Kings Island: The 'world's largest animatronic dinosaur park' will be an extra change for theme park visitors.
From Robert Niles
Posted March 18, 2011 at 12:47 PM
Kings Island announced today that it will debut what it's calling the world's largest animatronic dinosaur park. "Dinosaurs Alive" will debut on May 26, featuring 56 animatronic dinosaurs, including the world's largest.
Dinosaurs Alive will *not* be included with park admission - it'll be a $5 upcharge to visit.
Is it a touring attraction, or permanent? Is it just a walkthru or is there a ride component? I don't know what to think. Was hoping they would announce they were fixing Son of Beast, but this...? Weird, and kind of...lame. Well, we'll see. At least they are trying something different. I guess.
From Robert Niles
Posted March 18, 2011 at 4:53 PM
Meh. I just don't trust Cedar Fair to pull this off. I hope they prove me wrong.
From Derek Potter
Posted March 19, 2011 at 6:41 AM
If I were a betting man, I would say that they are waiting to see how the Texas Giant fares this year with their new track. SOB will probably get that treatment if it works out, but only if. They can't possibly be interested in taking another gamble with wooden track..etc.
Dinosaurs Alive is an interesting new approach. Disney gets their butt kissed for putting in such attractions...then again they put the money into them. Kings Island is one of the few Cedar Fair parks that could pull this one off, as long as they put the money into it. Such may be the reason for the upcharge.
Then again, if I were them, I would also be looking into ways to further develop this acreage into a full blown themed area of the park with rides...etc.
Just to be clear, I don't have anything against the "idea", it is just that Cedar Fair is not known for building highly immersive attractions. Moreover, I am never a fan of upcharge experiences...especially in this case where I am just walking through an animatronic museum. Build an omnimover around the exhibit, or a train ride, and I am much more enthusiastic about the addition.
Still, $5 is a low enough price that I would be willing to try it at least once.
As for the Texas Giant, Derek, I am going to SFOT in late May to give it a whirl, and I will let you know how it goes.
