Reopening Health and Safety Modifications

Published May 20, 2020

A Message Regarding Operational Updates

For the most updated details regard our Safety & Health Updates in response to COVID-19, please see the COVID-19 Response page ›

The entire Wonders of Wildlife Team is extremely grateful for your support during the closure and ask for your patience during this reopening transition. A recent study showed that people need the human-animal-nature bond to ensure public health. Our mission of inspiring everyone to love the great outdoors has never been more important.

On behalf of our animals, board, and team members, we are so excited to welcome you back to America’s Best Aquarium!

Things to Know Before You Go

Our team has been hard at work for several weeks, preparing for the day we can welcome you back and ensure a safe and exciting experience. Working closely with experts from across the country, we are confident that the measures we’re implementing exceed state and local guidelines while allowing us to deliver a world-class experience to our guests.

TICKETS

To ensure adequate social distancing and allow for the best possible experience, all guests and members MUST reserve online timed-entry tickets prior to their visit. We will be unable to accommodate anyone who does not have an online reservation, so be sure to reserve your ticket today. When you’re ready to make your reservation, head to wondersofwildlife.org/tickets, where guests and members can pick the date and time that they would like to visit and reserve up to eight tickets.  Once reserved, you will receive an email with your digital ticket that will allow for touchless scanning at entry. 

SOCIAL DISTANCING

Physical distancing among team members and guests is important. Throughout the attraction, you will find visual reminders and employees positioned to ensure everyone is maintaining a safe, physical distance.

FOOD & DRINK

For your safety, our culinary team will have their temperature checked prior to the beginning of each shift. Dining and seating areas have been modified to provide six feet distance between parties. 

Please note that public water fountains will not be available but guests may bring in their own water or purchase water on site.  Self-serve beverage fountains are temporarily unavailable at Fish Tales Café, however fountain drinks will be available at Shipwreck Snack Bar on the 2^nd floor of the aquarium.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium is taking all possible steps to continue to ensure the safety and well-being of our guests, staff and animals as needed. This includes implementing enhanced cleaning regimens throughout the area and increased cleaning and sanitizing of stations. Free hand sanitizer stations will be placed throughout the Museum and Aquarium, and employees will be continuously cleaning surfaces, including windows, benches, railings, restrooms, and elevators.   In the coming weeks we will be installing state-of-the art Handrail Sterilization equipment.   

Free hand sanitizer stations will be placed throughout the Museum and Aquarium, and

FACE MASKS

[Content updated on July 16, 2020 based on city ordinance]

All guests visiting Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium will be required to wear a face covering that covers their nose and mouth while in the building. 

There are exceptions to this order, which include (but are not limited to):

• Children under the age of 3;
• Children ages 3-11 are strongly encouraged, but not required to wear a face covering, while under the direct supervision of an adult.
• Persons with a health condition that prohibit them from wearing a face covering;
• Persons who are hearing impaired, or someone who is communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication;
• Persons consuming food or drink;

Click here to read the CDC instructions on properly wearing a face covering

If a guest has a medical condition that prevents them from wearing a face covering they should go to the Guest Services counter and ask to speak to a supervisor. 

In addition to requiring face covering, all guests must consent to contactless temperature scan before entering the Museum or Aquarium. 

EXHIBITS & PRESENTATIONS

For your health and safety many of our interactive exhibits and presentations may be modified or suspended.  

The following experiences have been suspended:

• Invertebrate Touch near Out to Sea
• Children’s Pop Up Encounters
• The Swinging Bridge and Hut at the Upper Swamp
• Dive presentations at Community Pond and Great Barrier Reef

The following experience have been modified:

• Shark Dive and Penguin Encounter will resume June 1^st and be limited to one family party of four per experience.
• Seating in theaters are limited to provide 6’ distance between family parties.
• Stingray Feed & Touch is limited to four stations, accommodating one family party at a time.
• Sketch Aquarium now has a queued entry to allow for sanitization of markers and tables, guests will be unable to interact with the touch screen but may enjoy their sketch swimming through the Sketch Aquarium.

Each of these experiences will be reopened to normal operations only when it is deemed safe for our team members, guests, and animals.

EXISTING GROUP RESERVATIONS

If you had a reservation for the dates when we were closed, please know that we would be happy to reschedule.  For additional questions, please contact wow.groups@wondersofwildlife.org

ANNUAL PASSES

We have extended all Annual Passes that were active on March 18, 2020 an additional 3 months to ensure that you enjoy the full value of your membership.  If you have any additional questions, please contact info@wondersofwildlife.org.

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Download the Press Release

To read the full press release, click HERE.