Indianapolis Zoo — Attraction in Indianapolis

I had called yesterday prior to going in when I say that I had called so many times at 9 am & after 9 am & no one ever answered the phone from the actual customer service part, I had to call & speak to security to get some answers answered. There's A few different Admission prices & each Admission doesn't have A description understand & I stated to the security that I really wanted to come closer to 12 noon & the security lady was extremely helpful & patient, & notified me that in order to do the feedings we would have to come at 11:00, because that's when they start.

So, we arrive at the zoo like literally two, or three minutes prior to going to the zoo, we had the Admission plus Explorer pass & A Senior plus Explorer pass, as we get there the gentleman scanned our tickets & told us that we were able to go to the feedings, by this time it's A little past 11:00 am now.

We get to the first feeding to feed the rays & we were told that our tickets weren't activated & that we had to go all the way back to the front entrance & get new tickets.

By the time we went back to the front to get new tickets & try to continue on to do the feedings, they all were completely over.

Paid in advance & only got 1 feeding!

We were supposed to get 5 feedings!

We tried to get on the skyline, We were told that only on the day that we come in, which was yesterday & My Grandmother's 66 Birthday, that the Skyline was done running at 3pm!

It doesn't state that online when I searched for it!

It says Admission plus Explorer pass with 5 Feedings & Unlimited rides.

So, we didn't get to get on the skyline either.

I felt like My Grandmother didn't really get to enjoy her Birthday/time like she should've!

The gift shop prices were ridiculous!

Every ice cream stand, except dipping dots were completely out of their flavors & the Zoo had just opened!

When I say that other than being able to ride the trolley, rollercoaster, & The Dolphin Show, our experience was definitely not what we had expected!

I Thank God for the Dolphin show, because My Grandmother was upset that there weren't even A lot of animals!

The food is good, Yet they give it to you cold.

You're not able to request, "No Salt on your Fries".

I've never heard of the before!

We made the best out of what we were able to do, even though the older lady in the back booth that has white hair tried to down talk us as if we didn't get the Admission plus Explorer passes as I was trying to tell Her that We didn't get to do the feedings to having nonactiveated tickets!

Also, that was the whole reason to paying ahead of time so that we could get the complete & full experience & we definitely did not get to!!!

The Indianapolis Zoo definitely cheated us out of A lot of things yesterday on My Grandmother's 66 Birthday!

One of the other lady's at one of the orange desks even made A smart remark as I had if A piece of candy was for everyone, or just the kids.

The smart remark to her partner that she was helping passing the candy out with as My Grandmother & I had walked away was that, "Every now & then an adult will come up & try to con us out of some candy".

Like wow! Okay Ma'am!

I really wish that our experience had've been...

The Indianapolis Zoo has a rich history! The Indianapolis Zoological Society was incorporated in 1944, and the first zoo opened in 1964 at George Washington Park. The current zoo, located in White River State Park, opened in 1988. The original zoo, which operated from 1964 to 1987, was known as a children's zoo. The institution is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and American Alliance of Museums and is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.3] It was the first in the U.S. to receive triple accreditation as a zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden.[7] The zoo is a leader in animal conservation and research, recognized for its biennial Indianapolis Prize and as home to the Global Center for Species Survival through its partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature.[8

In 2020, the zoo housed more than 1,400 animals of 235 species while the adjoining White River Gardens contained more than 50,000 plants of nearly 3,000 species, respectively.[3] The Indianapolis Zoo is a significant economic driver in the city and among its most visited attractions. In 2021, the zoo employed 700 people and welcomed 1.2 million guests, contributing nearly $60 million annually to the city's economy.[2] Street. One parcel, consisting of 12.2 acres (4.9 ha) of the former General Motors plant site, was donated to the zoo by Indianapolis-based developer Ambrose Property Group, while the second parcel—consisting of 16 acres (6.5 ha) of undeveloped land—was purchased from Ambrose for $3 million. Upon the announcement, zoo officials said the first parcel would "almost immediately" be used as an overflow parking lot. Further, a zoo spokesperson said the existing 13-acre (5.3 ha) surface parking lot would "likely be converted into new exhibits and other zoo programming," though years of planning were anticipated.[27]

Time under Robert Shumaker (2020–present) edit

Alligators & Crocodiles: The Fight to Survive in 2022 Dr. Robert Shumaker was appointed president in 2016 and assumed the role of chief executive officer in January 2020, following Crowther's retirement.[1]

Since 2020, the zoo has debuted three exhibitions: Elephant Tembo Camp (2020), Alligators & Crocodiles: The Fight to Survive (2021), and Kangaroo Crossing (2022), with a total investment of nearly $4.8 million.[2]

In December 2022, officials announced a $53 million fundraising campaign, the largest in the zoo's history. The campaign will finance capital projects, including the construction of a $5 million entry plaza and welcome center and a $13 million home for the Global Center for Species Survival.[2] Construction began in September 2021[28] and is projected to conclude in May 2023.[2] A $25 million International Chimpanzee Complex is planned to open in...

Had a Zoo overnight that costs about $70 per person with a minimum of 35 people. There were three troops involved and around 60 people I believe. So, the zoo profited over $4,000 for the one evening from 6:30pm- 9am with “activities” until 10pm. Which, good, the money goes towards the zoo in places they need…. Hopefully. But to say they did the bare minimum is an over statement. Their animal encounter for the oceans overnight was to pet a lizard you can buy at most pet stores. Their activities were a “scavenger hunt” which was a piece of paper on a clipboard and send the kids to read signs. All while freaking out that kids were making a dull roar in an exhibit. (Coming from a strict parent, I very liberally use dull roar as they were just kids talking and trying to have fun) Then we got to explore the “behind the scenes” which was the back of blacked out fish tanks, so you can’t see in them and some pipes and an explanation of fresh water and salt water… THRILLING! Then we looked at bones. Had a snack and were sent to bed. The night after that had hiccups which, I get but our tour guide at that point handled it phenomenally and adapted. They couldn’t get the lights to shut off in the dolphin habitat, no not the dome which one would think we were staying in as they lead you to believe. The room next to it where we weren’t allowed to bother the dolphins, again I understand bc I’d want the dolphins to have their peace an quiet too….. just don’t word it like we can sleep by dolphins then strictly prohibit such a thing… we then had to move. Okay. Stuff happens. Fast forward to breakfast, two troops followed the rules we were told to and packed up and took our stuff to the cars. One troop did not, then got to breakfast before everyone else and took the majority of the breakfast which they didn’t have enough of for all the people who paid to be there…. The cafe building had a fire alarm going off so they had to reroute us back to the dolphin exhibit so we could eat which no biggie, but explains why with those two hiccups they felt the need to compensate us…. Each of us got one single ride ticket with a value of $3.50…. Thanks Indy… As an animal person, I don’t even recommend the zoo bc their exhibits are all too small for the animals. It’s depressing. Dolphins were really the only reason to visit this zoo.

For any groups or troops interested I HIGHLY suggest Toledo zoo for their overnight encounters!!! We had numerous small animal encounters, made enrichment activities for animals, got to sleep literally next to the hippo glass while they swam at night. Had fun guides who didn’t treat it like the military and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! We even got cool...