Grand Canyon Diorama and Primeval World Attraction (The Best!)

[TikiRoom]

It's threads like this that make the adage "you learn something new everyday" true. Thanks OP!

[LordJonas]

Up until a few weeks ago I had almost forgotten about this section because I haven't been through it since I was a kid. I got the chills because it made me feel like I was 4 again!

Truly one of the best memories I have of the park because growing up I loved dinosaurs.

previous poster who said they're taking their son through this you will not regret it! your son will be forever grateful just as I am for my parents taking me through it!!!

[Bob Weaver]

The Primeval World diorama really is one of the best scenes in the park.

[Rex Dopey24]

oh nice thanks.

[noleafclover1980]

Was one of my fav things as a kid also, since I LOVED dinosaurs. Was always the last thing we did at night. Get on the train, see the dinosaurs, get off at main street and head home.

[Steve DeGaetano]

I'd just like to add that legendary Imagineer Claude Coats painted the backgrounds (or at least, designed them and had help painting them).

Well, he was the "Art Director" on the project. I believe Delmer J. Yoakum (seen on the left in the photo of the diorama being painted in the first post) did the actual painting. Delmer was a fine artist in his own right.

[Steve DeGaetano]

I read somewhere, though, that the deer in the GC scene are the only taxidermied animals and the rest are fake. Is that not right?

I believe all the animals in the Grand Canyon Diorama are taxidermy specimens.

[ozmacity]

THANK YOU to the original poster for this wonderful write-up ... and picture review!!

Love it! Great job!! :-)

Thanks, its easy to write on something you're passionate about.

[booth22]

Can anybody tell me why there are armadillos in the Grand Canyon diorama?

[ozmacity]

It's threads like this that make the adage "you learn something new everyday" true. Thanks OP!

Definitely. When researching a lot of those facts, I learned a few things myself. Very interesting.

[Steve DeGaetano]

Can anybody tell me why there are armadillos in the Grand Canyon diorama?

Good question.

From what I've been told, it's basically invisible to guests seated on the train. One must be standing in order to see it.

If that is indeed the case, it may have been placed there as an Imagineering "in" joke. The National Park Service does not list Amadillos as native to the Grand Canyon.

[NemoVir]

I loved the diorama and railroad, but I wish they update the T-Rex. It annoys me that it dragging it's tail and upright. Of course, 50 year from now we may learn all dinos had feathers and were just birds on steriods.

[mrwagnal9]

I found out that the dinos & lava are on a timer when our train was stopped in the tunnel for a long time, prob an optical sensor as the train passes it turns on the sys to save wear and tear.

[explodingboy]

Seriously. And while I'm thinking about it...I'm not sure how many of you have been to WDW and rode their train, but Disneyland has WDW so beat. With our diorama scenes and ride through Splash Mountain that I love so much.

I am a grown man, and believe me, I will literally cry the day they decide to change it, bring in new animals/scenes/dinosaurs, or remove it completely.

DL has WDW beat on many more levels as well Let's hope they never touch the diorama (knock on wood).

I loved the diorama and railroad, but I wish they update the T-Rex. It annoys me that it dragging it's tail and upright. Of course, 50 year from now we may learn all dinos had feathers and were just birds on steriods.

That's part of it's nostalgia!

I found out that the dinos & lava are on a timer when our train was stopped in the tunnel for a long time, prob an optical sensor as the train passes it turns on the sys to save wear and tear.

Interesting!

[Ron W]

Good question.

From what I've been told, it's basically invisible to guests seated on the train. One must be standing in order to see it.

If that is indeed the case, it may have been placed there as an Imagineering "in" joke. The National Park Service does not list Amadillos as native to the Grand Canyon.

I can see it, and I never stand. It's easier if you are on the Excursion train rather than one of the Holiday trains.


By the way, the pterodactyl next to the glass was missing today.