Why was Countdown To Extinction renamed to Dinosaur?

[Metallica_Band]

Hey there...I've been wondering why Countdown To Extinction was renamed to Dinosaur...I went when it was called Countdown To Extinction and got me a photo and a mug (I think) and one of those die cast cars...you think the car, mug, and maybe even the photo would be a collectable or something? Why the name change and was anything done to the ride between name changes?
THANX
C'YA

 

[Synonymous]

Marketing. A movie called "Dinosaur" came out. I don't think anything was done to make it fit the movie better, but I do believe some changes were made early on in the ride's life, probably around the same time as the name change. Now, I could be wrong, but I believe they took out some of the meteor effects. I seem to remember when first riding this that the meteors coming down were alot more prevalent. Now there are long stretches of pitch dark, which I don't remember from my first experience.

 

[Ilovestitch]

I liked the name Countdown to Extinction better, if you look at the vehicles it still says "CTX".

 

[kaabost]

I also liked the name countdown to extinction alot better. I figured they might have changed it because perhaps the anti-evolution people didn't appreciate it??????? Who knows?

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

Whatever the opinion - the ride is terrible, too loud and too jerky, doesn't really seem to have a theme.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

It was indeed changed to capitalize on the "Dinosaur" film that didn't end up doing very well.

This is easily one of my top 3 rides at WDW just because I love dark rides so much. Even though I know what's coming up I still get pretty scared, unusual for me. I also like how the lighting seems to vary from ride to ride - sometimes it's more scary what you can't see yet you know is there. For instance, there is a dino that jumps out at the very very end of the ride right before you hit the time tunnel that many people miss - sometimes the light doesn't come on at all, sometimes it's a brief flash, sometimes it's a bigger flash.

It is very jerky in the back rows, but the front row is great - much much smoother.

N.E.D.

 

[Leota]

The Dinosaur you are trying to save in the ride is the lead character from the movie - That's how it ties in to the movie.

 

[tiggrbaby]

The ride opened before the movie was released. They had to wait for the movie to come out to make the connection.

 

[vsimeone]

Whatever the opinion - the ride is terrible, too loud and too jerky, doesn't really seem to have a theme.

I could NOT agree MORE!!! I HATE this ride! The sudden stops and the jerks take away from any suspense and surprises there might be! Now RnRC gets my vote for one of the best rides. So nice and smooth. If they could smooth out Dinosaur, it might just move up on my list but for now, it just gives me one big headache from the jerkiness and the noise!

 

[dbewers]

I could NOT agree MORE!!! I HATE this ride! The sudden stops and the jerks take away from any suspense and surprises there might be! Now RnRC gets my vote for one of the best rides. So nice and smooth. If they could smooth out Dinosaur, it might just move up on my list but for now, it just gives me one big headache from the jerkiness and the noise!

I think tha the jerkiness and the noise is what makes Dinosaur cool and different from the other rides at WDW. It is one of the rides that I MUST go on every trip. You can have your opinion but if it was a smooth ride like RnRC it would be boring and have no suprises.

 

[SteamboatMickey]

I must be out of the majority here, but I love this ride! But then again, I love jerky rides. But back to topic, yeah, it was renamed because of the movie "Dinosaur".

 

[Synonymous]

It would hardly be a convincing off-road race through a pre-historic jungle if it was smoothed-out like a roller-coaster track.

 

[hucifer]

It would hardly be a convincing off-road race through a pre-historic jungle if it was smoothed-out like a roller-coaster track.

True. I saw a special on the Travel Channel about this ride and the special cars they use to synthesize that "Jeep" feel. I think it is clever, yes jerky, but find that it works well for this attraction. The first time I rode it I thought, "cool, we're really riding jeeps." I LOVE this attraction! It's also a favorite for the hubby.

 

[Metallica_Band]

Whatever the opinion - the ride is terrible, too loud and too jerky, doesn't really seem to have a theme.

Ummm...you just described every single rollercoaster out there.. .

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

The ride opened before the movie was released. They had to wait for the movie to come out to make the connection.

This is the reason for the name change. I was on the opening crew of CTX. It was told to us from Day 1 that the ride would be renamed as soon as the movie opened. They had always intended on calling it Dinosaur but it opened before the movie came out so the decided to wait as people would not get the connection. I too liked Countdown to Extinction better, and still call it that.

Also as was mentioned the Dinosaur you are trying to save is the Dinosaur from the movie and the pre-show has movie clips in it.

And in my opinion it is a great ride, one of my favorites. Just wish they had done a little more with it as Indiana Jones (the sister attraction at DL is WAY better).

 

[Metallica_Band]

What about any of the Countdown To Extinction souvenirs??? They collectables now??? Worth anything??

 

[Conan the Librarian]

Have any of you read the pipes and things inside the loading area?

I am not sure about all of them, but, one is a pipe of Lemonade. Any Chemist out there who can translate the rest?

 

[YourMajesty]

Hey there...I've been wondering why Countdown To Extinction was renamed to Dinosaur...I went when it was called Countdown To Extinction and got me a photo and a mug (I think) and one of those die cast cars...you think the car, mug, and maybe even the photo would be a collectable or something? Why the name change and was anything done to the ride between name changes?
THANX
C'YA

We rode when it first opened in the fall of 98. Not only did it have a different name but I think the height restriction was 44" instead of 40". I thought it was must faster and intense than it is now. Does anyone remember or could I be delusional?