We Are Back!

Hello This Little Light readers, it has been awhile and we have missed you. First, let us apologize for the delay in between our last post and this one. It has been a crazy, but awesome time for us lately. Jenna has been especially busy with her new job and everything else going on lately (she is pregnant again! and we are super excited for the new addition!). She has had a hard time posting on this blog, but thinks about what she can share with others and we talk about it eagerly waiting to share the goods. The difficult thing is just getting it on the computer. However, we have come up with a solution.

You see, I get up a half hour earlier than everyone else in my house each day to dedicate to writing. I typically do this because I feel like it helps start my thinking process for the day. This writing each day helps me to keep up with two other blogs I run ransports and zoozooreview. Typically I stick to sports or my zoo reviews, but I want to help Jenna with this project. She started this blog to brighten up people’s days and that’s what this blog will continue to do.

I will post weekly on this blog or as close to weekly as I can. These posts will typically be on Fridays, but don’t hold me to that. I will write about things I discuss with Jenna that can help others out in some way. Whether it be a positive news story, a cool product, a fun recipe, inspirational quotes, Disney tips, or some other fun topic, we will try to make you smile with what we provide. Get ready to expect a lot of Disney tips. We had passes this past year that just expired and consider ourselves experts at this point. Jenna, Jr., and I went to Disney once a week this past year. It was an awesome treat to 2014 and we are looking forward to some new adventures for 2015. Our family looks forward to sharing our explorations and positivity with you and yours. Stay tuned next week for our 10 most underrated things to do at Walt Disney World. Until then, just browse Jenna’s ETSY shop or something else fun. Jenna will be checking in from time to time, but for now this is Noland signing off and wishing you a great weekend.

Feel free to enjoy some pictures of us while we were away!!!!






























-Noland

Lowry Park Zoo Annual Pass

We have been to the Lowry Park Zoo several times since moving to Tampa and reviewed the zoo twice. If you have been following this blog, you know that we love this place. It is simply a great place to visit. This family finds it so enjoyable that we decided to get annual passes this year.

Noland Jr. is excited about our zoo passes

Here are the benefits of the Lowry Park Zoo Pass

Unlimited daytime zoo admission to see awesome animals like these Rhinos and Zebras

Discounts on programs, birthday parties, and camps

Discounted admission to special events

Discounted admission to over 150 zoos across North America

Free admission to MOSI and the FL Aquarium in September

Subscription to Zoo Chatter

Special pass holder events

Gift shop discount

Here are the reciprocal zoos that offer 50% off Admission w/ a zoo pass

Alabama

Birmingham Zoo

Alaska

Alaska SeaLife  Center

Arizona

Reid Park Zoo

The Phoenix Zoo

Arkansas

Little Rock Zoo

California

Aquarium of the Bay

Charles Paddock Zoo

CuriOdyssey

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

Fresno Chaffee Zoo

Happy Hollow Zoo

The Living Desert

Los Angeles Zoo

Oakland Zoo

Sacramento Zoo

San Francisco Zoo

Santa Ana Zoo

Santa Barbara Zoo

Sequoia Park Zoo

Colorado

Pueblo Zoo

Connecticut

Beardsley Zoo

Delaware 

Brandywine Zoo

DC

Smithsonian National Zoo (Free to Public)

Florida

Brevard Zoo

Central Florida Zoo

Clearwater Marine Aquarium (Non-AZA agreement)

Jacksonville Zoo

Lemur Conservation Foundation

Mote Marine Aquarium

Palm Beach Zoo

The Florida Aquarium

Zoo Miami

Georgia

Chehaw Wild Animal Park

Zoo Atlanta

Idaho

Tautphaus Park Zoo

Zoo Boise

Illinois

Cosley Zoo

Henson Robinson Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo (Free to Public)

Miller Park Zoo

Peoria Zoo

Scovill Zoo

Indiana

Fort Wayne's Children's Zoo

Mesker Park Zoo

Potawatomi Zoo

Iowa

Blank Park Zoo

National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium

Kansas

David Taylor Zoo of Emporia (Free to Public)

Hutchinson  Zoo (Free to Public)

Lee Richardson Zoo (Free to Public)

Rolling Hill Zoo

Sedwick County Zoo

Sunset Zoo

Topeka Zoological Park

Kentucky

Louisville Zoo

Louisiana

Alexandria Zoo

BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo

Maryland

Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

Salisbury Zoo (Free to Public)

Massachusetts

Buttonwood Park Zoo

Capron Park Zoo

Franklin Park Zoo

Museum of Science 

Stone Zoo

Michigan

Binder Park Zoo

Detroit Zoological Society

John Ball Zoological Gardens

Potter Park Zoological Gardens

The Children's Zoo @ Celebration Square

Minnesota

Como Park Zoo (Free to Public)

Lake Superior Zoo

Minnesota Zoo

Mississippi

Jackson Zoo

Missouri

Endangered Wolf Center

Dickerson Park Zoo

Kansas City Zoo

St. Louis Zoo (Free to Public)

Nebraska

Lincoln Children's Zoo

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

Riverside Discovery Center

New Hampshire

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center

New Jersey

Bergen County Zoo

Cape May County Zoo (Free to Public)

Turtle Back Zoo

New Mexico

Alameda Park Zoo

Albuquerque Biological Park

Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park

New York

Binghampton Zoo @ Ross Park

Buffalo Zoo

Rosamond Gifford Zoo @ Burnet Park

Seneca Park Zoo

Staten Island Zoo

Trevor Zoo

North Carolina

Greensboro Science Center

NC Aquarium @ Fort Fisher

NC Aquarium @ Pine Knoll Shores

NC Aquarium @ Roanoke Island

North Carolina Zoological Park

Western North Carolina Nature Center

North Dakota

Chahinkapa Zoo

Dakota Zoo

Red River Zoo

Roosevelt Park Zoo

Ohio

African Safari Wildlife Park

Akron Zoological Park

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

The Wilds

The Toledo Zoo

Oklahoma

Oklahoma City Zoo

Tulsa Zoo

Oregon

Oregon Zoo

Wildlife Safari

Pennsylvania

Elmwood Park Zoo

Erie Zoo

Lehigh Valley Zoo

National Aviary

Philadelphia Zoo

Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium

ZOOAMERICA

Rhode Island

Roger Williams Park Zoo

South Carolina

Greenville Zoo

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

South Dakota

Bramble Park Zoo

Great Plains Zoo

Tennessee

Chattanooga Zoo @ Warner Park

Knoxville Zoo

The Memphis Zoo

Nashville Zoo, Inc.

Texas

Abilene Zoological Gardens

Caldwell Zoo

Cameron Park Zoo

Dallas Zoo

El Paso Zoo

Ellen Trout Zoo

Gladys Porter Zoo

Houston Zoo

San Antonio Zoo

Texas State Aquarium

Utah

Utah's Hogle Zoo

Tracy Aviary

Virginia

Mill Mountain Zoo

Virginia Zoo

Washington

Port Defiance Zoo

Woodland Park Zoo

West Virginia

Oglebay's Good Zoo

Wisconsin

Henry Vilas Zoo 

International Crane Foundation

Milwaukee County Zoo

NEW Zii

Racine Zoological Gardens

International

Granby Zoo (Canada)

Parque Zoologico de Leon (Mexico)

And here are some more pictures from our first trip on the passes...

 Meerkats

 Okapi

 African Penguins

 American Alligator that was pooped on. Maybe by Seminoles?

 Viewing a tiger.

 Tiger

 We did get to ride a giraffe!

 Viewing some manatees.

 And a Snake!

 Chimp

 Duck

 Galapagos Tortoise

Giraffe Feeding

Note: You can click on the Lowry Park Zoo tab at the bottom of this page to read those reviews of the zoo.
Additional Note: For any questions about a zoo pass to the Lowry Park Zoo, call (813) 935-8552 ext. 206.

With these passes you can expect us to visit a few of the zoos on this list. Especially those in Florida. Until next time though, have a great one!

-Noland

Reston Zoo (Update)

Happy New Year From ZooZooReview!

Hope everyone has had a great start to the new year. Our first post this 2015 year is on a zoo we visited for the 2nd time late in 2014, the Reston Zoo.

Reston Zoo

Reston, Virginia

Date of Visit: November 2014

The Reston Zoo was just as fantastic this time as it was the last time we visited. The animals changed slightly, but it was likely due to the season and the experience was similar. If anything I would say the wagon safari was not quite as good, but the animal exhibits were better. There was a balance to this zoo. It is a small zoo which stops it from being 5 star, but it is one we love seeing. With little kids, it is a fantastic thing to experience.

Price Of Admission: The Reston Zoo has an annual zoo membership of $50 for adults and $40 for kids. If you live in Fairfax or Loudoun counties, this could be a great option for you. Reciprocal benefits will be given for Gulf Breeze Zoo in Gulf Breeze, Florida, and Virginia Safari Park in Natural Bridge, Virginia. Likewise membership to those establishments gets you into the Reston Zoo for free. You also get a 10% discount on many items the zoo offers with a membership.

However, if you are just going for one day and plan on visiting just the Reston Zoo, Prices are as follows.

Adult 12.95

Senior 11.95

Child 9.95

Child under 2 Free

2014 Zoo Hours: 9am-5pm most days

What changed from last time: No more sloths, wildebeests, and the baby pigs got older. Also the safari did not come as close to all the animals. However, now they have an Anden Condor (the bird with the largest wingspan in the world). They also have porcupines, kangaroos, a yak, really cool looking deer, and several new snakes. This is in addition to all the other animals that the zoo had before.

Pictures

The Petting Zoo was a highlight for Jr. feeding the animals.

Alpacas were in the petting zoo too.

These goats were hungry.

Fennec Fox

Camel

My boy loves owls.

Don't know if you can tell, but this is him saying owl while looking at the owl.

Andean Condor

Tortoises

Not a reindeer, but sure did look like it on the wagon ride.

There were still zebras on the safari.

I love this shot of the ostrich because you can see its feet really well and how they look so much like dinosaur feet. These birds get really close to the wagon and you can touch them.

Lemurs

This is actually not a buffalo, but a Yak!

We left this zoo at a 4.5 out of 5 elephants rating.

This zoo was perfect for its size, but due to it being a smaller zoo that you finish in less than 3 hours, it was not a 5 star zoo. It did surpass our expectations a great deal the 1st time we went and was still fantastic on our second visit. It is our favorite zoo to visit when we re visiting family in the Northern Virginia area, but we will visit a new zoo next time we are here so we can review a different zoo. That being said, this is not the last time we will visit the Reston Zoo and we recommend you check it out.

-Noland