Anyone else who can't stand the Dino-Rama section of Animal Kingdom?

[DisneyJunkie]

I absolutely despise walking anywhere near or seeing this section of Animal Kingdom. It's probably the least Disney-like section of the park. Part of what I enjoy about WDW in general is how set apart it seems from the average hometown fair or hometown carnival, and this Hester & Chester area is extremely "hometown carnival" in appearance. I always thought Disney was better than putting that kind of element into its theme parks. I don't really care if there's a back story to it, it doesn't change the fact that its appearance doesn't fit the higher quality look of a WDW park. This is just one of those things that really pushes my buttons (another is the stupid wand that's finally being taken off SSE, but all that is another thread).

 

[Yellow Shoes]

No, I don't despise it. I rather think that the idea and backstory behind it make it fun.

We've all seen cheesy carnivals, and Disney is the antithesis of them. It is amusing to me to see the WDW homage to the very thing Walt wanted to improve upon.








OK--I'm ready for the next 52 posts disagreeing with me..............

 

[frankd1962]

It doesn't fit into the area where it is BUT it is not suppose to. It is a take on those little stupid road side (hence the look of a road in the trail under your feet) stands that spring up to take advantage of a local find.

Back story is that they found bones in dem thar grounds (sorry) and the Institute was build to study. Locals figuring Dino-Mania will sweep through with tourist wanting to see real life bones might want to take advantage of the local flavor. Hence Chester and Hester's.

Think of it as AK's tribute to Rte. 66. Yes it doesn't fit but it is a cute idea done with Disney flair. Better than what surrounded DL back in the late 50's early 60's or International Drive during the early 90's.

 

[Kristia]

No, I don't despise it. I rather think that the idea and backstory behind it make it fun.

We've all seen cheesy carnivals, and Disney is the antithesis of them. It is amusing to me to see the WDW homage to the very thing Walt wanted to improve upon.

I agree with you. It is such a small part of the park. I like the back story and find it cute. I enjoy spending a little time in there. It is not why I go to Animal Kingdom, but I definitely don't despise it.

 

[sleepybear]

OK--I'm ready for the next 52 posts disagreeing with me..............

Well, here's one in agreement. :wave:
I kind of like Dino-Rama. The backstory is cute. There's a lot of amusing details. And the coaster is pretty darn fun.

 

[Master Yoda]

I did not care for it until I heard the back story and now I like it.

 

[kcnole]

I know the backstory, I still think its a waste of space. It seems Joe Rhode hates it too from some of his comments. There is so much more they could do there aside from that cheap carnival look. Instead this is what we got. In this case, the backstory is just an excuse to be cheap. As others have said, we've all seen those road side areas, in fact I can drive an hour and find a road side area like that. There's nothing special about them and they have no business being inside one of the best themed parks in WDW.

 

[ryguy]

Like most things at AK Dinorama/dinoland is a disappointment. I went into it thinking it was designed for kids and would have a lot of kid activities, but that just isn't the case. Also the one ride that most kids can go on is one they have been on already at MK, twice. Surely they could have come up with something a little more original than a dino dumbo ride. :shrug: I will say the one rollercoaster looks fun but my kids won't be able to go on it for sometime.

 

[hcswingfield]

I try to avoid it.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

I actually find it to be in line with DCA. It is a fun concept, and it works where it is. BUt, it was done on the cheap. I think if a little bit of money was added, and if the expanded it just a little bit, it would be great. Unfortuantely, the lack of $$$ put into it shows, IMHO. That's the only problem.

 

[NadieMasK2]

I know the backstory, I still think its a waste of space. It seems Joe Rhode hates it too from some of his comments. There is so much more they could do there aside from that cheap carnival look. Instead this is what we got. In this case, the backstory is just an excuse to be cheap. As others have said, we've all seen those road side areas, in fact I can drive an hour and find a road side area like that. There's nothing special about them and they have no business being inside one of the best themed parks in WDW.

Agreed. AK is such a unique immersive experience. The area just doesn't fit, despite the backstory. You are supposed to believe you are in remote villages in Africa and Asia, savannahs and jungles filled with wildlife, and then a roadside carnival? :shrug: I think this area as well as Camp Minnie Mickey has a lot of potential to expand the guest experience. Both areas seem like they were afterthoughts, space-fillers.

*Hopes those WDW internet researches reads this*

 

[Monty]

Like most things at AK Dinorama/dinoland is a disappointment.

Clearly not a fan of AK! :lol:

I find AK to be an excellent park with lots to see and do. Enough to certainly keep DS12 and myself very busy for a full day. I find Dinorama to be entertaining enough for us to go every trip. We concentrate on Primeval Whirl these days, but the flying dinos were an attraction when DS was too small for Whirl.

I enjoy the backstory and have no objection to the area being in AK. We can easily keep ourselves occupied between the walking trails and Dinosaur, PW, KS, KRR and EE and not even see the various shows [we did see Nemo a couple of weeks ago]. Heck, we even made it over to Rafiki's Planet Watch for the first time in years!

 

[teebin]

Agreed. AK is such a unique immersive experience. The area just doesn't fit, despite the backstory. You are supposed to believe you are in remote villages in Africa and Asia, savannahs and jungles filled with wildlife, and then a roadside carnival? :shrug: I think this area as well as Camp Minnie Mickey has a lot of potential to expand the guest experience. Both areas seem like they were afterthoughts, space-fillers.

It is my understanding that AK started going way over-budget and these in fact were both "afterthoughts" and "space-fillers".

"Cut this major plan, cut that major plan, yet we need more stuff for people to do, but it's gotta be cheap!"

 

[TiggerTale]

Agreed. AK is such a unique immersive experience. The area just doesn't fit, despite the backstory. You are supposed to believe you are in remote villages in Africa and Asia, savannahs and jungles filled with wildlife, and then a roadside carnival? :shrug: I think this area as well as Camp Minnie Mickey has a lot of potential to expand the guest experience. Both areas seem like they were afterthoughts, space-fillers.

*Hopes those WDW internet researches reads this*

Well said NadieMask2!:sohappy:

 

[hauntdmansion79]

I absolutely despise walking anywhere near or seeing this section of Animal Kingdom. It's probably the least Disney-like section of the park. Part of what I enjoy about WDW in general is how set apart it seems from the average hometown fair or hometown carnival, and this Hester & Chester area is extremely "hometown carnival" in appearance. I always thought Disney was better than putting that kind of element into its theme parks. I don't really care if there's a back story to it, it doesn't change the fact that its appearance doesn't fit the higher quality look of a WDW park. This is just one of those things that really pushes my buttons (another is the stupid wand that's finally being taken off SSE, but all that is another thread).

You and me are on the same wavelength and I agree with your opinion. The first time I saw it, I said to my family "where the heck are we Six Flags?". It is below what Disney is capable of. I actually had never heard the back story until this thread and while it does help, it still does not make me a fan of Dinoland at all. Basically it's for the kiddies.

I really like the idea of Animal Kingdom and LOVE the atmosphere, but it is still only a half-day park for me. There are some must sees (Safari, Everest, Tough to be a Bug, Dinosaur, Rapids, Nemo, Lion King) and then the rest of the park is filler. Like Rafiki's Planet Watch. The train takes you out there and then you are left breezing through semi-interesting exhibits. Sometimes the trails are good, but it depends if the animals are out.

I know the backstory, I still think its a waste of space. It seems Joe Rhode hates it too from some of his comments. There is so much more they could do there aside from that cheap carnival look. Instead this is what we got. In this case, the backstory is just an excuse to be cheap. As others have said, we've all seen those road side areas, in fact I can drive an hour and find a road side area like that. There's nothing special about them and they have no business being inside one of the best themed parks in WDW.

Again, agreed, but it's good that Joe isn't impressed either.

 

[ZambeziZelda]

I really do like the backstory...it's well planned out, and when you know it, you see all the little hints and clues pointing towards it.

That being said, I still hardly ever go to that area of DAK. I guess I like it in theory but not in concept.

 

[CTXRover]

I wouldn't be heartbroken if Dinorama was radically changed or removed completely, but I do like how it fits into the backstory of Dinoland, although I don't think that backstory is necessarily that obvious to guests.

Like all of areas of AK, it has a very distinct and lived in feel. I also like the power struggle represented in the land between the science and realism of dinosaurs and the tacky, fanciful take on dinosaurs that represent ways dinosaurs have been portrayed to the public before...in museums and roadside tourist traps (particulary in Utah/Nevada areas).

There are better things that could go there, but it does fit in its own way. While cheaper than building something like Everest, it does have its unique touches, such as the fact the ground is actually dyed and stamped concrete made to look like asphalt, which helps keep it from getting overly hot in the Florida sun.

The thing I like least about it, and why I think it stands out as feeling out of place is that it is in stark contrast to the central belief and theme of AK that nature empowers over all things man-made. Perhaps that was the purpose, but for me that is why it never feels right. I do like Primeval Whirl though.

 

[NadieMasK2]

Well said NadieMask2!:sohappy:

Welcome TiggerTale! :wave:


(Proud Mom welcomes DD's first post :kiss: )

 

[sknydave]

I've never actually spent any time in Dino-Rama other than the one time I went over to ride Primeval Whirl.

 

[snakeislandboy]

I have wanted to start a thread like this for a long time, but assumed someone else beat me to it. The look and design of the AK is just beautiful amazing. I HATE Dino-Rama. I always got the feeling they ran out of money or time or somthing and put up what I think looks like a lot like my cheap local tiny local amusement park Magic Springs. It doesn't fit with anything and my only positive thought about it is how temporary it looks. When you think of all you could have done with the ancient dinosaur concept, it really is weak. It's my only disappointment with Walt Disney World.