How to Enjoy the San Diego Wild Animal Park
The San Diego Wild Animal Park is a unique and exciting place to visit. Outside of an African safari, this is one of the few spots where you can see different animals mingling together in vast open spaces. The Wild Animal Park has something to offer folks of all ages.
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Instructions
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Don't oversleep. The Wild Animal Park is located in East Escondido, where things heat up quickly, especially in the summer. To enjoy the park as much as possible, try to arrive when it first opens. That way, you can also avoid some of the crowds.
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Look for deals. You can almost always find discount tickets to the Wild Animal Park, so do some research ahead of time. Triple A, Costco, and other vendors usually have deals. If you plan to visit SeaWorld or Legoland as well, you can purchase group packages at a cheaper rate. Plan to return soon? Then consider buying a Zoo/Wild Animal Park membership. You'll recoup your money in just two visits.
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Dress appropriately. The San Diego Wild Animal Park has tons of hills, so leave your fancy shoes at home. Wear walking sandals or sneakers and prepare yourself for a little exercise. For warmer days, bring cool clothing, a hat, and plenty of sunscreen and remember---the Wild Animal Park will be ten to fifteen degrees hotter than by the coast. And if you have kids, bring a swimsuit and a towel--the Wild Animal Park has a spray fountain play area over by the lion exhibit.
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Plan your activities. Besides the animal exhibits, the Wild Animal Park also features a petting area, animal shows, a hot-air balloon ride, a tram ride, a carousal and duck feeding areas as well as an outdoor kid play area and dinosaur ride. When you arrive, try to plan your day around your "must sees". There's a chance you might not muster up the energy to see everything, but if you're prepared, at least you'll catch all your favorites. Grab a map when you first walk in and make sure to check out the show and ride times.
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Schedule any special events ahead of time. The Wild Animal Park offers a variety of unique experiences, from overnight camping to private safaris, but space and times are limited. Figure out what you want to do, then make your reservations well in advance. That way, you won't be disappointed when you visit the park.
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Check out the shops. The San Diego Wild Animal Park has a couple of shops featuring some unique African and animal-themed giftware and collector's items. Make sure to allot some time to browse.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have young children or babies, be sure to bring a stroller. Those hills can be grueling, and most kids will be begging for a ride before long.
If you get hungry, there are plenty of decent eateries throughout the park.
Drink plenty of water--it can get very hot there, especially in the summer.
