Want to save $20 on the purchase of two general admission tickets to Rock the Zoo?

You can call 602.914.4333 and mention code RTZSM11 or you can also purchase online: http://store.phoenixzoo.org/RTZSM11-P913.aspx

To complete your online purchase, visit the link and follow these steps:

• Step 1 – Select One – Two Pack General Admission Tickets
• Step 2 – Select “None” for all of the other options
• Step 3 – Click Add to Cart

You will then be able to complete the transaction by checking out!

• Offer is valid on advance ticket purchases only, now through 4/28/2011.
• Not valid on Zoo member tickets or V.I.P. tickets.
• Offer cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts.
• Must be 21 years of age to attend.
• A valid ID is required for entrance into the event.

Are you ready to travel back in time to the ’80s? Come to Rock the Zoo at the Phoenix Zoo on Friday, April 29, 2011. Rock out to the totally awesome line up of nationally recorded bands including Animotion, The Motels, Dramarama, Tommy Tutone and The Promise, featuring former members of When in Rome. There will also be a special appearance by ‘80s comedian and icon, Barry Sobel.

Guests can sample beverages from more than 30 vendors ranging from national and small craft breweries to large scale and independent wineries. A silent auction and a host of other fun activities will round out the evening.

General admission is $65 for members, $75 for non-members. VIP admission, which includes a catered meal by Mastro’s Restaurants, private bar and restrooms, is $125 for members and $140 for non-members.

Tickets to Rock the Zoo can be purchased online at phoenixzoo.org, or by calling the Zoo’s reservation department at 602.914.4333. Guests must be 21 years and older and ID’s will be checked at the door.

For a sneak peek of the music from all of the bands including their hits; ‘8675309 Jenny Jenny,’ ‘My Obsession,’ ‘Suddenly Last Summer,’ and ‘Anything, Anything,’ visit the Rock the Zoo website: www.phoenixzoo.org/rockthezoo

On March 9, 2011, the Phoenix Zoo broke ground on the C.W. & Modene Neely Education and Event Center. The facility, set to open November 2011, will add more than 10,000 square feet of learning space, allowing the Zoo to expand the already-vast array of educational opportunities available to the more than 160,000 children that visit the each year for field trips, summer camps and other activities.

Thank you to the nearly 1,000 Walk in the Wild participants who came out to support the Phoenix Zoo last Saturday, Feb. 19. Check out this video recapping the event. We even had some “WILD” participants. Join us next year for the Fourth Annual Walk in the Wild.

Your Phoenix Zoo Social Media team has created a team for Walk in the Wild, we hope all of you will  join or be inspired to create your own team!

Joining or creating a team is a great way to participate in the event as you’ll have a ton of fun walking the Zoo with others you know or be able to create new friendships!  It also saves you money on the event:  registration is only $20 per adult, $10 per child !

To join our team “The Social NetWalk” use this form: The Social NetWalk Team Registration 2011

To create your own team (you need at least 6 walkers) use this form: Walk Registration 2011

To join or create your own team, you must register by February 16, 2011!

To learn more about the event read all about it:

http://www.phoenixzoo.org/events/special_events/special_events_detail.aspx?ARTICLE_ID=100773

As a frontline Phoenix Zoo staff member for over 10 years, I have encountered almost every possible question about our annual holiday light event; ZooLights.

Here are the top 5 questions asked:

What’s so special about ZooLights?

ZooLights is the largest light display in all of Arizona, with approximately 3.5 million LED lights and 600 light sculptures.  Every light display sculpture is created, designed and installed by a dedicated ZooLights crew of just 4 guys.  Each year the Zoo presents a different theme for ZooLights using both old and new light sculptures.  No two years of Zoolights are every the same because we move the light sculptures to new locations throughout the trails of ZooLights and introduce new displays based on the current year’s theme and staff suggestions.  This year, the theme is: Wildlife into Wild Lights!

When is the best time to arrive to view ZooLights?

That is a very subjective question.  Some folks like to walk around ZooLights when there are a lot of people walkingaround them. Others like to come when there aren’t so many people here so they can take their time and really take in all the lights.

In all my years of experience, I have discovered that it seems that the best times to come to the Zoo for ZooLights is to come early—as early as 5:30pm or to come later in the night, as late at 9pm (especially if you plan on coming on a Wednesday, Friday or Saturday night – our 3 busiest nights of the week).  Sunday throughTuesday and Thursdays are generally the slower nights of the week.  The week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve are also our busiest nights because the kids are out of school and families are in from out of town.  Most guests who visit the Zoo for ZooLights are here for 1½ -2 hours, but ZooLights can be walked in an hour or less.

Where can I park?

It’s a great idea to carpool with friends and family if you plan to attend ZooLights. Not only would you be freeing up parking spaces, but you would be helping the environment!  By arriving early or even late, you just might have an easier time finding parking in the Zoo’s main parking lot.  Remember, if it’s not designated as a parking spot, you probably shouldn’t be parking there.  On our busier nights, we open a satellite parking lot at Phoenix Municipal Stadium and provide a walking path between that lot and the Zoo.  If you do end up parking in the satellite parking lot, give yourself approximately 20 minutes each way to make that walk to and from the Zoo.

How can I avoid the long ticket lines?

Buy your tickets in advance online on the Zoo’s website, http://phoenixzoo.org/events/ZooLights/.  You will save a lot of time if you plan ahead and buy in advance.  However, if you do not have access to a printer and can’t make it to the Zoo prior to your ZooLights visit, you would be better off waiting to purchase your tickets when you arrive the night you would like to attend.  While we would be happy to look up your ticket order with your order or confirmation number, you will have to wait in the long line you were trying to avoid in order for us to do so.

Also, when purchasing your ZooLights tickets online, you should give yourself a lead time of about 2 hours to make sure your tickets have been processed and emailed to you.  Once that email has arrived (check your spam folder), be sure to open the attached PDF and print your tickets out – making sure not to print more than 1 ticket per 8½ X 11 sheet of paper.  If you have any issues printing your tickets, make sure to bring in your order or confirmation number, but please remember, that you need to wait in line to have us look up and reprint your tickets.

The Phoenix Zoo does not have the ability to scan barcodes off electronic devices, so if you only have your tickets on your mobile device, you will need to wait in line to have us look up and reprint your tickets.

You can also purchase tickets at any Valley Fry’s Food Stores.

What are the can’t miss things to do this year (fees may apply)?

Polar Slide is the newest activity to hit ZooLights and can only be found here at the Phoenix Zoo down by the MainLake.  This 200’ slide is so much fun – and anyone can go down the slide (as long as you are 4 years old and older and 38” or taller).  I personally have slid down the slide over 20 times since it opened on November 11^th.  How anyone can go down the slide without screaming is beyond me!

The Music in Motion Dancing Trees light show, located on the south side of the Main Lake, is also a personal favorite.  These trees dance on a continuous loop, so even if you arrive as they are just ending, another show is just minutes away.

Jengo, the life-sized talking Giraffe, is making his 6^th ZooLights appearance this year – stop by and say “hello”!  Sometimes during ZooLights, Jengo gets a cold and decides to take the night off, so be sure to check at the Admissions window to find out if he’s performing the night of your visit.

Carriage rides (Mon-Tues) and Wagon rides (Wed-Sun) provide an exclusive pathway that can only be enjoyed from the ride.  Carriage rides can accommodate groups up to 4 at a time and Wagon rides can accommodate up to 12 at a time.

Everyone’s favorite interactive exhibit is back!  Stingray Bay is now open and those stingrays can’t wait to meet you!  If you arrive around 7:30pm, you just might be able to purchase food to feed the stingrays.  Now that is a fun time!  Worried that it’s too cold to touch the stingrays? Don’t be! The stingrays swim in 80° water, so you can warm your hands as you touch the stingrays!

Camel rides are also a fun thing to do during ZooLights and are located near the Dancing Trees show.  And no visit to the Zoo, day or night, is complete without a ride on the Endangered Species Carousel located next to the Polar Slide.

On a personal note, one of my favorite things to do during ZooLights is to get a hot chocolate and search for light sculptures such as the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, the flame breathing dragon, the flame head, the alien head and spaceship.  I also keep my eye out for the 3-D light sculptures – like this year’s life-sized lion.

Hopefully this tips and suggestions help you plan the perfect night of ZooLights for you and your family!  Can’t wait to see ya!

Come experience the first simulated snow tubing in the Southwest! The Polar Slide is open during daytime hours and will be open during ZooLights starting November 22nd!

At our morning rally the staff put the Polar Slide to the Test!  Liesl Pimentel took some great photos!

Go it alone or make a tube train with a friend! Either way you’ll have a blast as you slide down the 200 foot track!

$3 per ride or get 10 rides for $25 with the Polar Pass – save $5!

Fun for all ages 4 years and up!

In honor of Veteran’s day, on 11/11/2010, the Phoenix Zoo would like to extend our standard Military discount of $4 to our regular admission pricing to everyone in the party of any active military member or Veteran.

You must present your valid military I.D. in order to receive the discount, and this offer cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion. Thank you for your service!

Learn more about Veteran’s Day at http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday

November 11th is Veterans Day, a day to honor America’s military Veterans. Since 1954, the Veterans Day National Committee has worked to ensure Veterans Day receives proper and widespread observance. Part of that outreach this year includes this video for students explaining how and why we honor Veterans, not just on Veterans Day, but year-round. On the VA Veterans Day page you’ll find not only this video but also Veterans Day History, local and national observances and resources to teach students the value of honoring our Veterans. Visit the site at http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday

As an avid motorcycle rider and the CEO of the Phoenix Zoo, you can imagine I have a great interest in the upcoming ZooRide! This Saturday, November 13^th, will be the third year the Zoo has partnered with The Wildest Club in Town to create this great event! ZooRide is open to all motorcycles enthusiasts and registration is only $25 per driver, and $15 per passenger.

The ZooRide route will take riders on a beautiful scenic ride from the Phoenix Zoo located in majes

tic Papago Park, through the Tonto National Forest and then ending at the Chandler Harley-Davidson store.

The Wildest Club in Townhas been a long-time supporter of the Zoo, and we are grateful to them for their continued support through this ZooRide event as well as many others. This year, all proceeds from the event will benefit the Zoo’s Bornean orangutans. We are currently constructing Orang-Hutan: “People of  the Forest”, a state-of-the-art exhibit that will offer our beloved orangutans five times their current space as well as choices and challenges to engage their minds as well as our guest who come to see them.

Your support of ZooRide will not only give you the chance to ride with your friends and make new friends along the way, enjoy the beautiful Arizona fall weather, but it allows you to do something great for our orangutan family and the Phoenix Zoo.

I encourage you to strap on your helmets, lace up your boots and hit the road for a good cause! I’ll be there, and I hope to see you too at ZooRide!

Bert Castro

President and CEO

We wanted to let you all know that the Yakulla Caverns play area at Phoenix Zoo will be closed Tuesday (07/27) and Wednesday (07/28). Leapin’ Lagoon, will remain open.

It was just Baxter, the Arizona Diamondbacks mascot! He came to visit and videotape his day at the Zoo that will be used in the pre-show for the Arizona Diamondback Field Trip Days….fun filled field trips for student in 1st-6th grade in September. The Phoenix Zoo is thrilled to partner with the D’backs for a couple of days full of fun and a little bit of education too! So watch out for his awesome video for those of you attending Field Trip Days in September!