Now that Spring Break has just passed for the kiddos? Are you thinking, "oh gosh, what am I going to do when they are off for the summer?" Well I have a day trip idea just for you, Dinosaur World! Let's take a closer look at what you can expect on your visit!
What is Dinosaur World?
Dinosaur World is a theme park with life-sized dinosaur replicas, interactive exhibits, and activities - perfect for kids, dinosaur lovers, and people who love learning.
It offers a unique and immersive experience for those amazed by these prehistoric creatures and those interested in learning more about them and their world.
Another neat fact is that Dinosaur World is Autism Friendly thanks to the University of South Florida's Center for Autism and Related Disabilities!
Where is it located and when is it open?
Address: 5145 Harvey Tew Rd, Plant City, FL 33565 - Exit 17 off of I-4
It's about a 20-minute drive from Tampa, Brandon, and Lakeland, a 30-minute drive from Wesley Chapel, and approximately a little more than an hour away from Orlando.
Hours of Operation: Open daily from 9 am - 5 pm, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
How much are the tickets?
According to the Dinosaur World website, as of late March 2023, their per-person rates (excluding taxes) are:
Adult - $19.95 (Excavation Pass is $25.95)
Senior (60+) - $17.95
Child (3-12) - $14.95 (Excavation Pass is $21.95)
Child (2 and Under) - Free
Active Duty US Military receive FREE admission with a valid US Active Duty ID
If you want to do the fossil dig, you can purchase a ticket for that activity at the gift shop. They also offer Annual Passes. Check out their website for more details on pricing and annual pass-holder benefits.
What is there to eat at Dinosaur World?
Dinosaur World encourages guests to pack a cooler or picnic basket to dine with the Dinos! As there are no food services within the park itself. However, pizza delivery is available if you cannot bring your food on the day of your visit.
You can also leave the park to grab some food and return when you are done as long as you keep your admission bracelet on. The only problem is that there aren't any well-known fast food or quick service restaurants on that exit.
But, do not worry, I have some food recommendations for you around that area - come back on Monday, April 10th, for more details!
What is there to do at Dinosaur World?
There is plenty to see and do at Dinosaur World, so wear comfortable shoes!
Gift Shop
After you park or get dropped off, you will enter the gift shop to purchase or redeem your tickets. At the gift shop, you will find plenty of souvenirs, toys, crystals, fossil replicas, and many other items for purchase.
They also have a display case with some fossils and other valuable memorabilia. They currently have a real T-Rex leg bone fossil in the display case that was recently discovered - it was fascinating to see!
Front of the Park
As soon as you exit the gift shop, you will see real-life replicas of dinosaurs towards the center. On the right, you will find the museum and restrooms.
On the left, there is a splash pad they are installing, a toddler playground, a "big kid" playground, and a sheltered picnic area. Towards the back of the front section, they have the Fossil Dig area on the right and the Dino Gem Excavation on the left.
Museum - this is the only indoor activity at Dinosaur World. As soon as you go in, you enter a maze filled with display cases containing fossils, replicas, images, and various details about what is in each case.
At the end of the museum, you will encounter some life-size dinosaur animatronics. These were neat but may scare the little ones!
Splash Pad, Toddler Playground, "Big-Kid" Playground, and Sheltered Picnic Area - Just as described; however, the Splash Pad area is new and still under construction.
It is pretty small compared to one in a community park, but it will keep the kiddos cool in the Florida heat. The toddler playground is a cute, colorful play area perfect for the younger kids to play in.
The "big-kid" playground is a bigger space with more sections to play in, including swings and a huge plastic fossil coming out from the ground, as seen in the slide show above.
Lastly, they have plenty of picnic benches under a covering perfect for your picnic with the Dinos and time away from the sun.
Fossil Dig - You purchase a separate ticket for the Fossil Dig at the gift shop. This experience allows the kiddos to be paleontologists for a little bit and dig up fossils.
Once time is up, your little paleontologist can pick their three favorite fossil pieces to take home! It is a great interactive, hands-on experience for the kids, but know that they only have four times that they do it throughout the day.
Dino Gem Excavation - To experience this activity, purchase the Excavation Pass Ticket before you enter the park or purchase a bag separately at the activity.
At Dino Gem Excavation, you will excavate a bag of minerals and gems and be able to take home all your findings!
Back of the Park
The back of the park begins under a rock formation entryway with four dinosaurs greeting you as you step foot on a bridge over towards the catwalk. After the catwalk, you can embark on the different dinosaur trails.
As soon as you get off the catwalk, you will see a building for the Triviasaurus Rex Game Show. However, this is currently under construction. If you go right, you can visit and learn about the Mammoths, Giants of the Ice Age.
Once you are done there, you can go towards the covered picnic area and follow that path. This path contains more dinosaurs and a Touch and Tell section where you can put your hand in the hole and guess what type of dinosaur is there.
Along the pathway, there is also a Boneyard where your little ones can help the paleontologist discover a Stegosaurus Skeleton.
Toward the end, you will find Exploration Cave Show, where you will enter a cave and speak to real-life paleontologists! It was one of my favorites at the park since Caroline and her friend were incredibly well-versed in all things dinosaurs.
In this cave, there are plenty of fossil replicas for touching and learning about, but there are also real fossils on display that the paleontologist teaches you about and shows you. I even held fossilized dinosaur poop - she told me after I held it!😅
Next to the Exploration Cave Show is Skeleton Garden. You will find a few dinosaur skeletons here, a cute photo opportunity, and some displays in the Paleontology Exhibit of this section.
As you continue along the outer pathway, you run into Carnivore Boardwalk. This area may not be suitable for small children as some replicas are a bit graphic for them. However, it is a great opportunity for learning how Carnivore Dinosaurs survived back then.
This boardwalk leads you to Deinonychus Island - there is also a graphic replica here as it seems to be a continuation of Carnivore Boardwalk.
After you exit the island, go right towards the Fish Pond to explore other dinosaurs and even some who enjoyed being in or near the water.
Aside from meeting and learning about different dinosaurs, there is a small picnic area and a jumbo puzzle you can assemble.
Follow this pathway toward the T-Rex, and you will find this cute photo spot where you can go inside an egg and look like you are hatching from it! Keep following the path to learn about Allosaurus and other dinosaurs until you loop back out at the T-Rex.
Go left and follow that path you will find a small tiki hut type of museum. When you are done, continue on the trail to meet some long-necked dinosaurs! At the end of this pathway, you will reach the cross section that you have seen a time or two by now.
Here, you can exit the back of the park through the catwalk or revisit some of your favorite dinosaurs you have come to meet and love!
RAWR, what a good time!
Dinosaur World is a perfect day trip for the little ones and dinosaur lovers. It is a great opportunity to get up close and personal with these prehistoric beauties and learn more about their life back then.
I surely have learned a thing or two more about dinosaurs during my time visiting this theme park.
Have you visited Dinosaur World? Let me know in the comments below!
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