Why Dinoland Was The MOST CROWDED Area in Animal Kingdom Over the Holiday Weekend
I know what you’re thinking. With Kilimanjaro Safaris, Everest, AND Flight of Passage in the mix, there is absolutely NO way Dinoland was the most crowded area in Animal Kingdom this past weekend. It’s just not possible!
Well, I’m here to tell you that on both the Saturday and Sunday of Christmas weekend, Dinoland was the most crowded I have seen it, not just since COVID, but in YEARS!
Why? That’s a great question. Let’s get into it…
Games Galore
The games in Dinoland have been seemingly ‘extinct’ for some time now. While they have always been open, guests have always tended to avoid playing these carnival-style, for-purchase games for awhile.
Why would you spend your time at one of the world’s best-rated Theme Parks playing a simple kids’ game for a mediocre prize when you could be facing the Yeti or flying on the back of a Banshee? In past years, you wouldn’t wait 25 minutes to play a basketball game!
But this weekend’s packed-in crowds proved that something has changed, and the allure of these games is now very much a focal point of many guests’ time in Dinoland and Animal Kingdom…and it’s all because of the new plush prizes!
New Dinoland Plush Prizes
The games themselves haven’t changed at all. Guests can still choose between a water gun game, a basketball game, or a ball toss game to compete for prizes. The difference, and reason for its massive popularity, lies in the new prize options!
For the first time, guests are playing to win official Dinoland-branded dinosaur plushes! Each game cost $5 per player, and it’s really important to know that you are NOT guaranteed to take home a squeezable dino just for playing (I learned that the hard way yesterday).
You must first purchase game vouchers at the merchandise kiosk in the ‘Dinorama’ section of Dinoland, and then you can use that voucher to play any of the three games you wish! If you do win, $5 is a fantastic price to pay for an official Disney Parks plush! But if you don’t…at $5/ game, it can get expensive quickly.
The Competition is Real
If you’re looking for a friendly and fun environment to play games with your family, this is it. If you are an extremely tough competitor who NEEDS to win that dino plush for your child, this is the place for you too! These plush dinosaurs are an extremely hot item right now. They’re even more sought-after because they can’t be purchased for any amount of money…you must win a game to get a dino!
That fact makes the Dinoland game area not only a fun and competitive environment, but also an extremely crowded one. Everyone, and I mean everyone, wants to get their hands on one of the prizes. Children and adults alike are lining up and playing games feverishly to win and collect all of the new dinosaur plush prizes that are available. I was one of them yesterday, so getting sucked into the action and competition is easy to do! But…is it really worth it? I had fun…but I want to know your thoughts.
Would you spend your time (and extra money) to play the Dinoland games? Or do you think the new dinosaur plush are simply not worth the time and effort? Leave me a comment and let me know! For even more Parks and Resorts content, visit me on YouTube at DisneyWorldLocal for the latest ride POV’s, restaurant reviews, and updates from WDW from a Disney World Local!
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