Yes, Wildlife World Zoo is worth the drive from the East Valley, especially if your kids love getting close to animals. We spent about 5 hours there on a Saturday in mid-October and could have stayed longer.
I went with my two daughters (6 & 10), one of my closest friends, and her son (11). Between the sea lion show, touching stingrays, and standing just a few feet from a lion, it was one of our favorite family days this fall. Here’s everything you need to know before you go, including what it costs, what’s worth the extra money, and what I’d do differently next time.
Wildlife World Zoo at a glance
| Location | 16501 W Northern Ave, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340 |
| Drive time | About 1 hour from the far East Valley, about 40 minutes from Gilbert |
| Hours (Oct 1 to May 30) | Zoo 9 am to 6 pm, aquarium 9 am to 7 pm |
| Hours (June 1 to Sept 30) | Zoo 8 am to 4 pm, aquarium 8 am to 5 pm |
| Adult (13+) | $49 plus tax |
| Child (3 to 12) | $27 plus tax |
| 2 and under | Free |
| Parking | Free |
| Stroller rental | $10 single, $12 double ( I recommend the double for one larger kid & bags) |
The zoo is open 365 days a year, including holidays. Sea lion shows, wildlife encounter shows, and public bird feedings are included with admission. Rides cost extra, and there’s a 4% fee for credit or debit card payments. Bring cash!
There are a few ways to save $6 per person: groups of 10 or more paying together, military ID, AAA (for people in the cardholder’s group), and seniors on Tuesdays. Prices are from the official Wildlife World visit page, so double-check before you go.
Our favorite things at Wildlife World Zoo
The sea lion show
This was the hit of the day for all of us. It’s short, only about 10 to 15 minutes, so check the show times when you arrive and get there a few minutes early. If you’re late, you’ll miss most of it.
Touching the stingrays
The kids loved this one. Getting to reach in and feel the stingrays glide by is something they still talk about. I’ve always loved this as well. The stingrays ride along the wall and pop up a little bit so they can run the length of their back across your two fingers.
Getting up close to the lion
This is where Wildlife World really stands out. We were able to get so close to the lion, and it’s one of those moments you just don’t get at most zoos. Plus the lion was looking right at us and even making noises!
Active animals and playful monkeys
Mid-October was perfect timing. The weather was beautiful and the animals were really active. Watching the monkeys play was so fun, and there are real peacocks roaming the grounds, which the kids thought was a cool surprise.
Feeding the giraffes and black swans
We fed both the giraffes and the black swans. The giraffe feeding is a must if you have animal-loving kids. They stick out their dark plum colored tongue and lick the food right out of your hand!
A zoo that keeps growing
They’re actively building onto the zoo, which is nice to see. Even since my last visit, they added a koi pond that was under construction last time.
Rides and extras: are they worth it?
Rides cost extra, but they were about $6 per person when we went, which felt reasonable for the experience.
- Sky ride: If you’re afraid of heights, skip this one. I was nervous the whole time, but the view over the zoo was such a cool perspective. Worth it if heights don’t bother you.
- Log ride: A fun, easy one for the kids and a nice break from walking. I enjoyed it too! You go through an aquarium tunnel and can watch the monkeys playing on the island.
- Feedings: The giraffe and black swan feedings were some of our favorite moments of the day.
Where to eat at Wildlife World Zoo
We ate at Dillon’s BBQ inside the park. The food was decent but a little pricier, partly because of the setting. You can eat inside next to the aquarium or outside by the flamingos, which is a fun backdrop for lunch.
One heads-up: they note they won’t cook burgers below medium. I ordered mine medium and it still came out well done.
Onion rings were free with two adult entrees and the coupon on the zoo map. Those were pretty good! We both liked the cocktails we ordered too.
On our last visit we went with the pizza place, and next time I’d probably just do that again.
Outside food and coolers aren’t allowed, but you can bring your own drinks, so pack water bottles to save a little. (of course, I brought some crackers, and orange, apple and beef jerky in my tote bag)
What to pack for the zoo with kids
After a full 5-hour day, here’s what I’d bring to any zoo with kids. I put everything in one place on my Amazon zoo day list.
As an amazon associate, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting The Desert Edit!
- Sanitizing wipes: a must for rental strollers, petting areas, and before eating
- Reusable water bottles: outside drinks are allowed at Wildlife World, so this saves money
- Kid-friendly sunscreen: even fall days get sunny in Arizona
- Sun hats or caps for everyone
- Cooling towels for warmer days
- A small backpack or crossbody to keep your hands free
- Portable phone charger: between photos and videos, your battery will drain
- Comfy walking shoes for a long day on your feet
- Hand sanitizer for after feedings and touching the stingrays
- Bandaids because boo boo’s are prone to happen with kids!
- Small Snacks for the littles.
Tips for visiting Wildlife World Zoo with kids
- Go in fall or spring. Mid-October had beautiful weather and the animals were out and active.
- Arrive around 11 am or earlier. It wasn’t crowded at all on a Saturday at that time.
- Plan for about 5 hours. That gave us time for shows, feedings, rides, and lunch without rushing.
- Check show times first. The sea lion show is short, so plan the rest of your day around it. When we went there were three show times and we caught the last one at 3:30 pm.
- Rent a stroller, even for bigger kids. I got a double stroller for $12 for my 6-year-old and also used it to hold all of our stuff.
- Bring sanitizing wipes. The rental strollers were kind of dirty, and I wished I’d had wipes.
- Wear comfy shoes, but don’t stress about hills. The ground is flat and easy to walk, which makes it a lot easier with little ones.
Wildlife World Zoo vs. Phoenix Zoo
I grew up going to the Phoenix Zoo and still love it, so this isn’t a one-or-the-other thing. But every time I visit Wildlife World, I’m blown away by how close you can get to the animals.
The other big difference is the walking. Phoenix Zoo has hills to climb, while Wildlife World is flat and easy the whole way, which is great with kids and strollers. Wildlife World also has the aquarium, rides, and feedings all in one place.
If you’re in the East Valley, Phoenix Zoo is closer. Wildlife World is the one I’d pick for a full day out when you want more hands-on animal moments.
The verdict: is Wildlife World Zoo worth it?
Absolutely. Anyone who loves animals will love this place. It’s very family friendly, easy to walk, and gives you up-close moments you won’t find at most zoos. The drive from the East Valley is part of the trip, but it’s worth it for a full day out. (Plus, you drive past Buc-ee’s , if that has been on your list to do!)
Looking for more family days closer to home? Check out my IDEA Museum review, Mesa Natural History Museum review, and 75+ East Valley date ideas guide.
FAQ
How much are tickets to Wildlife World Zoo? Adults (13+) are $49 plus tax, kids 3 to 12 are $27 plus tax, and kids 2 and under are free.
How long should you spend at Wildlife World Zoo? Plan for about 4 to 5 hours to see the zoo, aquarium, shows, and a ride or two.
Can you bring food into Wildlife World Zoo? No outside food or coolers, but outside drinks are allowed. (If you have a few snacks for your kids in your bag, I personally think it’s fine.)
Is parking free? Yes, parking is free.
How far is Wildlife World Zoo from Gilbert? About 40 minutes, and closer to an hour from the far East Valley.
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