DINOSAUR (originally named
Countdown to Extinction) is a
dark rideA dark ride or darkride is an indoor amusement ride where riders in guided vehicles travel through specially lit scenes that typically contain animation, sounds, music, and other special effects. The name can be misleading, since a dark ride does not have to be dark – it is simply enclosed,...
at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World,
Lake Buena Vista, FloridaLake Buena Vista is a city in Orange County, Florida, United States. It is mostly known for being home to the Walt Disney World Resort. It is one of two Florida municipalities controlled by The Walt Disney Company....
. Guests board vehicles called Time Rovers and are taken on a turbulent journey through the
CretaceousThe Cretaceous , Latin language for "chalky", usually abbreviated K for its German translation Kreide , is a geologic period and system from circa to million years ago . In the geologic timescale, the Cretaceous follows on the Jurassic period and is followed by the Paleogene period of the...
era. Originally named
Countdown to Extinction, the ride's name was later changed to
DINOSAUR to help advertise
the Disney film of the same nameDinosaur is a American animated feature film produced by Walt Disney Pictures. It is the 39th animated feature produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios...
during its release year. The ride, however, does not contain any reference to the film.
DINOSAUR (originally named
Countdown to Extinction) is a
dark rideA dark ride or darkride is an indoor amusement ride where riders in guided vehicles travel through specially lit scenes that typically contain animation, sounds, music, and other special effects. The name can be misleading, since a dark ride does not have to be dark – it is simply enclosed,...
at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World,
Lake Buena Vista, FloridaLake Buena Vista is a city in Orange County, Florida, United States. It is mostly known for being home to the Walt Disney World Resort. It is one of two Florida municipalities controlled by The Walt Disney Company....
. Guests board vehicles called Time Rovers and are taken on a turbulent journey through the
CretaceousThe Cretaceous , Latin language for "chalky", usually abbreviated K for its German translation Kreide , is a geologic period and system from circa to million years ago . In the geologic timescale, the Cretaceous follows on the Jurassic period and is followed by the Paleogene period of the...
era. Originally named
Countdown to Extinction, the ride's name was later changed to
DINOSAUR to help advertise
the Disney film of the same nameDinosaur is a American animated feature film produced by Walt Disney Pictures. It is the 39th animated feature produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios...
during its release year. The ride, however, does not contain any reference to the film. Rather, the physical movement of the ride was toned down in anticipation of its younger clientele, attracted by the film name.
Pre-show
Guests enter the Dino Institute, a once secret research facility. After moving through the queue area, which features real dinosaur remains, they are taken to a room where they watch a pre-show video. The ride's pre-show film director is
Jerry ReesJerry Rees is an animator and director best known for the 1987 Emmy-nominated animated film The Brave Little Toaster. He supervised and helped create many of the visual effects for the cult classic Tron, and is also a sculptor and fine artist....
, best known for his animated film
The Brave Little ToasterThe Brave Little Toaster is a animated film directed by Jerry Rees, written by Thomas M. Disch, produced by Hyperion Pictures along with The Kushner-Locke Company, and released by Walt Disney Pictures . The film is known for its extremely dark and unsettling undertones that are somehow...
. It was written by Steve Spiegel, with
Reed SmootReed Smoot A.S.C. is a United States cinematographer associated with many successful IMAX documentaries and theme park rides.Less recently, he did the cinematography for The Great American Cowboy, which won the 1973 Academy Award for best documentary feature.Smoot is a Latter-day Saint....
as Director of Photography.
In the video a woman, Dr. Marsh, announces that the guests are about to board Time Rovers that will take them on peaceful tours of the early
CretaceousThe Cretaceous , Latin language for "chalky", usually abbreviated K for its German translation Kreide , is a geologic period and system from circa to million years ago . In the geologic timescale, the Cretaceous follows on the Jurassic period and is followed by the Paleogene period of the...
period. However, a male scientist, Dr. Seeker, cuts off Dr. Marsh and, from his laboratory, informs the guests that he plans to send them to a time towards the end of the late Cretaceous period so that they can rescue an iguanadon from extinction. The screen displays footage of the dinosaur, whom the guests will identify as Aladar from the film. Dr. Marsh overhears Dr. Seeker and enters his lab, arguing that the mission is too dangerous, as the time the guests would be sent to is extremely close to the time when the meteor that killed the dinosaurs hits. After Dr. Marsh has left, Dr. Seeker says that he has hacked the time travel systems so that the guests can go to rescue the Iguanadon.
The Ride
The guests exit the pre-show area and proceed down a staircase to the underground loading area. Disney staff dressed as Dino Institute workers stand at control panels for the Time Rovers. Through windows in the walls (actually projection screens), guests can see that the room is surrounded by lava. Guests board a Time Rover and the vehicle proceeds around a corner and inside the time tunnel. Lights flash around the guests, then the lights go out and a field of stars appears on the walls. After the guests have passed the stars, the lights fade in on a prehistoric jungle around them.
The Time Rover drives through the jungles, seeking for Aladar, guided by Seeker. The top half of the rover shakes to simulate rough terrain. The set liberally utilizes dry ice and fiber optic meteorites. Through gaps in the trees, a twilight sky can be seen.
A
StyracosaurusStyracosaurus was a genus of herbivorous ceratopsian dinosaurs from the Cretaceous Period , about 76.5 to 75.0 million years ago...
near a volcanic vent leans against a tree, pushing it dangerously near to the vehicle. An
AlioramusAlioramus is a genus of tyrannosaurid theropod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous period of Asia. The type A. remotus, is known from a partial skull and three metatarsals recovered from Mongolian sediments which were deposited in a humid floodplain between 70 to 65 million years ago...
digs in the ground for prey, then pulls out a large lizard whose legs and tail wiggle in the grasp of the dinosaur's jaws. A mother
ParasaurolophusParasaurolophus is a genus of ornithopod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous Period of what is now North America, about 76-73 million years ago. It was a herbivore that walked both as a biped and a quadruped. Three species are recognized: P. walkeri , P...
watches over her young and a lone velociraptor stands on a ledge in search of prey. Suddenly, Seeker locks the rover's autopilot on a homing signal that he thinks will lead the guests to the Iguanodon. They take off at a rapid speed through the jungles, but the dinosaur they come to stop in front of is not the Iguanadon, but a dangerous
CarnotaurusCarnotaurus Carnotaurus Carnotaurus -bull", referring to its distinct bull-like horns (Latin carne = flesh + Greek tauros = bull) was a large predatory dinosaur, with horns vaguely resembling a bull's...
.
The rover speeds away frantically, jerking left and right, the tires screeching, and they come to a stop near a peaceful herbivore,
SaltasaurusSaltasaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur of the Late Cretaceous Period. Relatively small among sauropods, though still massive by human standards, it was characterized by a diplodocid-like head and was the first discovered with small bony plates embedded in its skin...
. Seeker insists that they keep moving, or else they won't be able to make it back to their own time before the meteor hits. The Time Rover enters a clearing in the jungle where a thunderstorm rages behind the trees and where two pterodactyls are perched. The vehicle goes down a drop just in time to avoid a collision with a larger, flying pterodctyl. As the guests fall down the drop, more small, flying reptiles pass over their heads.
They come to a stop in an apparently empty clearing, but then lights flash to reveal the Carnotaurus. The dinosaur walks toward the vehicle, and the guests flee from the predator and take many left and rights turns, only to meet up with it again. For the first time, the Carnotaurus raises itself to its full, intimidating height and roars so loudly that guests can feel the Time Rover shaking. The vehicle drives away again and Seeker tries desperately to abort the mission, but to no avail.
The rover proceeds down a path where large trees are tipping toward it. Aladar is struggling to hold up a log so that the guests can pass under. They pass Aladar, who is presumed to be following them. The Time Rover's computer announces that there are only a few seconds to spare before the meteor impact. Seeker, unable to initiate the time travel sequence fast enough, warns the guests to brace themselves. The boom of the meteor resounds through the jungles and a flash of light from the impact briefly illuminates the area so that the guests can see the Carnotaurus lunging toward them. The Time Rover plunges down a slope into complete darkness, then once again, stars appear on the walls. Lights come on so that the guests find they are inside the time tunnel. They exit the tunnel and see on a television screen that Aladar is wandering the halls of the institute. Seeker thanks the guests for their help and, humorously, he must leave to find the Igunanodon "before security does."
Dinosaurs featured in the ride
- Styracosaurus
Styracosaurus was a genus of herbivorous ceratopsian dinosaurs from the Cretaceous Period , about 76.5 to 75.0 million years ago...
- Alioramus
Alioramus is a genus of tyrannosaurid theropod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous period of Asia. The type A. remotus, is known from a partial skull and three metatarsals recovered from Mongolian sediments which were deposited in a humid floodplain between 70 to 65 million years ago...
- Parasaurolophus
Parasaurolophus is a genus of ornithopod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous Period of what is now North America, about 76-73 million years ago. It was a herbivore that walked both as a biped and a quadruped. Three species are recognized: P. walkeri , P...
(mentioned as "Hadrosaur")
- Velociraptor
Velociraptor is a genus of dromaeosaurid theropod dinosaur that existed approximately 75 to 71 mya during the later part of the Cretaceous Period. Only two species are currently recognized, although others have been assigned in the past. The type species is V...
(mentioned simply as "Raptor")
- Carnotaurus
Carnotaurus Carnotaurus Carnotaurus -bull", referring to its distinct bull-like horns (Latin carne = flesh + Greek tauros = bull) was a large predatory dinosaur, with horns vaguely resembling a bull's...
- Cearadactylus
Cearadactylus is an extinct genus of large, Early Cretaceous pterosaur from South America. Although its classification remains uncertain, it is likely to be a member of the pterodactyloid family Ctenochasmatidae, and possibly the subfamily Gnathosaurinae.-Cearadactylus atrox:The type species is...
(mentioned as "Pterodactyl")
- Saltasaurus
Saltasaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur of the Late Cretaceous Period. Relatively small among sauropods, though still massive by human standards, it was characterized by a diplodocid-like head and was the first discovered with small bony plates embedded in its skin...
(mentioned as "Sauropod")
- Iguanodon
Iguanodon is a genus of ornithopod dinosaur that lived roughly halfway between the first of the swift bipedal hypsilophodontids and the ornithopods' culmination in the duck-billed dinosaurs...
- Compsognathus
Compsognathus was a small, bipedal, carnivorous theropod dinosaur. The animal was the size of a turkey and lived around 150 million years ago, the early Tithonian stage of the late Jurassic Period, in what is now Europe...
Changes since the release of the film
Shortly after the release of the film on May 19, 2000, the attraction underwent many changes. Though originally named "Countdown to Extinction", its named was changed to "DINOSAUR". The original logo was taken down from the entrance building and replaced with a new sign from which protruded a small statue of a Carnotaurus. The original statue of the
StyracosaurusStyracosaurus was a genus of herbivorous ceratopsian dinosaurs from the Cretaceous Period , about 76.5 to 75.0 million years ago...
in front of the building was taken away and replaced with a statue of Aladar. Now that the attraction was marketed as a tie-in to the film, more children would be riding. Because of this, the movement of the enhanced motion vehicles was changed to be less intense and the ride was also given a less frightening soundtrack. In the original soundtrack, after the encounter with the first audio-animatronic Carnotaurus, the footsteps and roars of the dinosaur could be heard directly behind the vehicle, giving guests the feeling that they were being pursued. Now, during the same moments of the ride, the roars of the Carnotaurus can be heard far behind the guests, implying they have safely escaped.
Accidents
In April 2005, 30-year-old Ryan Norman of Mooresville, Indiana, lost consciousness shortly after exiting the ride and later died. He wore a
pacemakerA pacemaker is a medical device which uses electrical impulses, delivered by electrodes contacting the heart muscles, to regulate the beating of the heart...
, and Norman's parents said he had a heart condition. An investigation showed the ride was operating correctly and was not the cause of Norman's death.
Attraction statistics
- Grand opening: April 22, 1998 (Opened with Disney's Animal Kingdom)
- Previous attraction name: Countdown to Extinction, changed shortly after the Dinosaur film was released (which was on May 19th, 2000).
- Show length: 3:10
- Height Requirement: 40" (102 cm) or taller
- Additional features:
- Interacts with Pal Mickey
Pal Mickey is an interactive plush toy developed by The Walt Disney Company and previously sold at Walt Disney World Resort. While Pal Mickey was discontinued and no new stock is available for purchase as of October 2008, all three versions will continue to function.The toy is a ten inch Mickey...
- Location: DinoLand U.S.A.
- Ride system: Computerized ride vehicle, termed EMV (Enhanced Motion Vehicle), which are synced to show scenes
- Uses the same technology and shares a similar track layout as Disneyland's Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye
Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye is a dark ride attraction within Adventureland at Disneyland. It opened on March 3, 1995. Based on the Indiana Jones films, guests accompany intrepid archeologist Dr. Indiana Jones on a turbulent high speed adventure through a dangerous lost...
.
- Features: Appearances by actors Wallace Langham
Wallace Langham is an American actor who has been seen on many television shows either in guest roles or starring roles. He is probably best known for his role as David Hodges in the American crime drama television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.-Film career:He used to play billed as Wally...
and Phylicia RashadPhylicia Rashād is an American actress, best known for her role as Clair Huxtable on the 1984-1992 NBC sitcom The Cosby Show....
.
Trivia
- According to Research and Documentation Manager, Carol Lee, discovery of Carnotaurus
Carnotaurus Carnotaurus Carnotaurus -bull", referring to its distinct bull-like horns (Latin carne = flesh + Greek tauros = bull) was a large predatory dinosaur, with horns vaguely resembling a bull's...
came as Disney was planning the Countdown to Extinction attraction. Original plans called for Tyrannosaurus rex, but Disney responded to the latest news by incorporating Carnotaurs instead.
- Raymond, Disney's fully articulated Triceratops horridus skeleton that is located in the attraction's pre-show area, has a nameplate that misspells the name of the archaeologist who found, dug, and donated it. The nameplate reads "Dr. W. R. Gartska", when it should read "Garstka".
- "Dinosaur" is similar to "Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye" at Disneyland in Anaheim, as both rides have nearly the exact same track layouts and they both use enhanced motion vehicles (EMVs).
- While standing in front of the building's front entrance, trees are seen just behind the building. However, these trees are on the building's roof, and create the illusion that the building is quite smaller than it actually is.
- After decending the stairs before entering the time rover, there are three thin pipes running across the wall. These pipes are red, yellow and white. The chemicals listed on the pipes are chemical make up of Ketchup, Mustard, and Mayo respectfully.
External links