Is this event family-friendly?

Yes. The program is family-friendly and children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Can I bring my own food or alcohol?

No. The preserve enforces a no outside food and no alcohol policy; concessions are available for purchase.

Are photos with animals allowed?

Yes. Staff provide supervised photo opportunities such as holding a baby caiman; follow staff instructions for safety.

How many people attend each showing?

Group size is limited to a maximum of fifty people per showing; tickets often sell out.

Check-in is at Kowiachobee Animal Preserve - 2861 4th Ave SE, Naples, FL 34117; follow staff directions on arrival.

What is the cancellation policy?

A specific cancellation policy is not listed here; check the booking link for current terms and options.

Movie Night with the Big Cats: Jurassic Park at Kowiachobee Animal Preserve | Zoo | Wildlife

At Kowiachobee Animal Preserve - 2861 4th Ave SE, Naples, FL 34117, Movie Nights With the Big Cats featuring Jurassic Park turns an ordinary evening into something quietly thrilling. This two-hour outdoor screening pairs Spielberg’s original blockbuster with a living backdrop of tigers, a lion, and Bubba, a 12-foot alligator who shares the property’s nocturnal energy. Guests watch the film under open sky while animal ambassadors patrol nearby enclosures, and staff stage safe, up-close moments like holding a baby caiman for photos.

The program begins with a relaxed arrival and check-in window—plan for the 6:00–6:30 PM arrival for early shows—when pizza, popcorn, and glow items are available for purchase. Families spread low chairs and blankets on the grass, find a viewline that respects the animals, and settle as dusk deepens. Movie start times listed at 6:30 PM or 8:30 PM let you pick an earlier family-friendly slot or a later, moodier screening. During the event you’ll hear big cat calls, the low rumble of nocturnal animals, and the occasional satisfied crunch of popcorn—small, human sounds against a more primal backdrop.

Highlights include the chance to meet human-animal ambassadors like Bubba and other notable residents, a posed photo with a baby caiman near a Jurassic Park jeep prop, and the knowledge that your ticket proceeds fund animal food, enrichment, enclosure improvements, and veterinary care. Staff guide guests at all times; note that children must be accompanied by adults and attendees must wait for staff before entering or moving near enclosures.

Practical tips matter: bring bug spray, a low-back chair or blanket for seating, and a light jacket as humidity drops after sunset. The preserve enforces a no outside food, no alcohol, and no smoking policy; concessions are available on site. Maximum group size is limited to fifty people, so reserve early to secure a front-row spot.

Kowiachobee’s Movie Nights are part community fundraiser, part wildlife education and entirely unique for Naples, Florida: few places marry cinematic nostalgia with close encounters of exotic species in a way that directly supports animal welfare. Whether you come for the film, the photos with animal ambassadors, or the unusual ambiance of big cats watching the screen, this event offers an intimate, memorable night that leverages entertainment to sustain conservation. Tickets are limited to fifty guests per showing and sell out quickly; book early online via the preserve’s booking link: https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/kowiachobeeanimalpreserve/items/697352/?asn=fhdn&asn-ref=advcollective&ref=advcollective&bookable-only=yes&full-items=yes&marketplace=yes&flow=no. The event welcomes a broad age range, and staff make time before and after the film to answer questions about animal care, enrichment practices, and how proceeds are used. Arrive prepared for warm, humid evenings and for a rare chance to watch cinema while supporting local wildlife stewardship. Plan to arrive early for best seating.

About Kowiachobee Animal Preserve

Kowiachobee Animal Preserve in Naples, Florida operates as a private animal preserve focused on hands-on experiences, animal care, and public education. The preserve offers a range of onsite experiences including the Roar & Restore Work Day, VIP Individual Tour, and seasonal events such as Christmas Movie Nights With the Big Cats. Each experience provides guests with close-up access to species featured on site — including lions, tigers, zebras, lemurs, parrots, skunks, and Bubba the alligator — while supporting wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and education programs.

Roar & Restore Work Day invites volunteers and visitors to assist with enclosure repairs, habitat clearing, and behind-the-scenes animal care. The VIP Individual Tour delivers exclusive, guided interactions where participants can feed and photograph animals under staff supervision, with proceeds supporting rescue and education initiatives. Christmas Movie Nights combine outdoor film screenings with views of nocturnal big cats and alligator habitats for a seasonal, family-friendly outing that benefits animal care.

Staff and guides facilitate safe, supervised interactions and explain animal behavior and care practices during each experience. Visitors receive hands-on learning about rescue operations, daily care routines, and conservation-minded stewardship. Kowiachobee Animal Preserve emphasizes transparency about activities and supports public engagement through volunteer opportunities and educational events. The preserve’s scheduled experiences provide direct ways for guests to contribute to animal wellbeing and to learn about species-specific needs in an up-close setting. All programs take place at the preserve’s Naples location and are structured for supervised, educational participation. Booking information and schedules are provided by the preserve.