Kings Island to open world’s largest dinosaur park

Submitted A dinosaur statue stands outside the entrance of Kings Island in Mason.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Photos: KI's new dinosaur park

By Justin McClelland, Staff Writer Updated 5:27 PM Friday, March 18, 2011

MASON — Kings Island will unleash a new kind of beast upon visitors this summer.

Officials at the Warren County amusement park said Friday Dinosaurs Alive!, the world’s largest animatronic dinosaur park, will open later this spring.

“Dinosaurs have a universal appeal,” said Greg Scheid, KI vice president and general manager. “I have no doubt that seeing these dinosaurs in an outdoor wooded setting will make for quite the experience for all our visitors.”

The attraction will feature 60 life-size animatronic dinosaurs including the single largest animatronic dinosaur ever built, the Ruyang Yellow River dinosaur. This monstrosity will measure 72 feet long, 12 feet wide and 30 feet high.

Four of the dinosaurs will also have interactive consoles which allow guests to move the dinosaurs themselves.

“We plan to present the dinosaurs in such a way that it will be like going back in time,” said KI spokesperson Don Helbig. “As a family park, we want to have something for everyone.”

Officials said the attraction would offer an educational opportunity to learn about dinosaurs and how scientists believed they moved, ate and lived. The attraction will be located along a 4,000-foot-long path spread over 12.5 wooded acres.

Dinosaurs Alive! will be located in Coney Mall behind the Racers. Visitors will have to cross under the racers to enter, Helbig said. Although most of the attraction will be enclosed by trees, a portion will probably be visible from WindSeeker, Helbig said.

The attraction is slated to open May 26.

Entrance to the dinosaur park will cost an additional $5 per person on top of regular park admittance.

Kings Island is slated to open for the season April 30. That day will also mark the opening of the WindSeeker, the park’s newest thrill ride. WindSeeker spins riders 301 feet to the top of its tower, giving them a 360 degree view of the park.

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