National Zoo Birthday Party

[Anonymous]

Hi -

Does anyone have insight into the Rainforest Room, Otter's Den and Bear's Lair party rooms at the DC National Zoo? Any other advice/tips on hosting a party there (e.g. is Sat or Sun better, food choices, etc.)

Would love to hear from you! Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I went to one party at the rainforest and it was FANTASTIC. it was pouring, so it was great that the majority of our exhibit was inside. the guide was excellent. the birthday girl was turning 4.

[Anonymous]

We went to one based in the visitors center at the top of the hill; the tour was of the Asia trail. I was not impressed. The zoo was really crowded and it was hard for the kids to see/stay with the leader. Most parents stayed, even though the kids were turning 7, which was good, because otherwise some kids might have been left behind. There was also a lot (too much) hanging around without anything to do before and after the tour.

[Anonymous]

Have been to 3 parties there over the years and like a PP, I wasn't impressed and I think the kids just saw it as a random trip to the zoo. There was nothing really special about the tour, the party room was dark and barren and the crafts were just some random coloring sheet and and a hat.

[Anonymous]

Anyone else? Can you bring your own food?

[Anonymous]

We went to one at the otters den with tour of the Asia trail - pandas. tour was crowded, couldn't hear, no way parents could drop off kids (5 year olds). One guide and the party person had no clue what she was doing. She gave everyone ice cream cups and the manager came and yelled at her for exceeding the 12 or 16 paid guests. They ordered a bagel platter since it was a 10am party and the bagels were also bad. Not sure if you can bring in outside food beside cakes, but the bagel tray stunk.

[Anonymous]

We've attended one party there (so not a great sample) it wasn't much different than a regular trip to the zoo, but my son loves the zoo so it was great. And we had a good guide who could deal with the kids. I would do it not in the summer but the fall or early spring. When the zoo isn't crowded with tourists and the earlier in the morning the better as you are part of the regular zoo crowds.

I didn't realize the food brought in was provided by the zoo. That explains why it wasn't all that.

I will say this - the best part: the goody bag. Loved it. A good water bottle, a plant your own sunflower and cookies free of most major allergens. With my sons allergies I was really happy he could eat the treats in the goody bag.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a nightmare.

[Anonymous]

We've done 2 Zoo birthday parties. My kids love the Zoo, so it was a no-brainier, but all the other kids seemed to enjoy it as well. I specifically picked the Rainforest room for my January boy - I figured it would be better if the weather didnt cooperate (but it did, still was a good spot!) both times I brought my own food (platters of brunch food and sandwiches etc) but ordered coffee thru the Zoo. The only downside to bringing your own food is lugging it thru the Zoo. I really wanted to order pizza or Cal Tortilla but just didn't feel confident it would work out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have been to 3 parties there over the years and like a PP, I wasn't impressed and I think the kids just saw it as a random trip to the zoo. There was nothing really special about the tour, the party room was dark and barren and the crafts were just some random coloring sheet and and a hat.

+1

[Anonymous]

I have a winter birthday boy too who's been begging me for Bday at the zoo. Are the kids kept pretty busy? What do they do if the weather is not cooperating? Particularly interested in the Amazonia wing.

[Anonymous]

I went to one. It was terrible. The "tour" wasn't really one. Some of the animals weren't even there, the zoo was packed and we couldn't hear the guide. The birthday party famklh provided the food and there was no extra activity (craft, etc). Just the tour and food.

[Anonymous]

The zoo parties are great! We did our party there last year, and will do it again this year. The guide was wonderful and kept the kids busy with games etc before the tour. It was freezing, but she did a fantastic job of keeping 3 year olds moving and interested, playing games as they walked etc.

[Anonymous]

I went to one with my kids, and they liked it. I think I was the amazon room, but I'm not sure on that. Birthday girl was turning 9, which I think helped, because there was quite a bit of walking and it wasn't a problem for that age.

[Anonymous]

Seems like the time of year mattered? Popular zoo time vs off season?