Way tooooo crowded!! We took 4 kids with us (I don't know how you parents with 3+ kids do it) their ages stretched from 9-16 and they were all bored. Getting in was a nightmare, the ladies scanning the tickets did nothing but scream at the crowd of folks trying to get in.
I'm glad they had hot chocolate but they ran out of it everywhere so no one could get a second cup to warm themselves up. One of the girls got a frozen lemon-aid and was handed a spoon. When she asked for a straw she was told they don't have straws because it's a danger to the animals, unless she had a souvenir cup (apparently those straws don't end up by the animals). I understand if you don't want to freely hand out straws but you should at least have them available for the drinks.
I love the zoo but don't anticipate coming next year for Zoo Lights.