Our Visit to Butterfly Wonderland

Our family was privileged to attend the grand opening of Butterfly Wonderland in Scottsdale. Jake has been working with them through his job, and they invited us to attend.

Coincidentally, Mary recently became obsessed with butterflies, and spends most of her book reading time on the last page of The Very Hungry Caterpillar shouting "FLY!" at the page.

She also requests to watch the Butterfly Wonderland YouTube commercial every day. So we jumped at the opportunity to take her there.

Hot air balloon at the opening ceremony

After the opening ceremony, we watched their 3D movie "Flight of the Butterflies", which everyone loved (except Mary, because she couldn't keep her glasses on). Sam kept saying "The butterflies are IN THE ROOM!"

Next, we headed to the emergence gallery, where the butterflies hatch from their cocoons. I got to witness 3 butterflies actually emerging and opening up their wings. It was fantastic.

After the gallery, we went to the star of the show - the butterfly atrium. We obviously didn't know what to expect, and we were all amazed how wonderful it was. 

The atrium is a big enclosed garden that they keep at rain forest temperatures (around 85 degrees and humid). All around us, butterflies were floating - a lot of times in pairs or trios. They were carefree and didn't mind flying right in front of you or landing nearby.

Same Butterfly - wings closed and then opened

 This one perched itself on my leg as I was taking pictures of Mary.

In flight

Right as a mist settled over the atrium, a butterfly decided to pay a visit to Sophie. They chatted for a bit, and then the butterfly flew up to Sophie's hair, adding a nice accessory to her outfit.

We loved our visit! I'm hoping to go back soon!