Zoo triumphs and tribulations

Erik and Anna near Chris Kratt, and that was good enough!

In the past month, Erik and Anna have developed an obsession with the PBS kids' show Wild Kratts. It's sort of educational, as TV goes. They do get introduced to new animals and their characteristics with each episode, but it's probably more appealing because it's the most superhero-like show the kids see. For all they know, TVs only broadcast PBS Kids. 

So, last week, they were very excited to notice a commercial at the end of the show announcing the Kratt brothers appearance at Brookfield Zoo. Since we have a membership and Sunday was such a beautiful day, we decided there was no harm in trying to get a peek at their favorite TV stars. After church, we packed up a lunch and headed down the highway. Since my kids are hardly alone in their obsession with all things Kratt, we were well aware the zoo would be crowded. Jamieson predicted it would probably be like seeing the Beatles for preschoolers. Yup. 

Even aware of the likelihood of teeming masses of families, the Brookfield Zoo is beginning to loose our love a bit because of its parking lot issues. Last time we were there was another beautiful day. Unfortunately, almost everyone in the park noticed an impending storm approaching and attempted to leave the lot simultaneously. There was ONE lane open to exit. No traffic guidance, no emergency gate opened, just one stinkin' open lane and hundreds of hurried minivans. Grr. 

Sunday, not any better. Not in the least. First Avenue moved at a crawl to get IN to the lot, which wasn't very surprising. The traffic volume wasn't our problem. (Problem: people who zoom up on everyone's left and try to merge in front of more patient drivers right in front of the zoo entrance. Did you fail the lining up portion of the kindergarten curriculum??!!)  All the gates were open and extra employees were helping cars move through the line. Once money was paid, though, it was chaos. There were, maybe, three college kids in the whole lot vaguely directing vehicles. All standard spaces had been taken and people were resorting to creative parking styles. We kept wondering if the zoo is even aware of how many parking spots they have, or if they care. Ironically, by creeping ALL the way around the lot, we somehow ended up with rock star parking near the main entrance thanks to a family leaving who had the decency to give us a head's up that they would take awhile to load (not a problem) and waving away other drivers who approached the spot. Bless them. So, Brookfield Zoo, unless you're in cahoots with Metra, would you please get a handle on your parking situation, because it is appalling. 

Once we were in, we had enough time to get over to the West Mall where the Kratts would be doing a performance at 1. We were probably in the middle of the pack. Good enough seats if you're an adult; frustrating seats if you're a kid. Once it sunk in that we weren't going to get any closer to seeing their heroes, the kids waffled between wanting to stay in case the guys ran by again, and wanting to get out of the crowd to see real animals. (If I had a super power, it would be the magical ability to become one of those extroverts who feed off the energy of a group. Sadly, I have super introvert power, in which more than three people in my space at any one time makes me want to run away and hide. Sigh.) 

Basically, we saw enough of the Kratt brothers from a distance for the kids to feel like they saw them. We avoided the crazy, crazy line of people waiting for autographs. (Does an autograph matter when you can't yet read?) Then wandered the zoo thinking yet again that the kids would be happier at the neighborhood park and/or the pet store. I love the Brookfield Zoo, but I can't help but feel that the sensory overload for the kids isn't quite the fulfilling family experience we would like it to be. The kids want to literally run from one area to another. We grown-ups get stressed trying to keep an eye on them. They get irritated that we aren't seeing EVERY animal. The good thing about having a membership is that there's less pressure to see every part of the park since there's always another day to see another creature. Yet, based on the amount of love the kids have for the ducks -- the ducks! -- we parent folks are wondering if it's worth the drive. 

Here's what we have discovered at the zoo: the kids really like swimming things. At each visit, they never miss a chance to see the seals, sea lions and dolphins. Instead of darting from place to place, at those pools, the kids do stick around awhile to really enjoy the animals. Why? Maybe that's a less crowded area where they can get a clear view. Maybe they respect animals that love water as much as they do. Maybe watching the water is soothing for their over-stimulated selves. Not sure. Since Anna kept telling the ducks to go into their pond, maybe the water fascination is key. Anyway, the zoo certainly isn't a waste of time, especially on a beautiful day. It does, however, help us clarify what the kids really like and what they really need to have a good time. Answer: space to run and something interesting to watch. Fortunately, that's easy to find closer to home. 

Checking out the bison