DinoLand USA--Disney's Animal Kingdom
While you are exploring all of the animals living at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, it’s easy to forget about the animals that roamed the earth millions of years ago. DinoLand USA reminds guests of how important it is to study those animals from long ago to gain a better understanding of animals that roam the earth in modern times.
The fictional story of DinoLand USA is that it started out as a small town on a lonely strip of highway where an amateur fossil hunter came across some dinosaur bones in 1947. He contacted some scientists and they raised money to buy the site where the bones were found. Scientists, volunteers, and students came to study dinosaurs and founded the Dino Institute. Other attractions in DinoLand USA are part of the lore, including an old fishing lodge turned in to Restaurantosaurus and two locals called Chester and Hester who created a way to travel through time in a ride called Primeval Whirl. Other Chester and Hester attractions include the Triceratops Spin Ride, midway games, and a souvenir shop converted from an old gas station.
Serious dino aficionados will love the Cretaceous Trail, where they can stroll along a path and view reproductions of dinosaurs that roamed the earth during the Cretaceous period. An informational plaque at the Cretaceous Trail reminds visitors that many of the plants and animals we are familiar with today are descendants of animals that lived long ago.
Hungry dino hunters will find several dining options. Along with Restaurantosaurus, guests will find Trilo-bites, which serves smoked turkey legs, Dino Bites, and Dino Diner.
