Zoo Miami

Reviews 3

MA

Matt Runyon

So I recently took a trip to this zoo last Tuesday. Now Im not usually the one to go out of my way to write a review on a place Ive visited but Zoo Miami, you bought yourself this one. So first off let me just say this is definitely the worst zoo I have ever been to. Lets start with the front entrance wait line.. This zoo has 10 windows to purchase a ticket at when you first arrive and there was only 1 open when we got in line. Being that there was well over 50 people standing in line waiting for a ticket youd think theyd have more than just 1 window open. Everyone in line including myself was drenched in sweat. There was absolutely no shade in the line whatsoever, nothing to stand under while you wait in the line in 90 degree summer weather. It was miserable. So after we tanned out waiting for our tickets, we proceeded to make our way over to the next station where they take your ticket and also "check your bags". Now before entering into that station there was signs posted that no food or drinks were aloud in the park. So I was already preparing to throw away my food. Well I guess that rule didnt apply that day because my bag was full of snacks and water & my bag was never checked by the bag checker, just waved me in. I dont know about you but Id like someone to at least scan everyones bag being that the new trend these days is shooting places up for fun. Anyone could have easily brought a weapon in without breaking a sweat. After entering the park I noticed there wasnt too much going on, all of the booths and snack stands were closed, looked like we were in an abandoned zoo. We started making our way around the zoo only to find that every animal enclosure we passed was empty, every single one. We came up to a kangaroo enclosure and found inside was a small kangaroo with very limited room to move freely. This animal looked like it hated life and I instantly felt sorry for her. After making it halfway across the park we still havent seen anything worth stopping for. We came up to the elephant enclosure only to see the elephants were not out. Another big disappointment. The highlight of the day was being able to feed the giraffes. That was the only animal we had the chance to interact with that day. Even then, the thought of paying over $11 for a small bowl of kale was enough to make me not want to feed them, but i did it anyways. I figured the trip was already ruined so I might as well make the best of it. Another huge problem was the small children running around the park like wild animals. The animals at the zoo had more home training than these kids. Screaming children throwing sticks and walking all over in front of you was not what I expected coming to the zoo. Actually none of this experience was what I expected being that this zoo is one of the largest in south Florida. I had very high expectations. I will never be visiting this zoo again and would not recommend coming here unless you want to waste your time and money. This is a piss poor excuse of a zoo and think all the miserable animals need to be relocated to a better zoo and Zoo Miami should be closed down. I rate this place a negative 1 star.

MA

Mary Meador

I went here in 2015 and again this summer. IF you want to see animals in S FL , this is the place to go. I have pictures that are so beautiful it looks like I was on Safari. They have animals from Africa, S. America,Cuba, Asia, Everglades and rainforest and more ..so theres different types of elephants and camels, lots of amphibians and reptiles. There are iguanas running loose all over the place camouflaged in the surroundings-how many can you find? The staff is extremely knowledgeable w/volunteers around the park sharing information about the animals and answering questions. Some people complain about the food prices, but at any amusement park you go to you pay more for the food than seems reasonable. MIami Zoo is awesome in the fact they let you bring food in-you dont have to buy food here. Eat a big breakfast before you go and bring some snacks and youre fine. You can pay to feed giraffes here, there are animal shows, you can rent large Safari bicycles and your whole family can just cruise the whole park instead of walking. Therere benches and pavillions to sit down and rest or get out of the rain or heat. There are paddle boats you can rent and a splash pond for kids to cool off in. The animals all seem happy, its a wonderful place. I took one star off because in 2015 the park was immaculately clean and beautiful but this summer 2017 when I went there were a few of the enclosed exhibits that were need of repair or not as clean as they should have been. Love this place..check it out Someone posted how many animals are there? And I can’t find it to reply so I am posting here: Well, there are lions, and tigers and bears, Oh My! But also: cheetah, jaguar, crocodile, gators, flamingos, pelicans, giraffes, ostriches, zebras, Somalian Smart Ass (Love the name!), otters, a bird aviary (with loads of different birds and beautiful peacocks), meerkats, orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, eagles (different types), many different types of snakes and lizards, rhinoceroses, aquariums with stingrays, fish, different types of turtles, and more; many types of tortoises, cranes, macaws, storks, ibis, toucans, ducks, serval, painted dogs, gerenuk, polecats, gazelle, Dromedary and Bactria camels, Asian and African elephants, porcupines, hyenas, Kudu, howling monkeys, gibbons, alpaca, anoa (beautiful), warthogs , spider monkeys, (other types of monkeys), fluffy sloth bear, Malayan Sun Bear, Okapi, anteater, leopard, hippos, oryx, skunk, lemurs, kangaroos, guinea pigs, antelopes and other similarly looking animals, jaguar, koala, the beautiful and strange tapir, there are barnyard animals, monitor, komodo dragon, “Over 100 different types of plants, trees, and shrubs fill the Wings of Asia Aviary, providing shelter and hiding spots for the many birds that reside there” **The aviary is under renovations –TEMPORARILY CLOSED (Aug 2017) Who can count them all!

A

A Private User

As a born and raised Miami native, I have been going to the zoo since it was over on Key Biscayne.I had been a member of Metro Zoo for about 10 years and recently decided to let my zoo membership lapse for good. It seems more and more about the money. They are now allowing these horrible four wheel bikes, carrying people drinking, carousing around the zoo and vigorously dinging their little bells for you to get out of their way. We were going to actually pony up the horrendous fee to ride one of these four wheelers until the attendant got so rude when I questioned all of the personal information they wanted just to rent their little bike. Riding on the monorail used to be free for members--no more! Well, unless they are clearing the zoo at closing time and then it becomes free again as a tool to help them clear the zoo. "Ok, we`re raising membership fees and taking away the few perks that come with membership". I didn`t mind so much paying a couple of bucks for a chunk of cabbage for feeding the giraffes - it`s a unique experience and the zoo does need to raise funds. I think $5.00 for each person to take a quick one lap ride on a camel is a bit much. That is, the camel can easily hold two kids but that would be $10 for the quick lap. I think they should go ahead and have carni`s screaming at you to come to their booth as you walk down the pathways. That would make the transformation complete. "Come ride the amazing camel..Only five dollars gets you aboard one of these amazing creatures...step right up". The Youth Fair, with its agriculture section, is starting to look more like a nature exhibit than Metro Zoo. The Youth Fair is starting to look less expensive too. The price of a family membership at Metro Zoo has now climbed to $99. I guess someone has to pay for the slick new Flash intro on the zoo`s website. I think my kids earned a $20 off of a family membership coupon for getting good grades. Hmmm, I have two kids with coupons... I wonder if I could use the camel ride logic on them...? Two kids on a camel $5 each...two kids with membership discount coupons $20 off EACH? Wish me luck.

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