Way back in 2000, I rode this while it was still Countdown to Extinction and came off puzzled. I was really underwhelmed and just found the ride a bumpy joyride that was just lacking in so many ways (poor story, poor theming, bumpy ride, etc). Flash forward to this year, after a renovation to Countdown to Extinction, a new name (Dinsoaur), and a changed ride experience, I gave this attraction a second chance and am certainly glad I did since it instantly skyrocketed into one of the park’s best attractions in my opinion thanks to the intense ride it provides from beginning to end, but there are a few flaws that hold this attraction back from true greatness.

First off, I have to address the ride’s looks, which are a mixed-bag. Honestly I’m not a big fan regarding the looks of the building that houses this attraction since it’s just so generic and unimaginative in my opinion, but it’s what inside that matters. In the brief queue featured inside is an impressive skeleton of a once-ferocious dinosaur along with some really nice pictures that create the illusion that I was in a high-class research institution.

Regarding lines and the queue, this thing really has sporadic waits. Sometimes I saw waits around 45 minutes and other times it was a walk-on. And unlike other attractions when waits reflect the time of day you ride, Dinosaur really has no rhyme or reason as to how long its waits will be at any given time. However, if it does build up an unbearable wait, just grab a Fastpass and wait it out, and you’ll return with almost no wait at all.

Like many of Disney’s attractions, Dinosaur is preceded by a pre-show establishing the simple plot of the attraction- travel back in time using the Time Rover to safely rescue the iguanadon before a devastating meteor impact occurs. I know many people really dislike the pre-show, but I don’t mind it at all as I find it pretty comical and quite enjoyable. Eventually you reach the loading bay and get assigned one of four rows. Of all the rows my personal favorite is the front just because of the unobstructed view, but all seats other than that give an identical ride experience, and each padded seat is very comfortable, especially thanks to a simple seatbelt being the primary restraint.

Riders begin by traveling back in the Cretaceous Period in a futuristic, time-travel sequence that is very well executed in my opinion with the intimidating, blood-red lighting and top-notch sound effects. Once back in time, riders are thrust into a frenetic search for the iguanadon. Along the way there are many well executed encounters with other dinosaurs, ranging from gentle herbivores to gigantic menaces like a T-rex. I loved all of the dinosaur animatronics and their intricate details, especially the impressive T-rex, which riders encounter at various points during the ride. Even after multiple rides, some of the scenes still caught me off-guard and caused me to jump, especially the ride’s iconic scene towards the end where your picture is taken. In typical Disney fashion though, riders successfully escape the perils of their mission (a ferocious meteor shower) at the last possible instant with “one extra passenger…extra large” and satisfy the rebel employee’s goal to bring back his prized dinosaur.

Now ride itself was very bumpy just as I remembered. While I tolerated the bumpiness this time around much better, it still does throw you around quite a bit so just be prepared before riding since others I rode with refused to reride like I did. However, I personally really enjoyed the bumpiness featured throughout the attraction since it really made the attraction much more intense and thrilling, especially during some of the sudden drops featured throughout the attraction. Not only that, but it really helped maintain the attraction’s rather serious tone. Really, the added motion helped Disney create both a dark ride with a motion simulator in a style similar to Spiderman, only on a simpler scale and pulled off with less success.

While the dinosaurs and Time Rovers are impressive feats even for Disney, some glaring negatives really held this attraction back despite its lofty potential. Honestly, I think Disney attempted to cut-corners with this attraction regarding the theming featured throughout the attraction, and it really hampered my ride experience, leading me not to be fully immersed in the ride experience like I typically am with a Disney attraction. First, lackluster theming surrounds the simply dazzling dinosaurs, which is a shame. As an attempt of hiding their shoddy work, Disney utilizes extremely dark lighting for this attraction to try and conceal their lack of scenery, which only hurt my enjoyment even more by making my eyes really have to work to take in each and every one of the scenes. Also, Disney disappointed me greatly with the infamous meteor shower featured during the attraction’s finale. Instead of blowing me away with incredible fire effects or even GCI for that matter, some faint lights and corny sound-effects that bear no resemblence to a meteor shower at all are utilized. What a shame since this really could have been something truly special.

Despite how I enjoyed the ride far better this time around and found it to be pretty fun, it just has some shortcomings that really hamper the ride experience from being the elite attraction it clearly has the potential of delivering. The very poor theming featured during the attraction (landscapes and meteor shower) really were disappointing, but were compensated for with the simply stunning dinosaur animatronics and impressive range of motion of the Time Rovers. However, what the ride does successfully is deliver in the thrill department with a ride that combines frighteningly realistic dinosaur animatronics with an action-packed ride experience. My second favorite attraction in the entire park is certainly worth experiencing, especially in a park devoid of many major thrill rides, but just be prepared for some turbulence.

This ride really brought alot of character to the near rideless Animal Kingdom... it gave adults something to yell about! The premis of the ride is that you are on a mission to save the last iguanadon from the time of the dinosaurs. The catch is this, the extinction of the dinosaurs is happening in mere minutes! You and your elite team of people taken out of the streets must swerve meteors, wildlife, and a menacing dinosaure that wants you as his last supper. The que for this ride is very rich in detail and shows you life in the age of dinosaurs. Then you enter the loading dock for the cars, a boiler room set up, and hearing the blast of the cars and the screams of the riders, you begin to doubt your courage. Then you enter your car, go to a launch point and BLAM!!! Your off into the dinosaur period. You look in a vast set full of color and animatronics (some more pleasing than others) until you find the iquanadon. You then give him a lift and head home. But wait, the meteor showers going off schedual!!! Better get home now! But that pesky carnivorous dino sure isnt making things any easier... After twist, turn, buck, and sway aplenty, you arrive home with the iguanadon with you. Good Job! I would ride this with kids 10 and up, due to black scenes, LOUD noises, and scary images. Enjoy one of the finer rides in the Animal Kingdom!

This ride takes you back in time with a true Disney-esque storyline. I forget the exact details, but we had to find a rare dinosaur before time ran out. During the ride, the jeep whizzed along a track which was filled with great detail and theming. The bumps got a bit tedious after a while, but the T-Rex at the end was enough of a thrill to make up for them. Dinosaur is easily the most thrilling and well-themed attraction in the Animal Kingdom and is one of the only reasons worth going to the park.

The detail on this ride is pretty good. However, the story is extremly predictable. But still, its fun and thrilling, one of the best rides at Animal Kingdom.

This ride feels like youre in a jeep off road. The dinosaurs in this ride look really good. I like the one eating another one. Its a ride to ride at animal kingdom.

This ride is lots of fun and somewhat realistic. It has a storyline behind it that actually makes sense. The ride itself has enough physical movement to make thrill-seekers happy, and just enough to keep others terrified. Make time in your day to do this!

One of my favorites at Disney. The motion of the truck is rough and really provides that "out of control" feeling; it makes this ride what it is. The whole ride is really predictable and the ending is just about what youd expect, but hey, its Disney. The best ride in Animal Kingdom.

They should change it back to the original Countdown to Extinction. The excitment just is not there any more. After you ride this once it is no longer fun. Disney please change it. It used to be more intense and I know that for a fact on talkdisney.com. Its a little bumpy which causes back pain. The part with the t rex is awesome and theming is good but Animal Kingdom is a horrible park in my opinion. It just does not have the thrill. The first few times you ride it its good but after that its terrible.

I didnt like this ride, I was seated on the left hand side and I didnt feel very secure. It wasnt as thrilling an experience as it was just a frightening one.

fun ride, definitly the most exciting ride in animal kingdom. I think it has the same cars as indiana jones adventure in disneyland, except they are rethemed. Expidition evererst will be much better than this.