The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell, Ohio is kicking off summer 2019 with some exciting new additions. One of the best zoos in the country is constantly growing and improving. Here’s a quick roundup of some of the enhancements we’ve spotted for this summer.
1. Falcon Fall drop tower ride
For the first time in ten years, two new rides will be debuting this season in Jungle Jack’s Landing, the small amusement park like section at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium that sits next to the Zoombezi Bay waterpark. Falcon Fall is a fifty-drop tower that give it’s riders (who must be 42 inches or taller) a perfect “birds eye” view of the area (and Adventure Cove construction site) —until they dive back to Earth.
The rise-and-drop cycle looks to be repeated four or five times. I haven’t personally rode it yet – still trying to talk my five year old into it. Looks fun to me. I’m unsure of the manufacturer of the drop tower – if you know please leave a comment below!
2. Sugar Glider new flat ride
Sugar Glider is a classic Paratrooper-style attraction that swings its riders in a circular motion, rising to heights of over twenty–five feet before swooping back towards the ground. Looks to be a portable model but again, I’m unsure of the manufacturer.
Access to these new rides (along with all of the rides in Jungle Jack’s Landing) are included with a Gold Membership or Zoo-It-All wristband, which allows guests to experience these attractions an unlimited amount of times during their visit. Or individual tickets can be purchased for $2.
Falcon Fall, Sugar Glider, and the rest of Jungle Jack’s Landing rides opened for the 2019 season on May 4th and will operate on weekends only, then this area will open for daily operation beginning May 23. Both of these rides are almost as fun to watch as it is to ride them. I expect the new rides to be very popular this summer and draw more guests into the rides area.
3. Tasmanian Devils
Inside the zoo proper, Tasmanian devils will be welcomed into the Australia and the Islands region. The all-new enclosure is built next to the existing koala house and the Columbus Zoo is now one of only seven zoos in North America to currently house the species.
Amanda Carberry, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Looks like there will be indoor and outdoor viewing of the Tasmanian devils. According to the zoo, one-year-old Tasmanian devils, Sprout, Thyme and Mustard, arrived in Columbus late Thursday (5/2) evening from Tasmania, Australia, and are still in arrival quarantine per standard protocol, and are transitioning to their brand-new habitat. A regular schedule for public viewing has not yet been set but will be announced in the coming days as soon as the Tasmanian devils settle in to their new home.
For more information about when the Tasmanian devils will have access to their new habitat, follow the Zoo on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Update: As of 5/18/19, the Tasmanian devils are able to be viewed by the public!
4. Little Enhancements
One of the things I love about the Columbus Zoo is they’re always making little changes to improve the guest experience. Whether it’s widening a path, adding more places to sit, or adding new and improved signage, the zoo experience is always getting better. There’s always something new to see: Lakeside Grill is being renovated. Discovery Reef is getting some love.
Newly added Jack and Suzi Hanna bench and statues
On our most recent visit I was surprised to see a new snake animatronic outside of the reptile house. While very simple and what some my call “cheesy”, I think this type of addition is great. Every kid that walked by seemed to love it (especially mine). And it helps make the entrance to the reptiles more noticeable. It’s these little details that all add up to make a great overall and memorable experience.
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And it’s not just improvements for humans; the animals also get enhancements as well. For example, the large outdoor elephant enclosure was built partially on a hill that is now being flattened to make it easier on the elephants.
5. Adventure Cove Construction
Pushed back from a 2019 to a 2020 completion date, construction for the new seal and sea lion habitat is now fully underway. The zoo has left many peep holes in the construction fences so fans like ourselves can keep a close eye on the progress of the construction, which has gone vertical in a big way.
The $40 million dollar project is about seven acres wide and will be the largest pool on zoo grounds, which is pretty impressive considering the excellent manatee pool.
There’s going to be an acrylic glass tube where you can walk through and get a 360 view of the seals swimming around you. Could be even better than the polar bear underwater viewing area!
So those are a few of the new things we noticed at the Columbus Zoo in 2019. Of course, you can continue to enjoy the classics like the SeaDragon wooden coaster and the Dinosaur Island boat ride returns again by Memorial Day weekend, not to mention all of the amazing animal habitats.
Learn more about the Columbus Zoo by visiting their website.
Have you ever been to the Columbus Zoo? What did you think? What’s your favorite zoo? Let us know in the comments below.
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