Here you can learn about
(what else?) dinosaurs! Kids can play in The Bone yard, and even participate in an
archaeological dig of a dino. Also, inside the Dino Institute is Countdown to Extinction.
After riding Countdown, guests can shop in Chester & Hester's Dinosaur Treasures for
practically anything "dino".
Bolstered by the
partnership between Disney and McDonalds, Mickey D's is sponsoring this whole area. The
section of the park features everything you could ever want to know about nature's extinct
reptiles.
Dinoland designed to be an interactive adventure area where guests play with and learn
about creatures that haven't been around for millions of years. Overhead, as you enter the
land, a 50-foot tall metal Brachiosaurus welcomes you to the land.
Attractions: Dinoland houses some of the most truly interactive exhibits in the
"Kingdom." The Boneyard, an interactive play place where kids can dig for
fossils, excavate for extinct species or just play in the sand. The Boneyard features two
sides (one with slides and climbs, the other an excavation site) connected by a rope
bridge.
Countdown to Extinction is a heart-stopping thrill ride of the first order. Viewers go on
an interactive journey through the history of the great beasts. Guests travel back to the
late Cretaceous period - right as dinosaurs are about to be exterminated by a world-wide
meteor shower - as part of a new time-travel experiment. As with any experiment, things go
a tad awry, with dinos roaring and meteorites falling around every turn. You might even
bring back a dino or two with you.
The Cretaceous Trail takes visitors on a journey through flora and greenery of a
prehistoric garden, with a look at the descendants of the dinosaurs that are still around
today. Kids and grown-ups alike can get to interact with real Dinosaur relics in Dinoland.
The 1998 Dinosaur Jubilee houses real fossils, casts of dinosaurs and other fascinating
information; and the Fossil Preparation Lab focuses on restoring found bones, including a
sneak peek into the restoration work on ''Sue,'' the most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex
skeleton ever found.
Tarzan Rocks!: Hot on the heels of Disney's successful animated blockbuster
"Tarzan," Walt Disney World has launched its newest stage show at Animal
Kingdom. "Tarzan Rocks!" is a mixture of acrobatics, theatrics, dancing and live
music -- with an emphasis on the "Rocks!" Replacing Animal Kingdom's Jungle Book
show at Dinoland's Theatre in the Wild, "Tarzan Rocks" features an elaborate
stage that wraps around the audience; a cast of singers, dancers, skaters and gymnasts;
and a rock 'n' roll house band whose sound is amplified throughout the theatre with
high-definition surround sound. For a complete review, check out Go2orlando's Tarzan
Rocks! page.
And don't be surprised archaeologists and palaeontologists walking around the land try to
get you into the action. The Streetsmophere people who thrill the crowds at Disney-MGM
have created a special "Dinomosphere" interactive theatre experience for the
streets of Dinoland.
Dining and Shopping: Since Mickey D's is sponsoring Dinoland, the area's restaurants
features, guess what, hamburgers and fries. McDonald's flagship restaurant in Dinoland is
called Restaruantasurus. It features a daily character breakfast from 7-10:30 a.m. called
"Donald's Breakfastasaurus." The regular line-up of Happy Meals and Chicken
McNuggets are also to be had at Restaurantasaurus.
"The Jungle Book" Theatre Snacks stand allows guests to grab last-minute goodies
before heading into the theatre; and Dino Diner features smoked turkey legs and drinks, a
la Tomorrowland's "Lunching Pad" in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom. For the
dinosaur lover in your group, Chester and Hester's Dinosaur's Treasures has pre-historic
goodies to suit any taste - from the educational to the just plain fun.
Analysis: Dinoland U.S.A. truly has something for every age bracket. Kids will literally
"dig" the hands-on approach Disney gives to the dinosaur experience; and parents
will like the fact that kids are learning while having fun. Older kids and adults will
appreciate the and love the thrill ride.
"Countdown to Extinction, is a cross between the thrill of roller coaster and the
jolting, twisting and turning of Universal's "Back to the Future," with the
surprises of a carnival fun house. Anyone who has ridden the "Indiana Jones"
adventure ride at Disneyland will recognise the shuttle-craft cars and full-range motion
technology. Because the ride is so new, the cars tend to jerk around more than the smooth
ride you get with "Indiana Jones," but this will most likely decline as Animal
Kingdom gets into its stride. Parents take note that this ride has a height restriction of
46 inches.
The Boneyard is a great place to take kids and let them go crazy. Parents are also invited
to get into the act, but should be advised that the rides are designed for smaller ones.
Watch your heads on the slides!
The Jungle Book show leaves something to be desired. The players try hard to capture the
artistic spirit of "The Lion King" show, but don't quite get there. It will be
interesting to see how the show progresses.
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