3 Fascinating DinoLand Facts You Should Know Before Disney World Demolishes It

Changes are inevitable at Disney World. Most of the time they bring great new experiences to the parks, giving us new memories and new favorites to enjoy. But change can also take away a lot of cherished memories and timeless favorites. But as a wise man once said, progress is impossible without change.

Dinoland U.S.A.

Parts of DinoLand U.S.A. will close permanently on January 13th, 2025 to make way for the new Tropical Americas land coming to Animal Kingdom. And as excited as I am for this new expansion, my heart breaks for the loss of my favorite land in all of the Disney parks. So, to make sure the land lives forever (at least here on the internet) here are 3 facts about DinoLand U.S.A. that you should know about before it’s gone forever!

Chester’s and Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures used to be a gas station

Yup, the fabulously kitschy merch store filled with dinosaur goodies galore was originally a gas station along Route 498 in Diggs County. Remnants of its origins can be found alongside the shop, with an old gas pump and signs still on display.

Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures

The owners, Chester and Hester, turned their gas station into a dinosaur tourist attraction empire, which includes this terrific shop. And if you’re curious about what the genius creators look like, a picture of Chester and Hester can be found on display inside the shop.

Chester and Hester’s

Dino-Rama is the ultimate roadside attraction

Chester and Hester did not stop at just a merch shop, oh no, they created an entire dinosaur-themed roadside attraction! Dino-Rama is a carnival-themed area intended to be the ultimate cash-grab for tourists interested in the neighboring Dino Institute.

DinoLand, USA

Here you can play boardwalk-inspired games and fly on a triceratop all while listening to some fun upbeat tunes. It’s the ultimate stop for dino lovers. Totally genius! And if you’re a fan of Hidden Mickeys, then you definitely look out for the one inside of Dino-Rama!

Dino-Rama games

Restaurantosaurus is more than just a quick-service restaurant

At first glance, Restaurantosaurus may just look like a quaint little eatery, great for some all-American grub, but it’s actually so much more. The story goes that this was once a little fishing lodge in Diggs County. But once the Dino Institute opened up, it turned into the ultimate hangout spot for the attending paleontology students!

Restaurantosaurus

Fossils and field gear set the scene, with playful dino decor keeping your eyes constantly exploring. Every detail adds to the immersive ambiance, with different sections of the restaurant telling a specific part of the story.

Dinosaur bones!

The restaurant is divided into four themed areas:

The central “Old Museum” area.
Dorms for the students of the Dino Institute.
“The Hip Joint”: a rec room styled like a classic 1950s diner, featuring an old trailer attached to the building.
The Dino Institute’s Motor Pool: a garage where students have playfully drawn dinosaur murals on the walls with engine grease.

Restaurantosaurus

DinoLand U.S.A. is filled with many rich stories you can uncover with each intentional detail left behind. It’s one of the reasons why this is so amazing and will be missed once it’s gone.

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