Brookfield Zoo (Chicago) has dinosaurs.. the worlds biggest

[JR6ooo4]

animatronic Dino!

Dinosaurs Alive!

Millions and millions of years ago, during the Mesozoic Era, dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Beginning April 4 and continuing through October 2009, you will be able to step back in time and experience 18 prehistoric animatronic creatures at Dinosaurs Alive!, an exciting new interactive and multi-sensory exhibit. The dinosaurs will be displayed in an outdoor forest setting.

Showcasing one of the most innovative and largest dinosaur displays, Dinosaurs Alive! is both an entertaining and story-driven educational experience for the entire family. This dynamic exhibit features an exceptional collection of life-size replica dinosaurs that are fleshy to the touch, make a variety of sounds, from loud roars to chirps, and have up to eight sinuous movements. The highlight of the exhibit will be the world’s largest animatronic dinosaur that is a replica of the Ruyang Yellow River dinosaur, which measures nearly 60 feet long, 22 feet wide, and 30 feet high!

Remote-Controlled Dinos

Dinosaurs Alive!, located adjacent to Children’s Zoo, will introduce guests to dinosaurs ranging from a 4-foot-tall “baby” to adult-size species, all dating from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods 200 to 65 million years ago. Sixteen of the dinosaurs, including life-size replicas of the lizardlike Stegosaurus, three-horned Triceratops, flying Pteranodon, and the ever-popular meat-eating Tyrannosaurus rex, can be viewed along a wooded paved path. Zoogoers will be able to manipulate four of the dinosaurs—an Apatosaurus baby, Baryonyx, Dilophosaurus, and Parasaurolophus—from interactive remote-control consoles. These remarkable lifelike animatronic creatures, which are scientifically accurate based on the latest in paleontological knowledge, were created by the Canada-based company Dinosaurs Unearthed.

This compelling exhibit will also feature a model of the Danshanpu Quarry in Zigong, China, where paleontologists have discovered a great number of dinosaur specimens in recent years. The dig site showcases a replica portion of a Mamenchisaurus skeleton, including a large section of the dinosaur’s spine. Also along the pathway will be interpretive signs about each species and dinosaurs in general, along with opportunities to explore dinosaurs in the context of today’s animals. Guests will learn about habitat, adaptations, and other factors that allow creatures to thrive no matter when or where they live. In addition, zoo educators will be stationed in the exhibit to enhance the story of these prehistoric wonders, which have fascinated humans since their discovery in 1822.

Roosevelt Fountain Ruyang
The largest dinosaur ever discovered—the Ruyang Yellow River dinosaur—will be prominently showcased at Brookfield Zoo’s Roosevelt Fountain. (Although not part of its known natural behavior, the Ruyang at the zoo will periodically spray water from its mouth into the fountain.) This dinosaur was replicated based on the 2007 announcement that scientists in Asia unearthed the widest dinosaur ever discovered. This plant-eating dinosaur originated from the Cretaceous period—145 to 65 million years ago—a period from which dinosaur finds were relatively uncommon in China.

An interactive dig site, located on the zoo’s East Mall, will feature two 4-foot by 8-foot raised shallow sandboxes, allowing “junior paleontologists” to unearth replica fossils of the Shunosaurus and Yangchuanosaurus dinosaurs. Also on the mall, guests can commemorate their visit to Dinosaurs Alive! with their photos taken with a Protoceratops in front of a desert-themed backdrop.

Next to the photo tent and interactive dig site will be TRex Grill, an outdoor cafe with such menu items as stir-fry and sandwiches, nonalcoholic and alcoholic frozen drinks, and ice cream novelties.

As guests exit the exhibit, they will be able to shop to their hearts’ content in a gift shop featuring a variety of dinosaur-themed merchandise, including plush and PVC dinosaurs; activity kits and paleontological dig sets; books; T-shirts; jewelry; educational flash cards; a variety of gift items; board and card games; and much more.

Admission to Dinosaurs Alive! will be $5 for adults and $3 for children 3-11 and seniors 65 and older (Brookfield Zoo members pay only $2.50 and $1.50). General zoo admission is $12 for adults and $8 for children 3-11 and seniors. Children 2 and under are admitted free. From early spring through late fall, Brookfield Zoo also offers an All-in-One Ticket, which includes general admission, as well as discount admission to the zoo’s many attractions, including Dinosaurs Alive!.

Mikeeee

 

[spacemountain]

We're members at Brookfield Zoo and were excited when we saw this. Can't wait to go!

 

[JR6ooo4]

We're members at Brookfield Zoo and were excited when we saw this. Can't wait to go!

I popped in there last weekend. The big guy/girl at the fountain is already there. But he was not moving yet...

This is a summer of cheaper vacations. I expect to be to the Zoo a few times this summer. But now that I think if it, that is not out of the normal, hehehehee

Membership is a great deal for families. Especially if you take another family as guests. My SIL did not even need to have us with her to get the member discount at the gift shop!

MIkeeee

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

I think this is the same thing that was once at our zoo in Milwaukee. I liked it, but I remember my girls being scared.