I got bored yesterday and decided to take a drive to the zoo and see the progress on the new Water park. I didn't get any photos but WOW this is going to be a great addition to the zoo. Everything is going up very fast. I only drove around the parking lot but I haven't seen much on the dry park end of it. I don't know whats going to happen with that yet. Hopefully I'll take a visit to the zoo once the weather gets nicer and grab some photos.

Other than that way too nasty to go in the zoo so not a great TR i know.

Thanks for the update. I have notice that they seem to not talk about the dry side on their website, expect for the original announcement. Makes you wonder if that will not open until later?

I haven't seen ANYTHING on the dry side. everything is going to be water park based. I bet 2009 will see the dry side

I recall reading that there will be a roller coaster and other rides in the zoo.

Last year I visited the Columbus Zoo for the first time and was impressed. Unlike my local zoo, it's in a nice neighborhood, has excellent food, musical shows, and is physically more beautiful.

If I lived in or near the Columbis, I'd apply for a job at the Columbus Zoo. It is the finest zoo that I ever visited.

The dry side will be called Jungle Jack's Landing or something like that, it's not part of Zoombezi but considered part of the zoo.

Here are some very dark and poor quality(It was very cloudy in the morning and rainy, and I didn't have my new camera) pictures of the Sea Dragon sitting lonely amongst the dirt, on my second to last visit to the zoo.

If the weather isn't bad this weekend I will head up and take some photos after work on Saturday.

My understanding is that the waterpark, zoo, and "dry park" will be accessed through a common tickeing and entry plaza. Earlier I heard that there will be a few different ticketing options including zoo-only, zoo & waterpark combo, and waterpark only. I heard that the dry park will be "pay as you go", with each individual ride/attraction being a separate charge. (I wonder if they'll use some sort of "stored value" card system like at GameWorks, Disney Quest, etc.?)

The "dry" park, named Jungle Jack's Landing, will open as scheduled for the Summer 2008 season. The footers are currently being poured for the Hafema log flume. The center tower for the Larson flying scooters has been set into place. In addition to these two rides, the park will feature Chance antique cars (themed as safari jeeps), a Zamperla Galleon Ship, Zamperla Family Swinger, the refurbished Tilt, Scrambler, and RDC Bumper Cars from Wyandot Lake, and of course Sea Dragon. It will also feature a brand new set of children's rides including Zamperla mini-tea cups, Chance frog hopper, Zamperla flying elephants, and a Zamperla mini-train.

Admission to the Zoo includes Jungle Jack's Landing, and remains unchanged. If you choose to go to Zoombezi Bay, your admission includes the waterpark, Jungle Jack's Landing, and the Zoo! The rides will be pay-as-you-go, using a stored value card. You will have the ability to purchase an "all-day" ride card if you choose.

Flyers

^ yeah, having Flyers again will be cool. (Although, we'll have to see if "snapping" is permitted...although, I was never so great at it anyway )

I'm most excited about the new Hafema flume ride...

If it is a new set of fliers, from Larson....you need not worry if snapping is "allowed" or not....as it is well nigh impossible. Think Indiana Beach, Camden Park, Hersheypark, etc.

http://www.larsonintl.com/rides/fs.htm

Glad to hear the dry side is on schedule. The Columbus Zoo is going to be an amazing park facility when all of this is done.

If it is a new set of fliers, from Larson....you need not worry if snapping is "allowed" or not....as it is well nigh impossible. Think Indiana Beach, Camden Park, Hersheypark, etc.

http://www.larsonintl.com/rides/fs.htm

All of which are HIGHLY snapabble. Just if its allowed or not.

Looks like there have been some changes to the Zoo/Zoombezi Bay web sites since I last checked them out... (Granted, that's been a few months ago.) Now, whether you go to columbuszoo.com or zoombezibay.com, you'll be taken to a centralized splash screen where you can access either site (and also the Safari Golf Course site...)

http://www.columbuszoo.com

It's sort of a virtual representation of the new entrance plaza I guess

I'm really excited about this expansion...if they put the same kind of themeing and detail as they have into the zoo attractions over the last several years, this should be quite a cool waterpark!