Terms & Conditions:

 The following terms and conditions apply to groups that wish to pre-pay for a visit.

1. Pre-payment through this portal does not constitute a ticket of admission to the GWDC. To enter the facility, you are required to retrieve your ticket receipt at the admissions desk of the GWDC on the day of your arrival using your group name.

2. Groups wishing to leave the GWDC and return must have the ticket receipt to show to staff at admissions for all re-entry.

 3. You may not purchase add-ons to your admission, including a joint ticket with IMAX or participation in the Keeper Kid program, through this pre-payment portal without first contacting GWDC staff. In such cases, please email [email protected] to schedule those add-ons and receive a separate link for pre-payment.

4. Pre-payment is final and non-refundable. It is the sole responsibility of the paying party to ensure group numbers are accurate. GWDC will not refund pre-paid tickets, regardless of actual attendance. GWDC does not close for inclement weather, and will not refund pre-paid tickets for weather.

5. It is the sole responsibility of the paying party to ensure the date of the visit matches the date scheduled during pre-payment. If pre-paid visitors arrive on a day that is not their scheduled visit date, GWDC may require they purchase regular-priced tickets at admissions regardless of pre-payment. If you need to reschedule your visit, please contact [email protected] at least 48 hours before your originally scheduled visit so we can update your group registration to the new date.

6. At any time, some viewing areas may be limited or restricted to visitors. The GWDC is undergoing construction to bring new opportunities, programming, and exhibits to our facility and these activities may affect visitor experience in some areas in limited ways.

7. The GWDC reserves the right to revoke any person’s admission or access to any GWDC property if necessary to preserve the safety and wellbeing of animals, staff, and/or visitors; to preserve the integrity of the facility itself; or to ensure the ability of GWDC staff to perform their professional duties and responsibilities.

a. The GWDC expects all visitors to obey safety instructions from staff and signage, to respect safety barriers, to act in a manner that preserves the safety and wellbeing of the animals in care of the GWDC as well as GWDC staff and visitors.

b. The GWDC asks that all visitors refrain from drawing the attention of animals outside their habitat, which includes howling, whistling, snapping, calling, or vigorous and rapid movement, such as running, at fences and viewing areas.

c. The GWDC expects visitors to prevent any food, outside object, or material they have brought in with them from entering any animal habitat. If any such food or material enters an animal habitat, visitors should alert staff as soon as possible.

d. Visitors may not bring animals onto the premises of the GWDC with the sole exception of service animals as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Any visitor bringing a service animal to the facility must disclose the presence of the service animal to staff and adhere to the GWDC Service Animal Policy, which will restrict the animal’s access to areas within the facility, potentially including the entirety of the animal viewing areas.

8. Naturalist Orientation: Visiting groups are invited to request an orientation from a naturalist. Depending on staff availability, a naturalist will provide groups with a brief introduction to the facility and suggestions for their visit, typically lasting 5-10 minutes. The orientation includes an explanation of the GWDC mission and a description of the animals and viewing opportunities. Additionally, naturalists direct the group to amenities such as restrooms, highlight upcoming programs, and explain how to find a naturalist for information throughout a visit. Naturalists also briefly touch on visitor conduct requirements as described above in item 7. Naturalists will take questions from the group. Note that naturalist interactions, including orientations, are open to all GWDC visitors. We do not offer private tours of the public space. The orientation is optional, and naturalists are present throughout the facility to interact with visitors as part of any visit to the GWDC. If interested in an orientation, please select ‘Yes’ under ‘Naturalist Orientation’ when registering your group. If you prefer for forego a naturalist orientation, please ensure your group is aware of visitor conduct expectations outlined above in item 7.