IN THE SHADOW OF DISNEY: PALEONTOLOGY AND GEOLOGY IN THE US DISNEY PARKS

The U.S. based Disney parks, Disneyland and Walt Disney World, are best known for highlighting their animated properties, however there are a fairly large number of geological and paleontological examples within the parks that are presented as well. While a number of them could be seen as backdrops to other “more important” rides and attractions, Disney also does a good job of presenting many as educational opportunities. Paleontology has always been well represented in the Disney parks from the T. rex skeleton found in all the renditions of Big Thunder Mountain, the Boneyard play area in the soon to be defunct DinoLand U.S.A. of Animal Kingdom, to the petrified trees of Galaxy’s Edge meant to mimic those seen in Petrified Forest National Park. There are also many geological examples from the desert landscapes mimicked for the Radiator Springs Racers in Disney’s California Adventure (complete with a National Parks style brochure), to the Grand Canyon seen in the Primeval World along the Disneyland Railroad. While these examples could serve as backdrops, Disney often includes educational signs to emphasize where many of these ideas, rides, or exhibits came from furthering the geological and paleontological literacy of those willing to take the time to read the signs.