Much like its namesake animals, DinoLand is now officially extinct—and today, we’re looking back at the land’s headliner attraction: Dinosaur.

From its original, intense debut as Countdown to Extinction to its modern-day cult status among theme park fans, Dinosaur has left a lasting impact on Disney’s Animal Kingdom. In this episode, we revisit the attraction’s history, its evolution, and why it became one of the park’s most unforgettable (and terrifying) rides.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• The original vision for Dinosaur when it was Countdown to Extinction
• Why the ride scared an entire generation of guests
• How Dinosaur became a cult favorite among Disney fans
• What made DinoLand such a unique part of Animal Kingdom
• Saying goodbye to one of the last remaining pieces of original Animal Kingdom

Join us as we pay tribute to an attraction that shook us, startled us, and somehow made us laugh—right up until the end.

Submit a question/topic for us to discuss on a future episode.

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Timestamps

Welcome 00:00

Did You Love Dinosaur? 01:21

The Origins of DinoLand 01:55

Our Pitch for Villains Land 06:56

Countdown to Extinction 12:50

The Change to Dinosaur 14:57

Disney Wouldn’t Build a Ride Like This Today 18:29

The Move to Indiana Jones 21:45

How Disney World has Changed 24:28

Dinosaur with the Lights On 26:38

Why We Love the Attraction 28:03

Are Any Attractions Untouchable? 34:15

Goodbye Dinosaur, Forever in Our Hearts 39:55