Dallas World Aquarium Is Dallas World Aquarium worth it??

Looking for opinions on this. Is the Dallas Aquarium really worth going to for the price of admission if somebody is not really into fish? Do they have any other really rare things to see there? I know they no longer have the Yapok there. My main object would be to see the Three-Toed Sloth. How easy is it to spot? Is it loose to move about in an aviary setting where it may not even be visible or is it in its own exhibit? Do they have any other rare mammals? I have to ask this too but what would be their highlights for rare fish? I'm not a huge aquarium fan but went to Georgia specifically to see the Whale Sharks and Manta Rays. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Trying to decide between the Aquarium at $22 to get in or being able to hit another smaller zoo for less money.

 

I have never visited, but from what I have read they have red howler monkeys (should be unique for USA) and a very large collection of toucan/aracari's, it is far more than an aquarium as they even have jaguars and it is high on my wishlist at least

 

Hi PG,

I would definitely say go! The Sloth is almost defiantly viewable ( if on exhibit ) it's enclosure is designed so that it has no way to hide!

DWA is a must see zoo for any zoo chatter l would say. However be prepared for some of the smallest enclosures u will ever see....

 

Thanks for the replies. I'm going back and forth. I hear that it is an incredible place and the pictures look pretty amazing but I'm just wondering if I will really enjoy it?? Lots of thinking to do.

 

Did you read Geomorph's recent very detailed review? That should answer your questions. I have made multiple trips to Texas over the last five years and yet have never gone to DWA. For me it does not seem worth it and Geomorph's description of the enclosure sizes - many of which seem to border on inhumane - confirms my suspicion that I have no reason to go here. Others however consider it a must see due to the rarities.

Certainly you will have no shortage of things to do in central Texas. There are five zoological parks in the general area that are all high on my list of favorites: Dallas Zoo, Fort Worth Zoo, Caldwell Zoo, Cameron Park Zoo, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center.

 

The rarities is what I'm questioning. I know they no longer have Yapok. They do have the Three-Toed Sloth. But what do they have besides that considered rarities?? Their website's animal listing won't change pages for me so I can't see their whole collection. lintworm mentioned them having Red Howler Monkeys. Does anybody know if they really have them?

 

Arizona Docent- I just read the review and I'm now leaning towards passing on this one. $21 and the only two things I would really want to see are the Sloth and the Howler Monkeys which sounded like they have ample room to hide from view.

 

We had a great time at the Dallas World Aquarium (Red Howler were highlights for me and the Little Blue Penguins for Bonnie) Giants Otters were cool too.We feel its worth it! Also consider a 5 minute walk up the street to Dealy Plaza and the 6th floor museum for a great piece of american history.

Team Tapir223

 

Some very negative notes on the Dallas World Aquarium :
The New Republic Reports on Dallas World Aquarium's Dark Side. | Dallas Observer

 

Here's a link to the original article, which has a little bit of ZooChat and IZES bashing going, including a quote from a certain Mr Brown!

Daryl Richardson's Dallas World Aquarium Causes Zoo Controversy | The New Republic

 

Blimey..! forgot about that interview! However, its like Malcolm X said ,"they take one little word you say....."I raved about the place as you might expect,but it doesn't come over like that,in fact almost the reverse.

 

Of course, when have the facts got in the way of journalism?

 

As far as I am concerned Phantom Gaur made the mistake of his/her lIfe not going to DWA...numerous taxa you may never see alive anywhere else(including the wild)..on the other hand(Arizona Docent) Fossil Rim was one of the least enjoyable zoological visits ive had..in fact there`s a fast exit halfway around - and we took it with great pleasure! Oh the wide open spaces!Oh the "freedom"!Dull,dull,dull.And even if you like these kind of places....the amount of space wasted on common,non-endangered species.A major disappointment of my zoo-visiting life,I have to say.
Finally(hooray!) to lintworm...there is one other Red Howler in the U.S. still - at Monkey Jungle in Miami.

 

I think they're one of the only zoos in the US to have the Orionoco crocodile. (which is like, my favorite crocodile species)

 

Protesters threw stones at Richardson's van because he was importing pygmy sloths.

 

An interesting read. I wonder how much is true... all of the facts will of course be twisted against the place and the facts that are for it will have been ignored.

 

A very long yet informative article on a remarkable individual. I've heard through the grapevine about the higher than average deaths that occur at Dallas World Aquarium, and my own opinion is that the facility has many examples of enclosures that are tiny and inadequate; yet the range of species on display is incredible. It is well-worth touring the establishment, although seeing so many rare species crammed into small spaces is a bit unnerving.

 

The other is Adventure Aquarium, I saw them when I went in November

 

I recently saw them in at Lowry Park and Zoo Miami,,it is largely due to the DWA that this crtically-endangered taxon is starting to proliferate in captivity(and is even going back to the wild).

 

Krokodille Zoo in Denmark have them, looks like the overseas zoos have them.