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Step back in time 65 million years when pre-historic dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Head to the right from Discovery Island and find yourself standing under a 50 ft. Brachiosaurus. DinoLand, U.S.A. Area is not only a fun trip back in time, but it is also a downright shift from what you will find throughout the rest of the park. This land is mostly geared towards the younger crowd, but there is plenty that is entertaining for adults as well. Dig for fossils, trek through the Cretaceous trail, time-travel on the quest for dinosaurs or ride Primeval Whirl.
The fictional backstory….DinoLand U.S.A. Area originally started as a small highway town where a fossil-hunter found some dinosaur bones. After gathering some scientist friends, they put their money together to purchase the site. Since then, scientists, volunteers and grad students have been living there trying to find answers about dinosaurs. The Dino Institute was founded and opened the site as a “fossil discover park.” The Dino Institute also discovered how to warp vehicles through time, and thus started doing time tours called DINOSAUR.
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Watching all this take place, two locals, Chester and Hester were determined to make a quick buck and converted their gas station into a fossil souvenir shop. Not to be out done by the Dino Institute, they created their own version of DINOSAUR and called it Primeval Whirl and also added TriceraTop Spin and the midway games. And this is where the fun begins.
DinoLand U.S.A. Area is also known for a couple of natural history exhibits including Dino-Sue, an exact replica of the most extensive and best preserved Tyrannosaurus Rex specimens ever found. Dino-Sue is named after Susan Hendrickson, a paleontologist who discovered the fossil in 1990, which is on permanent display at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Parks replica, much like the original, stands at 13-feet tall and is an impressive 40-feet in length.
Attractions in DinoLand, U.S.A. Area
The Boneyard – Can you dig it? You can climb rocks and cross rope bridges, roam ancient caves and navigate a maze of dinosaur bones at this interactive play area for kids 10 and under. Kids can even unearth the remains of a Wooly Mammoth in a sandpit. No bones about it – this is a great play-place for young paleontologists!
- Interest: Preschoolers and kids
- Height Requirements: Any height
- Accessibility: Guests may remain in Wheelchair/ECV
- Thrill Level: Interactive kid playyard
- FASTPASS+ is not offered
- Snow White’s Rating:
Dino-Sue – Meet Dino-Sue—the once powerful, massive T-Rex who ruled once the world dating back 67 million years to the Late Cretaceous Period Pose for pictures with the detailed replica of the largest and best preserved T-Rex fossil ever found.
- Interest: Preschoolers, kids, tweens, teens and adults
- Height Requirements: Any height
- Accessibility: Guests may remain in Wheelchair/ECV
- FASTPASS+ is not offered
- Snow White’s Rating:
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DINOSAUR – Board a “Time Rover” at the Dino Institute and journey back 65 million years to save the last of the Iguanadons and bring it back to the present all while dodging meteors and the very dangerous Carnotaurus, spiky Styracosaurus, fearsome Velociraptor hunting for prey and a Cearadactylus soaring overhead. Will you complete your rescue or join the dinosaurs and become extinct?
- Interest: Kids, tweens, teens and adults
- Height Requirements: 40″ or taller
- Accessibility: Guests must transfer from Wheelchair/ECV
- Thrill Level: Thrill ride, dark, scary, loud noises, turbulent
- FASTPASS+ is offered
- Snow White’s Rating:
©Mad About the Mouse
Finding Nemo: The Musical – Go under the sea for the 40 minute, Broadway-class production starring all of your favorites from Finding Nemo. Join Marlin, Nemo, Dory, Bruce, Crush and the whole gang as they bring the big blue world to life with amazing puppetry, animated projections and underwater effects. This show is a must-SEA for all ages.
- Interest: Preschoolers, kids, tweens, teens and adults
- Height Requirements: No height requirements
- Accessibility: Guests may remain in Wheelchair/ECV
- Thrill Level: Live performances
- FASTPASS+ is offered
- Snow White’s Rating:
Fossil Fun Games – Step right up to 6 midway games with Cretaceous Period theming designed for the entire family. Try your hand a Whac-A-Packycephalosaur, Fossil Fueler, Mammoth Marathon, Comet Crasher and Bronto-Score to wins prizes.
- Interest: Preschoolers, kids, tweens, teens and adults
- Height Requirements: Any height
- Accessibility: Guests may remain in Wheelchair/ECV
- FASTPASS+ is not offered
- Snow White’s Rating:
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Primeval Whirl – Climb inside your time-machine and journey back on a spinning trip back in time to when dinosaurs ruled the earth. Zip through a series of sudden dips and hairpin turns in this dinosaur themed coaster for kids of all ages.
- Interest: Kids, tweens, teens and adults
- Height Requirements: 48″ or taller
- Accessibility: Guests must transfer from Wheelchair/ECV
- Thrill Level: Thrill ride, quick drops, fast spins
- FASTPASS+ is offered
- Snow White’s Rating:
TriceraTop Spin – A blast from the prehistoric past. Fly high above the ground in your colorful 4-person Triceratop and catch a glimpse of baby dinosaurs in play. Wach for whizzing meteors and a prehistoric creature to appear from the crown in the center.
- Interest: Preschoolers, kids, tweens, teens and adults
- Height Requirements: No height requirements
- Accessibility: Guests must transfer from Wheelchair/ECV
- Thrill Level: Spinning ride
- FASTPASS+ is not offered
- Snow White’s Rating:
Dining in DinoLand, U.S.A. Area
Dino Diner – Enjoy classic midway treats like cotton candy, snow cones, ice cold sodas, chocolate dipped apples, cinnamon glazed nuts, assorted chips and adult beverages. Served in classic, old-time trailer.
- Experience: Counter Service – Snack
- Price range: $ ($14.99 and under)
- Details: Disney Dining Plans accepted
- Snow White’s Ranking:
Restaurantosaurus – Satisfy your brontosaurus-sized appetite in this here for a Jurassic twist to classic american fare with a side order of humor. What started out as a cafeteria for paleontology students has turned into a super-themed dining attraction. Enjoy the quirky props, sayings and equipment.
- Experience: Counter Service Lunch & Dinner
- Price range: $ ($14.99 and under)
- Details: Disney Dining Plans accepted
- Menu – Click Here for Full Menu
- Snow White’s Ranking:
Shopping in DinoLand, U.S.A. Area
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Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasure – Themed to be a wacky, tacky roadside souvenir shop for tourist fictional U.S. Route 498. Find merchandise of extinction like logo merchandise for the DINOSAUR attraction, plastic dinosaurs, apparel and accessories, Mickey Ears, and toys and plush. Erupting with prehistorically low prices daily!
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