Where is Dino Land? Early Spring Trip 2/27-3/9/25! Updated 4/19*

[Paulaparm]

Hey Everyone!
I have been watching so many videos and ride previews of Epic Universe!

I have watched some as well! Now keep in mind I’ve been to Universal once…30ish years ago. When they were just building IOA!
After we returned from our Disney trip in Jan/Feb, Gary said he would like to try Universal! I’m sure it’s a few years away, but I’m excited

 

[Steppesister]

It is crazy how such corney jokes and an old ride is really popular. It is such a favorite and true Walt Disney all the way!

Very much so. Right up there with COP for Classics.

I would love to inhabit the HM in the great beyond!

With an eternal party with dancing and unlimited cake? Yes, please!

I am the same way, did you find the bathrooms very inconsistent with cleanliness in December? I happened upon several really dirty ones! So sad

Sadly, I did. People have turned into real pigs lately.

I do enjoy a Ronto wrap. We can split one so we have more stomach space for other treats!

DONE!

It is open now! Yay

YAY!!!

It is beautiful at night with SE in the background and all the lights around the water features

It's def on my list. Once I'm back from Africa I can think about October more.

It is pricey, splitting everything makes it a little more affordable I would probably eat there again!

I took a cruise through there and it sure is a lovely venue. So very pretty and I think prettier than GF for tea and cakes.

You know it, she still talks about it, lol

Oh poor D! That must've been very traumatic!

So far no info about if we can add the park to AP or not? That would be something I would be interested in.

Let me know when you get some info!

 

[disneyAndi14]

Another look at Dino Land or what is left of it!

Today was an AK day! We had FP for cash today, I bet you all know the line up by now! We had Dinosaur, NRJ, and Safari. Are you surprised? I’m sure you are not at all shocked about this.

We took our time and headed out around 9am. The bus stop at BWI is really nice, never a ton of people waiting and the bus waits were minimal each time we needed to use bus transportation.

It didn’t take long before we walked into the park and headed to Pandora. Our first ride was NRJ. It was a short wait with the FP$$. We knew the one ride we had on FoP the other night was the only ride this week and we were okay with that.

We took a few pictures in Pandora before moving on.

The Floating Mountain

Doesn’t this look like a giant robot walking towards you? Anyone see it? I always think that when I look up at the floating mountain.


We took our time and looked around Africa as the Safari was the next FP$$. We had another great Safari! We got to see the newest elephant baby Cora, she is adorable Andi and I have watched her sister Stella over the years!


We saw some sleeping Rhinos

Look at the silly goats on the roof at the end of the ride.

We decided to eat at Restaurantosaurus. I am not sure how long this will be open and I really wanted to pay tribute to what is left in Dino Land.

D found a table on the outside porch and I went in to get our food.

D went with The Cobb Salad
Cobb Salad with Chicken

Fresh Greens topped with Chicken, Cucumbers, Tomato, Hard-boiled Egg, Bacon, Blue Cheese, and Green Goddess Dressing

I had a kid’s meal

Chicken Strips (2 pieces)
Served with choice of two Sides and choice of Small Lowfat Milk or Small DASANI® Bottled water.
My 2 sides were French fries and I had a Diet Coke.

I didn’t take any pictures of our food but wow this was a sleeper hit! The food was delicious

The salad was fresh and we shared everything and we couldn’t finish all of the salad. The chicken strips and fries were really good. Disney can make a good chicken strip and French fries

We both loved this lunch and I was happy we decided to eat here.

I had done a mobile order and it was quick and easy to do.

After lunch, it was time to go and get that Dino

My picture fell a little short, lol!

We decided to use FP$$ for both the shows at AK today.

I don’t think you need to use FP but we were pleasantly surprised with the seat selection for FP. It was better than the SB line seats.

We both enjoyed The Finding Nemo show


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[disneyAndi14]

A couple more pictures of Nemo


I have to say The Lion King show was awesome and the better of the two, probably not a surprise for most! I have to say it was a good way to spend time at AK!


We decided to head out after the shows.

Look at the big anteater! It was fun to see him walking about as we were heading out of the park.

We had a few pictures outside of the park. The PP CM was wonderful, she was from Australia and really liked her job.


She was new to Florida and had only been working at Disney for a few months.

After our photo shoot, we headed to the bus stop and a bus was waiting for us, yay score!

We waited about 10 minutes for other passengers before we took off. It was a nice relaxing ride back to the resort.

Our plan was a little rest and DS for the evening except we decided to just hang around the Boardwalk area.

We walked to The Swan and Dolphin and looked around. It was a beautiful night.


Andi and I are planning to stay at The Swan in early September. We have never stayed there. The rooms are refurbished and I got a room with a balcony. It was $1300 dollars less than any Disney resort in this area. I got an AP discount. I need that $1300 for our Epic portion of the trip!

I’m excited to check this one off our list. There are only a few resorts we haven’t stayed at. We plan on walking to BWI or YC when we go to MK since Swan buses only go to the TTC now. This is the only negative I see so far. There are wonderful restaurants in the Swan and Dolphin this is a big plus.

Okay back to March, D and I walked over to YC next and decided to have a snack/light dinner at The Crew Cup.

We had a drink, of course I had the Key Lime Martini and D had a dirty martini. We shared food

Prime Rib Sliders

Onion Rolls, Au Jus, and Horseradish Cream

Again no pictures, we were busy talking and dove right in, haha These little beauties were delicious!

Once we finished up at the lounge we walked over to the BC to look around.

We walked back over to the BWI. We did stop and pick up an Oreo cheesecake from the Boardwalk Bakery.

Unfortunately, the CM who served us was really cranky and had no personality at all, somewhat like a wet dishrag. I don’t know if it was because the Bakery was getting close to closing time, anyway it was a bummer to run into another apathetic CM. I mean if you don’t want to be at the most magical place on earth then work somewhere else! I think being a nurse really makes it hard for me to understand behavior like this. There have been days I literally have not had time to eat or go to the bathroom on my job and I would never take it out on a patient! It makes me sad sometimes but so far, we have encountered way more nice CMs than disengaged, cranky ones! Thank goodness.

We took the cheesecake back to the room and had a few bites and put the rest in the fridge for morning. It was good!

We did not miss DS this trip and the Boardwalk is a great substitute.

Magic=seeing baby Cora on the Safari, delicious lunch and lounge dinner, taking time to enjoy the shows at AK, riding Dinosaur, seeing the giant anteater, exploring the different resorts on the Boardwalk, and having a relaxed evening.

Tragic=cranky CM, and a few dirty bathrooms in AK, I really think that is all today!

Stay tuned for our last full day at WDW, it is a F&G kinda day, with a lot of other stuff!

 

[disneyAndi14]

I have watched some as well! Now keep in mind I’ve been to Universal once…30ish years ago. When they were just building IOA!
After we returned from our Disney trip in Jan/Feb, Gary said he would like to try Universal! I’m sure it’s a few years away, but I’m excited

I’m so excited! I hope you all get to experience it in the next few years!

Very much so. Right up there with COP for Classics.

I can’t agree more

Sadly, I did. People have turned into real pigs lately.

I know it is sad to see dirty bathroom and even some areas in the parks!

It's def on my list. Once I'm back from Africa I can think about October more.

I’m excited for the trip in October. I think F&W will still be going on as well, yay!

I took a cruise through there and it sure is a lovely venue. So very pretty and I think prettier than GF for tea and cakes.

It really is a beautiful restaurant

Let me know when you get some info!

I sure will! I am waiting for so much USO info to drop!

 

[Steppesister]

I’m excited for the trip in October. I think F&W will still be going on as well, yay!

I'm sure it will be..... lots of noshing to be had!

I sure will! I am waiting for so much USO info to drop!

I'll get back there someday. Maybe Spring time? maybe?

 

[pkondz]

es, if not going any time soon, everything will be different except for the wonderful classic OG attractions

Right! Like Country Bears, or Liberty Square Riverboat, or Splash Mountain...


What??

It is! I keep thinking I am going to get a better score and I NEVER DO!

I love the Ronto wrap, the combination of pork, sausage and coleslaw is delicious

Exactly! Just relax and enjoy it haha

This is the old ESPN restaurant on the Boardwalk. Here is a picture from our friend google

Now I know. Thanks!

I wouldn’t get cake again there, to expensive and not perfect in every way

I certainly don't blame you.
And I doubt (whenever I get down there again) that I'd get one either.

I have noticed this more and more, sad

No kidding, we did have 55 degrees yesterday but tomorrow rain mixed with snow, yuck

We had a nice day yesterday too... now back to the cold. <sigh>

I will I am so excited for Epic, I thought many of the rides would not work for me but I do think I can do more than I organize thought

Great!!

Dis meets are the best!

 

[pkondz]

I bet you all know the line up by now! We had Dinosaur, NRJ, and Safari. Are you surprised?

What!?!?!?!?!?!?

No. WAY!!


I'm so surprised!!!!

I’m sure you are not at all shocked about this.

The bus stop at BWI is really nice, never a ton of people waiting and the bus waits were minimal each time we needed to use bus transportation.

Sounds pretty nice.

The Floating Mountain

Never gets old.
They did such a good job!

Doesn’t this look like a giant robot walking towards you? Anyone see it? I always think that when I look up at the floating mountain.

Um...


no

We got to see the newest elephant baby Cora, she is adorable

Awww.

We decided to eat at Restaurantosaurus. I am not sure how long this will be open and I really wanted to pay tribute to what is left in Dino Land.

I'm sad that they're closing that. I don't think I've ever eaten there, but had heard good things.

D went with The Cobb Salad
Cobb Salad with Chicken

Fresh Greens topped with Chicken, Cucumbers, Tomato, Hard-boiled Egg, Bacon, Blue Cheese, and Green Goddess Dressing

Yum!

I didn’t take any pictures of our food but wow this was a sleeper hit! The food was delicious

See?
Sad it's closing.

After lunch, it was time to go and get that Dino

Did you?

I don’t think you need to use FP but we were pleasantly surprised with the seat selection for FP. It was better than the SB line seats.

Huh. I didn't know that.

I have to say The Lion King show was awesome and the better of the two, probably not a surprise for most!

Look at the big anteater! It was fun to see him walking about as we were heading out of the park.

So cool seeing unfamiliar animals.

Nice pic of you two.

She was new to Florida and had only been working at Disney for a few months.

That might explain it.

After our photo shoot, we headed to the bus stop and a bus was waiting for us, yay score!

We walked to The Swan and Dolphin and looked around.

Have never been to either.
Should remedy that, some day.

It was $1300 dollars less than any Disney resort in this area.

Swan buses only go to the TTC now.

Is that new? Have no idea.

Prime Rib Sliders

Uh, oh...

Onion Rolls, Au Jus, and Horseradish Cream

<phew>
Okay. That sounds better.
Kelly had a less than stellar experience with her Filet Mignon sliders

We did stop and pick up an Oreo cheesecake from the Boardwalk Bakery.

ooohhh... that sounds good!

Unfortunately, the CM who served us was really cranky and had no personality at all,

I mean if you don’t want to be at the most magical place on earth then work somewhere else!

Yeah!!

I think being a nurse really makes it hard for me to understand behavior like this. There have been days I literally have not had time to eat or go to the bathroom on my job and I would never take it out on a patient!

Very good point.

 

[Wood Nymph]

The salad was fresh and we shared everything and we couldn’t finish all of the salad. The chicken strips and fries were really good. Disney can make a good chicken strip and French fries

That's good to know about the kid's meal. Disney can do great chicken strips. I wish that they did a better job with the grab and go salads that you find in the resort refrigerators.

We both enjoyed The Finding Nemo show

I have only seen Nemo once and that was enough for my husband. ;(

I have to say The Lion King show was awesome and the better of the two

We love this show.

It was $1300 dollars less than any Disney resort in this area. I got an AP discount. I need that $1300 for our Epic portion of the trip!

The Swan would be my choice over the Dolphin. You got a great price!

 

[Stacybaeasm]

I have been watching the baby animal announcements on social media - Bakso, Cora, the new giraffe, and now 3 baby otters!! I'm so excited to see them.

What a great evening just moving around the resorts and snacking/drinking. I much prefer that to DS. There are only a couple of stores that I like down there and I just can't bring myself to deal with the crowds and the buses anymore.

 

[disneyAndi14]

I'm sure it will be..... lots of noshing to be had!

Who doesn’t love noshing

I'll get back there someday. Maybe Spring time? maybe?

I’m thinking spring 2026 maybe a good time! After spring break is best, late April early May

Right! Like Country Bears, or Liberty Square Riverboat, or Splash Mountain...

Sarcasm is noted in this post, haha

We had a nice day yesterday too... now back to the cold. <sigh>

It is a rollercoaster of weather here, Easter weekend is looking good!

so surprised!!!!

Haha at least AK FP$$ is quite a bit less than other parks since there aren’t many selections! Like I said I wish I could pick Dino, Dino, Dino!

Never gets old.
They did such a good job!

I always find something new to look at in Pandora

I'm sad that they're closing that. I don't think I've ever eaten there, but had heard good things.

It really has been a good QS place. The back story is fun as well! The student researchers “dorm” area, lots of Easter Eggs!

Have never been to either.
Should remedy that, some day.

I really like both, they do not scream Disney but very beautiful lobbies and some good restaurants to choose from!

Is that new? Have no idea.

Yes, another thank the pandemic! Disney quit doing the bus transportation for Swan/Dolphin so they don’t have access to MK anymore just the TTC. Dumb! At least it is a short walk to BWI or YC to use the bus there.

 

[disneyAndi14]

That's good to know about the kid's meal. Disney can do great chicken strips. I wish that they did a better job with the grab and go salads that you find in the resort refrigerators.

I was surprised the salad was really good and very fresh with a great dressing!

I have only seen Nemo once and that was enough for my husband. ;(

Haha I can see that. My husband would not get it at all!

We love this show.

Lion King is very entertaining and I am always glad I go back to see it!

The Swan would be my choice over the Dolphin. You got a great price!

I kept watching and even the last round of AP summer deals for Epcot resorts and Riviera are at least $1300 more than our Swan reservation and we can knock off another resort. We are down to just Dolphin, Saratoga, New Poly tower, and Cooper Creek. That is it!

I have been watching the baby animal announcements on social media - Bakso, Cora, the new giraffe, and now 3 baby otters!! I'm so excited to see them.

Same! I just saw the cute little otters! Adorable

What a great evening just moving around the resorts and snacking/drinking. I much prefer that to DS. There are only a couple of stores that I like down there and I just can't bring myself to deal with the crowds and the buses anymore.

I agree, DS is always incredibly crowded and I am fine taking a break from it!

 

[pkondz]

Sarcasm is noted in this post, haha

It is a rollercoaster of weather here, Easter weekend is looking good!

Friday not so much, but Saturday and Sunday look nice.


Of course I'm working those days...

Haha at least AK FP$$ is quite a bit less than other parks since there aren’t many selections! Like I said I wish I could pick Dino, Dino, Dino!

It really has been a good QS place. The back story is fun as well! The student researchers “dorm” area, lots of Easter Eggs!

I had no idea! Huh!


Um... I guess moot point now.

 

[piglet1979]

Andi and I are planning to stay at The Swan in early September.

We stayed at the Swan on our last trip about 2 years ago. We loved it. It is not a huge resort and was easy to navigate. We were there before the rooms were refurbished. I can't wait to see them the next time we go.

We plan on walking to BWI or YC when we go to MK since Swan buses only go to the TTC now.

We did this as well on the second day at MK. I would also suggest doing the same if you go to AK. We took the Swan buses both days and waited over an hour to get a bus back to the resort. We really don't know how long we would have waited because we left and went to the BWI buses. We were not thrilled with the Swan buses.

 

[disneyAndi14]

We stayed at the Swan on our last trip about 2 years ago. We loved it. It is not a huge resort and was easy to navigate. We were there before the rooms were refurbished. I can't wait to see them the next time we go.

I’m glad you enjoyed staying there. I love that area but wow Disney is out pricing me! We are excited to stay at the Swan!

We did this as well on the second day at MK. I would also suggest doing the same if you go to AK. We took the Swan buses both days and waited over an hour to get a bus back to the resort. We really don't know how long we would have waited because we left and went to the BWI buses. We were not thrilled with the Swan buses.

Thank you for this info. I have read the buses are not the best now. I think we will Lyft to AK and use BWI for MK!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

, I bet you all know the line up by now! We had Dinosaur, NRJ, and Safari. Are you surprised?

I’M SHOCKED!!! Never would have guessed!

We got to see the newest elephant baby Cora, she is adorable

So cute. You got some great photos on safari.

Doesn’t this look like a giant robot walking towards you?

YES!!! I am so glad someone else sees this like I do! I always think it’s a robot.

We decided to eat at Restaurantosaurus. I am not sure how long this will be open and I really wanted to pay tribute to what is left in Dino Land.

Nice to pay a visit while you can. Food sounds tasty. Sometimes a kids chicken strips and fries just hits the spot perfectly.

I have to say The Lion King show was awesome

Love this show! Have never seen the Nemo one

We had a few pictures outside of the park. The PP CM was wonderful, she was from Australia and really liked her job

Great photos of you both and lovely to encounter an enthusiastic cast member

we decided to just hang around the Boardwalk area.

An evening wandering around the Boardwalk is one of my favourite ways to end the day. So soothing and relaxing and the whole area is so pretty.

so far, we have encountered way more nice CMs than disengaged, cranky ones!

Thank goodness.
It’s sad though that there are way more cranky CMs and rude guests than I remember there being in the past but at least the good outnumbers the bad.

 

[disneyAndi14]

So cute. You got some great photos on safari.

I’m always amazed when I get a few good ones! I am not the greatest at getting action shots or moving shots!

YES!!! I am so glad someone else sees this like I do! I always think it’s a robot.

I’m glad someone else can see it! D noticed it as well!

Nice to pay a visit while you can. Food sounds tasty. Sometimes a kids chicken strips and fries just hits the spot perfectly.

It was a great lunch and somewhere I know Andi would never want to go so it was a good time to do it!

Love this show! Have never seen the Nemo one

Lion King has all the good feels! We had great seats so that was a plus!

Great photos of you both and lovely to encounter an enthusiastic cast member

D was not into photos this trip so I was glad we got a few from each park!

An evening wandering around the Boardwalk is one of my favourite ways to end the day. So soothing and relaxing and the whole area is so pretty.

I agree, it really has so much to offer and beautiful at night

Thank goodness.
It’s sad though that there are way more cranky CMs and rude guests than I remember there being in the past but at least the good outnumbers the bad.

It is veryy weird to encounter CMs that aren’t happy to be there, never happened years ago!

 

[buzzrelly]

Secretly, I was hoping it would convince Jack to make a trip with me, so far no go

Such a bummer...I know my Nicholas rarely wants to go with me either. We were thinking December but then his girlfriend said she can't go so he won't go with us either

I think being pilots is the best way to enjoy this ride.

I agree

Pixie Fetti® Birthday Cake

Overall we enjoyed it. Was it worth $23 dollars? No I don’t think so!

It's very pretty but I agree, it's not worth the price tag. I got a slice in December and thought the cake was too dry and crumbly, I picked at it for a couple days and then tossed it. Gideon's cake slices are much better!

I will be in Florida when the park opens but I will be at Disney and maybe a quick hop over to the OG Universal! I am hoping to meet up with Vanessa @vamassey1 and Molly @Mollydolly334

Fun!

I didn’t make any dining reservations nope not a one! I’m hoping I can maybe have dinner with Vanessa and Molly one night if it works out.

I haven't been making many ADRs anymore and there always seems to be plenty to choose from on the day of!

After lunch, it was time to go and get that Dino

My picture fell a little short, lol!

Aw! You look so happy!

We had a drink, of course I had the Key Lime Martini

Why would you get anything else, it's so yummy!

Prime Rib Sliders

Onion Rolls, Au Jus, and Horseradish Cream

Yeah, I think I got the Prime Rib sliders at the wrong place. I'll have to try these!

I think being a nurse really makes it hard for me to understand behavior like this. There have been days I literally have not had time to eat or go to the bathroom on my job and I would never take it out on a patient!

Same!

 

[disneyAndi14]

Such a bummer...I know my Nicholas rarely wants to go with me either. We were thinking December but then his girlfriend said she can't go so he won't go with us either

I keep trying to get him to join us, hopefully one of these trips!

It's very pretty but I agree, it's not worth the price tag. I got a slice in December and thought the cake was too dry and crumbly, I picked at it for a couple days and then tossed it. Gideon's cake slices are much better!

We loved our slice of Gideon’s cake and I have to agree it is better. You cannot have dry cake at those prices!

I haven't been making many ADRs anymore and there always seems to be plenty to choose from on the day of!

It is nice to not make reservations and we also have had good luck on the trip getting what we want!

Why would you get anything else, it's so yummy!

I dream about that drink!

Yeah, I think I got the Prime Rib sliders at the wrong place. I'll have to try these!

These are so good I can’t wait to go back in September!

 

[disneyAndi14]

It is a F&G kinda day, with a lot of other stuff!

Today was the first day of F&G! I love this festival. It is my favorite of all the festivals. Epcot was celebrating 30 years of F&G.

We had FP$$ and a Fancy FP$$ fo GotG. Our FP for cash selections today were Remy, LwtL, and SE. We were up early today and walked over to Epcot so we could enjoy the extra 30 minutes for resort guests. We were in France at 0830 and our plan was to RD Remy and ride it again at 0900 with our FP. The line was long and I wasn’t sure how fast it would move. We made an executive decision and used the 30 minutes to take pictures of the topiaries in France and walk around a very empty Morocco. It was fun to get pictures without a ton of people around.



Morocco

I also had to get a picture of my favorite topiary Miss Piggy and Kermit.

We walked back to France and checked out a few of the shops. I do love the parfumerie except the fragrance I loved is no longer available ugh

We rode Remy with our FP and waited only about 5 minutes. The SB line was at 55 minutes. We enjoyed our ride and headed out of WS for now.

Our plan was to enjoy all the topiaries and decorations today and visit food booths tomorrow. We toured this way today thinking it would be very crowded at the food booths and we didn’t want to spend a ton of time waiting in line.

This was a really good strategy and we actually did not find the park crazy busy with our plan!

I wanted to check out Communicore Hall before it got really crowded. It was decorated for F&G with a food booth in the building. I took some pictures and it was not crowded at all.




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