Travel back in time to visit T.Rex and friends at Dinos Alive! in Raleigh
Travel back in time at the new Dinos Alive "immersive experience," open in Raleigh from Feb. 8.
The same organizers who brought the recent "Art of the Brick" LEGO show and 2022's Van Gogh have turned their attention to the prehistoric past with a walk-through, family-friendly roar-fest that will delight your amateur paleontologist.
WRAL got a sneak peek of the touring show to help you decide how to enjoy it with your brood.
Dinosaur lovers of all ages can enjoy a trip through this "immersive experience," which is largely just walking through multiple rooms to see – up close –dozens of animatronic dinosaurs. I didn't count, but the promotional material says they have 80+ dinos.
You enter past a green screen, and there are various photo ops.
Each room resembles a museum exhibit, with several dinosaurs, each with a description.
You'll start small with compsognathi at a watering hole. These dinos were the size of a large chicken and were close enough for toddlers to touch.
Head through the curtain for the next vignette, and things get bigger and louder.
The rooms are spacious, and the aisles are wide. You can take your time, stopping where you like – each dinosaur is a photo and video waiting to happen – and even retrace your steps to re-visit a favorite. There is no limit to the time you can spend inside. Organizers recommend 90 minutes.
You will see meat-eaters and plant-eaters, long-necked sauropods and plenty of teeth.
Most of the dinosaurs throughout the exhibit move or roar (or both), so little ones who startle easily might get a fright. The lights are low and transition from tones of red to blues. Use your judgment about visiting if you are sensitive to strong and changing light or audio.
The dinosaurs grow bigger as your progress along the tour, and the true star is, of course, T. Rex. You'll hear him as you round a corner and see him tower over a team of velociraptors.
Even if you've been to other animatronic dinosaur events, this is one worth doing. Dinos Alive differs in two ways:
A 360-degree, projected prehistoric ocean
The aquarium is an empty room with video projected onto the walls. From floor to ceiling you'll see realistic video of the living organisms – animal and plant – that lived under the prehistoric seas.
The experience is that of standing in the middle of a huge fishbowl. It is quiet, calming and the most immersive of the entire experience. You will want to stop and spend some time in the aquarium.
Take a VR ride towards a volcano
The VIP ticket includes virtual reality, and those with general admission tickets can add it on.
While you won't doubt you are watching something computer-generated, it does offer an immersive way to see many dinosaur species in a "natural" habitat. You'll ride a triceratops then a pteradactyl through a jungle and past a waterfront scene. Look ahead for the active volcano, and down to the ground at the predators in action.
If you are accustomed to Oculus or play VR games, you may not be super-impressed with this. The image was visibly pixelated and could be jerky. Still, it offers a full picture – up, down, all around – of various species eating, walking and even fighting. The "ride" lasts about 8 minutes.
Tickets, times for Dinos Alive in Raleigh
WHERE: Dinos Alive is an indoor experience at 6240 Glenwood Ave. in Raleigh, an event space called Pleasant Valley Promendade at the back of a shopping center anchored by a Dick's Sporting Goods. Tip: On opening night, the sign for Dinos Alive wasn't visible from Glenwood, so follow your GPS and park as far away from the main road as possible. You will then walk, including stairs, to find Dinos Alive.
WHEN: Shows began Feb. 8 and are scheduled through April 7 on every day except Tuesdays. You can reserve a start time as early as 9:30 a.m. The Dinos Alive updated calendar shows ticket availability, times and prices.
WHO: While Dinos Alive is an all-ages experience, very little ones may be startled by the large, roaring, moving dinos. The venue is ADA compliant and the tour had plenty of space for strollers. Those with light or audio sensitivities may find this a bit overwhelming.
HOW MUCH: Ticket prices start at $23.90 per person for general admission. Children 3 and younger are free. Prices vary based on the day and time you choose. Expect to pay more for weekends and other high-demand times.
There is a "Family Bundle" deal available for 1 or 2 adults and any number of accompanying kids for $20.90 each. There are additional group and VIP options.
