Difference between pages "Disney's Animal Kingdom" and "DinoLand USA"

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{{Template:Infobox amusement park
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DinoLand USA is a land in [[Disney's Animal Kingdom]]
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| image=TreeOfLifeday.jpg
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{{Template:Infobox Disney ride |
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| caption='''The Tree of Life is the icon of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.'''
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| image= DINOLAND.jpg
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| theme=Animals, nature, conservation
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| caption='''The Dino Institute in DinoLand USA. Photo by Theme Park Tourist'''  
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| opening_date=April 22, 1998
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| theme= Dinosaurs/Roadside Carnival
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| icon=The Tree of Life
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| park= Disney's Animal Kingdom
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}}
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| opened=April 22, 1998
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Disney's Animal Kingdom is a theme park located in Walt Disney World.
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| custom_label_1    = Number of Attractions
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==Conception <ref name= "book"> Malmberg, Melody. The Making of Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. New York: Hyperion, 1998. Print. </ref>==
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| custom_value_1    = Seven}}
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A theme park about animals was not high on Disney’s list of ideas, but surveys showed that Disney and animals tested well, and Disney had a lot of intellectual properties that showcased animals. Because of this, Michael Eisner sent the idea for an animal theme park to Imagineering. In 1990, Imagineer Joe Rohde met with Eisner to discuss the new park. Rohde’s vision for the park was threefold, it would feature traditional theme park components, an Epcot Center syle pavilion, and a nontraditional zoo.
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==History==
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[[Image:AnimalKingdomConcept.jpg|400px|thumb|Concept art for Disney's Animal Kingdom]]
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DinoLand USA opened with the rest of Disney’s Animal Kingdom on April 22, 1998. On opening day the land featured the attractions: Countdown to Extinction, The Boneyard, the Dinosaur Jubilee of 1998, Journey Into Jungle Book (located in the Theater in the Wild), Cretaceous Trail (a short walking trail that is no longer listed as an attraction), and the Fossil Preparation Lab (where guests could see the fossil of Sue the Dinosaur) <ref name= "map"> http://www.florida-project.com/images/guidemaps/dak/disneys-animal-kingdom-guidemap-1998-june-05.jpg </ref>. When DinoLand USA opened it was sponsored by Mcdonald's <ref name= "dated"/>. As a result of this sponsorship various signs around the land featured references to the fast food giant. Furthermore, DinoLand's two original restaurnts: Petrifries and Restaurantosaurus both served Mcdonald's food <ref name= "dated"/>.
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Eisner agreed to the basic premise of the park, commenting that like the Magic Kingdom, Disney should also have an Animal Kingdom. With this objective in mind, Rohde and his team of six Imagineers (Kevin Brown, Zofia Kostyrko, Kevin Brown, Christopher West, Tony Marando and Patsy Tillisch) set out to create a basic outline for the new park.  
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In July 1990, Joe Rohde and his team flew to Africa to get first hand experience of the type of environment that they wished to create. In total, during the development of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Rohde and his Imagineers visited Africa six times. Using these trips as inspiration, the team eventually used much of their experience when creating [[Kilimanjaro Safaris]].  
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The first major change came to DinoLand USA in April 1999 when Journey Into Jungle Book was replaced by a new show, "Tarzan Rocks!" <ref> http://allears.net/tp/ak/ak_jb.htm </ref>.
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In preparation for the new millennium, the Dinosaur Jubilee was renamed the Dinosaur Jubilee of 2000. At this time, interactive exhibits featuring wholly mammoths and saber-tooth cats were added to the attraction. These new additions ended up being short-lived however, as by the end of 2000, the attraction closed to make way for DinoLand’s first major expansion- Chester and Hester’s DinoRama <ref> http://www.jamboeveryone.com/2013/03/extinct-dak-files-dinosaur-jubilee.html </ref>.  In conjunction with the closing of Dinosaur Jubilee of 2000, the Fossil Preparation Lab also closed.  
  
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As plans for the park continued to develop, Michael Eisner wondered if simply encountering animals would be a big enough draw for guests. To prove that this was not the case, Joe Rohde brought a 400 pound Bengal tiger into a meeting he was having with Eisner and Frank Wells. As Rohde gave his presentation, the tiger sauntered around the room. After feeling the effect of being so close to a tiger, Eisner and Wells relented and live animal encounters would be the focal point of Animal Kingdom.  
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On May 1, 2001, Countdown to Extinction changed its name to Dinosaur! in an attempt to tie the attraction in with the Disney movie of the same name <ref> https://d23.com/a-to-z/countdown-to-extinction/ </ref>.
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On November 18, 2001 a new area of DinoLand called Chester and Hester’s DinoRama opened to guests <ref name= "D23"> https://d23.com/a-to-z/chester-hesters/ </ref>. Opening with the new section were at the attractions: TriceraTop Spin and Midway games (later renamed Fossil Fun Games) <ref name= "D23"/>. These new attractions were subsequently joined by Primeval Whirl on April 18, 2002 <ref name= "D23"/>.
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The next major change to come to DinoLand USA happened on January 21, 2006 when Tarzan Rock! closed  <ref> http://allears.net/tp/ak/ak_tr.htm </ref>. The stage show was replaced in January 2007 with a new show titled [[Finding Nemo- The Musical]] <ref> https://d23.com/a-to-z/finding-nemo-the-musical/ </ref>.
  
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During another meeting with Eisner and other executives, the Disney CEO told Imagineers that he wanted a DinoLand. Other ideas stemming from these meetings included the Oasis (which would serve as the entryway) Safari Village (the parks hub) and Discovery River. By 1992, the basic layout of the park was in place. Guests would enter through the Oasis before arriving at [[Safari Village]]. From there, guests could explore the park's other lands including DinoLand, [[Africa]], Asia, and the land dedicated to imaginary animals.  
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In 2008, Mcdonald’s sponsorship of DinoLand USA came to an end <ref name= "dated"> http://waltdatedworld.bravepages.com/id247.htm </ref>. At this time, all references to the fast food company were removed. Furthermore, the quick service restaurant Petrifries was renamed Trilo-Bites <ref name= "dated"/>. Finally, following the dropping of McDonald’s sponsorship, Restaurantosaurus ceased hosting the Donald’s Breakfastosaurus character breakfast<ref name= "dated"/>.
  
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Finally, after years of development on June 21, 1995 Disney’s Wild Animal Kingdom was officially announced. When discussing the new park, Michael Eisner stated:
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==Backstory <ref> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2009/08/chester_and_hesters_dinorama.html </ref>==
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[[Image:ChesterHesterdino.jpg|400px|thumb|The entrance to Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama. Photo by Theme Park Tourist.]]
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DinoLand USA is set in the fictional Diggs County. In the early 1940s, the county consisted of ranch and farmland. Here, an elderly couple named Chester and Hester owned a rundown gas station along highway US 498. In 1947 however, things changed in Diggs County. At this time amateur fossil hunters found dinosaur bones in the area and their discovery led scientists and graduate students to flood into Diggs. Initially, the new residents stayed at an old fishing lodge, however when time travel was invented in the 1970s, the Dino Institute was founded. The new modern building became the central location of dinosaur research and time travel.
  
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{{Quotation|“This is to the traditional zoo as the motion picture was to the stage play. A leap forward that keeps the concept of combining education and entertainment alive and well. The need for awareness of endangered animals and their environments has never been greater. We are in a unique position to promote deeper understanding and love for all animals."|Michael Eisner}}
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In order to capitalize on the dinosaur craze, Chester and Hester began selling various souvenirs at their gas station. It quickly became evident that the merchandise business was more profitable than selling gasoline. Using their profits from souvenir sales, Chester and Hester decided to build a roadside amusement park, in order to capitalize on the influx of tourists coming to the area to see the Dino Institute. From this idea, Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama was born. Besides featuring midway style carnival games, the amusement park also features Chester and Hester’s own “time machine”- Primeval Whirl.
  
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==Construction==
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==Attractions==
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Construction on Disney's Animal began in August of 1995. Like other Disney theme parks, Animal Kingdom was to be made up of various "lands". When designing the park, the lands in Disney's Animal Kingdom were going to be: The Oasis, Safari Village, Africa, Asia, Conservation Station, DinoLand USA and Beastly Kingdom. Through these lands Animal Kingdom was to represent three groups of animals: current living animals, extinct animals, and mythological animals.
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'''[[DINOSAUR]]'''- Housed inside the Dinosaur Institute, this dark ride allows guests to board Time Rovers and travel back to the Cretaceous period, where they come face to face with various dinosaurs. The attraction was known as Countdown to Extinction from 1998-2000.
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[[Image:TreeofLifeConstruction3.jpg|400px|thumb|Disney's Animal Kingdom under construction]]  
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Construction on Disney's Animal Kingdom began in August of 1995. Four million cubic yards of dirt were moved and nearly 40,000 plants were added during the parks construction <ref name= "trivia"/>. During this process it was decided that the plants in Animal Kingdom would need to be in the ground for two growing seasons before the animals arrived. This meant that the horticulture team led by Disney Legend Bill Evans had until the spring of 1996 to get all the plants in place <ref> http://allears.net/ae/issue863.htm </ref>. This deadline was met, and the fall of 1997 the animals were brought in to the park <ref> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2011/01/kilimanjaro_safaris_at_animal_1.html </ref>. They came from various zoo's or wildlife preserves around the world. A few animals were also from the wild, but were too injured to be re-released. In total Animal Kingdom is home to over 1,700 animals.  
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As construction continued, funds for the new park began to dwindle. Eventually it was decided that Animal Kingdom would have to open in three phases. The first phase would consist of The Oasis, Safari Village, Africa, Conservation Station, and an unfinished Asia. Also included in phase one would be either DinoLand USA or Beastly Kingdomme <ref name= "jim"> http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief1/b/jim_hill/archive/2001/01/01/309.aspx </ref>. Disney eventually decided to build DinoLand USA, possibly due to the new movie “Dinosaur” that was to be released in 2000 <ref name= "jim"/>.
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'''Cretaceous Trail'''- This short walking trail features various plants that have survived since the time of the dinosaurs. Although still open to guests, Cretaceous Trail is not usually listed among Animal Kingdom's attractions.  
  
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Phase II was planned to be the completion of Asia, along with the construction of Beastly Kingdom. Due to the park not being completed on opening day, Camp Minnie-Mickey, a place where guests could meet various Disney characters, was created as a temporary land. Camp Minnie-Mickey was to be essentially a place holder until Beastly Kingdom could be built <ref> http://www.yesterland.com/campmm.html </ref>. 
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'''[[Finding Nemo- The Musical]]'''- This Broadway style show is a musical retelling of the Disney-Pixar film "Finding Nemo". The show runs for approximately 35 minutes.  
  
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Like the other Disney parks, Imagineers knew that Disney's Animal Kingdom would need a "weenie" or icon to draw guests into the park.The first icon considered for the park was the Animal Carousel <ref name= "book"/>. This three tiered structure would have featured birds, animals and fish that guests could ride on as they went around the carousel. Michael Eisner eventually rejected this idea because he though it was "too frivolous"<ref name= "book"/>., and Imagineers came up with a new icon- The Tree of Life.  
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'''[[Fossil Fun Games]]'''- The Fossil Fun Games are a group of dinosaur themed carnival-style games found in Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama.  
  
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Initially, Imagineers had a tough time figuring out how to create the massive icon <ref name= "tree"> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2012/06/tree_of_life_at_disneys_animal.html </ref>. The tree had to look authentic, while being able to withstand hurricane level winds<ref name= "tree"/> . On top of that, the tree would also have to house the attraction [[It's Tough to be a Bug!]] (the attraction was chosen over an earlier idea of having a restaurant inside the tree)<ref name= "tree"/> . Eventually however, Imagineers came up with a fairly simple solution.  
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'''[[Primeval Whirl]]'''- This mild roller coaster takes guests back to the time of the dinosaurs.  
  
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First, they took the structure of an oil rig for the base<ref name= "tree"/> . 45 secondary branches were then added to the tree, followed by 756 tertiary branches and finally 891 end branches. The Tree was then covered with 102,583 man-made leaves. After the structure was complete,  20 artisans carved over 300 animals into the tree<ref name= "tree"/> . When the Tree of Life was completed it stood 145 feet tall and looked as if the animals themselves were making up the tree's trunk<ref name= "tree"/> .
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'''[[TriceraTop Spin]]'''- This hub and spoke attraction allows guests to climb aboard a dinosaur and take a spin above DinoLand USA.
  
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==Opening Day==
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'''[[The Boneyard Playground]]'''- This kid friendly playground features not only slides and water guns, but also a large sand pit where young guests can dig up dinosaur bones.
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Disney's Animal Kingdom opened on April 22, 1998 (Earth Day). At the opening of the park, the song “The Circle of Life” from Disney's The Lion King played as guests were showered with rose petals <ref> http://allears.net/tp/ak/ak_opn.htm </ref>. A half hour after the park had opened; the parking lot was filled to capacity, while 45 minutes later the park itself was filled to capacity <ref name= "day"/>. The first official guests to Disney's Animal Kingdom were Brenda Herr, her husband Damon Chepren, and their son Devon <ref name= "day"> http://thisdayindisneyhistory.homestead.com/apr22.html </ref>. They were greeted by Roy E. Disney and given lifetime passes. Unlike previous theme park openings, the event was not a star studded one although Michael J. Fox, Drew Carey, Stevie Wonder and David Copperfield did appear <ref> http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1998-04-20/news/9804190408_1_walt-disney-animal-kingdom-disney-theme </ref>. Some 5,000 reporters were also on hand as Disney CEO Michael Eisner read the park’s dedication:
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{{Quotation|Welcome to a kingdom of animals… real, ancient and imagined: a kingdom ruled by lions, dinosaurs and dragons; a kingdom of balance, harmony and survival; a kingdom we enter to share in the wonder, gaze at the beauty, thrill at the drama, and learn.|
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==Former Attractions==
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Michael Eisner <br> April 22, 1998}}
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[[Image:Tarzanrocks.jpg|300px|thumb|Tarzan Rocks! played in the Theater in the Wild from 1999 until 2006]]
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'''Dinosaur Jubilee'''- This large exhibit allowed guests to see the various skeletons that scientists at the Dino Institute had uncovered. The attraction opened on April 22, 1998 as the Dinosaur Jubilee of 1998, before being renamed Dinosaur Jubilee of 2000 in conjunction with the new millennium. Dinosaur Jubilee closed at the end of 2000 and was replaced with Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama.
  
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==History After Opening Day==
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'''Fossil Preparation Lab '''- In the Fossil Preparation Lab guests could see real scientists working on the skeleton of Sue the Dinosaur, the most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton ever discovered. The Fossil Preparation Lab operated from April 22, 1998 through 2000. It was eventually replaced by Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama. During its run, the Fossil Preparation Lab later referred to simply as "Dino-Sue" or "See Sue the Dinosaur!".  
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[[Image:ExpeditionEverestAtday.jpg|400px|thumb|Expedition Everest opened in 2006.]]
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Although relatively young compared to the other Disney Parks, Animal Kingdom has gone through several changes. The first major expansion of the park came in 1999 when Asia was finally completed <ref> http://allears.net/tp/ak/ak_asia.htm </ref>.Added at this time were the popular attractions [[Maharajah Jungle Trek]] <ref> https://touringplans.com/animal-kingdom/attractions/maharajah-jungle-trek </ref> and the [[Kali River Rapids]]. The [[Discovery River Boats]] (which were located in Asia) closed with the opening of the new attractions <ref>http://waltdatedworld.com/id55.htm</ref>.  
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In 2000 and 2001 many of Animal Kingdom's lands were renamed. The former Safari Village became Discovery Island <ref> http://waltdatedworld.bravepages.com/id131.htm </ref> and Conservation Station became Rafiki's Planet Watch <ref> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2009/07/rafikis_planet_watch_the_forgo.html </ref>. The change in name to Discovery Island coincided with the closing of the Discovery Island attraction on Bay Lake. Also changing its name at this time was the popular DinoLand USA attraction [[Countdown To Extinction]]. That ride was re-named after, and slightly altered to tie into the 2000 Disney movie [[Dinosaur]] <ref> https://www.mouseplanet.com/10881/Remembering_the_Magic_Countdown_To_Extinction__DINOSAUR </ref>.  
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'''Journey Into the Jungle Book'''- This 30 minute musical show told guests the story of Disney's The Jungle Book. Journey Into Jungle Book operated from April 22, 1998 until April 1999 in the Theater in the Wild.  
  
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2001 also saw another expansion in Disney's Animal Kingdom. At this time, Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama was added to DinoLand USA. This mini land housed Midway Games (later renamed [[Fossil Fun Games]]) and the [[TriceraTop Spin]] <ref name= "d23"> https://d23.com/a-to-z/chester-hesters/ </ref>. The following year on March 31, 2002, [[Primeval Whirl]] was added to the area <ref name= "d23"/>.  
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'''Tarzan Rocks!'''- Located within the Theater in the Wild, Tarzan Rocks was a 30 minute show based on Disney's Trazan. Tarzan Rocks! operated from April 1999 until January 21, 2006.
  
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The next set of majorchanges came to Animal Kingdom in 2006. In DinoLand USA, Finding Nemo- the Musical replaced Tarzan Rocks, which had been there since 1999 <ref> http://allears.net/tp/ak/nemo.htm </ref>. Also in 2006, the “E-Ticket” roller coaster [[Expedition Everest]] was built in Asia. The attraction is a roller coaster set in the Himalayas, and it includes a close encounter with the fabled Yeti. By including the Yeti in the attraction, Disney's Animal Kingdom finally featured a mythical creature (which had been promised since the park’s dedication).
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==Restaurants==
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'''Restaurantosaurus'''- This counter service restaurant specializes in burgers and fries. Restaurantosaurus was sponsored by McDonald's from 1998 until 2008.
  
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In 2014 Camp Minnie-Mickey was closed in order to make way for a new area of the park based on James Cameron's 2009 film “Avatar” <ref name= "attractions"> https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=Festival+of+Lion+King+closed+Avatar </ref>. Following the land's closure the [[Festival of the Lion King]] attraction was relocated to a new section of Africa called “New Harambe” <ref> https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/07/a-new-home-for-festival-of-the-lion-king-at-disneys-animal-kingdom/ </ref>. In 2015 the Harambe Marketplace opened to guests. The new area was themed around a “Colonial-era train depot design complete with a 1960s water tower”. Inside the Harambe Marketplace guests can visit various food vendors who sell African inspired quinine <ref> https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2015/04/fun-new-tastes-at-harambe-market-at-disneys-animal-kingdom/ </ref>.  
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'''Trilo-Bites'''- This quick service restaurant sells sliders and ice cream. Trilo-Bites was known as Petrifries from 1998 until 2008.
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==Shopping==
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'''The Dino Institute Shop'''- Located at the exit to Dinosaur, The Dino Institute Shop sells dinosaur and other museum souvenirs.  
  
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2016 saw several new experiences come to Animal Kingdom. The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic stage show opened as a temporary offering based on the Disney live-action film The Jungle Book. Also debuting at this time was the [[Kilimanjaro Night Safaris]] and the Tree of Life Awakens, a nighttime event where magical fireflies make animal spirits come alive on the Tree of Life. Although delayed, a new nighttime show called Rivers of Light is expected to debut later in 2016 <ref> https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/04/update-on-nighttime-experiences-at-disneys-animal-kingdom/ </ref>.
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'''Chester and Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures'''- This large store sells dinosaur and other Disney merchandise.
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===Beastly Kingdomme===
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One change that has yet to (and may never) come to Animal Kingdom is the addition of Beastly Kingdomme. Despite a dragon being featured on the park's logo, there are currently no plans to build the land. Camp Minnie-Mickey proved to be popular with guests, and thus the land set aside for Beastly Kingdom remained in use. With the announcement of a land based on Avatar it looks unlikely that Beastly Kingdomme will be built. Despite this, remnants of the planned Beastly Kingdom can still be found including:
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*The parking lot contains a section named "Unicorn" <ref> http://www.yesterland.com/avatarkingdom.html </ref>.
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*A detailed dragonhead statue sits atop one of the ticket booths at the park's entrance <ref> http://www.wdwinfo.com/columns/walt-disney-world-never-built.cfm </ref>.
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*In the first couple years of the parks existence, blasts of fire would be spewed from a cave at the edge of the water near Camp Minnie-Mickey <ref name= "hill"> http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief1/b/jim_hill/archive/2004/10/19/479.aspx </ref>. Also debuting at this time
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*Burnt suits of armor were located just outside the cave entrance and when the Discovery Boats passed this scene, guests were told by the boat's captain that the fire was created by a fire-breathing dragon inside the cave <ref name= "hill"/>.
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==Backstory==
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According to The World According to Jack the backstory for Disney's Animal Kingdom states
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{{Quotation|'Once upon a time, no vegetation would grow on Discovery Island. There were no trees, no shrubs, no flowers, nothing. It was a barren piece of land. Then, one day, a tiny ant planted a seed and made a wish. He asked for a tree to grow – a tree large enough to provide shelter for all the animals. Magically, the ant’s wish came true and a tree began to grow -- and it kept growing until there was room beneath its limbs for all the animals from A (ants) to Z (zebras). And as the tree continued to reach for the heavens, the images of all the animals that took shelter beneath its shade appeared on its trunk, roots, and branches.<ref> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2012/06/tree_of_life_at_disneys_animal.html </ref>}}
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==Current Lands==
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To see the current Animal Kingdom map [https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/media/wdpro-assets/parks-and-tickets/destinations/animal-kingdom/Disneys_Animal_Kingdom.pdf '''Click Here'''.]
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===Oasis===
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Located at the front of the park, the Oasis is the first land that guests encounter. Guest services and the Rain Forest Cafe are located here. The Oasis leads to the park's hub, “Discovery Island”.
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'''[[Oasis Exhibits]]'''- This walking trail allows guests to see many animals including: the giant anteater, wallabies, exotic boar and more.
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===[[Discovery Island]]===
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Main Article: [[Discovery Island]]
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Originally called Safari Village, Discovery Island is the hub of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. From Discovery Island guests can get to all the park’s other lands except for Rafiki's Planet Watch. Animal Kingdom's icon “The Tree of Life” can be found in Discovery Island, inside which guests can find the [[It's Tough to be a Bug!]] attraction.
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===[[Africa]]===
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Main Article: [[Africa]]
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Home to the popular Kilimanjaro Safaris, the Africa section of the park takes place in the fictional village of Harambe. According to the land's backstory, Harambe was once a colony before gaining its freedom in 1961 after a peaceful revolution. Harambe is currently home to a wildlife reserve, where tourists can see some of Africa's most interesting animals. In 2014 the Africa section of the park was expanded to house the relocated Festival of the Lion King.
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[[Image:AnimalKingdomGuideMap2016.jpg|thumb|350px|The 2016 Animal Kingdom map (click to enlarge)]]
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===[[Rafiki's Planet Watch]]===
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Main Article: [[Rafiki's Planet Watch]]
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Rafiki's Planet Watch was originally called Conservation Station from 1998 until October 2000. It is the only land not accessible from Discovery Island. In order to get to Rafiki's Planet Watch guests must board the Wildlife Express Train which travels between Africa and the Planet Watch.
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===[[Asia]]===
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Main Article: [[Asia]]
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Perhaps the most popular land in Disney's Animal Kingdom, Asia was not complete until 1999. Set in the township of Anandpur, Asia is home to the popular [[Kali River Rapids]] and [[Expedition Everest]].
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===[[DinoLand USA]]===
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Main Article: [[DinoLand USA]]
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DinoLand USA is home to the [[Dino Institute]], which allows guests to travel back in time and come face to face with dinosaurs. In 2001 the land was expanded to include Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama. This new area is themed like a roadside attraction which was built to capitalize on the success of the nearby institute.
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==Former Lands==
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===Camp Minnie-Mickey===
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Initially intended to be a temporary land, Camp Minnie-Mickey was located where Beastly Kingdom was originally supposed to be built. Here, guests could meet their favorite Disney characters including Mickey, Minnie, and Donald. The main attraction located in Camp Minnie-Mickey was the Broadway style show [[Festival of the Lion King]]. In 2014 Camp Minnie-Mickey closed in order to make room for a new land based on James Cameron's Avatar. Following Camp Minnie-Mickey's closure, Festival of the Lion King was relocated to the Africa section of the park.
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==Fun Facts and Trivia==
 
==Fun Facts and Trivia==
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*Straws, balloons and cup lids are not used inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom to protect the animals from potential choking hazards <ref name= "guide"> http://www.guidetothemagic.com/animalkingdom/animalkingdom5.htm </ref>.
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*Guests enter DinoLand USA from Discovery Island by crossing The Oldengate Bridge. This structure is actually the reassembled skeleton of a 40ft Brachiosaurus that was discovered within DinoLand USA <ref name="map"/>.
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* Animal Kingdom features 250 species and 1,0000 different animals <ref name= "trivia"/>
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*Two Micronesian Kingfisher chicks were hatched at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, raising the world population of these birds by 3 percent <ref name= "trivia"> http://allears.net/tp/ak/ak_fact.htm </ref>.
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*Disney’s Animal Kingdom contains live plants from every continent on Earth except Antarctica <ref name= "trivia"/>.
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*There are over 61,000 costume pieces worn by Animal Kingdom cast members.  
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*At over 500 acres, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is large enough to fit the [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Epcot]], and [[Disney's Hollywood Studios]] inside of it <ref name= "guide"/>.
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*In the early 2000s Disney promoted Animal Kingdom with the phrase NăHTăZū!(pronounced "not a zoo") <ref> https://www.mouseplanet.com/10581/Its_Nahtazu </ref>.
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*Disney’s Animal Kingdom features the largest groups of Nile hippos and African elephants in North America <ref name= "trivia"/>.
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* There are 27 million gallons of water in Discovery River <ref name= "trivia"/>
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==References==
 
==References==

Revision as of 16:24, 2 October 2016

DinoLand USA is a land in Disney's Animal Kingdom

DinoLand USA
DINOLAND.jpg
The Dino Institute in DinoLand USA. Photo by Theme Park Tourist
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Theme Dinosaurs/Roadside Carnival
Opening date April 22, 1998
Number of Attractions Seven

History

DinoLand USA opened with the rest of Disney’s Animal Kingdom on April 22, 1998. On opening day the land featured the attractions: Countdown to Extinction, The Boneyard, the Dinosaur Jubilee of 1998, Journey Into Jungle Book (located in the Theater in the Wild), Cretaceous Trail (a short walking trail that is no longer listed as an attraction), and the Fossil Preparation Lab (where guests could see the fossil of Sue the Dinosaur) [1]. When DinoLand USA opened it was sponsored by Mcdonald's [2]. As a result of this sponsorship various signs around the land featured references to the fast food giant. Furthermore, DinoLand's two original restaurnts: Petrifries and Restaurantosaurus both served Mcdonald's food [2].

The first major change came to DinoLand USA in April 1999 when Journey Into Jungle Book was replaced by a new show, "Tarzan Rocks!" [3]. In preparation for the new millennium, the Dinosaur Jubilee was renamed the Dinosaur Jubilee of 2000. At this time, interactive exhibits featuring wholly mammoths and saber-tooth cats were added to the attraction. These new additions ended up being short-lived however, as by the end of 2000, the attraction closed to make way for DinoLand’s first major expansion- Chester and Hester’s DinoRama [4]. In conjunction with the closing of Dinosaur Jubilee of 2000, the Fossil Preparation Lab also closed.

On May 1, 2001, Countdown to Extinction changed its name to Dinosaur! in an attempt to tie the attraction in with the Disney movie of the same name [5]. On November 18, 2001 a new area of DinoLand called Chester and Hester’s DinoRama opened to guests [6]. Opening with the new section were at the attractions: TriceraTop Spin and Midway games (later renamed Fossil Fun Games) [6]. These new attractions were subsequently joined by Primeval Whirl on April 18, 2002 [6]. The next major change to come to DinoLand USA happened on January 21, 2006 when Tarzan Rock! closed [7]. The stage show was replaced in January 2007 with a new show titled Finding Nemo- The Musical [8].

In 2008, Mcdonald’s sponsorship of DinoLand USA came to an end [2]. At this time, all references to the fast food company were removed. Furthermore, the quick service restaurant Petrifries was renamed Trilo-Bites [2]. Finally, following the dropping of McDonald’s sponsorship, Restaurantosaurus ceased hosting the Donald’s Breakfastosaurus character breakfast[2].

Backstory [9]

The entrance to Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama. Photo by Theme Park Tourist.

DinoLand USA is set in the fictional Diggs County. In the early 1940s, the county consisted of ranch and farmland. Here, an elderly couple named Chester and Hester owned a rundown gas station along highway US 498. In 1947 however, things changed in Diggs County. At this time amateur fossil hunters found dinosaur bones in the area and their discovery led scientists and graduate students to flood into Diggs. Initially, the new residents stayed at an old fishing lodge, however when time travel was invented in the 1970s, the Dino Institute was founded. The new modern building became the central location of dinosaur research and time travel.

In order to capitalize on the dinosaur craze, Chester and Hester began selling various souvenirs at their gas station. It quickly became evident that the merchandise business was more profitable than selling gasoline. Using their profits from souvenir sales, Chester and Hester decided to build a roadside amusement park, in order to capitalize on the influx of tourists coming to the area to see the Dino Institute. From this idea, Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama was born. Besides featuring midway style carnival games, the amusement park also features Chester and Hester’s own “time machine”- Primeval Whirl.

Attractions

DINOSAUR- Housed inside the Dinosaur Institute, this dark ride allows guests to board Time Rovers and travel back to the Cretaceous period, where they come face to face with various dinosaurs. The attraction was known as Countdown to Extinction from 1998-2000.

Cretaceous Trail- This short walking trail features various plants that have survived since the time of the dinosaurs. Although still open to guests, Cretaceous Trail is not usually listed among Animal Kingdom's attractions.

Finding Nemo- The Musical- This Broadway style show is a musical retelling of the Disney-Pixar film "Finding Nemo". The show runs for approximately 35 minutes.

Fossil Fun Games- The Fossil Fun Games are a group of dinosaur themed carnival-style games found in Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama.

Primeval Whirl- This mild roller coaster takes guests back to the time of the dinosaurs.

TriceraTop Spin- This hub and spoke attraction allows guests to climb aboard a dinosaur and take a spin above DinoLand USA.

The Boneyard Playground- This kid friendly playground features not only slides and water guns, but also a large sand pit where young guests can dig up dinosaur bones.

Former Attractions

Tarzan Rocks! played in the Theater in the Wild from 1999 until 2006

Dinosaur Jubilee- This large exhibit allowed guests to see the various skeletons that scientists at the Dino Institute had uncovered. The attraction opened on April 22, 1998 as the Dinosaur Jubilee of 1998, before being renamed Dinosaur Jubilee of 2000 in conjunction with the new millennium. Dinosaur Jubilee closed at the end of 2000 and was replaced with Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama.

Fossil Preparation Lab - In the Fossil Preparation Lab guests could see real scientists working on the skeleton of Sue the Dinosaur, the most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton ever discovered. The Fossil Preparation Lab operated from April 22, 1998 through 2000. It was eventually replaced by Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama. During its run, the Fossil Preparation Lab later referred to simply as "Dino-Sue" or "See Sue the Dinosaur!".

Journey Into the Jungle Book- This 30 minute musical show told guests the story of Disney's The Jungle Book. Journey Into Jungle Book operated from April 22, 1998 until April 1999 in the Theater in the Wild.

Tarzan Rocks!- Located within the Theater in the Wild, Tarzan Rocks was a 30 minute show based on Disney's Trazan. Tarzan Rocks! operated from April 1999 until January 21, 2006.

Restaurants

Restaurantosaurus- This counter service restaurant specializes in burgers and fries. Restaurantosaurus was sponsored by McDonald's from 1998 until 2008.

Trilo-Bites- This quick service restaurant sells sliders and ice cream. Trilo-Bites was known as Petrifries from 1998 until 2008.

Shopping

The Dino Institute Shop- Located at the exit to Dinosaur, The Dino Institute Shop sells dinosaur and other museum souvenirs.

Chester and Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures- This large store sells dinosaur and other Disney merchandise.

Fun Facts and Trivia

  • Guests enter DinoLand USA from Discovery Island by crossing The Oldengate Bridge. This structure is actually the reassembled skeleton of a 40ft Brachiosaurus that was discovered within DinoLand USA [1].

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.florida-project.com/images/guidemaps/dak/disneys-animal-kingdom-guidemap-1998-june-05.jpg
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 http://waltdatedworld.bravepages.com/id247.htm
  3. ↑ http://allears.net/tp/ak/ak_jb.htm
  4. ↑ http://www.jamboeveryone.com/2013/03/extinct-dak-files-dinosaur-jubilee.html
  5. ↑ https://d23.com/a-to-z/countdown-to-extinction/
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 https://d23.com/a-to-z/chester-hesters/
  7. ↑ http://allears.net/tp/ak/ak_tr.htm
  8. ↑ https://d23.com/a-to-z/finding-nemo-the-musical/
  9. ↑ http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2009/08/chester_and_hesters_dinorama.html
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