MELBOURNE ZOO very dissapointing

[jenni200011]

Hi all just wanting some opinions in regards to visisting the melbourne zoo..I went for a visit  yeasterday after not being for a great number of years..It seems to be a total money grab now..We arrived late ( our fault) around 2 pm as i thought zoo twilights had began..Zoo twilights is ran by the zoo in summer and lets you remain a bit longer than normal hours..Any way paid full entry along with lots of others even though only 3 hours remained ( again my decision)Asked about twilights and found once they start in a few weeks you eneter from 5.30 only..If you choose to come earlier in the day and wish to stay longer they kick you out at 5 and you must pay re entry cost all over again to attend the twilight session( approx 4 hours)..Very let down with that as the zoo is far from cheap..Lots of people walked around bumping past eachother..food and drink prices were sky high ( as most event prices are)..Some enclosures were inproved but many animals looked extremely bored..Lots of very silly comments were made by  many people including one woman who could not believe the elephant had decided to toilet in the water..She actually felt it was a dirty thing on the elephants part ( wonder how she expects one to toilet train an elephant.)...Felt the whole zoo had lost the original atmosphere it used to have..Just my opinion but wondered what others think

[azureline**]

The last time I was there was 20 years ago and my OH had a toothache............ that was enough to make us all miserable! 

[icyfroth]

Sorrry to hear you had such a depressing time of it, Jenni. I've never been to Melbourne Zoo, so I can't comment.

Re Sky-high food prices. Can you bring your own?

[imastawka]

No.  Much like the MCG they like their concession stands to make money

[cherry*135]

You can take in your own bottles of water surely?  When we went to Sydney Zoo, we left out lunch in the car boot (esky) and asked if we could go out and come back in and that wasn't a problem.

[icyfroth]

That's a bit sad.  Is it Government or Privatised?

Taronga has an area where people can sit and have their own lunches. They have lockers where you can keep your food.

[imastawka]

Seems I lied! was mistaken (shock, horror, gasp)

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowUserReviews-g255100-d256557-r145879887-Melbourne_Zoo-Melbourne_Vic...

[azureline**]

keep a copy for future reference?

[**meep**]

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@imastawka wrote:

No.  Much like the MCG they like their concession stands to make money

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That's a bit rough.  Toronga Zoo has some great picnic spots, visitors can bring their own food.

[punch*drunk]

We've taken our own food. We once had a barbecue in an adjoining park too, was quite nice. I like Melbourne zoo, havent been for a few years though.

[imastawka]

See post #16. ^^^^^^

I'm gunna staple it to my forehead!