Penguins are Here!

Name: Penguins are Here!
Item: Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
Author: Kristina Light

Helzberg Penguin Plaza at the Kansas City Zoo

by Kristina Light

October 25, 2013

1:00 a.m.

Perhaps the most anticipated new Kansas City attraction of 2013, the Helzberg Penguin Plaza at the Kansas City Zoo is open! For the past few years, the Kansas City Zoo just keeps getting better and better. Whether it is the addition of the African Sky Safari, the Tropics, the Tiger Exhibit, or the Polar Bear Passage - it has been exciting to see the zoo make strides to become a truly outstanding attraction and one of the greatest zoos in America. This brand new Penguin Exhibit is truly state-of-the-art and outstanding! I am truly proud of the Kansas City Zoo and our family is overjoyed at the improvements!

I took my girls to the Grand Opening of the exhibit this morning and we were extremely impressed by the turn out. At 8:30 in the morning (early viewing for FOTZ Members) the line stretched past the Polar Bear Passage. We waited 45min - an hour (I didn't actually keep track, but the lady in front of me did). The line moved quickly, and the Zoo staff and volunteers were well prepared. The entire event was well organized with educators sharing fun penguin information for children as they waited. We saw penguin eggs (all sizes for many types of penguins), penguin skulls, and saw many photos and learned a lot about penguins as we waited to meet Kansas City's newest residents.

Once we arrived in the exhibit, we were WOWED! Now, keep in mind that I have personally been to penguin exhibits at the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Henry Doorly Omaha Zoo, St. Louis Zoo, and Wichita Zoo. Of all the penguin exhibits I have seen, this was the best!

The exhibit is home to about a dozen Humboldt Penguins and nearly 40 cold water penguins. The educational information displayed throughout fed my children's curiosity about the Antarctic animals. The television screens throughout made it easy to see what was happening, but the viewing areas to watch the birds dive, swim, play, and eat are absolutely fantastic.

Tips for a Visit to the Helzberg Penguin Plaza:

Kansas City is SO excited to see this new exhibit, that the crowds are coming! Be prepared for lines if you visit on a weekend or when school is out. The exhibit is likely to be extremely popular for the first several weeks. Remember the zoo is open year-round and this exhibit is indoor, so you can come see it any time the zoo is open!
The exhibit is stroller and wheel chair friendly - and visitors can see from these heights! I was extremely impressed with the television screens, viewing areas, and levels, making it a joy for everyone to view the penguins. Thank you to the zoo for doing such a great job with this!
Bring the camera - the birds are gorgeous and playful!
Inside the exhibit, the birds are closed off with glass and their habitat is temperature controlled. The human visitor's area maintains a comfortable temp for people, so you don't have to pack on the layers as you may at other penguin exhibits at other zoos.
This is the largest and nicest penguin exhibit we have visited. Even with the big crowd, we spent 30 minutes in the exhibit and my girls are BEGGING to go back!

Bonus Tips for Visiting the Kansas City Zoo:

FOTZ Memberships are on sale NOW. If you are not already a Friends of the Zoo Member, you may purchase a 2014 membership and it is good NOW thru March of 2015! The perks of membership are tremendous (including free or discounted admission to other zoos when you travel, and free admission to the Kansas City Zoo). You can choose various levels for additional benefits (free rides, etc). Jackson and Clay County Residents receive a discount. If you are not already a member, but you're eager to see the penguins, buy a membership now and enjoy it for more than an entire year! Members can see the penguins at exclusive FOTZ Member only times: Friday morning, October 25 8:30-9:30 a.m. (gates open at 8 a.m.). Friday afternoon/evening, October 25 4-7 p.m. Saturday morning, October 26 8:30-9:30 a.m. (gates open at 8 a.m.). Sunday morning, October 27 8:30-9:30 a.m. (gates open at 8 a.m.). Saturday morning, November 2, 8-9:30 a.m. (morning snack is included).
You may bring outside food and there are picnic areas throughout.
Visit the Kansas City Zoo website before your visit. They host special events all year long including events for Halloween and Christmas!