7 Facts and Secrets About TriceraTop Spin at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

There is just something about dinosaurs that are so alluring by guests of all ages.  We all have a huge interest in learning more about dinosaurs, and when they are incorporated into the experience in a fun way we love that, too!  TriceraTop Spin is in the carnival-like area of Dinoland, U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.  It is a simple, yet fun attraction that guests of all ages get to enjoy, which is awesome since there aren’t a ton of rides for smaller children at Animal Kingdom.  Here are seven great facts and secrets about TriceraTop Spin:

Editor’s Note: DinoLand, U.S.A, will be closing to make way for a new Tropical Americas-themed land coming in 2027. No closing date or construction timeline has been announced.

7 – Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama opened in 2001.

The area was in need of more attractions that could keep guests entertained and disperse more of the lines and wait times.  Imagineers decided to create the Dino-Rama carnival-like area that would include carnival games along with two different rides.  TriceraTop spin was one of these attractions.  The entire area opened in November of 2001 to expand Dino-land U.S.A.  There have been no major expansions to the area since Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama area opened.

6 – The backstory for the area.

Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama is the home of TriceraTop spin.  The backstory for the area is that Chester and Hester owned a gas station where dinosaur bones were found in the area.  The find from the fossil hunters lead more and more people to the area, which is why the Dino Institute was founded.  Chester and Hester decided to sell souvenirs in their store to make extra money, and realized that they were making more money on the souvenirs so they decided to turn the station into a store full time and called it “Chester and Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures”.  Then they decided to create a little amusement park to further capitalize on the publicity and tourists.  Pretty neat, and in-depth backstory, right?

5 – Designed by Walt Disney Imagineering.

The attraction was built by a third-party company that specializes in building theme park attractions.  The company that built the attraction is a company by the name of Zamperla. All of the design for the attraction was still completed by Walt Disney Imagineering.  The Walt Disney Imagineering team also oversaw the creation and ensured that everything including the colors and all the tiny details that make a Disney attraction all that it is.

4 – Be careful riding in the heat of the day. 

The attraction offers no protection from the sun, so it is exposed to all of the elements.  The ride queue is completely outside, but at least is covered and there are fans that blow in the queue.  This isn’t the attraction to get in line for when you need a place to cool off.  The attraction is also located on a big area of asphalt that doesn’t help with the heat and feeling hot.  If the kiddos are tired and hot, then you may want to find a different attraction to visit and save this one for early morning or later in the evening.

3 – The vehicle has two controls.

Each ride vehicle has 2 different seats.  The front seat and the back seat each have their own control joysticks to move the ride vehicles.  The front seat joystick causes the ride vehicle to dip forward and backward.  The back seat joystick causes the ride vehicle to move upward and downward during the ride duration.  It makes each ride experience very unique and lets you make it more or less thrilling depending on what your little riders want.

2 – Spinning top ride.

When the ride is in motion, it looks like a spinning top.  This is a popular style of ride at many theme parks around the world.  This style is also known as the “hub-and-spoke” style as well.  As the ride spins and continues to rotate, the top of the spoke in the center of the attraction rises and reveals a dinosaur as the heart of the attraction.

1 – Fast ride facts:

• Duration: 1 minute and 30 seconds
• Number of Triceratops: 16
• Riders per Vehicle: 4
• Height Requirement: None
• FastPass+: None
• Accessibility: Guests in a wheelchair or scooter must transfer