Dinosaur World: Adventures in Plant City, Florida

I arrived in Plant City a short drive east of Tampa early in the morning, and was excited to check out this unique place. The drive was perfect with a gorgeous sunrise as my backdrop. The weather was warm and ideal for exploring the lush forested park filled with prehistoric curiosities. As I approached Dinosaur World, I was greeted by the huge Tyrannosaurus Rex sculpture peering out from the venue. 

This was just one of many life-size model dinosaurs that provide an impressive, up-close encounter. Just like the many children visiting with their families, I was delighted by the park’s size and the strategic installation of theses fantastic, life-like sculptures, reaching up to 78 feet (24 meters) in length and made of steel, fiberglass and concrete. The dinosaurs 'huddle' in group arrangements according to their species in beautiful green settings.

After exploring the outdoor park and partaking in the unique photo opportunities on the grounds, make your way to the indoor exhibits. At the Dino Gem Mine, families can search for hidden treasures like raw gemstones and arrowheads. Children are especially delighted by their unique discoveries! The fossil dig is also lots of fun. I sifted through sand and found shark’s teeth and some ammonites, a fossil of a prehistoric squid-like creature that lived inside a coil-shaped shell. As an added bonus, I was welcome to take my finds home as a souvenir. 

Next, I checked out the upbeat and entertaining Exploration Cave Show. Dinosaur World’s expert actors/paleontologists give kids an opportunity to ask questions, handle artifacts and learn about amazing prehistoric creatures during the show. The 5,000-square-foot (1,524-square-meter) cave is a great setting for learning about fossils, eggs and bones. 

My favorite part of visiting Dinosaur World was the fantastic display of animatronic dinosaurs. They are housed indoors with sound effects and lighting. It was really fun walking through and seeing the different dinosaurs move with lifelike eeriness. These dinosaurs seem very real! 

Dinosaur World is a perfect adventure for families seeking lots of fresh air and interactive education. While the kids play and run about, they won’t even realize how much they are learning!