The latest posters actually have this updated but in case anyone is still using outdated info, the Carousel stage and the Rory stage is the same thing and the Parade starts at the Zoo entrance and not the Park Entrance.
So you may have guessed but we went to the Dinosaur breakout today.
**Warning Contains Spoilers.**
So we entered the park via the Vikings Entrance at about 10:40. As we walked in there were a couple of dino babies to see and pet / photo. We didn't stop thinking there were opportunties to see them later in the day, but if you want a photo with everything take the chance when you can. There are plenty of chances to see various babies throughout the day but we didn't necessarily get chance to see the same ones repeated. So if you are a collector then tick them off.
We were a little early for the Raptor Live Show at 11 so did a quick scurry round the reptile house and then headed back.
So being the first show it was a lot quieter. Seats front and centre. Lots of interaction and little lad was one of four that was invited onto the stage. He was hyper excited. The downside to it being quieter was that the atmosphere - its sort of the same kind of thing as the panto esque christmas show - was a little lacking despite the brilliant efforts of the Dinosaur Ranger leading the show. The show ends with the finding of an egg. This egg provides the only through narrative of the day as the reveal of what egg it is is the culmination of the parade at the end of the day.
Then a quick jump onto Loki which meant we saw the Spinosaurus coming into the park from on high. Quite a sight.
All the dinosaur encounters are the same kind of format. Everyone sort of mills about, there is often a dinosaur ranger with a baby dino or sometimes a larger wearable dino. Then the Dinosaur comes out. A queue forms and you get your chance to have your photo taken with the dinosaur. There are pro shots available and you will collect lots of little blue tickets during the day, but staff are happy to take a photo on your phone if you want to get in on the action.
Now here's the thing, the best thing for me was the reveal of the dinosaurs. And they are all hidden away in their own zone. So the Brontosuarus comes out of where you do into the grotto at Christmas. The Tyrannosaurus is held in the black tent outside of ThomasLand. But the best reveal - and its not really part of the show - is the triceratops. The triceratops is actually housed in the photo booth of the Accelerator and when the shutters come up its quite a sight. So it is worth perching yourself on the wall there a few minutes before that show starts.
We then went to Rory's disco at the stage, and then this went stright into the Tyrannosaurus encounter. Handy hint, this is the only photo op with the T-Rex apart from after the parade, I'm glad we got our photo earlier, dealing with tired and excited kids in a much longer queue at the end of the day was an expereince I was glad I avoided.
We then went back to do the Brontosaurus. Then we had a big break from the events where we looked around, had some lunch, did some rides 9cranky was doind a double run but YoMomma was only once round) and repeated the Raptor show (bigger crowd, different presenter, same show) before taking our spot for the triceratops encounter. Then we went to the parade.. Now its not mentioned but there was a further dino encounter with a veloceraptor outside the Safari Pasta and Pizza Parlour just prior to the parade.
The Parade in itself didn't really contain any extra dinosaurs, there was a raptor being ridden Bernie Clifton style (one for the teenagers there) and a couple more baby dinosaurs. The kids didn't mind, all seeemed to be loving it. The parade ended at the Carousel stage for an effective reprise of the disco - same dance as earlier and again the T-Rex came out for the second appearance of the day.
We then went home, happy that we were able to get away without having to queue to see the T-Rex again. Saw another baby dinosaur on the way out, correctly identified as a Carnosaurus by the little lad.
Conclusion: Before we went back to see the Raptor show again we were warned..."You do know its the same as before, don't you?". I replied, "So is every episode of Andy's Dinosaur Adventures and do you know how many times we've watched each of them?"
And it's true. My little lad is dinosaur mad, and he loved every minute. I can't get him to move at times, but here he wanted to be sure we were in position for every event super early. Fair play to the dinosaur rangers who kept their smiles on, their enthusiasm up and their energy high all day. They must be exhausted this evening. Not least from our perspective that everything seemed to run into each other. The day was full and the time flew by. Nothing dragged. No stress. No tears. A day where there were lots of photos and lots of memories made. Can't fault it. Well done to all involved.
Our planned itinery in case anyone else wants to follow it:
Raptor Live Show: 11am - 4D Cinema
Spinosaurus: 11:45 - Vikings
Rory's disco: 12:00 - Rory Stage
T-Rex: 12:15 - Rory Stage
Unplanned 2nd trip to Raptor Live Show: 14:30 - 4D Cinema
Triceratops: 15:30 - Toy Shop
Brontosaurus - we planned to do this at 16:00 but did it at 12:45 - Zoo Entrance
Dino Parade: 1630 - Zoo entrance (but maybe go sooner and see the veloceraptor)
