Cretaceous Trail

Location:  Dinoland U.S.A.

Ride Type:  Nature Trail

Capacity:  N/A

Fastpass?  No

Minimum Height:  None

Summary:  Near the Boneyard playarea is the Cretaceous Trail, a self-guided walking tour of prehistoric plants and a primeval forest area.  Along the way you can observe a Pachycephalasaurus dinosaur replica and observe fossil dig sites.

Comments:  This self-paced tour provides some room for children to run and expend some energy, although the theming is probably more suited to higher-functioning children who are interested in botany.  Because the attraction is self-paced, you can leave at any time.

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Dinosaur!

Location:  Dinoland U.S.A.

Ride Type:  Dark Ride

Passengers:  4 per Row,3 Rows per Car

Fastpass?  Yes

Minimum Height:  48 Inches minimum to ride

Summary: Through the marvels of time travel, guests are sent back in time to view (and try to retrieve) dinosaurs.  During the pre-show, the Dino Institute Director (played by former "Cosby Show" star Phylicia Rashad) introduces you to your "Time Rover" vehicle.  Your trip is de-railed by her assistant, who wants to send you back to retrieve a live Iguanadon (featured in the Disney movie "Dinosaur").  Unfortunately, your Time Rover ends up in the middle of an impending meteor shower, with only Carnotaurs to be found (you know, those ferocious meat eating dinosaurs).  As you lurch from scene to scene, the tension mounts as the Carnotaur seems to pursue you.  After a terrifying face-to-face encounter with Carnotaur, you make it back to your time safe and sound - with an Iganadon along for the ride!

Comments:  We do not recommend this ride for low-functioning children with autism, or for younger children at all.  The ride is loud, dark, and terrifying.  The sensory input is overwhelming, and children who cannot tell reality from make-believe will be frightened.  The vehicle is programmed to simulate off-road terrain, and is very bumpy and rough.  The most frightening scene is at the end of the ride when the Carnotaur is directly in front of you, roaring and baring his many teeth.  We recommend you have an adult preview this ride to determine if it is appropriate for your child.

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Images:

Following Images Provided by WDWNews (Copyright Protected)

To see Dinosaur! Image Gallery, click here

Video from YouTube:

Disclaimer: This video is the sole intellectual property of the YouTube contributor, and not WDWAutism.com. We thank the contributor for their posting.

Finding Nemo - The Musical

Location: Dinoland U.S.A. 

Ride Type:  Musical

Capacity:  1700 guests

Fastpass?  No

Minimum Height:  None

Summary:  Through the innovative use of live puppetry, the 2003 Disney Pixar movie “Finding Nemo” is brought to life in a Broadway style musical.  This thirty-five minute show features nearly 20 lives actors who sing and dance while managing the puppet characters of the show.  Although the music is different than in the movie, children will recognize their favorite characters as they tell the tale of Dory, Marlin, Nemo, and the others in their search to rescue Nemo and bring him home.

Comments:  Children familiar with the movie "Finding Nemo" will most likely enjoy the show, although the thirty-five minute run time may be too long for younger or lower-functioning children.  Lines for this show can be long, and the show is very popular.  As with any of the shows at Disney, we recommend you ask a cast member about getting a seat near an exit in case you need to leave early.  You may also wish to use your Guest Access Card for an alternate waiting area if your child is overwhelmed by crowds.

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Images:

Following Images Provided by WDWNews (Copyright Protected)

To see Finding Nemo the Musical Image Gallery, click here

Primeval Whirl

Location:  Dinoland U.S.A.

Ride Type: Roller-coaster 

Passengers:  4 per Car

Fastpass?  Yes

Minimum Height:  48 Inches minimum to ride

Summary:  The Primeval Whirl is a unique rollercoaster.  In addition to the normal ups and downs, the cars also swing right to left, whirling you through the ride.  Each ride is different as you spin, twist, and drop on your journey.  The cars are themed as campy time-machines, similar to road-side carnival attractions from the 1960s.

Comments:  Although Disney classifies this as a "mild but wild" ride, the motion can be disorienting to riders.  Despite the restraint system, you are flung from side to side as the cars spin and drop.  Noise levels can be loud.  Because it is an outdoor roller-coaster, you can preview the ride to determine if it appropriate for your child.

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Images

Following Images Provided by WDWNews (Copyright Protected)

To see Primeval Whirle Image Gallery, click here

Video from YouTube:

Disclaimer: This video is the sole intellectual property of the YouTube contributor, and not WDWAutism.com. We thank the contributor for their posting.

The Boneyard Dig Site

Location:  DinoLand U.S.A.

Ride Type:   Playground

Capacity:  N/A

Fastpass?  No

Minimum Height:  None

Summary:  The Boneyard Dig Site (located in Dinland U.S.A.) is a playground for children to climb, slide, and dig in the sand looking for fossils.  There are nets, slides, tunnels, and a giant sandbox for excavations.

Comments:  This playground is best suited for children who are moderately independent, as the layout of the Boneyard makes it difficult for parents to observe their children at all times.  There are very few places for parents to sit, and not much shade.  If the playground looks crowded, you may wish to avoid it or come back at another time in order to have better visibility of your child.

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Images:

To see The Boneyard Dig Site Image Gallery, click here

TriceraTop Spin

Location:  Dinoland U.S.A.

Ride Type:  Flying Triceratops

Passengers:  4 per Triceratops

Fastpass?  No

Minimum Height:  None

Summary:  Similar to the flying elephants and flying carpets of the Magic Kingdom, the TriceraTop Spin uses dinosaurs as the flying ride vehicles.  You fly around a large spinning top - so the ride name is a great play on words.  Guests control the height of their flight using controls in the back seat, and control the rocking motion (forward and backwards) using the controls in the front seat.  This ride gives you a great view of Chester and Hesterd Dino-Rama area, and most of Dinoland U.S.A.

Comments:  Some children may not enjoy when the ride vehicle tilt.  As the ride ends, it resets by raising all of the dinosaurs to the top of the ride.  They may gently sway/tilt during this reset, so be sure your child is prepared for it (you have no control over it).  If your child is afraid of heights, please prepare them for this by letting them watch the ride a few times so they can anticipate that lift.

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Images

To see Triceratops Spin Image Gallery, click here