Dino-rama views

[WDWspider]

OK, in another thread there has once again been discussion on the new Dino-rama section of Animal Kingdom. My view is solely on the values of Disney and what Disney should be, therefore I do not see Dino-rama has a good addition to the park since it goes against the grain on many aspects of Disney parks in the past. However, I am in no way saying it is not fun or a very good theme for what it is, I am simply saying that I do not feel it is something Disney should have done in the first place and we should not be content or happy with such sub-par and obviously cheap additions to subdue our frustrations with such an awesome park that is lacking enough to do. The discussion of "general public views" has also came up. I too had "general public" (those who are not fanatics, maybe never been to Disney Parks, and basically aren't in the know on Disney Magic) on my last trip. Overall, I think most anytime you have a new addition to a park it will be overall accepted to begin with... it's new. Now as far as those who have never been and don't know Disney Magic well... this section IS very flashy and attractive, after all it is a Carnival at it's cleanest, everyone loves the allure of a carnival. My nephew who is a Disney newbie thought that Dino-rama was neat too but did not really care for it, since he was planning on an Animal Park for the day. Anyway I have a poll to hopefully better break down thoughts and feelings on this new section, I am curious to see what others are thinking.

I goofed... The second one should read "I think it is a great addition" and nothing more, so if you feel that way, vote that way. Sorry.

 

[General Grizz]

I am glad you brought this up. This battle between Walt Disney Loyalty and the General Public is becoming a greater threat each year.

This is the ONLY place at Walt Disney World that I didn't feel at home. I am in love with the Animal Kingdom, and visiting it a few weeks ago, I had mixed emotions. When I got home, I evalutated the area. I didn't like it.

I'm going to throw Universal in here, folks. I am not attacking anyone, just making a comparison. I have had this feel when I have visited the Universal theme parks that do not give off this pleasure and at-home-ness that I feel at the Disney parks. This is hard to put in words. A feeling I get after visiting...that just doesn't bring me back. Memories...I frankly could care less about. There's something lacking at these parks that I just don't like them. No offense to Universal fans, I just don't enjoy the parks.

The feeling I get from Universal rubbed off on me after visiting Dino-Rama.

The quality, first of all, reminded me of a Sea World carnival-style area I visited a few years ago. It is totally lacking something. It is nothing compared to the magic I find in the other Disney theme parks. One one end of the bliss I experience of the Magic Kingdom. On the other, is something like Dino-Rama. On one, I feel as if I am at heaven. It's not only fun, it is family - there is magic working so hard, that this is the only place I can call "home". Yes, I have a house. But Disney is my home. One the other side is a place I could only care less for.

While the Primeval Whirl may be fun, this attraction, I find, is dust compared to attractions such as the Haunted Mansion, or the Timekeeper, or the Carousel of Progress, or Spaceship Earth. I don't like attractions because they are fun. I like attractions because they are a part of me. It is lacking something major. It does remind me of Universal a little. Just entering and seeing some generic characters (not saying Universal has generic characters, but it rubs off a similar feeling to me) with a story that we just assume, and hop on to have fun. The feeling I have after visiting Dino-rama - and seeing the prizes just regular Dinosaur toys one can win at any ole carnival - is on level with other attractions in Orlando. And this is not the Disney way to do things.

And then there's another thing. You know, Walt Disney built theme parks to have a place where the parents and the children could have fun together. And he also built it because he spent his weekends taking his daughters to places, such as carnivals. But he didn't like the carnivals. And so he invented a theme park - Disneyland - which revolutionized these types of vacations. This, to me, is really counter what Walt would have wanted.

In general, aside from everything else, the area seems very crowded. And, was I mistaken, or could one see the parking lot? And wasn't there a road going down it?

Disney could spend there money somewhere else - there are lots of places that could benefit from the cost it took to built this Un-Disneyeque area. Such as Beastly/Beastlie? Kingdom.

Watching an Imagineer special, I heard an Imagineer say that only the best of the best of the best ideas are carried out...this is kinda making me nervous!!! Yeah, it's OK, and the general public would want attractions to ride. But this isn't why Disney was built. And if it continues this way, why would it even exist.

I don't want to remember this area. It's not like an attraction I hate, because it didn't really replace one that was more beloved, but it leaves this feeling...that doesn't want to make me go back.

 

[Brett]

Personally, the rides would have been a huge success if themed differently and put in Camp Minnie-Mickey. Dinosaur is a thrill ride stuck in a kid-friendly land now. Expansion was definently needed for this part of the park, but sticking in another "Dumbo" and a kid coaster wasn't the solution. Dinoland U.S.A. could have easily been the "best" land in the Animal Kingdom, now it's just a little off.

 

[WDWspider]

Originally posted by Brett
Personally, the rides would have been a huge success if themed differently and put in Camp Minnie-Mickey. Dinosaur is a thrill ride stuck in a kid-friendly land now. Expansion was definently needed for this part of the park, but sticking in another "Dumbo" and a kid coaster wasn't the solution. Dinoland U.S.A. could have easily been the "best" land in the Animal Kingdom, now it's just a little off.

Wow! I almost totally agree with you on the placement in Camp Mickey Minnie, however I still have reservations on the pay per play games though, still I would have been more accepting if in that location.

 

[General Grizz]

Yup, I hate those play/per! They're so...eeugh!

 

[historymystery]

As far as the information part goes that was cool. They and so was Dinosaur. The triceratops was fun and so was the coaster but I think Disney needs to stop copying Dumbo already. I liked it.

 

[meeko_33785]

I'll be the first to admit Dino-Rama isn't my favorite part of the Animal Kingdom and not a must-see for every trip, but I don't think that it doesn't belong at AK. First of all, I think the theming is very underrated by most Disney fans. It's a a cute parody of a cheesy roadside attraction and very cleaver. It's also pretty nostalgic for baby boomers who remember the attractions like this from their childhood, probably just as nostalgic as Main Street U.S.A. was to Walt Disney. Not only that, but the attractions are fun, especially Primevial Whirl (no one attack me if I saw I njoyed myself on this that any of my rides on Space Mountain). I don't think it should be expected to be Haunted Mansion or Spaceship Earth. Those are E-Tickets, and this is not. If anything, this is more like Toontown which I feel is needed in the park just as much as E-tickets.

 

[General Grizz]

Here's something just to CONSIDER...while it may be a cute area with cute jokes, and such, the question is does it really fit? Maybe that's what caused me not to like it...

"Although various sections will have the fun and flavor of a carnival or amusement park, there will be none of the 'pitches,' game wheels, sharp practices, and devices designed to milk the visitor's pocketbook." - Walt on the Theme Parks

Haha, not anymore.

 

[aim]

I will have to say, that it doesn't fit the "Disney" feel. It doesn't have anything to do with Disney, except that it's AT Disney. Don't get me wrong, I love that Primevil Whirl thing. But, Dino-Rama just doesn't fit at Disney.

 

[meeko_33785]

If Walt Disney was so against carnival games, why were the Penny Arcades and shooting gallery at Disneyland on opening day? As far as I can tell, Walt did not hate carnival rides or games, but the loud and seldom-truthful carnival barkers' and the rigged games most commonly found at those types of carnivals. On my visit, Dino Rama has neither of these but insteed genial Disney-style CMs and, judging by the amount of Dinosaus I saw kids in the area winning, games that were not rigged. I'll admit, Dino Ramma would not have been what I would have chosen for a new area of Animal Kingdom, but I saw suprised by the amount of theming in the area. It fits great into Dinoland's sort of American nostalga/ kitsch theme and I feel fits into the Animal Kingdom just fine.

 

[General Grizz]

Right...they were more thematic places. While they held that feel, they still weren't built to "milk the pocketbook" - like what's there today!

 

[DanStat]

Closed Minded

I think many "Disney-ites" have a closed minded opinion on what Dino-Rama! is. There's a story behind it, and I think it's a perfect addition to the Animal Kingdom. So many people (Disney-loyal fans), just look at it and say "cheap addition"...well, maybe it is, but I like it! There is a good story behind it, and the wild mouse coaster is great!

Kind of like Tower of Terror...you find the same drop ride in many local theme parks...just not themed well...well, you can find the Wild Mouse coaster in many local theme parks...and it's not themed as well.

I love it.

 

[meeko_33785]

Re: Closed Minded

Originally posted by disneyprep50321
I think many "Disney-ites" have a closed minded opinion on what Dino-Rama! is. There's a story behind it, and I think it's a perfect addition to the Animal Kingdom. So many people (Disney-loyal fans), just look at it and say "cheap addition"...well, maybe it is, but I like it! There is a good story behind it, and the wild mouse coaster is great! b

I agree. The theming and story is very well thought out, but most Disney fans don't want to take the time to see it. It's an exalent homage/ parody to the roadside attractions its based on. As for the carnival games, I don't think that the carnival games at Dino Ramma are any worse that the shooting gallery or arcades. Both have the purpose of making money and both are to provide entertainment. The only difference is that the ones in the Magic Kingdom are in permanent buildings and AK's are in booths. If anything they have diferent feels and are both intended to make money (although I think "milk the pocketbook" is a tad strong a phrase. It's more like playing $1 so a child can play an easy game and win a stuffed dinosaur, what's wrong with that?)

 

[WDWspider]

I might add too, even if the theme was in place and already planned... this is not what I wanted when I heard Dinosaurs would be at the AK before it opened. I wanted a complete epansion of UoE. I wanted a whole land where Dinosaurs roamed once more, and their live ancestors lived as well. To begin, this was what was happening, but Dinp-rama is more of a spoof and joke almost depicting Dinos as fictional characters. AK is a celebration of all life, and I think the Dino Bones, the Institute and the few reptiles about really did that. I even liked the human spoof take with Chester's and Hesters. But now the expansion has taken it a bit too far and too lighthearted. Most people would have wanted more rides and ideas to experience Dinos first hand. Instead they get two rides and Games that weakly showcase storys based on Dinos, the concept and idea is lost. I agree with others, Dino-land should not have been the place for this addition.

Let me ask those who like it... What if something like this had been added to Africa or Asia? It most certainly wouldn't be accepted. Dinos were real, so why are they looked on so unseriously in this land now? Oh well, I guess the child in me hates this addition just as much as the adult in me, but obviously everyone else doesn't agree.

 

[meeko_33785]

What's wrong with it being light-hearted? In my oppinion it needed it. If not, it's basically a land about dead animals, goingback in time to see them about to die and digging up their remains. Not too happy. The happier feel of Dino-Rama counter this nicely. As for the idea of having a land where you encounter a world of "real" dinosaurs, you can probably thank Universal for putting Jurassic Park in IOA. Since that is there, chances are very good Disney will never put anything like that into AK.

 

[gjpjtj]

I think it is interesting, and wild. I wouldn't want to see the rest of the parks head this way but I think the created what they set out to. An American tradition, the roadside attraction!