Disney's Animal Kingdom - Dinoland USA

Dinoland USA is where you can be terrified, entertained, and test your skills. The main attraction here is Dinosaur, a simulator type attraction that uses the same technology as Disneyland's Indiana Jones Adventure. There is also an extensive area for kids of all ages to play in the Bonyard. The other attractions in the land, Primeval Whirl, TriceraTop Spin and Fossil Fun Games is basically a carnival atmosphere and attractions.
Geek's Thoughts & Suggestions

This is least favorite area of Disney's Animal Kingdom. The carnival atmosphere of the Hester & Chesters Din-o-rama area really gets on my nerves and seems to play right into most critics opinions of Disney over the past few years.

In 2006 the Theater in the Wild was completely renovated and enclosed. So now the show has air conditioning and control over the lighting. This was a great inmprovement in the venu. In December 2006 we were able to visit and see one of the early shows of the Finding Nemo Musical. Here were my initial thoughts from the show (taken from my trip report from 12/06):

  • The Finding Nemo Musical at Animal Kingdom appears to be another crowd attractor for the park. We showed up over an half hour before the show and the line stretched from the theater, down into Dinoland. I would think most of those people got in but the line was long and probably god longer. We went to the second showing and lined up about half an hour before show time and were at the very entrance to Dinoland, we got in with no problem. So if you see the long line don't be too scared, the theater does hold quite a few guests, but as word spread the line may grow even longer faster...

  • I found the this show to be pretty good by Theme park standards. I thought the sets, lighting, puppets, actors/actresses all were great and did a first class job. I even thought the use of puppets and live actors worked amazingly well. But something with the show did not sit well with me. After pondering it most of the day I think it boils down to the music just was not engaging. The Festival of the Lion King is so energetic and compelling that you are immersed and energized. Here you are immersed in the undersea world but not really compelled to stay or have fun, or at least I was not. Also I think the repeatability of this show is really limited. If you are like me and do not find the music too inspiring there is little purpose to watch it again and again. Where as the Lion King always has such great performances and even Aladdin at Disney's California Adventure has the Genie's adlibs to bring you back.


Attractions & Entertainment (Parades, Shows & Fireworks)
Current Attractions: Current Entertainment:
  • Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! (Opened: Jun 13, 2022)
Retired Attractions:
  • Primeval Whirl Soft opening March 31, 2002 (Apr 18, 2002 - Mar 15, 2020)
  • Dinosaur Jubilee (Apr 22, 1998 - Nov 30, 2000)

 

Retired Entertainment:
  • Finding Nemo - The Musical (Jan 24, 2007 - Mar 15, 2020)
  • Tarzan Rocks Theater in the Wild (Jul 02, 1999 - Jan 21, 2006)
  • Journey into the Jungle Book Theater in the Wild (Apr 22, 1998 - Mar 31, 1999)
Dining Options
  • Restaurantosaurus
  • Dino-Bite Snacks
  • Trilo-Bites
  • Dino Diner

Quick Facts
  • There are 16 Countdown to Extinction transports
  • For the release of Dinosaur in theaters the attraction had a name change from Countdown to Extinction to Dinosaur
  • Theater in the Wild
    • Tarzan Rocks (7/1999 -> 1/2006)
    • Finding Nemo the Musical (11/2006 - current)
Related Disney News Releases
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