DINOSAUR

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

DINOSAUR FastpassIcon.jpg
Dinosaur.jpg
The entrance to DINOSAUR.
Animal Kingdom
Land DinoLand U.S.A.
Attraction type EMV Dark Ride
Opening date April 22, 1998
Ride duration 3:05 minutes
Height requirements 40" (102 cm)
Audio-Animatronics 11
Formally Known As Countdown To Extinction
(1998-2000)
Sponsored by McDonalds (1998-2008)
Based on Disney's DINOSAUR
Fastpass Available Yes

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.
A Countdown to Extinction attraction poster.
  • 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.

Attraction Plot

Queue and Preshow

The queue for DINOSAUR begins with guests entering the Dino Institute. As guests meander through the building, it becomes clear that the scientists here are not only interested in how dinosaurs lived, but how they became extinct. In the halls of the Dino Institute (which was once a secret research facility), guests can find the remains of real dinosaurs, statues, and paintings as Bill Nye the Science Guy gives them background information about both the dinosaurs and the institute. After making their way through the institute, guests reach the preshow area, where they watch a short film. The preshow begins with Doctor Marsh, the director of the Dino Institute welcoming guests. She then explains that the way that scientists have studied dinosaurs has always been through their fossils, but that this method is about to change. Dr. Marsh then introduces guests to the institute’s newest invention, the Time Rover. Marsh claims that this new vehicle will be able to transport guests back to the age of the dinosaurs, taking guests on a breathtaking tour of the early Cretaceous period. As Dr. Marsh finishes her introduction, she is cut off my Dr. Seeker, another scientist at the institute. Seeker informs guests that instead of traveling to the early Cretaceous period, he plans to send them to the late Cretaceous period so that they can help him with his research. Dr. Seeker explains that he wants guests to rescue an Iguanodon (Aladar from the Disney movie DINOSAUR), who he has previously been "tagged with a locator” on an unauthorized trip back in time. Upon hearing Dr. Seeker's plan, Dr. Marsh enters the room, and informs guests that they will not be traveling to the late Cretaceous period, because of the asteroid that will soon hit the planet, killing most life forms. She then informs Dr. Seeker that the Time Rovers have been locked to travel to the Early Cretaceous period. After giving a brief safety spiel, Dr. Seeker tells guests that he has hacked into the Time Rover's coordinates so that guests will be able to save the Iguanodon. He then explains that their mission will be to track the dinosaur with the homing signal. After the Iguanodon has been found, Dr. Seeker will "enlarge the transport field" bringing guests (and the dinosaur) back to the present time before the asteroid hits Earth.

Main Ride

After getting into their Time Rover, guests are instructed to "get in, grab the Iguanodon, and get out, before the asteroid hits (the planet)”. 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 meter 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.

After passing the raptor, Dr. Seeker says that it is time to get serious. Seeker then set's the Time Rover's autopilot to the coordinates of a dinosaur that he believes is the Iguanodon. As the rover speeds forward, it comes to a halt when it reaches the dinosaur. Unfortunately, the dino in question was not the Iguanodon, but instead a dangerous Carnotaurus. Realizing his mistake, Seeker tells guests that they need to get away from the dinosaur.

The Time Rover then speeds away over the rough terrain, frantically trying to get away. After making their escape, Seeker tells guests that another large dinosaur is coming up. As the Time Rover slowly approaches the dinosaur, the computer tells Dr. Seeker that it is a Sauropod (once again not the dinosaur guests are looking for). As the vehicle continues forward, the computer warns Dr. Seeker that the asteroid impact will take place in 90 seconds. After hearing this warning, the Time Rovers enter a jungle, where two small Pterodactyls can be seen on a ledge. As the computer warns guests about another Pterodactyl, and Dr. Seeker yells "incoming!", the Time Rovers go down a small drop, as a large Pterodactyl swoops by overhead. As the Time Rover drops, small Compsognathus leap over the vehicle.

Following the drop, the computer warns guests that the asteroid will be hitting in 60 seconds, but Dr. Seeker wants to continue on. Now in the complete dark, the computer warns the doctor that the Time Rover is experiencing “loss of traction". Suddenly, a strobe light effect reveals that the Carnotaurus has found guests! Dr. Seeker orders "evasive maneuver" as the Time Rover takes many frantic turns, trying to escape, but to no avail. Despite the previous series of maneuvers, guests once again find themselves face to face with the Carnotaurus, who now raises itself to full height and roars loudly.

Dr. Seeker now realizes that he needs to abort the mission, but he is unable to. As the Time Rover continues forward, it appears as though large trees are going to fall and crush the vehicle or at least stop its progress. At this dire moment, Aladar appears (with the computer calling him the Iguanodon). Dr. Seeker tells the computer that they need to forget the dinosaur and abort the mission. Aladar is then seen holding up a tree, allowing the Time Rovers to continue forward. As guests try to make their escape, the meteor impacts sending a flash of light throughout the jungle. This light reveals that the Carnotaurus is back, and lunging toward the vehicle. Just as Dr. Seeker worries that guests will be unable to make it back, the Time Rover goes down a slope and once again guests find themselves in the star field. As the field fades, guests arrive back at the institute. A television screen shows Aladar has apparently come back with guests. Dr. Seeker then thanks guests, before saying that he has to go find Aladar before security does.

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