DINOSAUR EXPLORE: New Attraction Now Open at Stone Mountain Park

If you're staying in town for Spring Break, a trip to Stone Mountain Park should definitely be on your list of places to visit for a special staycation experience. Last week I took my daughters to Stone Mountain Park for a sneak peak of its newest attraction, Dinosaur Explore. We had a blast! The day started out with an official ribbon cutting and confetti celebration to mark the premiere of the Dinosaur Explore collection, which is now officially open to the public (but only for a limited time in 2017).

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After the ceremony, we entered the big doors and were greeted by T. Rex, who was walking around for photo opps with all of the guests. Next, we stopped to take pictures in the giant dinosaur eggs, located just inside the entrance to attraction. We then walked through wooded trails and marveled at the 20 different giant life-size dinosaurs, each one having its own special effects, life-like movements and loud roars.

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The exhibition included Tyrannosaurus Rex and brachiosaurus, which towers over guests at nearly two stories (20 feet) tall and is 33 feet long! The collection also includes the three-horned triceratops, a ferocious allosaurus, a winged pteranodon and many more scientifically accurate species.

The girls also loved playing in the dino dig area, a large sandy space where the kids can dig up hidden dinosaur fossils.

Just outside the Dinosaur exhibit doors is the Dinotorium, the all-new indoor experience play area, where my daughters interacted with dino rangers, learned about different dinosaur habitats, visited the Dino Nursery, and fed baby dinosaurs. There are three floors of fun including some big slides for older kids and a play area for smaller children. Kids are invited to go upstairs and become junior dino rangers and fill the bags provided with dinosaur food (foam balls). My daughter’s favorite thing was taking the dinosaur food to the third floor and shoot it down. (For those of you who've been to Stone Mountain, you might remember this as The Great Barn.)

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When we were finished with Dinosaur Explore, we went to the other side of the park and enjoyed a 25-minute scenic train ride, played miniature golf, and watched the 4D showing of "Yogi Bear". We could easily have spent all day at Stone Mountain Park - there are so many activities for kids of all ages! Next time we hope to go on the Summit Skyride to the top of the mountain.

INFO IF YOU VISIT:
Dinosaur Explore is NOW OPEN for a limited time during 2017, and admission is FREE with any paid daily Adventure Pass or Mountain Membership. Dinosaur Explore is only available on "Attractions Open" days. Please check calendar for dates and hours of operation prior to your visit.

Also making its debut at the park March 30 is the loveable herd from Ice Age in the new “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs™ 4D Experience.” Sid, Manny, Diego and the rest of the crew embark on an action-packed adventure when they discover a lost world of dinosaurs.

Planning a Visit? April 1-9 is also Spring FUN Break!



Enjoy exciting attractions including, SkyHike®, one of the nation’s largest adventure ropes courses, Geyser Towers®, a one-of-a-kind water adventure, Summit Skyride, where you can soar to the top of the mountain for unprecedented views of the city, Ride The Ducks™, where you can tour the Park in a splashy way, and much more! Be sure to stay into the night for the Lasershow Spectacular in Mountainvision®, showing nightly* during Spring FUN Break. Plus enjoy exciting live entertainment including:

DinoTales - Story Telling
The Easter Bunny Meet & Greet - Character Meet & Greet
T-Rexaraoke - Kids Karaoke
Jurassic Laser Tag - Laser Tag
Great American Duck Races - Mallard Duck Racing

MACARONI KID DISCOUNT OFFER:
Save Up To 25% on Daily Tickets and Annual Passes. CLICK HERE and enter the discount code: MACKID. Enter your ticket quantity, credit card # and print your tickets at home. Simply present your tickets at the kiosk located at the Ticket Plaza to get your All Attraction Wristband and you are good to go!

For more information on Stone Mountain park and to purchase tickets, CLICK HERE.

*The writer received complimentary admission in return for this write-up. All opinions, however, are her own.