Zoobilation

Zoobilation has been on my local bucket list for years! This year -- we had the opportunity to attend and stay downtown at the Marriott. LOVED it --- Several lessons learned, but for a first timer I think it was great!!!Transportation --- yes, there was transportation from the official hotel -- Marriott downtown. Plenty of people waiting for a few coaches, so be patient and get in line.When arriving at the Zoo, there were loads of people waiting in line to get in. WAIT, that line was for those wanting to go through the "picture" line. It was not well attended so somewhat confusing. Once we found the "non-picture" line we expeditiously made our way in! Once inside, our company had a Den near the front -- great location and easy to come and go! It was great having a "home" location that included a bartender! Food was great and easy to find--- all over! Hint -- Eat early as the guest restaurants close down early or when they are finished. I suspected all the great places featured would be open and available until near the end -- WRONG! Just know if you want to try some of the popular foodies, get there earlier than later. All were friendly, seemed to happy to be there and wanting to highlight their arts.Drinks were easy to come by and service was great! WARNING -- as the evening went on, those who had spent a good deal of time in line for drinks were certainly showing their stuff! My wife had 3 drinks spilled on or near her during the last hour splashing alcohol on her dress. If we'd been in the middle of the action or on the dance floor, it would have made more sense... No big deal, just be aware..We stayed until the event ended --at that point ---NO luck getting a shuttle back to the Marriott in short order. We decided to hoof it back to the hotel. It was a nice evening so, not a big deal -- but in a black tie wear, it probably wasn't the transportation option of choice, but did work.Overall -- great experience! Awesome event to try some local foodie, give back to the community and have an enjoyable evening under the stars. Thought it was black tie --- Seems like there was "anything goes" and it really didn't matter if you were trying to be cool or just didn't care. Many great dressed and good people watching, but didn't seem to be a requirement.

This was year two (in a row) for me, my wife and two of our friends to go to Zoobiliation. It is a big fund raiser for the zoo. It sells out quickly - you have to purchase the tickets the day they go on sale - or get in with a company who is handing out tickets. We purchase our tickets and we buy them as soon as they go on sale - still, the queue to get to buy them is long - so, it took us a few hours in 2016 to be able to purchase them over the phone. They are not cheap - $250/person (if you are a zoo member). For the premium experience, it'll be another $200/person (we didn't do the premium - it gets you in earlier and you get a few other perks, like some items to taste that are only for premiums, a food tray, and an AC bar at the dolphin pavilion).To get there, you can drive and park in the zoo lot. We get a hotel downtown and spend the night (there are many alcohol options at Zoobilation - didn't want to have to worry about driving). The Marriott is the official hotel of Zoobiliation. They offer a free shuttle to / from the Zoo to the hotel. For the non-premium people, you get in at 7:00pm - we shuttled over around 6:40pm and lined up. There are two lines when you get there. The one on your right is for those wanting a picture. The one on the left - for those not wanting a picture. Once you get in, there are booths every which way you turn. It is good to get a map online or with the Zoobiliation app before hand to plan your route. The first year we turned left and started sampling everything that was handed to us. This year, we turned right and started on the bridge. We are going again in 2017 and our approach will be:- turn left, get far back as we can - around the roller coaster (free rides at Zoobilation by the way). - Then, we will work our way to the bridge and end there. - We will see if it works :)The reasons for the 2017 route:- for two years now, the portions are bigger by the plains. Not huge, but bigger. By the end of the night, we all agreed we wanted smaller portions.- There seem to be more desserts on the bridge. - the vendors shut down earliest by the plains and the birds (around 10:30, they are gone).- the vendors on the bridge are there until it closes.- because of the above, it seems to make the most sense - Zoobiliation gives no suggested route thoughMy review has 4 stars. I think it is a lot of fun. But, to get the 5th star, a couple things need to change:- be warned, this is a black tie event in the heat - it was 90s in 2016. They ran out of water by 10:00 (it is suppose to go to midnight). The zoo needs to make sure they have ample water for a hot, outdoor event - especially not run out two hours early. (in 2017, I'm packin' extra H2O)- The time is advertised from 7-midnight. However, half of the vendors are gone by 10:30. We found two vendors that were out by 8:30p. The number of tickets sold is a known number. Have the vendors plan accordingly.- Is it a black tie event? Or is it a suggested black tie event? It is hot and there are men who come in a black shorts with a tie/suit coat. Others (like me) ditched the jacket and went with tie/shirt/vest. However, over the past two years, the dress code seemed to be more relaxed. There were a number of men in Chinos and a button down shirt. Women in a skirt and top. What gives? I may still go if it was a business casual event, but part of the fun is that we are all dressed up and in the zoo.- We also need a Yelp! booth :)Regardless of the things that I feel need to change - this is a great fun event. It is fun to people watch, try great food (I had alligator gumbo this year - so good). Talk to friends. Dance, listen to music. See downtown from the bridge at the zoo. I'll come again!

Great event with so many options. Started off the evening on the bourbon trail and made it to the VIP area. So many local restaurants to chose from and all serving top notch food. In addition to all the food and drinks there were plenty of entertainment options.