This doesn't really answer your question, but our son is that age and we just took him to Sea World. He did not enjoy it. In my opinion he was too young. Museums geared toward kids--where there is an opportunity for them to get out and play have gone over much better at this age. And they are cheaper, too!
I agree with you. We took our son to the zoo when he was 3, and he did not enjoy it much. He did enjoy the little playground area in the zoo lol.
We took him to Sea World in Orlando when he was 6, and he loved it. I think if we took him to SW when he was 3, he would not like it as much.
Kids museum is the best imo. They get to play, and it is focused to entertain young kids.
What about it did he not enjoy? We are going with my niece, who is 8. It seems like something he would enjoy. Of course I've never been, so I'm no even sure what to expect.
He did not say he did not like the zoo when he was 3. But I can see he was not excited about it. Lets see an elephant, and he is like ok cool.. next? I think when he get older, and started to learn about animals then he started to get curious, and wanted to learn more and see in real life. He love visiting Sea World but at that time he was 6. I would say yours who is 8 would enjoy Sea World.
He liked children museum better (he still does), but especially when he was younger. Lots of things to do and touch and feel and make noise. At the zoo, he is just watching things, and that was probably why he was not as excited.
And yes I saw Blackfish too - I do not think this is the thread to talk about this. You should start a new thread if you feel that strongly about it.