[Title Pending]
Accessibility
The zoo is a twenty minute-walk from Rotterdam Central Station, a ten minute-walk from metro station Blijdorp and easily accessible by car. There are many parking places and both by foot and by car, there are plenty of clear route directions on the way. Getting there by bus is also possible, but from the Oceanium entrance.
For disabled people, there are basic wheelchairs for rent for only one euro, but if youâll want a more luxurious one, you can order it. Call the phone number thatâs on the website and there you can find how to and when to order it. (This does require a 50 euro bail.) Except for a few rocks by the road, some steep elevated paths and a few inaccessible places at exhibits, this park is very doable for people in wheelchairs. Itâs a bit of a challenge for those who use walking aids, but itâs also doable. Pushing the wheelchairs through this zoo is quite a challenge, too, but at least itâs safe.
4/5 Stars
Facilities
Several restaurants and food stands, ranging from decent meals to healthy and unhealthy snacks, are spread across the park and all of them serve high-quality products for a decent prize. Only the Asian restaurant, which was the most fancy and biological place, is closed for now due to a renovation of this area. There are many, clean bathrooms to be found at the park, pretty much near every indoor location. There is absolutely no lack of easily accessible disabled bathrooms and near the aquarium, there is even a changing room for disabled people, next to the second wheelchair rental. Chapeau!
5/5 Stars
Customer Friendliness
In my experience, all employees are very friendly and willing to give you the information you require. Zoo keepers, cashiers, education volunteers and entertainers are there for you, to suit your needs. They are especially helpful towards disabled people. Zoo keepers are likely to have a nice chat about the animals and to entertain the children, too. Mind you, that all information is available solely in Dutch.
4/5 Stars
 Catering
A broad variation in differently themed restaurants and food stands offer a likewise variation of food and beverages. Some are very family friendly, others offer more luxurious meals for adults. All restaurants offer healthy alternatives and some do offer themed meals for children, too. Still, not all snack stands are open during low season or with bad weather and the capacity of the restaurants doesnât meet the capacity of the zoo during high season. My advice is to not eat at your regular meal times, when you donât have any children. The same goes for using the bathrooms near restaurants. These will be very crowded at lunch time and right before closing time.
There are less busy bathrooms for able and disabled people at the Riviera Hall, near the main entrance, when you take a right turn at the flamingos. This hall also has a well-hidden hatching unit, which is also very much worth a peek.
4/5 Stars
Decoration
Blijdorp has a clear visual identity, but itâs not too blatant. Their mascot is an elephant named Olli, which is also the mascot of this cityâs soccer club. A lot of Olli merch is available, but not enough Blijdorp merch. All restaurants and snack stands have their own theme, ranging from African to Asian and South-American, to well⊠Dutch. Themed food is also available and the food in the restaurants goes with its theme. The exhibits have been decorated attractively and expositions all top this off well.
4,5/5 Stars
Experience
Education is very important to this zoo, obviously, because from all experiences, children can learn something. The expositions in the Riviera Hall and the Aquarium tell you something about the environment and Darwinâs evolution. Educational stands offer people the chance to ask a volunteer about the animals in the exhibits and to take a closer look to their furs, teeth, exoskeletons or even fetuses. All games available, like the flight on a bird of prey and the scavenger hunt, tell children about animals, their environment and their behavior. It does get a little preachy, though.
4,5/5 Stars
 Able Grade
4,5/5 Stars
+Â Educational entertainment, happy animals, well-organized facilities and affordable food and beverages make this zoo a happy little village indeed.
-Â The tigersâ cage is small and so do these big cats look pretty sad. Thereâs lots of âclimbingâ to do, which will eventually wear you out. When crowded, this zoo is not as fun, because facilities do not meet its capacities.
 Disabled Grade
4,5/5 Stars
+Â Disabled facilities are available all across the park and are never too far away of where you are. This includes two wheelchair rentals and one changing room. Employees know how to deal with disabled people and are likely to help you. The bird show offers âparking lotsâ for wheelchairs with the best view of the stand. Water is surrounded by fences, which makes it a lot safer.
-Â Lots of steep paths, rocky roads and stairs make it impossible for a disabled person to visit some smaller âexperience possibilitiesâ. These can also become a little dangerous if your pusher doesnât look out for them. The narrow bridge by the crocodiles and the giraffes can also become problematic, when overcrowded. This also goes for strollers and walking aids.









