Community Health Network Presents New Woodland Wonderland at Indianapolis Zoo

By Maura Giles

Indianapolis, IN - Christmas at the Zoo, the Indianapolis Zoo’s annual holiday light spectacular, features some returning favorite activities along with new things to see! Outside, visitors can see their favorite animals that enjoy the cooler weather—polar bear, walruses, seals, tigers, red pandas, and more, all while taking in the glow of thousands of twinkling lights and heart-warming activities.

What’s New
• Woodland Wonderland presented by Community Health Network – At White River Gardens, the Hilbert Conservatory will feature decorations from nature. Get the feeling of a winter in the woods from noon until 9pm daily! See brilliant evergreens decorated for each area (biome) of the Zoo, holiday plants, a log cabin photo opportunity, and even a light show set to music. Don’t forget the reindeer! Real reindeer will be in the Conservatory for everyone to enjoy and to lend even more atmosphere to our “woodsy” holiday setting.

• “The Polar Express™” – The Zoo will feature an extraordinary 4-D adventure this holiday season! The Polar Express™ tells the story of a doubting young boy who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, where he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. The Polar Express™ 4-D Experience is based on the film from Warner Bros.

Pictures and Shangri-La Entertainment, inspired by Chris Van Allsburg’s beloved Caldecott Medal children’s book, and includes 3-D and 4-D effects that will make a believer out of just about anyone. The running time is approximately 13 minutes. For this very special film, visitors should pick up timed tickets at the ticket booth, and admission requires three tickets. All other rides (weather-dependent) require the usual
number of tickets. 3-D and 4-D simulator rides are presented by AT&T Real Yellow Pages.

Christmas at the Zoo
Making a Comeback
• Santa’s Village presented by Community Health Network – Visit with Santa and get your photo taken and decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus. Write thank you letters to Santa and put your wishes on Wishing Trees presented by 10th Street Lowes.
• White River Gardens Rotunda beautifully decorated two-story Christmas tree.
• The Christmas Shoppe (White River Gardens gift shop)
• Santa’s Sweet Shop – Located in the Outpost restaurant, Santa’s Sweet Shop features oversized gourmet caramel apples and rice crispy treats, freshly baked cinnamon rolls and cookies, as well as homemade fudge and brownies.
• Performances by local school choirs.
• Traditional carolers singing around the campfire.
• Critter Corner presented by ARAB, featuring Meet a Keeper nightly.
• Holiday Dolphin Show.
• Meerkat, sea lion, penguin, brown bear and dog shark chats.
• Light show.
• Holiday Express Train Ride.
• Thousands of light sculptures and glowing LED lights, animals out late, and more!

Dates and Times
Christmas at the Zoo runs December 4-30 at the Indianapolis Zoo. The Zoo will open at noon daily, with Christmas at the Zoo activities scheduled from 5pm until 9pm each night. (The Zoo is closed Christmas Eve & Day and New Year’s Eve and Day). Santa visits end on December 23.

Admission
Christmas at the Zoo is free for Zoo members and included with regular admission for nonmembers:
$8.50 for adults and $6.50 for seniors age 62+ and children ages 2-12. Children one and under are free, and parking is $5. Guests can receive $1.00 off admission with the donation of a new hat, scarf or gloves for St. Mary’s Children Center, which helps young children who are at risk for social, emotional, economic and environmental problems.

For the latest information on activities at the Zoo’s holiday events, visitors can go to the Zoo’s web site at indianapoliszoo.com, and look under Special Events.

About the Indianapolis Zoo
Located in White River State Park downtown, the Indianapolis Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the American Association of Museums as a zoo, aquarium and botanical garden.

The Indianapolis Zoo will empower people and communities, both locally and globally, to advance animal conservation. Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things.

To view Indianapolis Zoo's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to:  http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-19-Indianapolis_Zoo