Dinosaur World in Plant City, Florida: You’ll Dig This Amazing Prehistoric Park!
A mandatory part of childhood is going through a dinosaur phase. For some of us, the phase never really ends because dinosaurs never stop being cool. (That’s just a fact.) Whether you’re a forever dino fan or have kiddos who are in that most glorious phase of life, Dinosaur World in Plant City, Florida, is an absolute delight.
By bringing dinosaurs to life (but not in an ill-planned Jurassic Park sort of way), Dinosaur World provides a glimpse into the prehistoric past when our planet was home to scaly, breathtaking behemoths. (Feel to argue—civilly—in the comments about whether or not T-Rex had feathers like a giant chicken.)
Through the magic of fiberglass, steel, and concrete, Dinosaur World has become home to over 200 life-sized dinos who tower well into the lush, jungle-like canopy of the park. Plop on your pith helmet and grab a shovel. It’s time to dig up the past!
Life…Finds A Way
At Dinosaur World, giant reptiles and enormous avians still rule the animal kingdom.
When you walk into the park, you’ll be greeted by a smattering of dinos right in the garden area. There are long-necked leaf-eaters stretching toward the sun and juvenile carnivores poised to pounce. You’ll have to crane your neck to get a good view of some of them—the enormity of these replicas is truly stunning. Kiddos will be especially awed by the sheer size of these guys!
The outdoor dino adventure continues along a boardwalk that winds through rustling overgrowth and towering greenery. The native Florida plants make an excellent, naturalistic setting for the dinosaurs. Despite the fact most of these species didn’t roam the Sunshine State, their appearance here feels seamless and lifelike.
Although the Florida heat is no joke, the walkthrough Dinosaur World is largely shaded in most areas, making the excursion pleasant—or at least bearable—even on sweltering days. As with any theme park outing, it’s still a good idea to bring a water bottle, sunscreen, and a stylishly protective hat!
In addition to the outdoor dinos, there’s also the Prehistoric Museum which houses real and cast fossils. You’ll see dino eggs, a raptor claw, and even fossils that were found right here in the Sunshine State!
There are even some indoor dinosaurs, too! (I still don’t know how they managed to house train them.) These next-level animatronic ‘saurs include favorites like T-Rex, Stegosaurus, and Triceratops. These buddies are motion activated, shaking awake when you or your kiddo come near. Just be careful—all of those Land Before Time feels will come rushing back in a blink!
Excavating Extras
There are plenty of interactive exhibits for you and the kiddos throughout the park, from the Boneyard, where you can be part of a paleontological dig, uncovering a life-sized dino skeleton, to prehistoric playgrounds and super fun photo-ops. (Note: as of writing, daily shows are still closed due to COVID, but all other amenities are available.)
However, there are a couple of extra activities you might want to consider tacking on to general admission: the Fossil Dig and Dino Gem Mine.
The Fossil Dig is $3.00 and lets your kiddo be part of a special dino dig! Roughly fifteen minutes long, this guided session will have your kiddo finding treasures like shark teeth and sting ray barbs. (It’s safer than it sounds!) They’re able to select three of their favorite finds to take home as souvenirs!
The Dino Gem Mine will have you sluicing for fossilized treasures, just like a wizened prospector. You can purchase a bag or bucket of minerals to join in the activity (bags ranging in price from $8.00 to $13.00, and buckets at $24.50 and $39.50, respectively). Wash away the dirt, then keep whatever gems, arrowheads, and minerals you find!
Lastly, there’s also the Geode Cracker, where you can select from geodes of various sizes (and prices) and then crack them open to reveal the sparkling world within.
Have a Dino-Mite Day!
Located about twenty minutes outside of Tampa, you’ll see signs for Dinosaur World plastered along the highway, and we think it’s really worth taking the exit!
There is so much to see—and even more to learn—when you visit this one-of-a-kind park! While there’s generally a decent crowd, it’s nothing like the swarms at the theme parks, and with plenty of interactive exhibits, it’s just as much fun! This park is especially awesome for younger kiddos, as there’s really nothing they can’t do here. (It’s a bummer when you’re considered too short to get in on the action!) And while Dinosaur World is extremely kid-friendly, that doesn’t mean it’s boring for grown-ups. As I said, dinosaurs might be extinct, but their wow factor is alive and well!
The park is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Dinosaur World tickets are $19.95 for adults and $14.95 for children ages 3 to 12. (Ages 2 and under are freebies!) General admission gives you access to the expansive outdoor park/dino zoo, the playground, the Boneyard, and the Prehistoric Museum with its real fossils and impressive animatronic dinosaurs. You can upgrade to an Excavation Pass ($25.95 per adult, $21.95 per child), which gives you a “Lucky Strike” bag to use at the Dino Gem Mine.
There’s also an enormous gift shop to fill any and all of your dino-related needs, from stuffies to t-shirts! And while there isn’t a restaurant on the premises, there are shaded picnic tables by the playground so you can pack a picnic lunch and enjoy an entire afternoon in the Cretaceous period.
With Tampa close by, there are plenty of hotels near Dinosaur World, so it’s easy to make it part of your Florida vacation itinerary! If you’re staying in Orlando, a day at Dinosaur World is still totally doable—it’s about an hour’s drive, which leaves plenty of time to see the park without feeling rushed. (Most folks spend at least one to two hours exploring the park.)
A unique hidden gem of the Sunshine State, you won’t want to leave Dinosaur World undiscovered! For dino-lovers big and small, it’s a must-do day trip.
Have you been to Dinosaur World? Tell us about your trip – and your favorite dinosaur – in the comments below!
Cover Image
Photo: Richard Elzey via Flickr
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