Columbus Zoo extends Dino run by 8 weeks

[PREMiERdrum]

Zoo officials share the sentiment, so much that they are extending Dinosaur Island’s run by eight weeks.

The attraction, which opened May 17, had been slated to run through Labor Day, but spokesman Justin McKinniss said yesterday that it will instead stay open through Oct. 27.

As of Saturday, about 270,000, or nearly 32 percent, of the zoo’s roughly 849,000 visitors had stopped by the attraction since its debut, McKinniss said, calling it an unusually high attendance rate for a paid exhibit.

Members must pay an extra $2, and others an extra $3, to enter the exhibit and ride the boat. Or they can buy a wristband for admission to every zoo ride.

McKinniss said similar animatronic-dinosaur displays have been showing up at zoos across the country over the past several years.

The 25 dinosaurs that line a walkway and the boat ride at the Columbus Zoo were produced by Texas-based Billings Productions and cost about $300,000. They’re made of steel with urethane skin. They blink and move their heads, limbs and tails.

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2013/08/12/dinos-to-roam-columbus-zoo-a-little-longer.html

[Jr for Birdy]

Went today, the Dino boat ride was an hour wait after lunch, walk on an hour before close. I like the ride so much better this way, I wish they would keep it. Rode all the Jungle Jacks landing rides with my 4 year old, the old Sea Dragon Coaster looks like its best days have long long past! It was a good ride down memory lane for myself and is now my daughters favorite coaster. Had a blast showing my daughter how you fly the Mission Macaw! The Dinos at Kings Island are much bigger and better, and made me think how incredible it would be to put a boat ride through Dinosaurs Alive! Another note, if you ever go the Columbus Zoo you must see the Animals on Safari Show, we see it every year and this years is the best I have ever seen, it is an amazing show! I also looked into a family season pass, went ahead and bought one because like Kings Island if you go twice it pays for itself and the parking is free.

[Jr for Birdy]

I just discovered with our family membership we get 50% off or free admission to several zoos across the country! We have never gone to the Cincinnati Zoo, with 50% off, plans will be made soon! Always research memberships, because it wasn't written on the brochure that was given to me.

[Captain Picard]

I was there a week ago and seen a lot of empty cages. I think the best part of the trip was seeing the Sea Dragon Coaster still using the hand brakes.