Animal Kingdom AtMousePhere: The Music of DinoLand U.S.A.

And here we are! After almost two years of Walt Disney World AtMousePhere, we have come to our final post. We’ve done four parks and 22 articles, and it’s been a lot of fun to dig into the rich history and deep connections the music creates in the parks.

To wrap up our series, we are going to take a look at perhaps the most divisive area of the Animal Kingdom, DinoLand U.S.A. Some people enjoy its kitchiness, and others can’t stand how much it contrasts to the rest of the park. I don’t spend all that much time in this area, but can appreciate the backstory. (It’s meant to be tacky!)

The music of DinoLand U.S.A. contains a lot of pop and rock music, which can be heard generally around The Boneyard play area and Restaurantosaurus. The music is based around dinosaurs and extinction (remember, the original name of the Dinosaur attraction was “Countdown to Extinction”), and some of it will definitely be recognizable.

Listen carefully, and you can hear that it supposed to be akin to an underground radio station, taken over by a couple of the interns who work at the Dino Institute nicknamed “Digger” and “Bonehead.”

Here’s a nice list, if you’re curious:

• “Dancing with the Dinosaur” by Steven Curtis Chapman
• “Ugga Bugga” by Barnes and Barnes
• “I’m A Little Dinosaur” by Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers
• “Watch Out” by Barnes and Barnes
• “If I Had a Dinosaur” by Raffi
• “It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” by R.E.M.
• “Sweet Dinosaur of Mine” by Barnes and Barnes
• “Brontosaurus” by Cheap Trick
• “Walk the Dinosaur” by Was (Not Was)
• “Godzilla” by Blue Oyster Cult
• “Bad to the Bone” by George Thorogood & The Destroyers
• “Grazing In The Grass” by Friends of Distinction (part of the chorus is “Can you dig it?”)

Once you understand the purpose of DinoLand U.S.A, you can learn to appreciate the tacky quality, as well as the interesting selections in music. (Cheap Trick? Blue Oyster Cult? Raffi?!) If you are a fan of searching for themes, this area is ready for you!

What is your opinion of DinoLand U.S.A? Have you listened carefully to the music before? Which song do you remember from your childhood? (Mine happens to be “Walk the Dinosaur”!) Comment below!

AtMousePhere’s next music blogs will be from the Disneyland Resort! Stay tuned!