Sharks After Dark FAQs
What does the price of the overnight include?
The price of the overnight includes general admission, parking, educational activities, commemorative keepsake, late-night snack & movie and continental breakfast for one (1) person. ALL PARTICIPANTS (CHILDREN OR ADULTS) ARE THE SAME PRICE. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS. We will not accept payment for registration the day of the program, as many overnights will sell out.
Why can't children under 5 attend?
The Sharks After Dark overnight is designed for families or groups with children 5 and older. Because of the program content and late activities, we cannot allow families or groups with children younger than 5 years old to attend.
I don't have children. Can I still attend?
Overnights are designed for families and groups with children 5 and older, but we do allow adults (18 and older) to attend the event. Please note that overnights are alcohol and drug-free events.
I don't want to sleepover. Can the staff watch over my child so I do not have to attend?
The Overnight is designed as a family and group experience. Since staff will be busy leading activities, we cannot accommodate drop-off participants who are under 18 years of age.
Where will we be sleeping?
All program participants will be sleeping in specific areas of the Ocean Wonders: Sharks! exhibit.
What do we need to bring?
- Sleeping bag and pillow. If you are bringing an air mattress, make sure to bring a battery-operated pump.
- Comfortable clothes and non-slip, close-toed shoes (no flip-flops, crocs or heels).
- Personal items (toothbrush, toothpaste, washcloth, facial soaps and any medications). Overnights are co-ed, so make sure to bring the appropriate sleepwear.
We also recommend that participants bring a reusable water bottle and a flashlight.
Do you provide sleeping bags?
Participants are required to bring their own sleeping bags.
How far do we have to carry our gear?
You'll need to carry your gear from the parking lot to the Ocean Wonders: Sharks! exhibit inside the aquarium. Please make sure to label ALL gear with your first and last name so items aren't mistaken by someone else. Make sure to keep it light. We suggest no more than one backpack and sleeping bag per guest.
What should we wear?
Comfortable clothes are a must. The program will run rain or shine, so make sure to bring a raincoat if rain is in the forecast. We also suggest warmer gear if needed for sleeping, as it gets cooler at night. Comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended, since you will be doing a lot of walking as well.
What time does the program start?
Check-in begins at 6:00pm and closes at 6:30pm. It is essential that you let us know if you are going to be late, otherwise you will not be able to get into the aquarium.
What if I cannot arrive on time?
In order to pack as much fun as possible into one night, we must start on time! Check-in starts at 6:00pm and ends promptly at 6:30pm. If you aren't able to arrive in that time slot, you need to contact us at least 48 hours prior to the overnight to let us know. The best way to reach us is by email at nyaeducation@wcs.org.
What if I need to leave early?
Please let us know when you check-in if you will need to leave earlier than 9:00am. We will need to coordinate with Security since the parking lot will be closed.
What about bad weather?
The overnight will take place rain or shine. All of our evening activities will take place in the new Ocean Wonders: Sharks! exhibit, so no need to worry about the weather!
Can I get a refund if a participant is sick and cannot attend the overnight?
Unfortunately, we cannot grant refunds if you or your child are not able to attend the overnight.
During the Program
Are there showers? Will we have overnight access to a bathroom?
All bathrooms are a quick walk from the sleep site and located inside the exhibit. There are toilets and sinks, but no showers available. The bathrooms will be open throughout the night.
Are there any outlets at the sleeping location?
There are very few outlets available. If you plan on bringing an air mattress, make sure to bring a battery-operated pump to inflate the mattress. For your cell phones and other electronics, think about bringing an external charger.
Do we need to bring any food?
Families and groups should eat dinner before the activities start at 7:00pm. There are a few places along Surf Ave if you would like to eat before check in at 6:00pm or you can pick something up to eat once you arrive. We will provide a late night snack and continental breakfast in the morning.
Someone in my group has a food allergy. Should I let you know ahead of time?
Yes, please. We make every effort to ensure that our snacks and breakfast do not contain nuts or nut products. However, if you have a child with severe allergies, we suggest that you bring a snack and breakfast item in a sealed lunch box or food container. Please let us know at least 2 weeks before the overnight if you have any other dietary needs, and we'll do our best to accommodate the requests.
My friends have registered too. Can we be in a group together?
Yes, you can request to be grouped with another family for station rotations. Such requests should be made no later than 1 week in advance to nyaeducation@wcs.org.
