Visual story of Tropical World

A visual story for anyone who likes to prepare for a visit to a new place.

This visual story will tell you about:

• How to find the attraction
• Who you might meet
• What you can touch
• The sounds, lights and smells of Tropical World

How to find Tropical World

I get to Tropical World from the main street by going through a stone archway.

 

I must walk along the edge of the gardens. There are bedding plants, trees and hedges.

 

I can use the ramp or steps to reach the entrance to Tropical World.

 

This is the entrance to Tropical World. The door is automatic.

 

Arrival at Tropical World

I will arrive into the admissions area and gift shop.

 

There are toilets to my left through an orange door. There are no toilets inside the zoo part of Tropical World.

 

There is an accessible toilet if needed.

 

There will be someone behind the desk to sell us our tickets. No food is allowed past this point. You might want to bring or buy a bottle of water in case you get thirsty.

 

Finding my way around

There is a one-way system in place around Tropical World. To help me find my way there are signs.

 

My senses - Noises

The building is old and sometimes the floorboards creak when you walk on them. Tropical World can get busy and noisy at times, especially if there are large groups in.

 

There are lots of ponds throughout Tropical World with the sound of running water and waterfalls. There are free-flying birds in some zones which sometimes make noise.

 

I might hear fans as I walk around. These can also be quite noisy. They help us keep the temperature just right for the plants and animals.

 

My senses - Smell

Because the café serves hot food, sometimes the gift shop can smell of food. Tropical World can often smell due to the animals and plants.

 

My senses - Touch

Tropical World is very warm and humid. There are some areas of Tropical World that are only for the people who work here. There are signs to tell me that I can’t go into these areas. I must not touch any of the animals.

 

There are sinks and hand sanitiser where I can clean my hands.

 

Butterfly House and the Swamp

Entry to the Butterfly House is through a short dark corridor, with several glass tanks containing animals. The floor is textured wooden floorboards which are creaky in places.

 

I go through a rope curtain into the Butterfly House. 

 

Sometimes there is a large mat that I must go through to disinfect the bottom of my shoes. It will not make my feet and socks wet.

 

The Butterfly House is hot, humid and bright with lots of big plants on either side of wide wooden walkways. In some areas the large plants grow over my head. I walk up a slight incline. There is some scaffolding which is providing extra support to the walkway.

 

There may be free-flying butterflies and birds. There are ponds and I can hear running water and small waterfalls.

 

Aquarium

I go through a rope curtain into the Aquarium area.

 

There are lots of glass tanks housing fish, invertebrates and snakes.

 

There is an area with low level lighting.

 

Waterfall House

I go through another rope curtain into the Waterfall House. The pathway is concrete with low walls on either side surrounded by tall plants. Sometimes the path is wet. There are some free-flying and ground-dwelling birds in here. I must not touch or chase them. I go up a slightly bumpy incline.

 

There is a large waterfall that I can stand behind if I want to. It is hot, humid, bright and noisy.

 

Creature Corner

I go through a rope curtain to Creature Corner. 

 

There are textured wooden floorboards which are creaky in places. It is hot and there are lots of glass tanks with animals.

 

There is a glass balcony where I can see down into the Aquarium area.

 

Rainforest Canopy

I walk through a rope curtain into the Rainforest Canopy.

 

There are tortoises, a tegu lizard and small monkeys. They are all behind fences or glass. Sometimes the tortoises can be smelly. I walk over a wooden bridge. There are lots of plants.

 

There is bench where I can rest if I need to.

 

And a sink where I can wash my hands.

 

Desert House

I go through a double plastic and rope curtain into the Desert House. It is hot and dry. I go down a slight incline on a concrete path. 

 

There are lots of plants but there are signs saying not to touch them. Some of them are prickly and I could hurt my fingers and hands.

 

Creature Cavern

This area is dark and cool. The wooden textured floorboards are creaky in places. 

 

Several minibeasts live in this zone. There are some twists and turns around glass enclosures and information boards. It leads me back out into the Rainforest Canopy. 

 

Corridor

I go through a rope curtain into a bright corridor which leads back into the Aquarium.

 

Butterfly House

I go back through the rope curtain into the Butterfly House. I go along the wooden walkways past plants and ponds. There are free-flying butterflies and birds.

 

The walkway takes me back round to the start and out into the gift shop.

 

Gift Shop

The gift shop is very colourful with lots of toys, books and soft toys. It can be noisy if there are a lot of people visiting. Check with your supervising adult or carer if you are allowed to touch and buy anything.

 

Exit

I can exit out through the automatic glass doors to the café.

 

Or to the gardens outside.