HOUSTONZOO BIRTHDAY PARTIES FACILITYRENTAL POLICIES
RentalInformation:
1. Your rental fee includes the rental of the pavilionfor two hours, 30 Zoo admission tickets (valid for adults and/or children forthe day of the party only) and table covers for all the tables.
2. A deposit of the entire party package price isrequired to reserve a timeslot. This is non-refundable.
3. Both the Indoor and Outdoor Pavilions are equippedwith five 48-inch round picnic tables with attached seating and two 6-footbuffet tables.
4. The maximumcapacity of each pavilion is 55guests.
5. The plastic table clips and/or table covers used inthe pavilions are the property of the Houston Zoo. Please leave them on thetables at the end of your party.
6. In an effort to protect our animals, you are NOTpermitted to bring the following items onto Zoo Grounds: glass bottles,alcohol, plastic straws, whistles, streamers, balloons, balls, Frisbees,confetti, string-a-can, silly string, inflatable’s (of any kind), piñatas, liveanimals, electric toys, or anything on wheels (excluding strollers or coolerswith wheels).
7. The Houston Zoo does not provide any decor. You maybring in decor, but it must be limited to the tops of the tables. You may nothang anything from the walls or the ceiling.
8. Your final guest count, additional Zoo admissiontickets, Carousel tickets, goodie bags, and food orders are due the Monday prior to your party.
9. Entertainment such as an Animal Experience, facepainter, airbrush tattoo artist, etc. must be requested and approved by theSpecial Events staff at least 2 weeksprior to the event date. (Pleasereference Animal Experience Informationon the next page for more information).
10. Final payment is due (5) days prior to thebirthday party.
11. If final payment is not received, we willconsider your party cancelled.
12. Allevents at the Houston Zoo, including birthday parties, take place regardless ofweather conditions. Our birthday parties do go on rain or shine.
Parking Information:
1. The closest entrance to your pavilion is theMedical Center Gate located at 1618 Cambridge St. across from the Ben Taub ER. Parking is not allowed at this gate, but youcan use this entrance as a loading/unloading zone.
2. Alternative parking close to the Medical CenterGate is available at Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza for an additionalcost. Standard parking rates apply.
3. You are also welcome to park in our main Zooparking lot and enter through the Zoo's Main entrance.
4. Please note that on busy days HPD may turn HermannPark Drive into a one-way street. This makes parking in the Zoo’s main lot verydifficult, if not impossible for Zoo guests. Unfortunately this is out of the HoustonZoo's control as the parking lot is owned by the City of Houston. We stronglyencourage you to distribute the alternative parking information sheet to yourguests.
5. Extra time will NOT be allotted for late arrivalsso please make sure you are prepared and arrive on time. The Houston Zoo will charge a $30.00 fee forevery 15 minutes that your party exceeds its designated conclusion. The fee will begin 15 minutes after theparty’s scheduled ending.
TicketInformation:
1. The Houston Zoo does not have a Will Call system.It is your responsibility to distribute your admission and Carousel tickets toyour guests.
2. The 30 admission tickets included in your partypackage will be mailed to you within 3 business days of your booking.
3. Additional tickets may be purchased for $8 each atleast 5 days prior to your party. After that time, you must pay full price atthe ticket booths. Carousel tickets may also be purchased at least 5 days priorto your party.
4. Please note that it can take up to 48 hours toprint your tickets, and have them ready for pick up/mailing.
5. All party guests require an admission ticket, withthe exception of Zoo Members, or children under the age of 2.
6. Everyone must have a ticket in order to ride theCarousel. In the event that a child is smaller than 48", an adult mustaccompany them, and that adult may ride for free.
7. Zoo admission tickets and Carousel tickets arevalid on the day of the event only. These tickets are non-refundable.
8. Any special promotions (i.e. 4-D theatre tickets,giraffe feeding tickets, etc.) are simply pre-paid and printed tickets. You will not receive any special lineadvances or arrangements in purchasing these tickets through the Special Eventsdepartment.
Animal ExperienceInformation:
1. Animal Experiences require 2 weeks notice to book,are subject to availability, and are never 100% guaranteed (due to the safetyof our animals).
Pleasenote: You will receive confirmation once your Animal Experience request hasbeen submitted. You will also be notified whether or not your request has beenapproved. If you have not receivedconfirmation of the above, please contact Special Events staff immediately.
2. Animal Experiences are not available in our OutdoorPavilions during the months of June through October due to temperature andweather conditions. Animal Experiencesare also not available when the temperature exceeds 85 degrees.
3. Animal Experience times cannot be changed. They arescheduled for 11AM, 2PM, and 4PM.
4. We cannot take requests for specific animals foryour experience, guarantee any particular animal will be at your party, or tellyou ahead of time which animals will be available.
Food Information:
1. If you choose to use a full service cateringcompany for your event, the outside caterer must be pre-approved by the HoustonZoo at least two weeks prior to party. There will be a 20% charge (applied tothe total cost of the catering invoice for the event) paid to the Houston Zoofor the use of any outside catering company.
2. We do not permit any type of food delivery serviceinto the Zoo during your event.
Pleasenote: If you are using a catering company that plans to deliver you must setup delivery to take place off Zoo grounds, outside of the Zoo gates.
3. You are permitted to bring in any food that doesnot require any on-site preparation. No chaffing dishes, hot plates or crock platesare allowed.
4. If you bring your own food, drinks or cake to yourparty, you are responsible for transporting it all to and from the pavilion.
5. If you bring your own food, you are responsible forany knives, plates, forks, napkins, etc. that you may need. If you order cateringthrough the Houston Zoo these items will be provided for you.
6. Bags of ice can not be purchased the day of yourparty. You must make arrangements withthe Special Events staff prior to the event date or bring in your own.
Information about the Dayof your Party:
1. Houston Zoo staff will NOT be available to meet youat the front entrance or West Gate to help carry your food, gifts, etc. to yourpavilion. Golf cart transportation will not be made available.
2. You are responsible for any items that you bringonto Zoo grounds and must transport those items back to the pavilion in theChildren's Zoo and out of the Zoo after the event.
3. It can be a long walk to your party pavilion; wesuggest either bringing your own wagon, or renting one from the Zoo at the entrancefor $11. You may not "borrow" wagons or strollers to help transportyour items. Houston Zoo wagons may not be taken out of the Zoo (note that theparking lot is not part of the Zoo). Wagon rentals are based on availability.
4. Our staff will not be present in the pavilionduring the entirety of your party. Staff will check in with you at the pavilionto answer any questions, and then will come and go throughout the party.
5. You may arrive to your pavilion no earlier than 15minutes prior to your party time to setup and you will be given 15 minutesafter your party to dean up.
6. The Houston Zoo is not responsible for storing orrefrigerating any of your party items.
Terms and Conditions ofYour Birthday Party:
1. Please refrain from feeding the animals. Thisincludes all wild species found on Zoo grounds.
2. Please help us keep the Zoo clean and take allitems with you when you leave.
3. All party cancellation requests must be submittedto the Houston Zoo Special Events staff in writing at least seven (7) businessdays before the party. Please note that the deposit for the pavilion is non-refundable and will be retainedupon cancellation. If you cancel within the seven business days you will paythe full price of the party along with any food or extra items ordered.
4. All events at the Houston Zoo, including birthdayparties, take place regardless of weather conditions. Our birthday parties dogo on rain or shine.
The applicant has read and understood the conditionsoutlined above in the Facility Rental Policies and agrees to abide by them.
