This was a very fun event for the family! The lights were so great to drive thru and see. We did skip the deer park due to time,but we really enjoyed the area with the animals you could pet and feed. It was well worth it and we would like to go again during the spring or summer too!
We had the opportunity to visit Hollywild during a visit to Spartanburg. The location is really near Inman, about 20 minutes from Spartanburg. Hollywild is a family friendly animal park with a unique selection of "wild" animals all the way from lions and tigers to a huge Rhino. Of course they are behind fencing but in natural setting for each animal. One highlight was to see a male lion and tiger together and very friendly. Also a white tiger. If you or your kids like animals this is very much worth a visit when they are open. Check for dates and hours first.
This place demonstrates why 'roadside' zoos should not exist. Now 28 of their animals have died due to a fire, after the 'park' racked up dozens and dozens of animal welfare violations. Why has the USDA never done anything to help these animals? Disgusting.
Our visit with out-of-state son and grandkids was fine, but it was obvious that the facilities and grounds are in need of a lot of upgrades and renovations. The grounds and animal facilities seem very dated, and left us wondering if the animals are/were getting the proper attention. The lion habitat was under construction, so no lions were present. The primate area seemed particularly outdated with the animals confined to small areas. While we were not unhappy with our visit, it appeared that the place was being run primarily by a staff of teenagers.
We like to take our grandchildren at Christmas time to see the lights, then feed the animals at the end. Sometimes they have just not been hungry, and it was terribly full, but it was much better this time ! Some of the deer ate right out of their hands, and it was not so congested with cars. Go early in the evening and early in the week.
If you're in the mood for fun, surprises (the monkey claps, the animals are friendly and the staff gives tours) and a great learning show then you MUST go here. The turtle and koi pond is absolutely adorable and the turtles and fish love the dog food. The goats and donkeys love the bagals and crackers, the baby goats love the sugar water bottles and your children will thank you, mine love making a day out of it. The safari ride is really cool and the staff like to teach you their favorite thongs about the animals so no two safari rides will ever be alike. And they have really cool stories to tell you about their experiances there.
This zoo needs to be closed. Negligent treatment of its animals. The fire killed many. Why people support this type of treatment is beyond me.
The lighting in itself is super beautiful and well worth the trip and cost! Literally hundreds of thousands of lights. But the animals are the trip. Awesome, Awesome, Awesome!!
We didn't know what to expect and soon found out. We went to the deer feeding portion of the animal park and discovered much more than deer! There were huge cows, buffalo and goats as well. They walk right up to your car and stick their head in for food, so make sure you have plenty of bread, crackers, etc. What fun!
Why Hollywild? Hollywild is not a roadside attraction by far. It is a real zoo with a park appeal! The more I bring my family and friends, the more they keep asking to return for the experience bringing more friends and family along. There are Zebra painted buses riding down rustic dirt trails that gives the true feel of being out in the wild. You can choose how close you want to get to the animals. This is a wholesome family adventure that will make the crabbiest of the crabbiest family member smile and interact with your family and the Hollywild family. That is just the BUS ride!! The park opens up on the weekends in March and the kids already know it and make making plans for us. I have had great opportunities to meet the workers and mangement staff at Hollywild. They really give so much of themselves without anyone asking. They truly wear there heart on their sleeves with the animals. A true family between staff and wildlife. OMG!! So sorry if you missed the festival of lights that they do for the Christmas season that allows you to drive through see and feed the animals, see lights, hear music, and the petting zoo at the end. They always have a huge bon fire to stay warm so you can relax and not be in a hurry while your kids(The Wild Animals Loose in the Park) are running around visiting and feeding the animals. This place is a great value. Visit this place and visit Inman. 2 places that have so much kind spirit around them. Makes you just want to move in.