Our little family was invited to Butterfly Wonderland and if I could bottle up the energy and enthusiasm that was our visit I would be hailing you from our own personal island. Raymond was thrilled that we were going to see butterflies! He couldn’t stop saying, “We are going to Butterfly Wonderland!” the entire drive to the conservatory.
Butterfly Wonderland takes flight as one of the newest attractions in the Valley with a highly innovative, indoor rain-forest environment featuring the largest butterfly pavilion in America. The drive was so simple and the conservatory is right off the 101 Freeway in Phoenix.
Once arriving we were welcomed by a guide who gave us all our maps for our expedition. Raymond channeled his inner Indiana Jones and was delighted that he could help lead the way. Preschoolers are incredibly curious and he didn’t waste one second before delving into the list of questions. One thousand questions about butterflies? Well, it was a preschoolers dream. Not only were there multiple happy faces that were more than willing to answer all of his brooding questions, but I found lots of information placed around the conservatory throughout the different exhibits.
Our first stop was to marvel at the new Odysea Aquarium that will be built next to the conservatory. As a former Pacific Northwesterner I am counting the days until we can go. Aquarium in the desert? Yes, please.
My kids were esctatic to see so many holiday trees throughout the grounds. The ornamanets were breathtaking and the glitter was exactly what Emma Marie had in mind. She marveled at the decor much longer than Raymond wanted her to. “Butterflies to see!” he said.
Our first stop on our expedition to Butterfly Wonderland was the 3-D Theater. This would be the first movie theater experience for either of our kids and I was cautiously optimistic with how they would do. Emma Marie lasted a couple of minutes(typical one year old), but Raymond sat with me and oohed and aahhed at the spectacular vision.
Flight of the Butterflies in 3D
Your Butterfly Wonderland experience begins in our state-of-the-art theater, your passport to the stunning story and fascinating life of butterflies as told by this specially-edited 3D version of “Flight of the Butterflies.”
A story of the longest known insect migration on Earth – an adventure of epic proportions. In following the migration cycle of the monarch butterfly, the production team filmed hundreds of millions of monarchs along their migratory routes from Canada, across the United States, to their remote overwintering sanctuaries in Mexico.
Our expedition included finding secret clues. Once a clue was found you would be able to stamp the card. After we found all of the clues on our treasure hunt we were able to take our card to the Membership Desk to claim a prize. Butterfly Wonderland has so many interactive adventures!
After leaving the theater, you’ll have the rare opportunity to witness one of nature’s most amazing transformations – metamorphosis.
All of the butterflies that we saw here were brand-new that morning so Raymond thought that it was prudent that we sing Happy Birthday. Loved the connection he made from all of the books we read and that we immediately saw in real life what we had just watched in the 3-D Theater.
America’s Largest Butterfly Atrium
Better known as a kid’s dream… Both Raymond and Emma Marie were simply astounded with how many butterflies were in the atrium.
Fluttering, flittering, flying. Stroll inside this 10,000 square foot atrium and stand in wonder as thousands of butterflies from around the world enchant with their grace and beauty. This dramatic, glass-enclosed atrium shelters a breathtaking rainforest environment with lush tropical plants, trees, waterfalls and a large Koi pond.
There was no need to bundle up- for future notice although it may have been a brisk 40 degrees outside-the atrium is kept warm and slightly humid for the butterflies to thrive.
The large Koi pond let both kids get up close and personal with some very friendly fish. Emma thought that she could only look at the fish if her leg was pointed… it was quite hilarious. Koi? Leg up.
There were dozens of butterflies that landed on each of us throughout our visit in the atrium. The colors that seemed to warrant extra attention for us were white and blue. Although, if you want to surely get swarmed you need to wear a hat. The visitors with hats on had tons of flying beauties that followed them around. Note to self.
Family Photo- all of us are looking! Hazzah!
Before you leave the atrium you enter a room with mirrors to make sure that you do not have any butterfly tagging along. I am still in awe of how many butterflies we encountered.
Protected by glass and comprised of a large beehive, this elaborate exhibit allows each visitor to easily observe our pure bred honey bees as they go about their daily activities. Bees are one of the most important pollinators to our agriculture.
After learning about Bees and Ant Colonies were went into Rivers of the Amazon exhibit. Emma Marie and Raymond both were able to get up close and personal with stingrays!
Your journey of discovery continues here, where large, freshwater aquariums house intriguing fish from the Amazon, including our African Cichlids and other colorful exotic fish.
Learn about the amazing Amazon Pacu fish known for its human-like teeth.
Visit our 1,800 gallon Touch Tank where you can touch a couple different varieties of stingrays. This Touch Tank allows visitors not only to see but to touch these beautiful spotted stingrays.
As you exit you leave through the Gift Shop, Butterfly Treasures, that has many local handcrafted gifts. Browse through the wide selection of special gifts, books, souvenirs, apparel, jewelry and that one-of-a-kind gift for that nature lover in your life.
As we were leaving, Raymond could not stop talking about our expedition. The treasure hunt for clues, the 3-D movie, butterfly bonanaza… I mean it truly was a fascinating expereince.
They are now offering luxury birthday parties that include:
- Admission for up of 15 children and 3 free adults – one adult needed per 5 children..
- Reserved Private Party Room for 1 hour. Choice of party themes – Butterfly or Bugs (Party most appropriate for ages 4-12)
- Greeter & Room decorated including tablecloth, plates, utensils, napkins
- Special Gift for the Birthday Child & Party Favors for each child
- Choice of (1) Fruit, Dipping Dots, or Cupcakes.
- Choice of Juice Boxes or small kid-sized water bottles for all party guests
- Before enjoying birthday party, guests will visit 3D Theater for special version of “Flight of the Butterflies”, visit the Butterfly Emergence Gallery, then embark on a journey through a tropical rainforest habitat to see thousands of butterflies, then visit live ant colony, honey bee display, Rivers of Amazon Aquatic Life display and Stingray touch tank.
- 10% off in Butterfly Treasures Gift Shop
I definitely think this would be a stress-free birthday party! Everything is taken care of and there is so much to do! I think K-3 Grade kids would truly appreciate Butterfly Wonderland and all its glory.
You can connect with Butterfly Wonderland on TWITTER, FACEBOOK, and PINTEREST.
Have you ever been to an atrium?
Are butterflies one of your kids favorite bugs?
Would love to hear from you!
This post is brought to you by Butterfly Wonderland. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
