At Castles ~n~ Coasters, our coolest ride is our wettest ride. Head off to visit the enchanting logging town of Splashdown Falls in our log ride, but your log takes a wrong turn and suddenly you're facing the adventure of a lifetime as you crash down waterfalls, startle a family of elephants, then detour through a shipwreck. Single riders must be a minimum of 48 inches and passengers must be a minimum of 36 inches and my ride with a responsible person meeting the 48 inch requirement.

Need to build your courage before trying our roller coasters? Then hold on to the bar as you challenge the rising and falling motions of the exciting Sea Dragon, the Viking Ship. Single riders must be a minimum of 48 inches and passengers must be a minimum of 40 inches and my ride with a responsible person meeting the minimum 48 inch requirement.

The North Carolina Zoo's RUN WILD 5k enables hundreds of runners a day to run wild at the zoo while they help Zoo Keepers fulfill their mission of educating the public about wildlife conservation.

Featuring music and video from Space Warriors

This year Space Camp is offering a brand new Robotics Camp. This program is one of the most comprehensive robotics programs available. Trainees will engineer and build land, air and sea robots during the week at camp. More information is available at www.spacecamp.com

Technology plays a large role in Zoo Vet medicine. Great Apes which are prone to cardiac disease as they age are now given routine Echocardiograms as part of their annual exams.

Feeding creatures ranging from 2 ounce birds to 12,000 pound elephants can present some interesting challenges for the North Carolina Zoo. Providing appropriate nutrition for 250 different species can be challenging enough,,, But HOW that food is delivered presents a whole new set of challenges that can greatly affect quality of life for the North Carolina Zoo's animal collection.

A recent hatching of a critically endangered Blue Crowned Thrush demonstrates the North Carolina Zoo's commitment to captive breeding of species threatened by extinction. This is one more reason the North Carolina Zoo's R.J. Reynolds Forest Aviary is recognized by experts as one of the best natural habitat exhibits in American Zoos.

Two minute behind the scenes look at Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama

Are you ready for liftoff? Space Camp trainees put their skills to the test as they train to live and work in space and take command of their own simulated space shuttle missions. (updated 4-10-13)

Are you up for the challenge? Aviation Challenge trainees fly high-performance jet simulators used by military fighter pilots and test their mettle during water survival training and high ropes challenges. (updated 4/10/2013)

A short description of what we have to offer...

In August of 2012 the North Carolina Zoo saw the birth of not one but two baby Gorillas. Now in 2013 a third Gorilla birth is expected. Three baby Gorillas in one year is a rare and significant achievement not only for the North Carolina Zoo but also for the Gorilla Species Survival Program.

The North Carolina Zoo added four young female Chimpanzees from the Dallas Zoo. Now the NC Zoo has one of the largest Chimpanzee troops in American Zoos.

The 2013 Dinosaur Exhibit at the North Carolina Zoo features more than a dozen new incredibly life-like animatronic dinosaurs.

Dinosaurs... those prehistoric critters that thrilled North Carolina Zoo visitors in 2012 are back for an encore in 2013. These life-like animatronic creatures are created by Texas based firm Billings Productions.

Amphibian Awareness Day at the North Carolina Zoo helps visitors understand the critical role that some of the smallest creatures like Frogs and Salamanders can have in maintaining balance in our ecosystem.

A commemorative video celebration of Skylab and the brand new, fully restored Skylab exhibit on display at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.

A commemorative video celebration of Apollo 17's last moments on the lunar surface.

PearlMasters is an interactive adventure that is the first of its kind featured in a waterpark. It contains four tribes that are based on the characters from The legend of the lost pearl. Guests will have the opportunity to be apart of this thrilling adventure, by choosing a tribe that best fits their personalities and then embarking on their own adventure within the park to unveil clues and unlock treasures...

There are about 30 experiences to choose from on Slither Slides, which means our test pilots went on it again...and again...and again

We dared our test pilots to hold back a scream on Falcon's Falaj. It didn't work... ?

Space Camp staff explains what a hypergolic reaction is and how it relates to the fuel used on the space shuttle.

Our test pilots tried to hold back the screams, but it didn't work! Your turn starts Jan 24!

Thank you to all those who shared special family moments with us at Idlewild & SoakZone in 2012! We look forward to entertaining you and your family in 2013!

Nothing like a little competition to wet your spirit! Get set for Sebag on Jan 24!

Watch the test pilots let loose on Dawwama! The experience is urs from Jan 24, of course!

Nothing's as good as actually being on the Bandit Bomber, but we figured you might want some idea of what the park looks like when you whiz through it on a suspended rollercoaster...

We know you've been waiting a long time to find out when you can finally have the time of your life in the park. Well, they say good things come to those who wait... Watch and find out!

Kidz Blog Magazine and Yas Waterworld Pearl Race. Who do you think will win? Who do you think will lose? Where is Yas Waterworld located? Good luck! to all participants.

Yas Waterworld is looking for test pilots. Will you accept the challenge? Sign up http://on.fb.me/RTe1ct Get ready to get wet!

Yas Waterworld is looking for test pilots. Will you accept the challenge? Sign up http://on.fb.me/RTe1ct Get ready to get wet!

Dawwama, the world's first six person hydromagnetic slide! This ride has several audiovisual effects from leds lights to projection screens to fog and even loud music...Bring on the tornado!

Yas Waterworld is looking for test pilots. Will you accept the challenge? Sign up http://on.fb.me/RTe1ct Get ready to get wet!

Yas Waterworld is looking for test pilots. Will you accept the challenge? Sign up http://on.fb.me/RTe1ct Get ready to get wet!

Wheelgates staff attempt at the monster mash - Halloween 2012

When most people think of the North Carolina Zoo, the first thing that comes to mind are the animals. But part of the Zoo's mission to instill an appreciation for wild places is being fulfilled by the creation of a public hiking trail on Zoo property. Horticulture Curator Gin Wall tells us more.

Fall is definitely one of the best times to visit the North Carolina Zoo. With the cooler weather animals become more active. Crowds are smaller and the Zoo is painted with the vibrant colors of Autumn.

Since April 2012 the North Carolina Zoo has featured animals on display that have been extinct for millions of years. The wildly popular DINOSAUR exhibit has been extended due to popular demand.

In a rare event for a North American Zoo, the North Carolina Zoo saw the birth of its second baby Gorilla in less than one month. Zoo Keeper Aaron Jesus Explains.

Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi -- the brand new waterpark set to open at Yas Island by the end of this year -- took home the World Waterpark Association's inaugural Leading Edge Award. The inaugural WWA's Leading Edge Award was created to acknowledge collaborative projects that demonstrate industry leadership and innovation. Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi has been recognized for demonstrating this leadership and innovation through its storyline, park and ride design, theming and attention to every detail. http://www.yaswaterworld.com

Grizelda the Wheelgate Witch has arrived a bit early this year. Silly witch got her dates mixed up!!! Seeing as though she was already here she leant a helping hand elsewhere. Meet Grizelda for yourself at Wheelgate Park or Horrors this Halloween!!!!

Yas Waterworld is the exciting, new, themed waterpark opening on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The largest park in the capital, with the most slides and attractions in the Middle East. Yas Waterworld truly has something for everyone. Boasting 43 rides and attractions, the park will also have the largest sheet wave in the entire world! Its 'green' certification and celebration of Arabian culture and heritage through the legend of the lost pearl truly set it apart from other theme parks, making it an experience not to be missed. Come and follow the adventures of Dana and all her friends on their voyage to find the legendary lost pearl! Unlimited thrills at one destination -- come down and be a part of the fun at Yas Waterworld!! Like us @ http://facebook.com/yaswaterworld Follow us @ https://twitter.com/YasWaterWorld

Great Ape Weekend provides the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the Zoo's most intriguing animals as well as the keepers who provide their care.

The Field Trip Earth website is an innovative learning tool in the field of wildlife conservation. This website helps the NC Zoo complete one of its primary goals of teaching people about the conservation of wildlife and wild places.

Boo at the Zoo is the North Carolina Zoo's annual Halloween celebration featuring a costume contest and great family fun entertainment.

The Batology program at the North Carolina Zoo is designed to educate the public about the true nature of bats and their benefits to humans.