Dino Land USA

[Melemonie]

For us, the rides aren't must-dos, but my boys LOVE the boneyard and I've spent a few very pleasant hours relaxing in the shaded section in the back watching them dig up those giant bones.

 

[King of Naboombu]

Honestly it's not my favorite land therefore I've made the mistake of not setting aside time for it in my plans and then have to figure it out on the fly when we're in the park and DS8 and DD5 want to go. My kids can spend hours there playing in the boneyard or riding Primeval Whirl / TriceraTop Spin multiple times. So for my family it's either plan time for Dinoland or limit the amount of time the kids get to enjoy it before we have to go on to whatever else we have planned.

 

[BrianL]

I support Dinoland USA and appreciate the theme of a roadside parking lot carnival. I am not a big fan of the midway games at any of the Disney Parks and would rather see something else in their place, but I like the overall feel. Primeval Whirl is a surprisingly good ride. Outside of the Dino-Rama, DINOSAUR is a pretty great ride too and one of my favorites!

 

[Tiki_Sara]

I know where you"re coming from, OP. I found Dinosaur a rough ride too- very jerky and I felt like I was being thrown about a lot. I was sitting on the outside of the car, ie last in, so maybe that made a difference, I don't know. Didn't try any of the other rides in Dinoland after that as I felt and it almost put me off using our Fastpass for Expedition Everest an hour or so later (am glad it didn't)!

Am looking forward to trying the other Dinoland rides on our next visit. I liked the theme and the layout and how it was so very different from the rest of the park, but no Dinosaur for me!

 

[zebrastreyepz]

I was there just after AK opened and was most excited about Dinoland because of Sue and the story with her and the connection to Chicago's Field Museum.

I still love it for those reasons.

Chester and Hester's doesn't really bother me like it does some.

And Restaurantosaurus is an interesting QS place with great imagineering.

 

[Iya]

I don't think it's out of place at all. A very brief back story of Dinoland.

DinoLand U.S.A. started out as a small highway town in Diggs County. After an amateur fossil-hunter found dinosaur bones in the 40s, he and a bunch of friends and students got together and purchased the site. They formed the Dino Institute and opened the "Fossil Discover Park". Shortly after opening, the Dino Institute needing to make money, discovered how to time travel and started offering time travel tours via the Time Rover, aka Dinosaur. The staff and tourists needed a place to eat so the old fishing lodge on the property was converted into Restaurant...osaurus.

An elderly local couple, Chester and Hester, seeing a money making opportunity converted their route 498 gas station into a souvenir shop. And not to be out done by the Dino Institute's time travel ride, turned their parking lot into a small amusement park called "Dino-Rama" which featured their own version of the time travel "Dinosaur" ride called Primeval Whirl, except it didn't travel though time. They also took a generic amusement park ride, added dinosaurs and called it TriceraTop Spin. And of course what's an old time amusement park without midway games.

If you're ever on Route 498, and you will be if you approach Dino-Rama from the Asia side of AK, just look down, and look for the huge roadside dinosaur Cementosaurus.

This is my abbreviated CM version of the back story, but you can find much more in depth and lengthy versions on the internet.

I know the supposed "back story". It's still out of place and doesn't fit with AK at all. It is space that could be used/themed in appropriate ways to fit with AK theme. We avoid the area.

 

[Northernlites]

Can someone offer any tips to make the Dinosaur ride less rough as in should you be on the inside or the outside as the poster said above. Is there a railing or drop down handle to hold to break the force ?

 

[FastPasser.]

I know the supposed "back story".

Glad to hear it.

It's still out of place and doesn't fit with AK at all.

Obviously Disney feels that the dinosaur theme does belong at AK. At the time, that's how they decided to execute it. The Dino-Rama section is a simple, whimsical attraction geared towards the younger set, no matter how old they are. But like many attractions at WDW, some of it needs attention and it will get it over time.

It is space that could be used/themed in appropriate ways to fit with AK theme.

For instance?

 

[trvlgirlmq]

We love it! Both rides are great and they have fun DJ music and dance parties at night. It reminds me of Santa Cruz boardwalk where we went every summer with my grandparents.

 

[Moliphino]

I like Dinosaur, but it was better when it was more intense. We'll do Primeval Whirl if the line is short, never bother with Triceratops Spin.

 

[DisneyFive]

I have pretty strong feelings about it, but it depends on which area of Dinoland USA I'm talking about.

• DINOSAUR is great. Good theming, and blends well with the rest of the park. Even though they are extinct, they fit with the theme of AK.
• The Boneyard is also nice. A place for kids to get rid of some energy (even if we haven't made us of it.)
• Now, onto the "carni area" (TriceraTop Spin, Primevil Whirl, midway games)... I think it's an abomination in the Disney parks. Pretty strong words, I know, but the area does not fit AK, AT ALL. I know all the backstory, and also of Walt's love for the local fair. However, when Walt built Disneyland, or the Magic Kingdom, did he place a local fair in the middle of the park? No. Disney does better than that. There is zero theming to that area, and it feels like any other local roadside cheesy carnival/fair that might pop up at your local strip mall parking lot.. Our first visit to WDW was in 2010, and it honestly was the most memorable out of place area that I could remember in all of the parks. We still haven't set foot in that portion of the park because there just is no appeal. Please bring in something better. Something that actually fits with the theme of AK, or for any of the parks for that matter.

Dan

 

[unrequited23]

For us, the rides aren't must-dos, but my boys LOVE the boneyard and I've spent a few very pleasant hours relaxing in the shaded section in the back watching them dig up those giant bones.

Now if that shady spot had a bar The Boneyard would be darn near perfect...

 

[Jimmy Mouse]

Trilo-Bites, just outside DinoLand if you're coming from Discovery Island, has the Smokey Bones shake - a chocolate shake with bourbon and candied bacon.

How did I miss this? Sounds awesome and I will have to get one or three next visit! One of my favorite treats is at a local place called "Goats on the roof" and they have an ice cream called "You Bacon me Crazy" Maple Bacon ice cream served on a waffle with bacon sprinkled on top. They make it from scratch in front of you then freeze it with nitrogen.