Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

ROAR! Dinosaurs Alive! at Canada’s Wonderland

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A few weeks ago, we took the boys to Canada’s Wonderland for the very first time. Let’s just say that I have a 5-year old budding adrenaline junkie, and a 3-year old who specializes in thrill ride avoidance. (Be still my heart! I have a comrade-in-fear.)

Alas, one of the only attractions that we didn’t have a chance to experience on our recent adventure was the new Dinosaurs Alive! exhibit. Unleashed in May 2012, visitors to Canada’s Wonderland are transported back in time to periods between 245 million and 65 million years ago in one of the world’s largest animatronic dinosaur parks.

Thanks to the generosity of Canada’s Wonderland, we were invited back to the park for our own prehistoric adventure, and we even brought along a few friends; @ShaunaMacKenzie from Kindergarten Confidential and her two boys, Big A and Lil J.

The day started off a little gloomy, and unfortunately, we encountered a rain delay of about 30 minutes. Thankfully, the passing showers made way for a beautiful, sunny day. As soon as the skies cleared, we made our way over to the Dinosaurs Alive exhibit. First, an obligatory pose by the entrance. (Side note: My “Change Your Life with Bacon” t-shirt made me Ms. Popularity for the day. Thanks Maple Leaf Foods!)

More than 40 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, set in a 7-acre Jurassic themed environment, make up this interactive exhibit. Guests will encounter handcrafted, life-like creations made to replicate nearly every feature of dinosaurs, right down to their skin-like exteriors.

Of course, if there was any doubt regarding the authenticity of the exhibits, one would just have to witness Big A and Lil J’s reaction to a roaring dinosaur:

The multi-sensory dinosaur park brings inspiration, science and technology together in a unique setting. The five main scenes allow guests to see where dinosaurs lived, how they protected themselves, and many other aspects of their prehistoric existence. Several dinosaurs feature interactive consoles that allow guests to guide dinosaur movement; mimicking what scientists believe to be the way they moved their arms, tails, mouths and eyes.

The incredible life-like appearance of the dinosaurs is clearly evident, even up close. I must admit that I jumped a few times as I wandered through the exhibit; it’s not every day that I encounter a prehistoric animal – built to scale!


In addition to the replica dinosaurs, the exhibit also provides information about the natural habitat and vegetation of the era, and even features a kid’s paleontological dig site, where guests are encouraged to help uncover the skeleton of a large predator that is buried in the sand.

The self-guided tour ends with a vicious Tyrannosaurus Rex, towering at over 60 feet (18.3M) in length.

The admission to Dinosaurs Alive! is $5.00 (in addition to your park pass). For visitors with younger children, I would say skip the exhibit; it can be tad scary and the information can be overwhelming. However, for the budding paleontologist in your family, it presents a wealth of information that rivals museum exhibits, in addition to the thrill of interacting with the life-like dinosaurs. 

Of course, after the exhibit, the boys moved on to different kinds of thrills… provided by the best theme park in Canada :)

Click here for more information on Dinosaurs Alive!.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anne Taylor

    Omgosh the looks on those faces is absolutely adorable! If we ever get back east again, I’d love to take my grandkids to see this!

  3. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    no that and the lazy river is the only things I would be able to even do at the park. I get dizzy just sitting on a swing.

  4. Tricha

    We were at Wonderland yesterday Lena and I thought I saw someone who looks a lot like your husband but I didn’t see you so I figured it wasn’t him. We had a blast and didn’t leave until after 9pm. Sadly we didn’t go see the Dinosaur exhibit but my kids enjoyed taking pics of the ones on display throughout the park.

    • Lena

      Alas, it wasn’t me – but I’m glad you had an amazing time at Wonderland! Save the dinosaur exhibit for next time :)

  5. Nicole Vijayasingham

    Thanks so much for sharing this Lena! I had no idea it even existed. It’s been over 10 years since I have been to Canada’s wonderland. My little guy who turns 5 this year is obsessed with dinosaurs and wants to be a palentologist. He would love to see this. Definitely have to take him now.

  7. Caryn s

    My dinosaur crazed son would love this exhibit seeing he loved our recent to the royal tyrrell museum!

  8. Flora M

    I hope they keep this exhibit for a while – at least until the end of 2014 (wow – next summer is going to be a busy one for me LOL) !! Looks like a great exhibit – a small “Jurassic Park” of the north ;o)

  10. Erika E

    Every summer my son hears about someone he knows going to this place and he asks if we’ll go. It’s a long trip but we’ll have to try and get there one summer. It looks like a lot of fun. I had no idea it was so big.

  11. Lisa H

    I was able to take my son to the Traveling ‘Dinosaurs Alive’ exhibit at Telus World of Science in Vancouver last year. Not as immense as your experience but we had fun and it was very informative.

  16. MLV

    OMG their faces are priceless! Good timing on catching that! It sounds like fun, I plan on bringing my god son. I’m sure he’ll have a blast

  18. Nicole B

    I love the reaction on little J’s face! Priceless. Going to have to add this to my list. My son would love seeing the dinosaurs!

  20. Emilia

    I had no idea about this park, it is a fun destination. I will try to get there one day I have only been to Ottawa on the east coast

  24. Jason

    I love the expressions you captured :) I would love to take our LO to something like that, I remember going to the RTM in Calgary and to Callaway park, so much fun as a kid :)

  26. Darlene Schuller

    I so know I really need to make it up there next year! I absolutely adore the look on those boys faces!! What a priceless moment!

  28. loriag

    Wow, what an adventure. I would have loved to take my boys here when they were younger. Great pictures as well.

  30. Cassie Fancy

    looks like a blast . i would love to take my kids to Canada’s wonderland one day .
    Amazing pictures :)

  31. paula H

    OMG ok, your kids are adorable! I didn’t know they opened this up at Canada’s wonderland! My toddler will love to see this! I think he will be old enough this summer to enjoy great detailed influencing review!

  34. Robyn L

    wow, it would be awesome to take the grandkids to visit here. I love the look on the 2 faces when they see something amazing to them.

  36. BobbiJo Pentney

    My children loved learning about all of the different dinosaurs at Canada’s Wonderland.

  37. Lynda Cook

    Loved the picture of the boys, their reaction priceless. I haven’t been there since I was like 15, I’m not into rollercoasters or rides, but oh boy I want to go see the dinosaurs, I can’t believe how they look so real and the sounds and everything, after watching your video I’m going to start bugging my hubby to take me, looks like an awesome exhibit and one I would enjoy very very much, thanks so much for sharing!!!

  38. Debbie W

    It’s been years since I have been there. I have to get back and check out their newest attractions.