Celebrity T. rex, Summer Festival And Film-Inspired Attraction Greet Animal Kingdom Guests

Fossil Fever! Celebrity T. rex, Summer Festival And Film-Inspired Attraction Greet Guests At Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Walt Disney World Resort guests can celebrate the dawn of the dinosaurs at Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s Dinosaur Jubilee, a fun-filled festival of prehistoric proportions May 19-July 9 in the theme park’s DinoLand U.S.A., presented by McDonald’s. Opening at the same time as Walt Disney Pictures’ new animated feature film, “Dinosaur,” Dinosaur Jubilee features interactive games, live entertainment throughout DinoLand U.S.A. and the park’s unveiling of “Sue,” an exact replica of the largest, most complete Tyrannosaurus rex ever unearthed. Some highlights:

T-rex invades DinoLand U.S.A.

DinoLand U.S.A. welcomes Sue as Disney’s newest -- and oldest -- “cast” member. Named after fossil hunter Susan Hendrickson, the 65-million-year-old skeleton was found in 1990 near the Black Hills of South Dakota. The Field Museum in Chicago purchased it at auction with financial support from McDonald’s Corporation, Walt Disney World Resort, the California State University system and private individuals. Following its discovery, paleontologists from The Field Museum began work on preparing the bones for eventual exhibit in Chicago. A large part of the bonework was actually done “on-stage” and in front of guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom by a three-member team from the museum. Scientists estimate the T. rex was about 45 feet long, stood nearly 14 feet tall and weighed between five and seven tons. An exact cast replica of Sue is being unveiled Wednesday, May 17, at 9:30 a.m. in DinoLand U.S.A. That same day, the original Sue is scheduled to be unveiled at The Field Museum in Chicago.

The ‘Countdown’ is over… it’s DINOSAUR!

Countdown to Extinction, the heart-pounding, high-speed adventure that careens guests through primeval forests as they try to elude a hungry carnotaurus, now has a new name -- DINOSAUR. Featuring scenes similar to those in the new Disney animated feature film, “Dinosaur,” the attraction sends guests hurtling back 65 million years. Along the way, they are introduced to prehistoric giants and creatures, several which bear a striking resemblance to the characters in the motion picture. Welcoming guests to the newly named attraction is the towering cast replica of Dinosaur Sue. The giant T. rex will be on display at the entrance gates to The Dino Institute, the mythical research facility where guests board Time Rover vehicles for their trip back to the Cretaceous period. In addition to being one of the Walt Disney World Resort attractions to offer FASTPASS -- Disney’s revolutionary time-saving option to standing in line -- DINOSAUR also recently changed its minimum height requirement from 46 inches to 40 inches, allowing smaller dino-fans the chance to enjoy the fun.

Fun for the Family

DinoLand U.S.A.’s Dinosaur Jubilee also offers plenty of fossil fun for the whole family, with new characters, games, live entertainment and music. Carnival games, caricaturists, face painters and plenty of children’s activities highlight the Dinosaur Jubilee, which also features a tent-full of one-of-a-kind dinosaur skeletons and artifacts on display -- and new interactive prehistoric creatures: a woolly mammoth and a saber-toothed tiger.

-- Posted May 17, 2000

Source: Company Press Release