Grand Reopening in May 2011 to Include New Exhibits, Tree-top Canopy Entrance, and More than 1,000 Plants and Animals From Around the World
GALVESTON ISLAND, Texas, USA Feb. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Moody Gardens has entered the final phase of a $25 million enhancement project that will include a complete redesign of its popular Rainforest Pyramid, providing guests with a unique two-level experience that allows them to explore the rainforests of the world from both the ground and the sky. The newly enhanced attraction, to be unveiled in May 2011, will also include exciting new exhibits as well as more than 1,000 exotic plants and animals.
One of the most dramatic transformations in the Rainforest Pyramid will be a new tree-top canopy entrance and trail that will take guests on a “bird’s eye” exploration of plant and animal life for an entirely new perspective of the attraction. Along the 300-feet-long canopy walkway guests will be greeted by a variety of new exhibits and animals, including a cloud forest frog exhibit, butterflies, leafcutter ants and fruit bats that will fly from the tree tops to a new cave exhibit visible on the ground.
Other enhancements will include the addition of a Mayan ruin exhibit that will showcase the culture of people who rely on the rainforest for survival as well as exhibits featuring giant river otter and endangered Chinese alligators.
“The Rainforest Pyramid at Moody Gardens has always been an exciting exhibit because it takes guests on a wild adventure through an exotic world,” said John Zendt, president and CEO of Moody Gardens. “This enhancement will take that adventure even further by allowing guests to see the rainforest from the perspective of the creatures who live among the tree-tops.”
The 10-story Rainforest Pyramid enhancement project began in October 2009 after the pyramid suffered damages from Hurricane Ike in 2008. Rather than simply fixing those damages, Moody Gardens set out to make the Rainforest Pyramid better than it was before. The exhibit closed for final renovations Aug. 22 and will reopen in May 2011.
Moody Gardens® is a public, non-profit, educational destination utilizing nature in the advancement of rehabilitation, conservation, recreation, and research.
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