Animal theme park
An animal theme park, also known as a zoological theme park, is a combination of a theme park and a zoo, mainly for entertainment, amusement, and commercial purposes. Many animal theme parks combine classic theme park elements, such as themed entertainment and amusement rides, with classic zoo elements such as live animals confined within enclosures for display. Many times, live animals are utilized and featured as part of amusement rides and attractions found at animal theme parks.
Two examples of animal theme parks are Disney's Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida (580 acres or 2.3 square kilometres) and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida (335 acres or 1.36 square kilometres). These commercial parks are similar to open-range zoos and safari parks according to size, but different in intention and appearance, containing more entertainment and amusement elements (stage shows, amusement rides, etc.).
The term "animal theme park" can also be used to describe certain marine mammal parks, oceanariums, and more elaborate dolphinariums, such as SeaWorld, which offers amusement rides and additional entertainment attractions, and are also where marine animals such as whales are kept, contained, put on display, and are sometimes trained to perform in shows.
In 2010 the practice of keeping animals as trained show performers in theme parks was heavily criticized when a trainer was killed by an orca whale at SeaWorld Orlando in Florida.[1]
List of animal theme parks
Zoological theme parks
- Adventure World in Wakayama, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan
- Bali Safari and Marine Park in Bali, Indonesia
- Bellewaerde in Zonnebeke, Belgium
- Busch Gardens Tampa in Tampa Bay, Florida
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia
- Chessington World Of Adventures in Surrey, England
- Disney's Animal Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Florida
- Dreamworld in Gold Coast, Australia
- Drusillas Zoo Park in Alfriston, England
- Flamingo Land in North Yorkshire, England
- Fun Spot America in Orlando, Florida
- Gatorland in Orlando, Florida
- Happy Hollow Park & Zoo in San Jose, California
- Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania
- Kalahari Resorts in Sandusky, Ohio
- Kemah Boardwalk in Kemah, Texas
- Knoebels in Elysburg, Pennsylvania
- Le Pal in Saint-Pourçain-sur-Besbre, France
- Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee, Florida
- Lagoon in Farmington, Utah
- Parc Safari in Hemmingford, Quebec
- Santa's Village in Jefferson, New Hampshire
- Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California
- Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey
- Taman Safari in Bogor, Indonesia
- Tayto Park in Curraha, Ireland
- Tobu Zoo in Miyashiro, Saitama, Japan
- Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Georgia
- Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen in Emmen, Netherlands
- Wildlife World Zoo in Litchfield Park, Arizona
- York's Wild Kingdom in York Beach, Maine
Marine theme parks (marine mammal parks and oceanariums)
- Adventure World in Wakayama, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan
- Aquatica in Orlando, Florida and San Antonio, Texas
- Bali Safari and Marine Park in Bali, Indonesia
- Boudewijn Seapark in Sint-Michiels, Bruges, Belgium
- Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida
- Epcot in Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, Florida
- Kemah Boardwalk in Kemah, Texas
- Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
- Ocean Park Hong Kong in Hong Kong, China
- Scheels in Billings, Montana
- Sea World in Gold Coast, Australia
- SeaWorld San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas
- SeaWorld San Diego in San Diego, California
- SeaWorld Orlando in Orlando, Florida
- Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California
- Story Land in Glen, New Hampshire
- Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Zoos with amusement attractions
Most zoos have a carousel and/or Safari Train, but some zoos have more amusement attractions than that.
- Bronx Zoo in New York City
- Features a monorail attraction, bug carousel, zip-line course, and obstacle course for children
- Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell, Ohio
- Features a carousel, boat ride (like an Old Mill ride but entirely outside), North American Wilderness Train, 3D cinema, camel ride, pony ride, three children's playgrounds, and it is combined with Zoombezi Bay and Rides At Adventure Cove
- Fort Wayne Children's Zoo in Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Granby Zoo in Granby, Quebec
- Features a pony ride, camel ride, monorail, 3D cinema, carousel, Ferris wheel, roller coaster, pirate ship, bumper cars, indoor kids' playground, and water park
- Hovatter's Wildlife Zoo in Kingwood, West Virginia
- Features a kiddie roller coaster, kiddie ferris wheel, and a kids' playground
- Indianapolis Zoo in Indianapolis, Indiana
- Features a Jungle Carousel, Safari Train, family roller coaster, and Safari Sky Ride
- Metro Richmond Zoo in Chesterfield County, Virginia
- Features a Safari Sky Ride, Jungle Carousel, Safari Train, kids' playground, and zip line
- Oakland Zoo in Oakland, California
- Features a Jungle Carousel, doughnut ride, plane ride, safari jeep ride, sky ride, Outback Train, family roller coaster, and kids' playground
- Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Features a carousel, log ride (like a log flume but with no lift hills or splash drops), safari train, and kids' playground
- San Diego Zoo in San Diego, California
- Features a "Sky Safari" attraction, motion simulator experience, and double decker bus tour
- San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, California
- Features a safari vehicular tour, hot air balloon experience, jungle carousel, and zip line course
- Singapore Zoo in Singapore
- Features a vehicular tour, jungle carousel, pony ride, horse carriage ride, kids' playground, and water park
- Toledo Zoo in Toledo, Ohio
- Features a Jungle Carousel, Safari Train, kids' playground, splash pad, and obstacle course
- ZooTampa at Lowry Park in Tampa, Florida
- Features a Shoot the Chute, jungle carousel, family roller coaster, bus tour, Outback Train, and miscellaneous rides for small children
References
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