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ROAR! Dinosaurs Alive! at Canada’s Wonderland

August 16, 2013 By Lena

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!.

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: Canadas Wonderland, Dinosaurs Alive, family travel, review

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anne Taylor

    August 16, 2013 at 2:21 pm

    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!

    • Lena

      August 25, 2013 at 9:13 am

      You absolutely should Anne! It’s great for kids!

  2. Teena in Toronto

    August 16, 2013 at 2:53 pm

    Wow! It’s been a few years since I’ve been at Canada’s Wonderland.

    • Lena

      August 25, 2013 at 9:13 am

      You’ll have to change that Teena!

  3. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    August 16, 2013 at 4:48 pm

    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.

    • Lena

      August 25, 2013 at 9:14 am

      Ha! I’m *slowly* getting better at roller coasters :)

  4. Tricha

    August 16, 2013 at 8:17 pm

    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

      August 25, 2013 at 9:14 am

      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

    August 16, 2013 at 10:35 pm

    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.

    • Lena

      August 25, 2013 at 9:15 am

      Ooooh… he would adore this Nicole! You simply have to take him!

  6. Jenny

    August 17, 2013 at 1:07 am

    That picture of Big A and Lil J is awesome! Kids just love dinosaurs!

    • Lena

      August 25, 2013 at 9:21 am

      Yup, it was definitely one of my faves from the day!

  7. Caryn s

    August 17, 2013 at 3:28 pm

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

    • Lena

      August 25, 2013 at 9:22 am

      Definitely visit if you can before the season is over, Caryn!

  8. Flora M

    August 17, 2013 at 4:01 pm

    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)

    • Lena

      August 25, 2013 at 9:22 am

      So true! And I think the exhibit is here to stay – so you should be good for next year Flora!

  9. Judy C

    August 17, 2013 at 10:25 pm

    Looks like lots of fun, it has been years since my last visit to Canada’s Wonderland.

    • Lena

      August 25, 2013 at 9:25 am

      We always have a great time there :)

  10. Erika E

    August 18, 2013 at 11:04 am

    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.

    • Lena

      August 25, 2013 at 9:26 am

      Oh Erika, it’s HUGE! Definitely worth the trip and your son will never forget it!

  11. Lisa H

    August 18, 2013 at 3:23 pm

    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.

    • Lena

      August 25, 2013 at 9:27 am

      Awesome! Dinosaur exhibits are so cool. I love hearing about history!

  12. Victoria Ess

    August 19, 2013 at 1:00 am

    I never heard about this exhibit! It looks fantastic!

    • Lena

      August 25, 2013 at 9:30 am

      It’s an awesome addition to Wonderland!

  13. Monica

    August 22, 2013 at 2:04 am

    Looking forward to wonderland this weekend! I will have to check this out.

    • Lena

      August 25, 2013 at 9:31 am

      Hope you had an amazing time Monica :)

  14. Erin Caprice

    August 22, 2013 at 10:57 am

    Looks like so much fun!!!

    • Lena

      August 25, 2013 at 9:32 am

      It’s a roar, LOL!

  15. Victoria

    August 22, 2013 at 2:53 pm

    haha…he’s really committed to the “ryder face”….hahaha…loveeee them.

    • Lena

      August 25, 2013 at 9:33 am

      I know… it’s so tragic. Only “big boy, I’m too cool” smiles from here on in…

  16. MLV

    August 23, 2013 at 9:18 am

    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

    • Lena

      August 25, 2013 at 9:35 am

      Lovely! I’m sure he’ll love it!

  17. Debbie Bashford

    August 31, 2013 at 10:16 am

    Very cool

    • Lena

      April 5, 2014 at 3:16 pm

      I agree!

  18. Nicole B

    September 3, 2013 at 2:58 pm

    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!

    • Lena

      April 5, 2014 at 3:17 pm

      It was so awesome to see his jaw drop open!

  19. Emily Linton

    September 18, 2013 at 11:12 am

    This looks so fun!! My daughter is just getting into dinosaurs and would love going here!

    • Lena

      April 5, 2014 at 3:19 pm

      Oh she would love it Emily!

  20. Emilia

    September 20, 2013 at 6:08 pm

    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

    • Lena

      April 5, 2014 at 3:20 pm

      You simply must visit Vaughan Emilia!

  21. Cassandra

    October 3, 2013 at 3:19 pm

    Oooh I want to go!

    • Lena

      April 5, 2014 at 3:20 pm

      It’s here again in 2014 – good luck!

  22. amy lovell

    October 3, 2013 at 11:39 pm

    tis looks soo awesome! I bet your kids had a blast.

    • Lena

      April 5, 2014 at 3:20 pm

      They did!

  23. LJ

    October 14, 2013 at 8:21 pm

    Awesome Dino’s it has been years since I have been to Canada’s wonderland!

    • Lena

      April 5, 2014 at 3:20 pm

      I think it’s time for a visit LJ!

  24. Jason

    October 16, 2013 at 10:23 am

    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 :)

    • Lena

      April 5, 2014 at 3:21 pm

      If you’ll be in the GTA this summer Jason I very much recommend it!

  25. Travelbuds

    October 16, 2013 at 3:03 pm

    Looks like an amazing exhibit. Would love to take my 2 there…someday

    • Lena

      April 5, 2014 at 3:21 pm

      Someday will come very soon, I’m sure!

  26. Darlene Schuller

    October 19, 2013 at 7:59 pm

    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!

    • Lena

      April 5, 2014 at 3:21 pm

      Thank you Darlene!

  27. Bons

    November 15, 2013 at 8:51 am

    A great exhibit, which I would have liked to go. Too bad, too far away!

    • Lena

      April 5, 2014 at 3:22 pm

      Too bad :( Keep it in mind if you’re ever in the GTA!

  28. loriag

    November 15, 2013 at 2:05 pm

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

    • Lena

      April 5, 2014 at 3:22 pm

      Thank you Lori!

  29. Neils Thor

    December 5, 2013 at 6:53 am

    looks like fun!!

    • Lena

      April 5, 2014 at 3:22 pm

      It is a blast!

  30. Cassie Fancy

    December 5, 2013 at 11:18 am

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

    • Lena

      April 5, 2014 at 3:22 pm

      Thanks Cassie!

  31. paula H

    December 6, 2013 at 9:56 am

    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!

    • Lena

      April 5, 2014 at 3:23 pm

      Thank you so much Paula! Have fun!

  32. MrDisco

    December 10, 2013 at 1:31 am

    It’s been AGES since i’ve been to Wonderland. I should check it out next summer

    • Lena

      April 5, 2014 at 3:23 pm

      Of course you should!

  33. BobbiJo Pentney

    December 27, 2013 at 9:55 am

    My kids loved this part of Canadas wonderland

    • Lena

      April 5, 2014 at 3:23 pm

      So awesome to hear that!

  34. Robyn L

    February 4, 2014 at 10:50 am

    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.

    • Lena

      April 5, 2014 at 3:23 pm

      I totally agree :)

  35. Nicky

    February 4, 2014 at 10:57 am

    wow, looks like a super fun exhibit for kids (and adults too!!)

    • Lena

      April 5, 2014 at 3:23 pm

      Absolutely, Nicky!

  36. BobbiJo Pentney

    March 16, 2014 at 11:01 am

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

    • Lena

      April 5, 2014 at 3:23 pm

      That is awesome :)

  37. Lynda Cook

    April 2, 2014 at 5:05 am

    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!!!

    • Lena

      April 5, 2014 at 3:24 pm

      You are so welcome Lynda! Let me know if you go!

  38. Debbie W

    April 5, 2014 at 9:48 am

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

    • Lena

      April 5, 2014 at 3:26 pm

      You certainly do, Debbie! Have fun!

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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