah, it's got some really cool and different animals, and yeah, you can feed the giraffes....but some of the pens they have them in kind of depress me. "Here's a plot of land....let's put some fences around it...and throw some type of animal in." I don't know how to explain it. Some of the other reviewers have said how this zoo is so much better than the Phoenix Zoo. Don't get that at all.
But......in all fairness....I was completely impressed with the newly added aquarium.
There are three new buildings in all and lots of cool fish and other water-living animals on display. For Arizona....and the Wildlife World Zoo.....I was impressed.
Make sure you look up in the "Diversity of Life In Water" building. There is a cool 'overhead river' exhibit that runs above everyone close to the ceiling. You look up and see fish and turtles swimming in an acrylic 'tube' over your head. Pretty neat.
And the massive 83 year old 100 pound alligator snapping turtle is something out of your worst nightmares. And they can get even bigger!! No thanks....
The other two buildings house "The Wild and the Wonderful" and "Predators".
The seahorse exhibit is pretty cool as is the spiny lobster tank. And there is a South American fish towards the end of the "Predators" building that has a nickname of the "vampire fish". I forget it's real name....but it's pretty darn scary, too. Long fangs growing out of it's lower jaw.
The aquarium is open nights after the zoo closes. Wouldn't mind going back to just the aquarium at night. For being in the middle of the desert in Arizona it's pretty cool.
I just hope they take some of the pride and innovations they used for the aquarium and put that to use in the zoo side. -
Review from Mandi B.
Chandler, AZ
3/13/2009
You can easily spend a whole day (we just did) at the World Wildlife Zoo. I live in the East Valley, and it was almost an hour drive, so planning to spend less than a day would be pointless. While the zoo does not have all of the fancy environments that others do, they have an interesting collection of animals.
Hands down, my favorite parts are the interactive ones. The giraffe feeding station is the reason I love the Wildlife World Zoo. After climbing the platform, getting to pet and feed giraffes is amazing. This also makes for incredible photo opportunities, as the almost 800 photos I took will attest to; some of the best were of the giraffes.
Next to the giraffes, the Lorry Parrot feeding was amazing - I could have done that more than once that day. Walking into the aviary, having the parrots land on you, eat apples right out of your hands - it's so amazing. Lots of laughs when two parrots decide they like the same apple. This is another great place for those who like to take pictures. No fences or cages between you and the birds - and the brightly colored feathers come out great!
The new aquarium is also very cool - this was the first time I ever got to pet stingrays. The only thing I was not as thrilled with was the penguin exhibit. The glass was dirty and harder to see through than I would have liked. Of course, I do have an irrational love of penguins (it might be a Linux thing) and so unless I can actually pet the penguins, I'm never satisfied.
In response to the more negative reviews: Um, you are in Phoenix, I never recommend doing anything outside if it's more than 105 degrees - that's supposed to be a given when you live in a desert. And while they do charge extra for some of the little features like the train ride - so does the Phoenix Zoo - and the World Wildlife Zoo's additional charges are minuscule. Keep in mind this is not just a look pretty zoo, they actually have an amazingly successful breeding program, and the primary focus is saving species. If you don't want to experience the real smells and sounds of wild animals, stay home and watch the Discovery Channel. -
Review from Andy G.
1/24/2010
Really nice zoo! If you go via I-10 to the 303, you also get to gawk at the old Phoenix Trotting Park, which is a bonus.
Quick Tip: Park and enter through the East Entrance, which is near the aquarium. If you stay past the zoo's closing time (the aquarium is open much later), you'll want your car near the entrance that's still open.
It's admittedly a tad unimpressive if you enter through the West entrance. It appears that most of their older exhibits are there, many of them simply a fenced in dirt-and-grass area with a shabby wood shelter. There is also a sad little carousel that looks right out of a defunct North Korean amusement park.
The selection of animals here is really phenomenal; I don't know the exact numbers, but they have a sign up claiming to be in the top 30 zoos in the country in animal diversity. Some highlights are the immense bird collection, the Reptile House, the Baby Animal Nursery (Come on--is there anything cuter than a baby ocelot contemplating scratching your face off?), and of course, the Aquarium. They've done a great job on this new section of the zoo, and it looks like they have even more planned. The hands-on stingray exhibit was a hit with the kiddo.
There are a lot of "extras" that cost additional cash as people have mentioned in past reviews. We did the sky ride and the train ride, which were worth the few bucks they cost. The food at the little cafes is typically overpriced for any zoo. One difference between this and the Phoenix Zoo is that there is also a really "nice" restaurant on the property, the Tiburon. We didn't try it, but it looked like a great menu and a nice diversion even if you're not going to the zoo.
Overall a really nice place. The staff is exceptionally friendly. It's a bit pricey, but it's a must-see for any animal lovers. Plus, it's the only aquarium in the state. If you've been conned into one of those Entertainment Guides, there is a buy one-get one coupon for admission. -
Review from Siriusly M.
Surprise, AZ
7/18/2007
I'd just like to supplement Shannon's review since I agree with it....
It's important to know everything is cash only at the Wildlife World Zoo, no credit cards. So, you'll need cash for tickets, food, the gift shop, $1 to ride the merry-go-round, $2 for the boat ride, not sure how much the train and sjyride are, and quarters so that you can get food to feed the giraffes, ducks and wild animals at the petting zoo.
I think the giraffe feeding is the best part of the experience. Watch small kids in the petting zoo...the animals are very enthusiastic about receiving their treats, not as docile as most petting zoo animals. -
Review from Sebastian J.
Surprise, AZ
4/24/2010
My wife and I are zoo junkies. She is from St. Louis, so she can be a bit picky about zoos, particularly when they are a bit on the expensive side.
The WWZ has open, natural looking enclosures and a great selection of animals. There is plenty of shade and the layout is easy to navigate. The recently added aquarium will be even cooler when the fish grow a bit. The tank where you get to touch the stingrays is cool They were all still quite small when we went. Be sure to feed the giraffes! -
Review from Bri D.
Seattle, WA
3/23/2009
I am a huge animal lover and a big time fish enthusiast. I make it a point to visit any and every aquarium I can find in my travels. It's been disappointing to live in AZ and not have an aquarium, until now.
The aquarium portion of this place is still a work in progress. I kind of felt like I was intruding on a prohibited construction site when I was here because there was still a lot being worked on. Unfortunately, only about 1/2 of the fish exhibits were operating, but they were pretty cool. I love touch tanks and they have a well stocked ray tank to get your arms wet. There was even a hawk in one of the rooms. The hawk keeper politely informed us that we may want to look away as he was going to be feeding the hawk. YEAH RIGHT! I stared at that thing as it literally shredded the already dead mouse. It was so nasty, but I couldn't stop watching!
The zoo part of this place is quite nice. Much better than the Phoenix Zoo. The animals seem to be quite happy in their lush surroundings. Something that is really cool though, is they feed the animals up in the front of their confinements. That way you get to see the animals up close and personal.
Overall, a really cool place to visit. If you don't live out in the area, it's quite a drive, but definitely worth a visit at least once. I found it to be a bit pricey at 26 dollars a person for both aquarium and zoo, but I still paid it and I still enjoyed it. Just go. -
Review from Kerstin M.
Phoenix, AZ
10/4/2009
The highlights:
(1) You can feed giraffes! Climb up a raised platform and get pellet food from coin operated vending machines. Bring quarters!
(2) The big cat enclosures are awesome. Part of their cages are over your head and while we were there, we got to see both a panther and a leopard from about a foot away.
(3) Lots of birds and monkeys, including some kinds I had never seen before.
(4) The aquarium is small, but growing. In 2010, they will be building an addition to include a 40,000 gallon South American exhibit, a jellyfish tank, and otters. Currently, they have some cool things like a shark tank, nautilus, a large ray touch tank, barracudas, moray eels, a giant alligator snapping turtle, and some awesomely weird stone fish.
It's a tad pricey at $28.00 for adults, and you need to bring additional cash for any of the snack shacks since only the gift shop and main ticket area at the entrance take plastic. There are ATM's, but few were working order, and the prices were typical for an amusement park.
Overall, we had a great time, and WWZ is a nice place to have in AZ, especially since they seem to be doing a very good job with the animals themselves. They have some successful breeding programs, and the animals all seemed healthy. -
Review from Stephanie S.
Mesa, AZ
3/29/2010
This is really about the aquarium side of the zoo. I was there with my family this past Saturday as they were visiting from out of town and we'd been wanting to try this out for a while. The rest of my family and friends in town hadn't been here either so we were going to report back to everyone. Needless to say, we did not speak highly of the experience.
We went after 5pm because the rate is reduced to go to the aquarium only and that's all we really wanted to do anyway. Even for the reduced rate it was a rip-off. The selection of odd fish and sea life was ok but for that price and to have to drive almost an hour to get there I wanted to see a lot more. We all agreed that if this was in downtown Phoenix and the reducted rate was even $10 it would have been ok. But way out in Litchfield Park? No offense but I'm not sure why someone decided to build all this out there anyway. We were there less than 1 hour (1 hour to drive there, less than an hour actually in the park, 1 hour drive back...not cool).
The one highlight was the opportunity to touch starfish, lobster, sea urchin and, best of all, sting rays (a whole tank of them waiting for you to feed them).
Bottom line not worth it for the price and time spent travelling, but I do applaud them for having SOMETHING anyway (and why is there NOT an aquarium in downtown Phoenix?) -
Review from Ahna P.
Novato, CA
3/24/2008
EXCELLENT
Some of the most amazing birds I've ever seen! The scarlet Ibis is so beautiful.
Great animal park for sure. They all looked happy, lots of room to roam. It didn't feel like a "zoo" environment at all. -
Review from Joseph C.
Goodyear, AZ
4/3/2010 1 photo
We went to the Wildlife World Zoo to check out the aquarium and see what kind of reptiles they had. It's only a few minutes from where we live and we love to go to different zoos. The biggest problem with this zoo is the ridiculous entrance fee. Make sure to get a discount coupon if you're going to go (they have them in the West Valley View newspaper from time to time.)
The zoo itself is pretty cool. There is a large amount of birds of many different species as well as the normal large cats and Savannah ungulates. Of course our favorite part was the reptile house, including a giant Galapagos Tortoise along with many other snakes and lizards. There is also a place where children can interact with sulcata tortoises.
The aquarium is pretty nice. Its not the best I've ever been to, but also not the worst. The problem, as I already stated, is that it is the most expensive zoo I've ever been to. -
Review from Liwi C.
Scottsdale, AZ
8/9/2009
As the forecast called for a break in the 110-plus weather, we decided to take advantage of it and make the trek to WWZA. It's far, but mostly freeway, so I don't think it took us more than 30 minutes from Central Phoenix.
The prices are a bit to swallow, I'll admit, but we left feeling pretty impressed by this little gem. We didn't get to see about half of the outdoor exhibits as the heat & sun were taking it's toll after about an hour and a half, but once we found sanctuary in the Aquarium our sun-beat bodies were quite rejuvenated.
Okay, so, the animals--yes, they do look like they live in some tight quarters, but I imagine everyone from the ASPCA to the Humane Society to PETA have checked this place out a time or two and it's still up and running. In almost a decade of living in The Valley, I have never heard any negative press about this place.
You can get SO close! The Jaguar was sleeping in his overhead paddock and I could have literally reached through the fencing to touch him (I didn't, of course--who really wants to be that guy on the 5 o'clock news?) The Reptile House was orders of magnitude better than the one at the PhxZoo and featured not only an Albino Alligator but also a HUGE boa constrictor that was NOT behind glass--just sleeping on a branch under his heat lamp. This place gives a lot of credit to it's patrons to not be retarded, but maybe the price weeds out those destined for the 5 o'clock news.
The primates were also much closer, interactive, and varied than the PhxZoo. The baby Spider Monkey was literally performing for us in the trees, leaping and climbing then waiting for our reactions, then following us around the exhibit from one side to the other.
What was most impressive had to have been the aquarium--not bad for middle of the desert! Touch tubs featuring star fish, crabs and anemone, more turtles & tortoises than you can count, beautiful tanks of fresh and salt water fish, upside down jelly fish, sharks, and baby white tigers! Wait--what? Baby White Tigers in an aquarium? Yes! And they are so friggin' cute! I could have sat and watched them all day, but there were sting rays to feed.
For the record, the sting ray exhibit at WWZA is far superior to the one at PhxZoo. Adults and kids alike can actually reach the rays to pet them (at no additional charge) without having to lay the top half of one's body across the wet tank edge like you do at the zoo. There is a $3 per person charge to feed them, but they give you a little cup of shrimp, not a decapitate fish. I did get chomped on by a sting ray. It was like being bitten by something with no teeth, only gums. Enough to get my attention, but not painful.
We will definitely be back when the heat subsides.
A couple of pointers:
**BRING YOUR OWN WATER!!! or pay $3.50 for vending machine Dasani
**The extras are truly extra ($4 each for the train, $6 each for the flume, $2 each for the boat ride) so if you have your heart set on those, you're gonna have to pay what amounts to another admission
**Quarters for the feeders. We didn't make it over to the other side of the park, but for the pellets to feed the birds it's $0.25 a turn.
Our 6 year old's favorite part was "seeing the giant lobsters coming to get Daddy." -
Review from Moses Z.
Glendale, AZ
5/30/2010
If you put the Phoenix Zoo and that aquarium in Arizona Mills together the Wildlife World Zoo would still be better. When you first walk in you see a lame looking log ride. At $6 a person for the log ride you cant help but feel it is over priced. Later you find out the log ride goes through the aquarium which makes it seem so much more worth it. Oh and the aquarium had penguins. Not the greatest thing but still i feel its a must have.
They had a nice selection exotic animals and fish. The zoo is a decent size. I wish they had more covered areas or shade to help with the heat. We are in Arizona after all. You should try to make it to the zoo early or a little later to try and avoid some of the heat. Also make sure to bring quarters to feed the giraffes.
I plan on returning with my niece. Oh! I almost forgot They have a touching tank in the aquarium much like AZ Mills' Aquarium, lame star fish, but they also have a tank with montereys! Awesome! Much like the Monterey Bay Aquarium minus the huge crowd.
