Animal Kingdom is the youngest park at Walt Disney World. It’s also one of the most unique thanks to its zoo-like atmosphere.
Even though there are a variety of animals to see, including giraffes, zebras, and elephants, it’s far different than a zoo.
Animal Kingdom is known for having some of the best park food on property, thrilling attractions, exciting tours, and much, much more.
As the biggest Disney World theme park, there’s a lot to see and do, so why not take a deep dive into each land?
Here we take a deeper look into DinoLand, U.S.A. While certainly not the most popular land in Animal Kingdom, it is home to a beloved ride that just also happens to have the same ride vehicles as Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland Park.
It’s also important to note that there is a chance DinoLand may become extinct (sorry) in the near future.
During the 2022 D23 Expo, Disney discussed some “blue sky” ideas that included a brainstorming session about transforming DinoLand maybe into a Zootopia and/or Moana land? We’re not really sure.
Either way, there are clearly talks happening behind closed doors about revamping the Dinosaur-themed land. But, none of that is certain. Until this does (maybe?) become a reality, let’s enjoy DinoLand for what it is.
Overview
Location: Animal Kingdom
Restaurants: 10 Quick Service (6 Snack and Drink Carts, Trilo-Bites, Dino-Bite Snacks, Restaurantosaurus, Restaurantosaurus Lounge)
Shops: The Dino Institute Shop, Chester and Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, Dino-Rama Cart
Entertainment: Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!, Mickey and Friends Flotilla, Discovery Island Drummers Flotilla, Discovery River Character Cruise, Adventurer’s Flotilla — Disney Ducks, Adventurer’s Flotilla – Up
Animals: Crocodile
Attractions: DINOSAUR, TriceraTop Spins
Trails: Cretaceous Trail
Characters: Donald, Daisy, Chip ‘n’ Dale
Popular snacks and drinks: Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches (Dino-Bite Snacks)
Not-to-miss: DINOSAUR, Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!, characters, flotillas
DinoLand, U.S.A. Map
Dining
While not the most popular or best spots to eat at Animal Kingdom, if you find yourself hungry hanging out in DinoLand you have a few Quick Service options.
Quick Service Restaurants
Trilo-Bites
Trilo-Bites is a small stand that you’ll come upon to your right as soon as you cross the bridge from Discovery Island into DinoLand.
You can order ice cream, buffalo chicken chips, fountain drinks, and alcoholic beverages.
Plus, you can find DOLE Whip here. Specifically a twist of DOLE Whip orange and vanilla soft-serve ice cream.
Snack and Drink Cart
As you enter DinoLand from Discovery Island, you’ll see a snack and drink cart across from TriloBites. You can buy small snacks, like ice cream and chips, and bottled beverages.
Dino-Bite Snacks
Dino-Bite Snacks is located near the crocodile viewing area. It’s a small stand that also has seating.
One of the most popular items you can order are the ice cream cookie sandwiches. You can select from a range of ice cream flavors.
Sometimes there are even special seasonal flavors for holidays or celebrations.
Restaurantosaurus
Restaurantosaurus is the main Quick Service location in DinoLand. It has a bigger menu offering lunch and dinner items.
You can find standard theme park fare here, like sandwiches, including hot dogs and burgers (including a plant-based one), along with chicken nuggets, fries, and more.
There is also a big indoor and outdoor seating area, along with restrooms nearby.
Restaurantosaurus Lounge
Attached to Restaurantosaurus is a small lounge.
While it is labeled as a “lounge,” this is basically a room with a couple tables and a bar. There are a list of cocktails and beers to order.
Plus, there is a secret menu for Walt Disney World Annual Passholders. Just ask the bartender!
For example, above is the “Pterodactyl Punch” from the secret Passholder menu. The drink features Parrot Bay, Blue Curaçao, Pineapple Juice, Sour Mix, and a floater of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum.
Snack and Drink Cart
Outside Restaurantosaurus Lounge and near DINOSAUR, there is a cart for you to purchase boxes of popcorn, popcorn buckets, chips, ice cream, and bottled beverages.
Snack and Drink Carts
There are 2 snack and drink carts near the giant green dinosaur by Dino-Rama. You can buy small snacks, like ice cream, chips, and hot dogs. Plus, there are bottled beverages.
Corn-Ivores
This snack and drink cart can be found in the Dino-Rama area. Like the other small stands in the land, you can order popcorn, bottled beverages, beer, ice cream, and more.
Snack and Drink Cart
Near where Donald meets, there is a cart of popcorn, popcorn buckets, chips, ice cream, and bottled beverages.
Dino Diner (closed)
For anyone wondering about Dino Diner, it has since been removed from the land and appears to be closed for good.
Seating Areas
You can find several different seating areas around DinoLand.
There is a small covered dining area with tables and chairs next to Dino-Bite Snacks.
Restaurantosaurus has both indoor and outdoor seating. Regarding the latter, know there is also covered outdoor seating out back, not just in the front.
You’ll also find other tables (some covered with umbrellas), including picnic tables scattered around the land.
Shops
You’ll find a few dino-themed gift shops around DinoLand. One you’ll exit into after getting off DINOSAUR. The other 2 are near TriceraTop Spin.
The Dino Institute Shop
The Dino Institute Gift Shop is the perfect store to visit if you want dinosaur-themed items.
From apparel, to plushes, to toys, to masks, to hats, and so much more.
If you ride DINOSAUR, you’ll exit into this gift shop. There is also a separate entrance for non-riders.
You can even find a portable phone charging station (aka where you can swap and purchase FuelRods) here.
Chester and Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures
Chester and Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures is a big gift shop in DinoLand.
There’s a range of souvenirs available for purchase, including apparel, toys, Minnie ears, and so much more.
You can also purchase vouchers here to play Fossil Fun Games (the dinosaur-themed carnival games) in the Dino-Rama area.
Dino-Rama Cart
This small cart is located in the Dino-Rama area and sells select merchandise. You can also purchase vouchers here to play the Fossil Fun Games.
Attractions
DinoLand only has a couple attractions, but one is a guest favorite and even has the same ride system as Indiana Jones Adventure in Disneyland Park.
DINOSAUR
If you’ve been on Indiana Jones Adventure in Disneyland, then you’ll have a good idea of what the ride vehicle is like for DINOSAUR.
Once you’ve boarded, you travel back in time on a prehistoric race to rescue a dinosaur — the Iguanodon — before the meteor strikes.
Fun fact: this was formerly known as “Countdown to Extinction.”
This ride is almost completely dark, has some rough turns, and dinosaurs that may scare little ones.
DINOSAUR does have a Lightning Lane, which you may want to take advantage of, especially on busier days. Sometimes this Lightning Lane can run out by early afternoon. There is also a Standby Line.
TriceraTop Spin
TriceraTop Spin is just like Dumbo and The Magic Carpets of Aladdin at Magic Kingdom.
But, this ride has a dinosaur theme and you get to ride (and fly) around in Triceratops.
There isn’t a Lightning Lane available here, but you really don’t need one. Hopping on a Triceratop is easy to do via the Standby Line.
The Boneyard
If you’re traveling with little ones and they’re in need of play time or a way to burn off energy, we recommend checking out The Boneyard.
This is an open-air play area designed to look like a dinosaur dig site and is strictly for kids ages 10 and under.
There are rope bridges, caves, and slides. Plus, there is a dig site, where kids can excavate fossils from a Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus Rex.
The Boneyard even has a shaded seating area for adults to relax and watch as their little one plays.
Primeval Whirl (closed)
Primeval Whirl used to be located in DinoLand, but closed on March 15, 2020. Nothing replaced the wild-mouse style roller coaster.
Characters
If you ever wanted to meet Donald Duck and Daisy Duck in some fabulous costumes, then go no further. Plus, you can even see Chip ‘n’ Dale dressed up as — wait for it — dinosaurs.
Donald’s Dino-Bash is Donald’s celebration of being a bird descended from dinosaurs. What better way to celebrate that than by saying hello in DinoLand?
Donald
At the welcome center, you can say hello to Donald in a very vibrant costume. It’s the perfect way to enjoy the land and celebrate dinosaurs.
He appears across from TriceraTop Spin.
You can find daily meet and greet times in the My Disney Experience app. There is also a Disney PhotoPass photographer here.
Daisy
Who doesn’t want to meet Daisy at her Design Studio? She’s sassier than ever and dressed to the nines, as Daisy does.
She meets at the Cretaceous Trail.
You can find daily meet and greet times in the My Disney Experience app. There is also a Disney PhotoPass photographer here.
Chip ‘n’ Dale
Chip ‘n’ Dale in dinosaur costumes!
That’s right, you can meet Chip ‘n’ Dale wearing dinosaur costumes, aka “Chipmunk-o-saurus”. They are seriously adorable. They meet along the Cretaceous Trail.
You can find daily meet and greet times in the My Disney Experience app. There is also a Disney PhotoPass photographer here.
Entertainment
In DinoLand you can see a truly fantastic show inspired by a fish you may know by the name of Nemo. Plus, all of the character flotillas.
Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!
Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! is a reimagined musical of the original Finding Nemo: The Musical.
It plays daily in DinoLand’s Theater in the Wild.
This new version takes place in the timeline of Finding Dory. Many of the songs and production numbers from the original show are still part of the show.
Between the puppetry and the original songs, this is one show at Disney World you don’t want to miss.
While the show does have a Genie+ Lightning Lane, you don’t need to use a selection here. The theater has plenty of seating.
Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app to see when the show is playing during your day.
Note about the following cavalcades: All of the character flotillas can be seen sailing around the Discovery River. They have set showtimes that are posted in the My Disney Experience app and we recommend checking the schedule ahead of time. You usually have to be in the right place at the right time to catch them (crossing a bridge, walking a trail, dining at Nomad Lounge or Flame Tree Barbecue, or taking a break in the Discovery River Amphitheater).
Note: Part of the Discovery River Amphitheater is located in DinoLand across from the Theater in the Wild.
Mickey and Friends Flotilla
- Features: Mickey and Minnie
Discovery Island Drummers
- Features: Discovery Island Drummers
Discovery River Character Cruise
- Features: Pocahontas and Meeko from Pocahontas or Timon and Rafiki form The Lion King
Adventurer’s Flotilla — Disney Ducks
- Features: Scrooge McDuck and Launchpad McQuack
Adventurer’s Flotilla — Up
- Features: Russell and Dug from Up
Trails
There is one trail in DinoLand and, yes, it’s dinosaur-themed.
The Cretaceous Trail
Between Restaurantosaurus and DINOSAUR is the Cretaceous Trail.
You can see different plant-life that dates back to the Cretaceous age. There are also different dinosaur sculptures along the trail.
Animals
There is one animal in DinoLand and it is an American crocodile.
Here is a map of its location for reference:
Tip: You can also find select animals in the My Disney Experience app under the “attractions” category. Plus, at the park entrance next to the park guide map, there should be literature on the animals and their locations.
Crocodile
Across from Restaurantosaurus, you’ll find a viewing location for an American crocodile. Want to know her name? It’s Marley!
It makes sense for Marley to be living in DinoLand, since alligators and crocodiles are descendants of dinosaurs.
Activities
There are a couple fun family-friendly activities in DinoLand.
Fossil Fun Games
Fossil Fun Games is a great activity for both kids and adults.
These are carnival-style games that are dinosaur-themed. You can even win cute dinosaur plushes!
You need vouchers to play, which can be purchased for an additional fee at the souvenir stand in the games area or at Chester and Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures.
Coin Press Machines
There is a coin press machine inside Chester and Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures. You can buy one penny for $1.00 or 3 for $3.00. They are dinosaur and Moana-themed.
Disney PhotoPass Photographer
There is a PhotoPass option in DinoLand near the giant Dinosaur. Keep your eyes peeled for the photographer.
You can also take advantage of PhotoPass when meeting Donald, Daisy, and Chip ‘n’ Dale.
Don’t forget to ask if they have any fun Magic Shots!
Remember: unless you have Memory Maker, Memory Maker Day One, or a PhotoPass entitlement with your Annual Pass, you will have to pay to download or print these photos.
Restrooms
There are 3 sets of restrooms in DinoLand.
You can restrooms attached to Restaurantosaurus:
You can also find a set next to Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures:
And more restrooms near the Theater in the Wild:
Animal Relief Area
You can find an open outdoor relief area for guests visiting with service animals next to Restaurantosaurus.
DinoLand Checklist
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What’s your favorite thing about DinoLand in Animal Kingdom? Tell us in the comments!
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