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Credit: DisneyDid you know about this secret hiding inside one of Disney World’s scariest attractions?
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Walt Disney World is home to a number of attractions, ranging from iconic dark rides like Pirates of the Caribbean and Peter Pan’s Flight to intense roller coasters like Expedition Everest and TRON Lightcycle / Run. Disney World is known for being family-friendly, offering experiences that are fun for guests of all ages.
DINOSAUR is the exact opposite, sending riders on a terrifying mission through a dark prehistoric jungle filled with meat-eating dinos.
DINOSAUR, a dark, loud, and thrilling experience located in the DinoLand U.S.A. section of the Park, has been a staple of Disney’s Animal Kingdom since it first opened with the park in 1998.
The ride has undoubtedly provided countless hours of joy and terror to those brave enough to strap into the time rover and travel back to the Cretaceous period. But did you know that when the ride first opened, the attraction was actually sponsored by McDonald’s?
When it first opened, DINOSAUR was called Countdown to Extinction. Aside from audio and lighting changes, there aren’t many differences between this version of the ride and the one guest scan enjoy today. When it first opened, Countdown to Extinction was sponsored by McDonald’s. This partnership didn’t last long, though guests can still see remnants of it hiding in DINOSAUR’s queue.
Once guests make their way down into the basement of the Dino Institute, they can look above their heads and see multi-colored supply lines. These fake tubes are just there for decoration, but eagle-eyed guests might notice they have a bunch of letters and numbers written on them.
These numbers and letters are the chemical formulas for ketchup, mustard, and mayo, staple ingredients that McDonald’s uses daily.
@disneyfreak I bet you’ve never heard about this really cool detail in Dinosaur! °o° #disney #wdw #disneyworld #animalkingdom #dinosaur #dinosaurride #dinolandusa
This fun Easter egg won’t be around forever, as Disney World plans on overhauling DINOSAUR completely. Work is already underway on DinoLand U.S.A., with construction expected to continue well into 2026. Once complete, DINOSAUR will become a thrill ride based on Indiana Jones.
DinoLand U.S.A. will eventually give way to a new land inspired by South America. Alongside a new Indiana Jones attraction, this area will also feature a ride based on Encanto.
Do you enjoy DINOSAUR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom? What is the scariest ride at Walt Disney World to you?