Minnesota Zoo Backstage Pass: Private Experience

A private Backstage Pass experience is perfect for any occasion such as proposing to a significant other, celebrating a birthday, enjoying an anniversary, or just surprising a loved one. Whether it’s outside, indoors, behind the scenes, or in front of a habitat, this will be an experience you won’t soon forget!

Rest assured, staff are great at keeping secrets, and we are also happy to take photos—though you may need to show us how to use your camera.

Private Experience opportunities are limited, so don’t hesitate! We will do our best to try to find an exclusive date that works for you, the animal care staff, and of course the animals themselves.

Option 1: Mini-Moment

This private experience takes place before the Zoo opens in front of your favorite animal habitat on the public path. Starting at 8:30am, Zoo staff will lead you on a mini-guided tour as you walk to the animal habitat, where you will meet up with one of our animal care staff. They will then share information and stories about the animal as well as answer any of your questions. Since the Zoo is closed at this time, it will be just you and the Zoo staff, during which, you can also propose, wish a happy anniversary, or otherwise mark a special moment in the presence of your favorite animal—without anyone else around! At the conclusion of the experience, you are welcome to stay and enjoy the Zoo.

Option 2: Custom Experience

This private experience also involves Zoo staff giving you a mini-guided tour, as well as meeting up with an animal care staff. It will include going behind the scenes where you could see the animal’s night quarters, the diet prep kitchen, and other ‘Staff Only’ areas. Each experience will also include an opportunity to interact with the animal. This may include touching, feeding, and/or making enrichment. The animal’s safety and wellbeing are prioritized, so they are always given the choice on whether or not to participate in these experiences. As with the Mini-Moment, the animal care staff will share information and stories, and answer your questions. However, pictures are allowed in certain areas only. At the conclusion of the experience, you are welcome to stay and enjoy the Zoo.

Special Notes:
• We may not be able to accommodate all requests due to staff capacity, animal availability, and timing.
• These experiences may involve walking over uneven terrain, climbing a small set of stairs, walking distances of 0.25 miles. Please see below if an accommodation request is needed.
• The Minnesota Zoo prioritizes the safety and wellbeing of all the animals in our care. Each animal is given the choice to participate in these experiences, and it is always up to them to decide if and how much they want to participate. We may also need to cancel a program due to animal health concerns. If we need to cancel, you will be invited to attend another experience or receive a refund of your registration.
• For the wellbeing of the guests, guests must follow the directions of the animal care staff.
• The Zoo is not a nut-free environment as nuts are a regular part of our animal diets and may be used during animal demonstrations and programs as positive reinforcement.