How far in advance do you have to purchase tickets? And do you have to specify a certain date/time when purchasing? (Coming from out of state and not sure if or when we'd be able to go)

Purchase them the day that you go at the gift shop

Get there early like the 10 o'clock 1030 because after that it's full of people on the cars on the Waggons

Nope! Just get your tickets at the front desk in the gift shop. Then you can check out the other outside animals and when they will announce your ticket color on the speaker and then you get on the wagon

3:30 is when their last wagon leaves for the tour. There are at least 2 wagons they run. We didn't wait more than 30 or 40 mins for the next wagon tour. And the petting zoo keeps you busy and makes the time pass by fast.

No Advance necessary as long as you purchase them before 3:30 p.m. you purchase the tickets you walk around look at the other animals keep ear out for the loudspeaker they will call your ticket color

I didn't purchase mine alread of time, and we had no issues getting on the next wagon! The only thing their website specifies is to be there before 3pm