Dino-rama

[Dznefreek]

Well after a four year lapse in my visits to DAK I went this past weekend with my nephew and saw it for myself. All I can say is, "Oh My God!", What were they thinking!

I know many people will say, "The themeing to a carnival atmosphere is GREAT!" I say how cheap can you get in your expansion efforts?

 

[pfc123]

I agree. Animal Kingdom is such a beautiful and eligant park that I cannot help but feel that Dino-rama area just doesn't fit. I don't think I like the idea of carnival games in the park either. Maybe a section of the boardwalk (or a new one) could have been made into something like this but not in Animal Kingdom, and not so close to the most beautiful section... Asia.

On the positive side however, I thought the parking lot paint on the concrete was amazing. Overall it is great work...in the wrong place.

 

[sm4987]

I wonder why they didn't put something like this in dowtown Disney and allow for a more fitting expansion in the AK. While it is not horrible, it just doesn't seem to fit in.

 

[PatriciaH]

I agree! DH and I think it looks SO cheap. They put so much detail into even the McDonalds restaurant in Dinoland it is a shame to see the garish atmosphere of Dinorama. Word on the Rumor board is that the Imagineers were really upset they chopped their ideas down to that.

 

[Shells9]

I guess I am in the minority. I kinda have a little affinity for tacky , so I thought it was cute. Out of place, definately so, but fun, yeah. I even took pictures of the old cars by the drive in sign.

I did think the license plates around the bushes off to the side of the entrance used as planters or whatever that was suppoed to be was pretty bad, though.

 

[Melynny]

Both of my Grandaughters ( 7 and 4.5) and my neices ( 11 and 8) loved Dino-rama. It's tacky yes.. but very fun for kids. I think it's a great place to let off some steam for kids. But, I kinda like it too.

 

[Synonymous]

I don't mind Dino-Rama. I can see why they wanted something silly for kids. BUT-

Why the heck did they put in a ride that has one of the tallest height requirements at WDW??? If this is the place to attract families and young kids, don't you want a ride they all can enjoy? And I can't believe that PW couldn't have been designed with a restraint system that could have allowed for shorter kids. It is not at all an intense ride. In fact, I found it dull, but I know my 44" tall daughter would have loved it if she could have gone on. As it was, she was so mad about not getting to ride that she didn't want to do anything else in Dino-Rama.

 

[sm4987]

Synonymous-great point. The height requirement for the ride is too high. My children who loved this part of the park, got quickly tired of the dumbo like rides, and wanted to do something more interesting. While my son last year was 6, he was still to little to ride that ride.

 

[luvmk]

I know the height requirements are because of the restraint systems, but I find it amusing that my 4 yo dd can ride ToT, but my 7yo ds can't ride PW. Both of my kids love the dinosaur area, I just wish they could ride all of the rides.

 

[Synonymous]

Tower of Terror, Test Track, all 3 mountains, even Alien Encounter. The only thing with a taller height requirement at all of WDW (outside of DisneyQuest) is Rock-and-Rollercoaster. I don't get it. What kind of planning is that?

I guess I shouldn't complain- if DD could go on PW we'd never get out of Dino-Rama.

I also thought it was a little cheesy that they really charge you to play the carnival games. These games are all such sleazy scams, it seems beneath Disney. Whereas, an area where you could play these games for free, maybe with a limit on the prizes you could win or even playing just for the fun of it, would be kind of magical.

But what do I know? Nobody's paying ME a $5 million bonus this year. (Although I bet I could make the company's stock plunge just as well as Mike has.)

 

[elemusing]

I like it!! They needed something fun for the kids at DAK. Now, you all are so right - the height requirement for PW is too high. But I guess experts who know better than me posted those and I will always obey them - not try to make my kid appear taller. But it does stink that he can ride TOT and not PW.

Angie

 

[MinniMama]

Glad someone else noticed the height requirement on PW my 2 year old cried and cried standing under that height sign saying I am so big, I can so go on, I even go in the big potty, I can so ride, the lady tried to convice her but to no avail- it looked so cool- it was sad but funny and she fussed the whole time she was in the baby swap area with grandma. Probably will for several years

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says....................................At first I thought yall were joking about PW, then I pulled out the map. OMG, a toddler can ride this ride it is so slow and non threatening. 48"??
Ya might as well tear it down. When as a child you want to ride it you are too small, when you can ride it as a teen, you won't want to, when you can as an adult you'll have a kid too small to ride it!
And I think you should be at least 72" to go on It's a small World!
lol

 

[Jollymon]

I think everyone missed the point of Dinorama. I think it is brilliant!

If you think of the layout of the area, it goes from excavation, to a highway with road stops, to a cheesy amusement park with cheesy souvenier shops.

All of which would not exist if it was not for the dinosaur (mainly oil, but also the souvenier value of a huge lizard).

I think Disney was trying to portray how these animals brought about a revolution (travel) that at its best, patronized the very ones responsible for its existence.

Maybe I am reading too much into it...

Andrew

 

[brunoflipper]

dino-rama does look cheap but to me, the saddest fact is that PW sucks as a ride

 

[Synonymous]

INteresting perspective, Andrew. Shall we give Disney the benefit of the doubt and assume they planned it that way?

 

[Dznefreek]

I thought the parking lot paint on the concrete was amazing.

You have got to be kidding!

 

[Lady Hiss]

IMHO, the whole area is cheesy and way, way below Disney standards. If I wanted a cheap carnival atmosphere (which I don't), I can get that right here during all the summer festivals in the Milwaukee area (they always include a midway complete with carnival barkers,cotton candy, and games with cheap prizes) or at Great America in Gurnee, IL. Ew, ew, ew. I was SO disappointed that this was part of Animal Kingdom. What a let down. Yep, I missed the whole point, I guess. My only feeling after going there recently was NEVER AGAIN.

 

[Absimilliard]

The ride is way too rough for children under 48 inches tall. Remember, this is not your tame, overbraked Wild Mouse (Like the one at Busch Gardens Williamsburg). Its not a matter of tame or not. The restraints are not designed for people under 48 inches.

 

[Synonymous]

Sorry, I have to disagree. This ride doesn't even compare to Space Mountain, Big Thunder, or even Splash. It's very tame. My daughter (46") has been on much wilder rides at WDW and elsewhere.