And yet, even with all these happy memories, I'm not planning to visit the Bronx Zoo again any time soon. I'm not renewing our membership, even though I'm sure we'll still make a few trips to the Central Park Zoo.
Why don't I want to go to the Bronx Zoo anymore? It's not because they lost a venomous cobra. No, it's because they lost their integrity when they added Dora and Diego's 4D Adventure to the list of attractions at the zoo. Touted as a "multi-media experience," it's really just a movie. And it's all my kids want to do at the zoo. Forget the animals. Forget being outside. Forget being together as a family. Forget you're a kid at the zoo - let's go inside and help Nickelodeon reach their corporate profit goals!
I got a renewal email from the zoo recently, and took the time to respond why my family would no longer be members. The Assistant Director of Guest Relations replied, clarifying for me not only why the film was a super-great addition to the zoo, but also that the film was playing at "other widely-respected Zoos and Aquariums" including the "National Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo, North Carolina Zoo, and St. Louis Zoo."
Great, now I'm even more depressed that Dora & Diego have taken over other major zoos (and aquariums), too.
The good news? The Assistant Director of Guest Relations informed me that they "currently plan to replace Dora & Diego's 4-D Adventure with a new 4-D movie, yet to be determined, at the Bronx Zoo in the spring of 2012."
I don't even want to guess what this film will be, but I am willing to guess that I won't be renewing my membership to the zoo in Spring 2012. And it's a shame.
Dora and Diego have been at the zoo since last summer when the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood wrote Et Tu, Bronx Zoo? about their disappointment that advertising had reached the previously commercial-free zoo.
What do you think about kids having more and more advertising in their lives?
That's sad. They are taking away what the zoo is all about and replacing it with technology that our kids don't need.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOops, I didn't mean to delete the above post...I just meant to log in with my current id! Sorry about that. Anyway...
ReplyDeleteI don't particularly mind it, but I was able to scoot my kids past it by telling them that Dora and Diego were napping and we'd see if they were up later. I know - filling their heads with lies!
It is kind of a sell-out, but I feel like they do so many good works ecologically (and it's a heck of a great day trip) that I'm okay with keeping my membership. I'd like to get there more often, but with Turtleback Zoo so close now, it's a tough choice.
What's a 4D movie?? I'm scared.
ReplyDeleteI think the biggest disappointment is when they removed the holiday of lights program from the BronxZoo and then blaimed lack of funding when it was being underwritten by Pepsico AND Con Edison, my family would visit Holiday of Lights every year and since they took it away we have not returned! Thanks for sharing this post so I could vent! The children deserve better!
ReplyDeletethanks for all your comments, i totally feel for places like the zoo that are in dire need of funds, but i still wish corporate funds/advertising wasn't always the answer.
ReplyDeletetracy, i miss the holiday lights too. and the bronx zoo being open on christmas - we used to go every year.