Butterfly Wonderland

9500 East Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale, AZ 85256, USA

Address:	9500 East Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale, AZ 85256, USA
Phone:	+1 480-800-3000
Site:	butterflywonderland.com
Rating:	4.4
Working:	9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 6

John Fox

My wife, daughter, granddaughter and I spent over two hours here. I was not too thrilled about going, but my wife really wanted to so I took us for her birthday. It was simply amazing. I dont understand how someone could only spend an hour in this place. I do agree that the exhibits after the atrium are a bit underwhelming, but the movie was very informative and put a monarch eco-tour on our bucket list. The atrium is simply amazing. This is a place to go, relax, and enjoy. Sure, you can just walk through it and miss everything. Or, one can sit on the benches and enjoy everything. Or stand quietly next to the flowers and let butterflies land on you. At one point, I had six on my shoulders and back. Its also a great place to take kids and teach them the magic of standing quietly. So many were rushing around here and there. But a few saw the butterflies on me, so I suggested to them that you have to stand very still, and they slowed down and did the same thing. Soon, they two had little friends on their shoulders and magic in their eyes. Its not for everyone. Dont go if you want to be entertained.Dont take your kids if they dont know how to behave either, its not fair to disturb such delicate creatures with loud noises and obnoxious behaviors. And dont go yourself if you cant follow rules, you put the delicate butterflies in danger. The only part of the exhibit that I didnt like was the few rude and ignorant people that always spoil everything. Go if you can look around you and see the magic of nature and live in the moment. Take your family if you understand that two hours in a movie isnt really family time and want to get more for your money than being a couch potato. Go if you want to see and experience something you have never seen before.

Sandra Szymusiak

Very over priced for the experience. I mean , its cool, but not for the amount of time you spend. We went with 2 grandsons, 5 and 3. Fine for the older one, but unless you have very docile kids, definitely not the place for little ones. The attendants in the conservatory watch you like hawks. The 5 year old spotted a butterfly on a bench and while I reminded him not to touch it, I suggested he slowly kneel down to see it closer and put his hand down near it to see if it would climb on him. The butterflies can land on you or climb on you, but you are instucted upon entry not to touch them, as oils on fingers arent good for their wings. As he did so, an attendant rushed over and gruffly said...dont trap the butterfly...no please, no engaging him with maybe some fun facts. He wasnt trapping the butterfly and I was standing right there. I felt like he was waiting in the wings, no pun, to use his authority and scold someone. I felt the same way in the gift shop where we spent some time being followed in every aisle we went. Prices there astronomicle, we were just trying to find something affordable for the boys to bring home. Cafe over priced as well. So I guess overall not as great as it could have been. $135.00 later I feel like we could have spent that money elsewhere, had more fun that lasted longer than a couple of hours. Stroller btw, arent allowed in the conservatory. The guy in the room with the fish, sting rays and sharks was awesome!! Most all other staff friendly as well.

Jonnie von Hellens

Large indoor and outdoor areas with aistleways with easy access for people wheelchairs. The outdoor area has over than 3000 butterflies flying around in lots of beautiful foliage, and is enclosed with sunscreen mesh. There are plenty of misters and multiple very large evaporative coolers making it a great place to enjoy year round. Even though Phoenix can get rather warm during the summer, I found it quite comfortable to relax and watch all the butterflies. The indoor areas have mant different exhibits such as a large area where the butterflies exit their chrysalis, tge Honeybee Extravaganza,, freshwater aquariums, and a crowd favorite - a pool where you can actually touch stingrays! However, the "insects of the desert" exhibit makes me shudder There is a 3D theater shows short films. Currently it is showing "Flight of the Butterflies", a very informing movie about Monarch butterflies and their multi-generation flight to a special place in Mexico where they winter by the thousands and then in the Spring they begin their return. During the movie, I feel like I can put out my hand and touch some of the butterflies.

j lowing

Totally overpriced. One adult and three kids was over $60. The experience lasted a total of an hour and that was only because we stretched it out. Also, there is no mention of the fact that they do not have the bees on display due to the aquarium construction next door AND while we were there they had just introduced new sea life to the petting aquarium so the kids were not allowed to pet the sting rays. How can they charge full price for less than half the experience being available as advertised on the web site. At least it could be mentioned in the web site that the honey bees will not be there until after the aquarium next door opens up. Please realize the 3D film lasts about 10 mins and there is no air conditioning in the theater, the bees are not available, the butterflies can be experienced as long as you would like but its HOT and the longest the kids could last was about 15 mins, the " insects of the desert" was a total of 5 terrariums, and the touch tank may or may not be "touch". There are a thousand better things to do in the area that will be a longer experience and for less money.

Robert Hamilton

First, Butterfly world is great. Lots of big floppy bugs. Loved it. And I hear OdySea Aquarium will be opening soon. Might be OK. HOWEVER, tucked in with these other businesses is Dolphinaris. People swimming with Dolphins. It may seem unfair to blame Butterfly world but all 3 businesses are linked in one area and they all exchange traffic and pay the bills. All 3 benefit from each other so supporting any one of them is supporting all of them. No thanks. Dolphinaris operates unethical attractions in Mexico and other under-regulated areas. I guess they figure they can get away with this behavior because the structure is on land leased from a local Native band. We all know that a lot of Dolphins are killed to get one Dolphin into captivity. Dolphins live in tight social groups and ripping them apart to get a Dolphin to jump through hoops for our amusement (and to make money off us) is simply not defensible. I will never return to any of these businesses nor will I take any other visitors to Butterfly world until every last marine mammal is safely out of this house of horrors.

Shaina G

What a waste of a drive, was visiting from out of state and decided to take my mother, not only is it a little pricey for one small room of butterflies, they didnt think to mention that there is insane construction going on next door, so between the ambient music they play, you are constantly being jolted by the sound of drills and banging, the rest of the displays are old are super uninteresting , the bee exhibit doesnt even exist, when I thought to complain because after 15 min we couldnt take the sound anymore, the "manager" was an extremely rude lady who just accosted us and told us we were the first to ever complain and they had never had any issues with the noise bothering people, she was willing to give us free tickets for another day, but since we are from out of town this was little help to us. As well as the fact that the construction is suppose to go on for months. Save your $45 and go somewhere where you can hang out for more than half an hour and you dont get yelled at like youre a naughty child in school.