We went to the San Diego Wild Animal Park in Escondido, CA in early July and it was typically hot — very hot. Most of the animals aren’t very active in the hot weather, especially during the day. With that in mind, I am very curious about the Beastly Bedtime Sleepovers which is designed for families with children four to seven years old. Yeah, that’s right, you and your family can have a sleep-over at the zoo — for a price, that is. Dinner, crafts, campfire songs, close-up encounters with some of the wild animals and of course getting a chance to “sleep where the wild things are” - are some of the highlights. It sounds fun but it comes with a price - Mom, Dad and Junior overnight will cost you upward of $300 and change! If money is no object you can do a Premium Package (of course) for about $475.

During our visit they had the water misters cranked up, did I mention yet that it was really hot? Anyway, the first thing you should do is take the mini-train ride around the park. It will give you a chance to glance at the massive park map while the kids can see zebras, hippos and giraffes roaming free. Of course they have a small petting zoo complete with hand-washing stations (+ soap), and some really nice random fact “stations” were somebody will come out with a strange reptile or bird or sloth and start talking to you about them (as a geeky dad, I totally got of listening to these). My wife really enjoyed the African Aviary section were you can get close to some really stunning tropical birds.

The snack bars are centrally located (of course) and the $1 refills made it a little easier on the wallet but if you are prudent, I would bring your own. My son really enjoyed the Savanna Cool Zone down by the Heart of Africa section. The Cool Zone is basically a wet play area for toddlers, which is perfectly located since it is furtherest from the park entrance and by then our son was melting. There a few things we either did not have the energy for or just plan passed up but worth mentioning is the BenBough Amphitheater and the Balloon Safari which (I assume) gives a stunning vertical P.O.V. of the park and the surrounding area.

PARENT TIPS; Bring a change of clothes for the littles ones, assuming they may want to run through the Savanna Cool Zone (I did) and if possible consider a mid-week visit — from what I have been told — it really makes a big difference.

Related Links;
Meta-DAD Reviews @ Parentography.Com
San Diego Wild Animal Park