Opening in 2001 as part of an expansion to DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama was a kitschy, carnival-style sub-land inspired by the fictional entrepreneurs Chester and Hester, who transformed their gas station into a roadside attraction after dinosaur bones were discovered nearby.
Set on a cracked asphalt lot with hand-painted signs and cartoonish decor, Dino-Rama was designed to evoke the charm of mid-century roadside Americana, complete with:
- Carnival games and prizes
- Brightly colored dinosaur cutouts
- Tongue-in-cheek signage and pun-filled props
- A backstory that tied it to the more serious Dino Institute across the way
The area featured two main rides and a suite of themed games:
- Whac-A-Packycephalosaur
- Bronto-Score
- Fossil Fuelers
- Mammoth Marathon
- Comet Crasher
These games were housed under colorful awnings and featured oversized props, animatronic flourishes, and playful sound effects.
Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures – A gift shop filled with dinosaur-themed merchandise, known for its kitschy decor, hand-painted signs, and quirky souvenirs. The shop was styled as a converted gas station, complete with vintage pumps and roadside memorabilia.
On January 13, 2025, Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama officially closed to make way for the new Tropical Americas expansion. Construction walls now surround the area, and the walkway through DinoLand has been rerouted. The Boneyard playground remains open for now, but the rest of the land is being reimagined.
The upcoming Tropical Americas land will feature:
- A track-based Indiana Jones adventure, replacing DINOSAUR in late 2025
- A walk-through Encanto experience, centered on Antonio’s magical connection to animals
- Immersive environments inspired by Central and South American cultures and ecosystems
Though often debated among fans, Dino-Rama was rich in Imagineering backstory:
- Chester and Hester were said to have lived in Diggs County, Florida, where a T. Rex discovery led to the founding of the Dino Institute
- Their gas station evolved into a gift shop, then a full-blown carnival, complete with a life-size brontosaurus sculpture to lure passing motorists
- The land’s aesthetic intentionally clashed with the scientific tone of the Dino Institute, creating a layered narrative about commercialization vs. education
The final signage at the entrance read:
“Chester & Hester say… See y’all real soon!”
A nod to Mickey’s classic farewell—and a poignant goodbye to a land that embraced chaos, color, and character.
