DinoLand U.S.A.

Kids love this special play area where amid the roar of dinosaurs they can unearth the remains of a Wooly Mammoth in a nearby sandpit, climb atop rocks and cross rickety rope bridges, roam mysterious caves and hurl down twisting slides.

Face fiery meteors and voracious predators on a trip back 65 million years to retrieve a 16-foot, plant-eating dinosaur and return with it before the big asteroid hits the earth. Load into twelve-passenger, all-terrain Dino Institute Time Rovers that rock, tilt, twist, and turn as they move through a dense, dark, prehistoric forest teeming with shrieking dinosaurs, giant lizards, and massive insects. When a hail of meteors strikes off you go on a wild ride dodging shrieking, nostril-flaring Audio-Animatronics® dinosaurs until the big scream encounter with a huge carnotaurus (the only meat-eating dinosaur) who’d like you for his dinner.

Four-minute ride. Minimum height: 40 inches. Not recommended for expectant mothers or those with heart, back, or neck problems.

Cara’s Tip: This ride is pretty intense for children not only because of massive, screaming dinosaurs but also because of the scary anticipation in an extremely dark attraction.

A Broadway-caliber, original stage show brings the Finding Nemo characters to life in a combination of puppetry, live performance, and original music and lyrics. Inside an enclosed theater is a magical undersea environment with dazzling oversize puppetry (designed by Michael Curry, creator of Broadway’s The Lion King), charming songs, and a way-fun animated backdrop with special effects. The puppeteers are not hidden—you see the actor and the puppet together, making for one unusual performance. This is Disney at its best.

40-minute show.

Cara’s Tip: Check your guide map for showtimes. The first show of the day is usually the least crowded and does not require much of an early arrival.