Difference between revisions of "DINOSAUR"

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DINOSAUR (formally known as Countdown to Extinction) is an attraction in Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Attraction History

Countdown To Extinction

The attraction that would eventually be known as DINOSAUR, traces its roots back to 1991. At that time, Disney developed a new type of ride platform, which was able to tilt and sway regardless of the speed or direction of the vehicle. The new ride vehicle (known as EMVs) was then used in Disneyland's Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye. This success 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. 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. As plans for the park progressed however, and the theme park ran over budget, it became clear that the cost of the building the attractions would not be feasible. Instead, Imagineers created a new attraction known as Countdown to Extinction. Besides just using the same ride vehicle, the track layout and ride structure of the new attraction were also copied from Indiana Jones Adventure. 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. Although originally designed as a research trip, guests would instead travel back to the final moments before the dinosaurs went extinct.

The attraction opened as Countdown to Extinction on April 22 1998, with the rest of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

DINOSAUR

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. Because of this tie in, Disney felt more children would ride the attraction. Per this change in demographic, a number of minor changes were made to the attraction. These changes include:

• All of the attractions signage being replaced.

• The removal of the Styracosaus statue outside of the attraction. The Stracosaus was replaced with a statue of Aladar from the film.

• Some of the jerkier movements were toned to down, making the ride slightly less intense.

• The required height to ride the attraction was lowered from 46’ to 40’

• In 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.

Fun Facts and Trivia

• A wall near the boarding area in DINOSAUR reads, "SECTOR CTX-WDW-AK98". The wall references Countdown to Extinction as well as the year Animal Kingdom opened and Walt Disney Imagineering.

• When the attraction first opened there was no barriers surrounding the fountain just outside of the attraction. Due to guests entering the fountain, Disney eventually added various barriers including planters.

• DINOSAUR (as well as the rest of DINOLAND USA) was sponsored by Mcdonalds from 1998 to 2008.

References