Imagine wandering through a tropical lush landscape of the rainforest with running waterfalls, exotic plants and flowers in bloom, encountering colorful amphibians and serene koi fish ponds while surrounded by thousands of the most beautiful species of butterflies in the world fluttering all around you. You might think you have to travel to an exotic country for that experience – on the contrary – you’ll find it in your backyard.
Coming to life in Scottsdale, AZ, Butterfly Wonderland, a world-class attraction with a highly innovative, indoor, rainforest environment featuring the largest, indoor butterfly pavilion in North America, broke ground at the northeast corner of the 101 Freeway and Via De Ventura in Scottsdale on August 14, 2012, on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa community.
‘This attraction is going to change the landscape of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Community as it is the first phase of a $170 million entertainment district called “Odysea in the Desert,” said Amram Knishinsky, lead principal and partner in the project. “We’re building a rainforest in the desert. And as folks drive along the 101 Freeway in Scottsdale they will start to notice our construction of Butterfly Wonderland and its enormous glass atrium that will stand out against the desert landscape.”
Visitors of Butterfly Wonderland will embark on a journey through the life of a butterfly as they wander through entertaining, educational and interactive exhibits leading up to an amazing rainforest experience walking among thousands of the most remarkable species of butterflies in the world.
Other features of the attraction will include a Butterfly Gallery of the World where visitors will walk through a taxonomy exhibit displaying the classification of different species of butterflies from around the world; a Butterfly Theater showing entertaining, educational films showcasing the fascinating lives of butterflies; a Chrysalis Laboratory with large viewing windows that will allow guests to observe, up-close, the complex life cycle of a butterfly; Traveling Exhibits from marine life to amphibians such as colorful poison dart frogs; a Children’s Activity area that will carry on the theme of the rainforest providing hands-on activities; a snack bar with a wide variety of offerings and large retail shop.
“Butterflies are perhaps the most universally loved creatures on earth symbolic of peace, love and hope,” said Amram Knishinsky, principal partner and developer of Butterfly Wonderland. “Their brilliant colors, diversity of size and shape, remarkable life cycle and uninhibited patterns of flight give inspiration to folks of all ages. We feel extremely fortunate to be able to bring this joyful experience to the Valley.”
The next phases of “Odysea in the Desert” include plans for an incredible, indoor aquarium, an IMAX, a Ripley’s Believe it or Not!, a 4D theater attraction called “Arizona Experience” along with top notch retail and restaurants that will cater to all ages.
A 501 (c3) has been established to set up a foundation supporting the mission of Butterfly Wonderland. The foundation will provide educational and research opportunities, as well as scholarship and internship programs. For more information, visit
butterflywonderland.com, or call 480-951-2100.
