DinoLand USA : Expand or Remove?

[DJ Disney Kid]

Just curious what everyone thinks about DinoLand USA in the AK. Should they expand on it or remove it completely for something different?

 

[Jalva22]

I'd vote in the middle. Keep the idea of Dinoland, but completely redo it. Take out the Midway theming and give it more of a dinosaur feel. Somehow take the feeling you get in Ellen's Energy Adventure and build the section around that type of atmosphere. Something that kids (who naturally love dinosaurs) will want to explore, but not something that's frightening.

So, instead of expand or remove, I'll vote "keep and improve."

 

[btuftee]

Well, seeing as Disney's sunk probably $200 million into Dinoland U.S.A. to date, I doubt it's going anywhere! I actually think Dinoland is pretty fleshed out - it's got one major attraction, and two minor ones, plus a nature trail and playground. The Africa section of the park is looking a little bare now, what with Asia now having two E-tickets, and Dinoland having one E-ticket and two C-tickets. Africa could use another attraction or show.

 

[LeeLeeLuvsDisney]

I agree with Jalva22.

And at the same time, bring in that ancient, mystical area that was planned at the beginning! You see unicorns and dragons all over AK...I'd like to see them do something with that idea!

 

[civileng68]

I'd vote in the middle. Keep the idea of Dinoland, but completely redo it. Take out the Midway theming and give it more of a dinosaur feel. Somehow take the feeling you get in Ellen's Energy Adventure and build the section around that type of atmosphere. Something that kids (who naturally love dinosaurs) will want to explore, but not something that's frightening.

So, instead of expand or remove, I'll vote "keep and improve."

Agree 100%. As it is now, I would not want it expanded but, I like it to be redone. I like the idea but, I just think the "theming" of it sort of feels out of place. I think they could make it MUCH better. I dont like the lack of shade in that area. It's so hot in the summer and that area is twice as miserable.

 

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

I agree with Jalva22.

And at the same time, bring in that ancient, mystical area that was planned at the beginning! You see unicorns and dragons all over AK...I'd like to see them do something with that idea!

And I agree with you. You are correct that you see unicorns and dragons all over AK. They do need to do something with that idea as they did originally plan.

. . . snipped . . . I dont like the lack of shade in that area. It's so hot in the summer and that area is twice as miserable.

I also agree! It is very hot!! When we were down there in Sept. we wandered into DinoLand after riding Expedition Everest. Our stomach's were queazey and we desperately needed a place to sit in the shade. Our choices were to either exit DinoLand completely or try and make it over to the little bit of shade outside of the Dinosaur ride. It was very hot!

 

[BurkeTribe]

They could expand it relatively cheaply. I think they should add another 3 or 4 kiddie rides like at normal carnivals. Say, little dinoturtle boats that go in a circle, a pterodactyl-themed ferris wheel (not a continually turning wheel, just turn one car, unload, load,turn to next car,... fun for the view at the top) , maybe little "Dizzy Diplodocus" ride ala Teacups, a merry-dino-go-round. Just simple, relatively cheap attractions that thrill 2-10yos* (and those of us who turn 10 when we enter the park ).


Our kids like the midway-theming, but the midway-games can lead to near-meltdowns ("I didn't win, gotta play again"). Luckily both our little weasels won on the first try (<---gamble) this time around , saving us the additional $2 and $3 losses. These kinds of games for kids (and a lot of the machines at ChuckECheese nowadays) seem to me to be Vegas recruitment tools.

*not that the big ticket rides don't thrill them, but to a lot of 3-4yos, TriceraTop Spin is their equivalent to EE , and since most 3-4yo can't ride EE or Dinosaur or PWhirl....

 

[civileng68]

I just think that while I know this is the point, it really gives a cheap feel to the area. I just really think it should blend with the park. Its not a place to relax and just seems sort of gaudy (I know this is the point).

Also, it seems that there's really no innovativeness in this area. There's no ride that really screams "creative".

I think they should put something in there that doesn't have to be exciting but should be very creative.

I think a great ride for the area (this would only work with expansion and change in theming) would be to sort of have a boat ride through a jungle with dinosaurs (think Universal's IOA dinosaur ride, before entering the building, with 10X the theming).

I think the AK overall has the most potential of ANY park. However, I dont understand some decisions. The Khali Rapids were built early on and the ride is so short. I just didn't understand it. They could have incorporated that into as much space as they liked since it was coming in as an original attraction.

 

[ChrisFL]

Here is an old Jim Hill article about some of this stuff and sheds light on why it is like it is:

http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/archive/2001/01/01/311.aspx

So we may never see Beastly Kingdom since they fired those imagineers who went to work at Universal Creative.

 

[amy4bruce]

I'm up-in-the-air about Dinoland. From a themeing point of view, it's brilliant. It looks like a cheap, travelling carnival that you find in a parking lot somewhere. My problem is that I don't think that's a particularly good idea.

Take Primeval Whirl. It is the perfect equivalent of one of those traveling rides. Of course, I hate them, and I hated Primeval Whirl.

DD6 did like the games, mostly because it was empty when we were there, she only played her mother, and both DW and the CM there cheated to make her win.

 

[brocklesnar69]

I wouldn't want to get rid of DinoLAND. But rather, make an "all new" attraction for it. Maybe a water raft ride that takes you through a Dino filled Jungle. Give it something new to make it more interesting.

 

[MainStMandy]

I agree with Jalva22.

And at the same time, bring in that ancient, mystical area that was planned at the beginning! You see unicorns and dragons all over AK...I'd like to see them do something with that idea!

I totally agree...except it doesn't really have to do with DinoLand...Unicorns, dragons and the like can't really be compared to Dinosaurs.

I think Dinoland is great. I don't think it was set up properly, too spread out and while each individual attraction or ride is great, it doesn't flow. I love Primeval-Whirl, and I think the carnival themeing is cute, just doesn't go with the rest of the land. Unfortunately, nothing to do about that now....

 

[Mono~rail]

I'm fairly sure that I'm in the vast minority when I say that I like Dinoland USA! It is supposed to look like a roadside attraction from the 50's/60's the theming is right on par with what I've seen (on the history channel) about roadside attractions from that era. Primeval Whirl is a fun ride (it knocked my bra off!), and the twins enjoyed Triceratop Spin. My only wish is that there were more shade in that area. It was a bit hot.

 

[MJMcBride]

Whats your defintion of Dinoland? Is it Chester & Hester's? Because I like Dinosaur.

 

[ChrisFL]

I wouldn't want to get rid of DinoLAND. But rather, make an "all new" attraction for it. Maybe a water raft ride that takes you through a Dino filled Jungle. Give it something new to make it more
interesting.

That would make it just like the Jurassic Park ride at IOA though.

 

[rie'smom]

Our family loves Primeval Whirl. The rest of it I'm really indifferent about whatever happens.

 

[crazy4dizney]

My family enjoys Dinoland . I would definitly like to see it expand.