Zoo For You
Want a small-group tour of the Zoo accompanied by one of our knowledgeable guides? Hoping to explore backstage areas not normally accessible to the public? Need a chance to touch a moon jelly or groom a goat?
Book a Zoo For You experience to get an up-close look at how our team cares for the animals (and plants!) that call Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium home.
Book Your Experience
Your Questions, Answered
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How much does Zoo For You cost?
Each tour has a member and a non-member price, which you can find in the tour information above. Participants of all ages, including infants and toddlers, count towards the total number of participants.
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Will I get a refund if I need to cancel, and can I reschedule after booking?
No refunds are given for cancellations made less than 14 days prior to the program date. For cancellations made more than 14 days prior to the program date an 80% refund will be given. A 20% rescheduling fee will be charged for program changes. PDZA reserves the right to cancel any program due to animal care needs, inclement weather, or other factors. In the event that PDZA cancels a program, we will attempt to reschedule or all program fees will be refunded.
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What happens on the day of our Zoo For You experience?
Each tour has a designated meeting place where you will meet your tour guide. Check your ticket for a map of the meeting location. Because late arrivals cannot be accommodated, we recommend that you plan to be at the designated meeting location 10 minutes before the scheduled tour time. Zoo For You tours always include admission so that you can explore the rest of the Zoo before or after your tour.
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Will there be other guests at our Zoo For You program?
Zoo For You tours have a maximum capacity of 5-10 participants, depending on the tour. Participants can choose to book individual tickets, in which case any remaining tickets will be available for purchase by other guests, or they can choose to book out an entire tour in order to have a private experience.
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Are there any age restrictions?
All youth participants (0-17 years) must be accompanied by a paid adult participant. Participants must be at least 8 years old to go on either the Pacific Seas Aquarium Behind-the-Scenes Tour or the Jammin’ with Jellies program. All other tours are open to participants of all ages.
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What if I need to request an accommodation?
Metro Parks Tacoma strives toward providing inclusive programs to all community members. People of all abilities are invited to consider registering for any recreational program Metro Parks has to offer provided they meet the minimum eligibility requirements. We can usually build customized support to suit your needs. If you have an accommodation request, please contact zooforyou@pdza.org.
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Can I make a special request for the program?
We are not able to accommodate specific requests for animal encounters or changes to the content of our tours; however, knowing more about your group can help us be prepared to give you the best experience possible. If you’re celebrating a special event or have a favorite animal you’re hoping to learn about, feel free to reach out to us at zooforyou@pdza.org to let us know!