The World Report
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Odds and Ends

Having finally gotten back into the swing of the things after my trip to the Disneyland Resort I thought I would take a trip to Walt Disney World and see what is going on out there.

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My first stop was Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which is currently open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm., to see the new additions to Dinoland U.S.A. I am still disappointed that my favorite restaurant, Flametree Barbeque is now a seasonal restaurant and was surprised to learn that Disney World is going to a new format with it’s guide maps starting December 2. The new guide maps will only be park maps with no entertainment times or other information that could quickly outdate them. Park hours and show times will be available in a new guide called Show Guide. The Show Guide will be printed weekly enabling the parks to react quicker to changes in the schedules. International guide maps will be available in mid-December.

TriceraTop Spin
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Dinoland U.S.A. has opened part of its Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama area with the addition of TriceraTop Spin and the Midway Games. Set under a large yellow brontosaurus the midway games give guests a chance to try their luck playing traditional games like race games and water gun games all themed with a dino motif. The old trailer at the entrance of Dinoland U.S.A. that sold McDonald’s fries has been moved to the back of Dino-Rama and is currently open during the busy season and the a new McDonald’s Fries shop called Pertrifries has taken it’s place at the entrance of the land. The TriceraTops Spin is at the entrance of Dino-Rama is also open. The Spin has baby Triceratops that seat 4 people each and takes guests on a journey high above Dinoland U.S.A. Right now it is a great place to see the construction of Primeval Whirl Coaster that will open in late spring 2002. Think Dumbo the Flying Elephant with Dinosaurs instead. The big question on everyone’s mind is the themeing in this area. Does the theme fit the area? Surprisingly yes. Based on it’s location near Chester and Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures the roadside tourist trap theme of the ride and games fits well. A more interesting question is will it help keep guests in the park longer? Probably not, though the coaster will help a little when it opens. Animal Kingdom still needs several other adventures including an E-Ticket ride to help it become a longer experience.

More Dinoland Pictures