This summer Brookfield Zoo is upping it’s adventure factor with a visit from some (big) friends. Dinosaurs and their magical counterpart Dragons have invaded the zoo for a wild adventure. Located between Wild Encounters and the Sevens Seas, this path will take you on an adventure both kids and adults will love.
If you visited the zoo the last time they featured animatronic creatures, take note this is not the same, and in my opinion it’s much better. This display feels more educational and in line with the zoo’s mission than the last one. While the dinosaurs are larger than life and robotic, they are blended into their surroundings and to the littlest ones look like they could be living in the forest. It doesn’t feel like you’re on movie set for the next blockbuster, but at a remote camp studying a new species. Really, even though he told me over and over it was just a robot, my son would not turn his back on the T-Rex.
You start the tour in a tent with dragons and their real life counterparts, including a Komodo Dragon. The displays were phenomenal. It was so much fun to see lizards imagined as dragons in cages decked out to look like castles. There are also tons of information displayed on the myths and legends around the word associated with dragons, as well as some famous literary references.
Inside the dragon tent there are lots of hands on activities for the kids. The Dino Dig area was a huge favorite with my little guy — he didn’t want to leave! There is also a taller dino dig table for bigger kids who are too cool to sit or kneel on the ground. We had a great time defending our castles from dragons with catapults, although at first it was a little hard for toddler hands to figure it out. But, once he got the hang of it, poms-poms were flying everywhere.
Once you leave the tent to hit the wooded path, there is no way back into the tent — so make sure you have seen it all because you aren’t coming back! The path meanders through a wooded area and starts with large dinosaurs and ends comparing the dinosaurs in size and skill to dragons. All the dinosaurs are animatronic and motion activated, so when a child runs up to them they will move and roar. My four-year-old was startled, but not scared, and the animatronics were definitely not as loud as the last time.
The trail ends at the gift shop (of course!) and at a dinosaur discovery lab where kids can dissect a dinosaurs with helpers there to answer questions and them tell them about their field research.
Take a quick walk through with us:
We were able to have a sneak peak before it opened in May, and my son is still talking about it and can’t wait to go back. I would add it to your summer bucket list but be prepared for possible crowds and lines. Dinos & Dragons does require an extra ticket, $5 for adults and $3 for children.
Make it an extra special adventure by heading out to one of the Summer Nights at the zoo, held Fridays and Saturdays they include live music, roaming performers, and a new laser light show.
Brookfield Zoo
8400 31st St., Brookfield
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Disclosure: We received admission to preview the exhibit and write about our experience. No further compensation was received and all thoughts and opinions are my own. Some links provided are affiliate links. We will earn a small commission on purchases made through these links to support the site. Thank you for clicking!
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