IDNYC Membership FAQS

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is pleased to join 32 other NYC Cultural Institutions in supporting New York City's municipal ID card (IDNYC). Once you have received your IDNYC card, you may apply for a WCS IDNYC Membership. Please be sure to read all the information below as some policies and procedures have recently changed.

Do IDNYC members need a reservation or timed ticket to visit?

WCS parks provide families with a safe recreational space to enjoy! In order to manage the visit demand at our parks, all guests, including WCS Members, must have a timed ticket for entry. Reservations for your free member tickets must be made online in advance. Park tickets and member tickets are single-entry only, no re-entry is permitted. Please note that policies are subject to change. Always check the Know Before You Go page on our website for the most up to date information. You can use our Member ticketing site to make your reservation.


Can I get my member tickets when I arrive at the zoo?

No. All Member ticket reservations must be made online in advance. Do not come to the Zoo if you do not have a timed ticket for entry. If you have difficulty completing your online reservation, please call us at 718-220-5112 from 9 AM to 5 PM daily. Please note, we are unable to make, change or add to an existing reservation via email.


I cannot go on the date I selected, can I reschedule for another day?

In order to manage the visit demand at our parks, we hope members will keep the commitment for the reservation. But if you do have a situation where you will not be using your tickets, please immediately contact Member Services at membership@wcs.org with the subject "Member ticket order cancellation" and include the order number in your email. We appreciate your attention and kindness to cancel your reservation so that others may visit on that day.


What is a New York City municipal ID card (IDNYC)?

IDNYC is the new, free identification card for all New York City residents.


How can I obtain an IDNYC card or learn more about this program?

Visit nyc.gov/idnyc or call 311 for information about applying for IDNYC. To learn more about other IDNYC cultural partners, visit its benefits page.


Does IDNYC entitle me to a WCS Membership?

Yes—if you are eligible, you are welcome to apply for a free, one-year WCS "IDNYC Membership". You must have a valid IDNYC card in order to apply.


How will I know if I am eligible for free membership at WCS?

You are eligible if –

  • You have never been a member of WCS
  • You were a WCS Member before January 1, 2019

You are NOT eligible if –

  • You redeemed a free membership or paid for a membership less than five years ago
  • You are currently a WCS Member
  • You were a WCS Member between January 1, 2019 to the present day

What are the benefits of an IDNYC complimentary membership at WCS?

As a WCS "IDNYC Member", you can enjoy*:

  • Free admission for the card holder to all five WCS wildlife parks
  • Members-only ticket discount for the card holder at Central Park Zoo and New York Aquarium 4-D Theaters
  • 10% restaurant discount at the Bronx Zoo's Dancing Crane Café and Terrace Café, and Central Park Zoo's Dancing Crane Café
  • 10% discount at select Bronx Zoo retail shops, the New York Aquarium's Oceanic Shop, and at Central Park Zoo's Zootique
  • Discounts on most Educational programs and courses
  • Invitation to Members' Evenings at the Bronx Zoo
  • Free updates on zoo activities and events in Members' E-News (must provide email address)

(*PLEASE NOTE: WCS Member t-shirt not included. Discounts and benefits are subject to change. All other standard WCS Membership restrictions and policies apply.)


Can the membership be shared?

No. WCS Memberships are non-transferable and only valid for the individual named on the card. We ask that all WCS Members present their membership card AND a second photo ID when entering one of our parks.


How do I sign up for my WCS IDNYC Membership?

Enrollment can be processed at the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo and the New York Aquarium park entrances from 10am to 3:30pm daily.

Please note, in order to manage the visit demand at our parks, entrance on the day of sign-up is not guaranteed. Reservations must be made prior to visiting our parks for future visits.


Can I sign up at one of the other WCS parks?

WCS "IDNYC Membership" is ONLY issued at the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo or NY Aquarium.


I just renewed my WCS Membership. Can I cancel my Membership so I can take advantage of this offer?

No. Your WCS Membership must have been inactive prior to January 1, 2019, for you to be eligible. But we encourage you to become a member at any one of the New York City's other 32 participating cultural institutions.


Can I just show my Municipal ID at the front gate to gain admission?

No. You must use your IDNYC Municipal ID card to register for a WCS IDNYC Membership. Only the WCS Membership card will be accepted for reservations and park entrance.

Once you have an IDNYC WCS Membership card, you can use the Member ticketing site to make your member reservation for future visits.


Are only adults able to get a WCS "IDNYC Membership"?

While standard WCS Memberships are only issued to adults (age 18 and up), we will be accommodating under-age IDNYC card holders for this special offer. A specific UNDER18 IDNYC Membership card will be available for those children (age 10-17) who have a valid IDNYC card. Any child using an "Under 18 IDNYC Membership" must be accompanied by an adult (Member OR Ticket holder) in order to visit any of our parks.


Can I replace a lost/stolen WCS IDNYC Membership card?

There is a $5.00 fee to replace any lost, stolen, or damaged WCS Membership card. IDNYC Membership cards can only be obtained on-site at the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo or NY Aquarium.


If I forget to bring my WCS IDNYC Membership card, can I still visit the park for free?

If you forgot your Membership card, you may visit a Membership booth/window at the Bronx Zoo, NY Aquarium or Central Park Zoo entrances between 10 and 4 daily. You must have your IDNYC card in order for staff to look up your WCS IDNYC Membership. Once we verify your Membership, , we can confirm that you are able to use the advance reservation to visit the park that day. Please understand that our Membership locations can be very busy, and Members asking for a look-up may need to wait on line. We appreciate your patience and cooperation. (Member look-ups cannot be done at Prospect Park Zoo or Queens Zoo.)


My WCS IDNYC Membership is expiring soon – can I renew?

At this time, you can obtain a free IDNYC Membership every 5 years with a valid IDNYC card as long as you meet the eligibility requirements (see question - How will I know if I am eligible for free a membership at WCS?)


What are the rules for Members visiting a WCS park?

Please see all park information and new policies at the Know Before You Go page on the park website you are looking to visit:

bronxzoo.com/planahead
nyaquarium.com/planahead
centralparkzoo.com/planahead
prospectparkzoo.com/planahead
queenszoo.com/planahead

Park entry requires advance reservation. Upon arrival with a reservation, entrance is on a first come, first served basis for Members and all park guests. For the protection of all WCS Members, all individuals named on the Membership card must show a photo ID upon entry. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult (Member OR Ticket holder) at all times.


My WCS IDNYC membership expired, do I get a discount if I purchase a WCS membership?

Yes! Visit our Membership booths at the Bronx Zoo, NY Aquarium or the Central Park Zoo to ask about our WCS IDNYC Member discount. Please be sure to have your IDNYC Membership card and photo ID ready.


How long is my WCS IDNYC membership valid for?

A free WCS IDNYC Membership is valid for one (1) year from the date of sign-up.


Who can I can contact regarding my IDNYC membership?

Feel free to call our Member Services team at 718-220-5112 from 9 AM to 5 PM daily. You can also email us at membership@wcs.org, Subject: IDNYC

Please note, we are experiencing a high volume of emails at this time. If you need immediate assistance, please call our office.


I do not see any member reservations for the day I want to visit. Can I just purchase tickets and receive a refund since my IDNYC membership entitles me to free admission?

We appreciate the enthusiasm and understand our members are excited to visit our parks but unfortunately, all tickets sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges.


I purchased a ticket prior to becoming an IDNYC member. Can I receive a refund?

Unfortunately no. All tickets sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges.


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