Your Guide to Plant City’s Dinosaur World

If you’ve never driven along Interstate 4 between Tampa and Orlando, you may find that you’re missing out on some random Florida fun. While most of the drive’s scenery consists of flat, swampland, there are a few kitschy sights that you won’t see many other places. You’ll random planes on the side of the road, trailers sticking out of the ground, and, of course, a large concrete T-Rex standing in the middle of Plant City.  Dinosaur World is an immersive, interactive attraction offering a discovery trail, exhibits, live shows, and even a prehistoric playground.

​Due to COVID-19, many attractions and shows may not be operational. It is encouraged to call the office ahead of your visit to verify current information. Please call 813-717-9865.**

Dinosaur World Attractions

Dinosaur Trail

Of course, the most popular and best known attraction at Dinosaur World is their trail. Almost the entire back half of the park is comprised of winding trails through many different dinosaur scenes. You’ll see stegosaurus grazing through the bushes, tyrannosaurus stalking its prey, and humungous brachiosaurus towering above the trees. Whatever your favorite dinosaur, it’s likely to be represented amongst Dinosaur World’s displays.

While you’re walking the dinosaur trail, you’ll find a few sections with more specific themes.

Skeleton Garden

The Skeleton Garden is pretty self-explanatory. This section has various fossil replicas, including multiple dinosaur skulls and an entire triceratops skeleton. There’s also an “excavation site” where kids can learn how scientists recover fossils for research and education.

Mammoths, Giants of the Ice Age

After entering this “ancient” cave, kids and adults can learn about these prehistoric mammals through life-size models and written information.

Deinonychus Island

This seemingly random piece of the dinosaur trail is a literal island in the middle of a small “stream.” True to its name, the feature of this area is a pack of deinonychus dinosaurs hunting large parasaurolophus. Fair warning: the dinosaurs succeed and the results are factually accurate but graphic.

Carnivore Boardwalk

If you thought Deinonychus Island was a little gruesome, then you should just stay out of the Carnivore Boardwalk. There’s even a posted warning advising parents to use discretion when allowing their small children to proceed.

What follows are several scenes depicting carnivorous dinosaurs hunting and killing their food. It’s certainly surprising to see something this graphic in a presumably children’s attraction. At the end of the day, however, this is nature. Everyone needs to make the decision for their own children, but for what it’s worth,  my three and five year olds were not bothered by these scenes at all.

Interactive Shows 

After you’ve enjoyed a walk around the Dinosaur Trail, you may find yourself looking for a cool place to enjoy some entertainment. Dinosaur World offers two interactive shows to educate kids and adults.

Exploration Cave Show

After entering a huge, manmade cave, guests will listen to a real paleontologist talk about fossils and the excavation process. After the presentation, guests can ask their fossil-related questions and interact with replicas to learn more about these important clues to our past.

Triviasaurus Rex Game Show

Test your dinosaur knowledge with this friendly competition! If you win the game, you’ll get a prize to take home.

Prehistoric Museum

The only place in Dinosaur World to see real fossils, this indoor museum is a collection of random dinosaur bones, megalodon teeth, and Dinosaur World’s only animatronic models. Each fossil is displayed in an individual window with a model or drawing depicting the animal from which it came. While there are only a few actual fossils, these displays made it easy for my kids to visualize how these bones fit into the larger animal. ​

Dino Activities

​If you still haven’t had enough dinosaur fun, there are a few extra activities that kids and adults can enjoy.

Fossil Dig

The Fossil Dig is included with every child’s admission (there’s no additional cost to parents). It includes a 15-minute experience where kids can dig in a specially stocked pile to find lots of small fossils, including mosasaur teeth, stingray barbs, and shark teeth. After they’re done digging, kids can choose three fossils to take home.

Dino Gem Excavation

For an additional cost, kids can choose a bag or bucket to run through Dinosaur World’s very own mining sluice. Whatever gem stones or other treasures they uncover are theirs to keep.

Special Tips for Your Visit to Dinosaur World: 

• There are no food facilities at Dinosaur World. Make sure you eat before arriving and plan to leave before everyone gets hungry again.
• There are plenty of trees to provide shade, but it can still get very hot. Bring portable fans, wear a hat, or plan accordingly to stay cool.
• The museum is very dark and can be scary for some children.