Availability & Pricing Structure
A deposit of 50% of your rental fee is required for your event date, applicable to your total rental fee. If you decide to cancel your event, the deposit is nonrefundable. The remaining balance of your party is due at the admissions booth on your event date.
- After-hours events begin no earlier than 5:30 PM and require a two-hour minimum. Events longer than 3 hours require direct coordination.
- Ride add ons work as unlimited rides for guests.
- Contact Yard: This add on allows guests access to the contact yard and staffing to assist. Guests will be able to pet and interact with domestic goats, three different breeds of sheep, and an alpaca.
- Animals Out: This add on would allow animals to be out in their habitats as they would during open zoo hours. Animals will be off habitat/exhibit by 8:30pm.
- Animal Encounter: Allows your guests to have a close encounter with an animal of your choosing, from our provided list, upon your inquiry.
- Interested in hosting your own private Zoo experience? Contact us to get started!
| Base Fee & Add Ons | Fee |
|---|---|
| Base After-Hours Fee | $1,000 per hour (2 hour minimum) |
| Contact Yard Open & Accessible | $200 |
| Carousel | $300 |
| Train | $300 |
| Animals Out | $150 per hour |
| Animal Encounter/Visit | $125 |
| Gift Shop | Included upon request |
| Concessions | Included upon request |
| Wild In Nature Building | Included |
Frequently Asked Questions
Food & Vendors
You may bring in a caterer to provide food for your party if approved by the Zoo prior to your event. If vendors are selling goods, they must complete a separate vender agreement form with the Zoo. Vendors may not compete with the Zoo sales or operations (sell or giveaway items that the Zoo also sells such as popcorn, cotton candy, etc.) or bring items on the prohibited list (see below FAQ).
Alcohol: If you are interested in having alcohol at your event, this will require coordination with our staff and use of a licensed vendor.
Prohibited Items/Decorations
If you wish to bring party decorations or favors, please let us know ahead of time,. Because these items can prove harmful or fatal to animals if ingested, please do not bring any of the items listed below.
- Glass containers
- Balloons, inflated or not, latex or Mylar
- Crepe paper
- Aluminum decorations
- Confetti
- Garland
- Macthes/lighters
- Cigarettes/Cigars/Vape pens
- Staples
- Alcohol (unless with a licensed alcohol vendor during after-hours events).
Courtesy & Safety
The Zoo is a fun place to be, especially when our guests respect the Zoo and each other. To ensure the success of your event, please make your guests aware of our visitor policy:
- Adults are to remain with, and supervise, their children at all times.
- Unknown items that enter the exhibits could be harmful to our animals. This includes you! Please be mindful of the barriers and fences around exhibits intended to keep the animals safe, and please do not cross them.
- People food can make our animals sick! Please refrain from feeding the animals.
- Thank you for keeping our facility smoke, tobacco, and alcohol free!
For the safety and enjoyment of all, guests who do not abide by these guidelines may be asked to leave. All fees deposited or paid for your party package will not be refunded.
Event set up and clean up
Event set up may begin 30 minutes prior to the starting time and must be cleaned up 30 minutes after the rental time has concluded.
How do I check in upon arrival?
Please come to the Main Admissions gate and let Admissions know you are checking in for your party. We will provide our Party Wagon to help you bring items down to the party space. Please bring this back up at the end of your visit.
Is there a cost for parking?
No, parking is free!
Where do guests go and park?
Guests can park in the upper or lower lot in front of the zoo or along lower Hoyt Park Drive on the gravel on the side of the road. Please do not park on any of the Hoyt Park baseball fields. Guests can then enter through the main Admissions Gate and will need to check in as guests of your event.
What if more guests come than previously planned?
If more guests show up for your event than were planned for in your rental package, you will be charged according to the next price level or agreed upon price.
Does the Zoo close in bad weather?
The zoo is open rain or shine and will host your party as planned. Please know that due to rain, operation of the train could be paused for a period of time. Due to inclement weather that involves lightning, operation of the train and/or carousel could be paused for a period of time.
If a severe weather event is in effect, your event will be postponed until the weather watch expires, or until a rescheduled time/date agreed upon by you and the Zoo. If you would like to change/reschedule your event, please do so 5 or more days in advance.
Are wagons allowed to transport items?
Yes, guests are welcome to bring their own wagons.