Want to find out what’s new at the zoo? One lucky family won an exclusive trip to the Bronx Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo with the real Dora the Explorer, 12-year-old New Yorker Fátima Ptacek. The Genesi family spent one recent Sunday touring the zoo exhibits and activities with the bilingual kid star. Check out their day of fun!
The crisp fall afternoon could not have been any more perfect for the first weekend of Boo at the Zoo, the annual month-long Halloween celebration at the Bronx Zoo. Despite the family-friendly attraction being open for barely an hour, the zoo was already a teeming hot spot of eager visitors, some already decked out in their Halloween costumes.
And the Genesi family was at the front of the line, ready for their VIP visit. In their adorable, matching polka dot ensembles, Eva (six years old) and Ruby Genesi (three years old) were anxiously awaiting their extra special tour of the zoo. Excited yet nervous, the sisters were introduced to the warm and welcoming Fátima Ptacek—the voice of their favorite cartoon character, Dora the Explorer. The Genesi girls seemed to be in that adorable, common stage of childhood excitement that registers as mild shock. The fun was about to begin.
As the group started to walk towards their first stop, Fátima jumped right into character.
“Hola! Yo soy Dora,” she happily exclaimed.
Dara Genesi, Eva and Ruby’s mother, was visibly impressed, as her daughters simultaneously understood that the girl in front of them was the voice behind the Dora they love watching on TV. A number of passersby also seemed to make the connection between Fátima and the loveable cartoon character.
With the three girls walking hand-in-hand to the Pumpkin Carving Exhibit and Demonstration, Eva showed off her Dora doll that she lovingly carried in a child-sized cloth pocketbook. As her mother explained, the doll was well loved, but had seen better hair days!
Once at the exhibit, all three girls were impressed with the expertly carved pumpkins on display. Getting the star treatment, the group got up close and personal with the masterfully crafted jack-o’-lanterns, which included a bat, tiger, and even a chameleon (complete with fly on tongue!).
Making their way through the crowds, Fátima and the Genesi family headed for the zoo’s famous bug carousel, which is decked out with spooky rubber bats and a bucket of candy for visitors to nibble. After picking out the prettiest beetle to sit on, Eva weighed possible Halloween costume options, considering a mermaid outfit for this year. “That would be cool,” Fátima replied, making Eva smile even wider.
Nibbling on candy from the carousel, Fátima, once again walking hand-in-hand with the girls started quizzing them on Spanish phrases they learned from Dora.
“Blue?”
“Azul!”
“Red?”
“Rojo!”
“Vamanos!” they all sang as they made their way to the Hay Maze.
Complete with giant fake spiders, orange pumpkins, and a larger-than-life inflatable black cat, the maze was a perfect setting for a Dora-style adventure. As the girls made their way through the labyrinth, they each took turns choosing which direction to take—completing the journey faster than their adult entourage!
Suddenly, Ruby tugged Fátima’s hand as they came face-to-face with a life-sized Dora. The girls had found themselves in front of the zoo’s theater, which houses the 4-D film, “Dora & Diego’s 4-D Adventure.”
This provided the perfect backdrop for the new friends to pose for pictures and commemorate their special day. As the photo session got underway, a visitor recognized Fátima and the young star greeted her fan with enthusiasm before heading into the theater with the Genesi sisters.
Inside, the girls enjoyed an eight-minute adventure filled with special effects and surprises. Without spoiling the fun, we recommend that parents put away their cameras during the interactive experience.
Amidst enjoying all of the animals and exhibits throughout the zoo, the highlight of the day for the girls was an encounter at the Congo Gorilla Forest. But it wasn’t because of the gorillas. An African Dwarf Frog provided for much of the trip’s hilarity. The small creature appeared to be lifeless as it bobbed in the water at the top of its tank. Then, to everyone’s surprise, it sprang into action, provoking a chorus of happy giggles and startled jolts from the group.
As their last stop on the trip, the girls bravely (but cautiously!) entered The Haunting at Habitat Mansion. Without giving away too much of the eerie escapade, let’s just say that the girls once again found themselves jumping in surprise.
Upon making it out of the mansion safe and sound, the group breathed a sigh of relief and then headed to the Dancing Crane Cafe. Happy and hungry for a well-deserved lunch, everyone shared wide smiles while recalling the day’s adventures. Eva and Ruby will not soon forget their special day at the Bronx Zoo with Dora.
Boo at the Zoo takes place on weekends until the end of the month for more information: apps.bronxzoo.com/boo/
