# @downinnadesert on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DeC3hjJm2l2
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/71151462-downinnadesert-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/ff8c1d8bd5.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-10-03T20:00:02.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Down In The Desert🌵 (@downinnadesert) — https://gondola.cc/downinnadesert

## Caption

An Arizona zoo that began as a boy’s drawing is opening its aquarium area after dark for a family Halloween night.

Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park in Litchfield Park hosts Spooktacular After Dark on Saturday, Oct 24. Gates open at 7 p.m. for what the zoo calls a night of treats and no tricks. Families are encouraged to wear costumes and explore the aquarium area after dark.

Here is the schedule the zoo has released. Sea lion shows run at 7:30 and 9 p.m. The kids’ costume contest is at 8:15 p.m. outside the Wild and Wonderful aquarium building, with prizes for first, second and third place. A Monster Mash Dance Party follows the contest. Trick-or-treating runs through the aquarium buildings. The zoo says sea lion kisses will be available after each show for $20 per kiss. The zoo also lists pumpkin painting among the activities. This is a separately ticketed, after-hours event.

The zoo has its own origin story. Founder Mickey Ollson, a former teacher, dreamed of opening a zoo as a child and reportedly drew a map of it while recovering from chicken pox. He opened Wildlife World Zoo in 1984, and it has grown into what the zoo calls Arizona’s largest collection of exotic animals. Ollson died in January 2022 at 80. His family asked that donations go to Save Giraffes Now, one of his favorite charities.

The same day, the zoo hosts the 6th annual Giraffe Jam Family Fun Run, a separate event. The zoo says all proceeds go to Save Giraffes Now for giraffe conservation.

Would you take the kids to the zoo after dark for Halloween?

Source: Wildlife World Zoo

#WildlifeWorldZoo #LitchfieldPark #WestValley #Arizona #Halloween

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 1,513
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- **Comments:** 11

## Tags

halloween, westvalley, litchfieldpark, wildlifeworldzoo, arizona

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