The San Diego Zoo touts this attraction as an up-close encounter with animals from the back of trucks that travel though areas where some of the animals are kept.

I was also encouraged to visit the Wild Animal Park by friends who've been there before.

However, the park no longer has the monorail system in place that my friends remembered though the web site still shows it operational[--]. Instead, visitors are on foot most of the time. The one attraction that does take visitors on a tour had a 2 hour wait and wasn't at all worth it.

If you are into walking long distances in the hot sun, this is the place for you, but if you have young children or anyone with you who cannot walk long distances, I would encourage you to find a better attraction.

Also, restrooms are difficult to find and there are too few of them.

One of the other reviewers gave a perfect description of the Cheetah Safari. My husband and I went w/another couple. No one wanted to go on the safari except me. I stated that I had read the reviews here and it sounded worthwhile. To sum it up, the next morning before going to work my husband (an uncommunicative sort) stopped on his way out the door to say thanks for insisting we do the safari. Got to work and the other couple called to also say thanks for making them go on it - and they are MEMBERS. Our highlight was after the cheetah did his second run they brought him out and he jumped up on a box and each visiting group got to have their picture taken standing right NEXT to that cheetah. Another woman at the park saw the photo and asked if the cheetah was real!! It was quite an up close and personal excursion.

I liked the park, had never been before (neither had my husband and he is a So. Cal native) and would definitely return. However, I feel that what puts the experience over the top is doing a safari. So pick one and spend the money. Fortunately, we didn't have any kids to monopolize the guides.

This was our 7th major attraction so maybe we were getting a little tired... it was okay but the only thing that made it memorable was paying extra to do the Caravan Safari to feed the giraffes. This then made it the trip highlight but without it, the Park was just huge.....

wow, that 2 hr photo caravan tour is worth the money! They take you out for 2 hours in like a safari truck with a guide who tells you about all of the animals you see, which is fantastic and informative.

Best part by far, feeding the giraffes! I never realized how friendly they are and by far, the most beautiful eyes! The rest of the animals were great to see in the open area they were in, but by far, i recommend this tour if you want up, close views of some of the animals.

The main reason I chose the WAP over the zoo, is the whole issue of caged animals. I was a bit upset when we were over by the are for the elephant show, than saw that the elephants were all pretty much huddled together in a little corner. I have to admit, between these 2 sights, I realized, these animals are just in a bigger zoo. I won't go off here, but I was brought down to earth a bit here.

Overall, the experience was a good one, we had a fun day, but most important thing, bring water with you and sunscreen. We just went on Nov 3 and it was a pretty warm day.