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{{Template:Infobox Disney ride |
| land=DinoLand U.S.A.
| custom_value_1= Yes
}}
DINOSAUR (formally known as Countdown to Extinction) is an attraction found in [[DinoLand USA]] within [[Disney's Animal Kingdom]].
==Attraction History==
===Countdown To Extinction===
The attraction that would eventually be known as DINOSAUR traces its roots back to 1991 <ref name= "martin"/>. At that time, Disney developed a new type of ride platform that was able to tilt and sway regardless of the speed or direction of the vehicle<ref name= "martin"/>. The new ride vehicle (known as an EMV) was first used in Disneyland's Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye in 1995 <ref name= "martin"/>. This success of that attraction convinced Imagineers that they could tailor the system for the new E Ticket Dinosaur attraction that they were developing for Disney's Animal Kingdom. During the original designing processes, Imagineers had hoped to create an "E-Ticket" roller coaster known as The Excavator <ref name= "martin"> http://www.martinsvids.net/?p=642 </ref>. Besides being a traditional outdoor roller coaster (taking place in an archaeological dig site), the attraction would have featured dinosaur encounters. A second proposed attraction was a family ride, which would have taken guests back to the time of the dinosaurs, where guests would be brought face to face with the reptiles <ref name= "martin"/>. As plans for the park progressed however, and the theme park ran over budget, it became clear that the cost of the building the attraction made the project unfeasible <ref name= "martin"/>. Instead, Imagineers decided to create a new attraction known as Countdown to Extinction. Besides using the same ride vehicle, the track layout and the ride structure of the new attraction were also copied from Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye <ref name= "dated"> http://waltdatedworld.com/id104.htm </ref>. Although neither a roller coaster nor a family friendly ride, Countdown to Extinction used elements of both of the previously planned dinosaur attractions. The thrilling attraction took guests back in time, to come face to face with dinosaurs. Originally embarking on a research trip, guests would instead travel back to the final moments before the dinosaurs went extinct <ref name= "martin"/>.
The attraction opened as Countdown to Extinction on April 22 1998, with the rest of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
===DINOSAUR===
[[Image:countdown.jpg|thumb|350px|A Countdown to Extinction attraction poster.]]On May 19, 2000, Disney changed the name of Countdown to Extinction to DINOSAUR, in order to tie the attraction in with their newest movie (also titled DINOSAUR)<ref name= "dated"/>. Due to the fact that Disney felt more children would ride the attraction because of this tie, a number of minor changes were made to the attraction. These changes included:
* All of the attractions signage being replaced.
* The removal of the Styracosaus statue outside of the attraction. The Styracosaurus was replaced with a statue of Aladar from the film<ref name= "extinct"> http://www.extinctdisney.com/#!countdown-to-extinction/m60d5 </ref>.
* Some of the jerkier movements of the vehicle were toned down, making the ride slightly less intense.[[Image:countdown.jpg|thumb|300px|A Countdown to Extinction attraction poster.]]* The required height to ride the attraction was lowered from 46<ref name= " to 40martin"/>.
* In The required height to ride the attraction was lowered from 48 inches to 40 inches <ref name= "dated"/> * On Countdown to Extinction's soundtrack, the footsteps and roars of the Carnotaurus sounded as if the dinosaur was catching up to guests as they were being chased. When the attraction reopened as DINOSAUR, the soundtrack was changed so that it sounded as if the dinosaur was falling behind in its pursuit<ref name= "martin"/>. * At the finale of the attraction, the large meteor was replaced with a Carnotaurus Head <ref name= "martin"/> In 2016, DINOSAUR closed for a lengthy refurbishment <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/dinosaur/news/17may2016-dinosaur-closing-for-lengthy-refurbishment-this-summer.htm </ref>. When the attraction reopened it featured upgraded lighting, improved audio, enhancements to the time travel vortex effects, and projections of Compsognathus overhead <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/dinosaur/news/22nov2016-video---dinosaur-reopens-from-refurbishment-with-updated-effects.htm </ref>. The Compsognathus projections replaced the static dinosaurs that were previously featured <ref> http://www.themeparktourist.com/news/32319/4-crucial-changes-youll-notice-next-time-you-ride-dinosaur?page=1 </ref>.
==Attraction Plot==
==Main Ride==
[[Image:countdowndino.jpg|thumb|400px|The Carnotaurus that guests come face to face with on DINOSAUR.]]
After getting into their Time Rover, guests are instructed to "get in, grab the Iguanodon, and get out, before the asteroid hits.” At this point, the Time Rovers begin moving and guests enter the time tunnel. Here, lights begin to flash all around before suddenly going out, revealing a field of stars. As the star field fades away, guests find themselves in prehistoric jungle. The first dinosaur they encounter is Styracosaus, who is pushing a tree very close to the Time Rover. As the vehicles continue forward, the computer warns guests that the meteor shower is within range, although Dr. Seeker tells guests not to worry. Continuing on, guests come across an Alioramus, who is digging for its prey. The large dinosaur then pulls a large lizard out of the ground, before eating it. Just past the Alioramus, guests see a mother Hadrosaur (specifically a Parasaurolophus) who is watching over her young, as a raptor stands on a nearby ledge looking for prey.
==Fun Facts and Trivia==
* A wall near When the boarding area in DINOSAUR readsattraction first opened there were no barriers surrounding the fountain just outside of the attraction. Due to guests entering the fountain, Disney eventually added various barriers including planters <ref name= "SECTOR CTXparkology"> http://www.parkeology.com/2010/02/all-WDWdried-AK98"up-parkeology-exclusive. The wall references Countdown to Extinction as well as the year Animal Kingdom opened and Walt Disney Worldhtml </ref>.
* When DINOSAUR (as well as the attraction first opened there were no barriers surrounding the fountain just outside rest of the attraction. Due DINOLAND USA) was sponsored by McDonalds from 1998 to guests entering the fountain, Disney eventually added various barriers including planters2008 <ref name= "dated"/>.
* At the time of its opening DINOSAUR (then known as Countdown to Extinction) featured 12 of the largest Audio Animatronics that Disney had ever created.
* DINOSAUR features one of the largest smoke machines used in any theme park.
* When DINOSAUR first opened the Compsognathus would jump across the ride's track, however this effect has been turned off and the dinosaurs are now static<ref name= "martin"/>.
* In the attraction's queue guests can look up and see three pipes that are red, yellow and blue. Written on each of the pipes is the chemical compound that makes up ketchup (red), mustard (yellow) and mayonnaise (white). These pipes are a subtle reference to the fact that McDonalds originally sponsored the attraction <ref name==References==http:"magic"//www>.martinsvids.net/?p=642
===References to Countdown to Extinction===* On a map of DinoLand USA found opposite [[The Boneyard Playground]], guests can see that the attraction is still referenced as Countdown to extinction <ref name= "magic"> http://www.extinctdisneyinsidethemagic.comnet/AK2014/cte10/d-tales-6-dinosaur-countdown-to-extinction-at-disneys-animal-kingdom-tributes-and-remnants/ </ref>.htm
