A world where giants roamed; dinos alive; an immersive experience

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Our two young representatives Daz, and Sal bravely took a trip to a land adorned with prehistoric ferns and towering trees. In the distance, they heard the sounds of distant roars, and the soft hum of animatronics filled the air.

They were welcomed to a world lost in time. A world where giants roamed, and danger lurked around every corner. They begin to wander through a lush, prehistoric forest. Towering Brachiosaurus necks pierce the canopy, while a herd of Stegosaurus graze peacefully. A T-Rex emerges from the undergrowth, its menacing roar echoing through the forest. Daz, and Sal gasped in awe and excitement.

Suddenly, the scene transitions to a dimly lit, underwater environment. A massive Plesiosaur glides gracefully through the water, its long neck stretching towards the surface. A Mosasaurus, its jaws wide open, lunges at a smaller marine reptile. The children watch in breathless anticipation.

They put on VR headsets and are transported to a prehistoric world. The children dodge flying Pterodactyls and narrowly escape the clutches of a Velociraptor.

Step into a world dominated by colossal creatures. Witness the gentle giants of the Jurassic period. Dive into the depths of the prehistoric oceans and encounter the fearsome creatures that ruled the waves. Uncover the secrets of the past and become a paleontologist for a day. Immerse yourself in a virtual reality experience and come face-to-face with the most terrifying predators. I am talking about an exciting exhibition that opened up in October called Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience

I want to first thank our young explorers for visiting Dinos Alive and sharing their experience with us. I also had an opportunity to speak with Eric Paquette (Spokesman for Dinos Alive, and he shared a little bit more with me. “It was catered for Toronto. It has been around the world, and has been carefully curated for this market. We didn’t want to just put dinosaurs in an exhibit.”

“There are photo ops galore,” Eric tells me. “There are so many dinosaurs. Exhibition Hub flew from Brussels and they created something great for families in an environment that kids don’t know they are learning. It starts with smaller dinosaurs, and we build off of that. Attention span of children is shorter, and the more impressive dinosaur comes as you walk through the exhibit. A kid’s perspective is very different from ours. The magic is when they scale themselves to the dinosaurs. They are mesmerized by it all. They are trying to understand the dynamics of it all.”

“There are mainstream dinosaurs, but there are some surprises. You will have to come and see.”

“What other types of technology are used to create the immersive experience,” I asked?

“There are so many cool technological elements in the experience: there is an aquarium and a room with projections with prehistoric beasts that you would have found million years ago. There are balls on the floor, and the projections interact with the movement. For just a moment, the children are involved. We have the sketch and post, and you can see your creation coming alive as a dinosaur. Then there is VR, and it puts you right into the experience. You can get tricked so easily to believe that it is real.”

“I have one more question Eric, how does the exhibition encourage children to become interested in science and paleontology?”

“Children have passions, and sometimes they don’t know where they land. It is entertaining and engaging, but they are learning. It makes you want to see and understand what is around you. There are plaque cards that are easy to read. It helps you appreciate what is around you.”

Unleash your child’s inner explorer at Dinos Alive! Book your adventure today.

Opening Hours: (Time Slots Available Every Half Hour):

• Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays: From 9:00 To 18:00
• Tuesdays: Closed
• Fridays: From 10:00 To 19:00
• Saturdays: From 9:00 To 19:00
• Sundays: From 9:00 To 17:00

Duration: The Visit Will Take Around 45-70 Minutes

Location: 30 Hanover Road, North York, Ontario, M3K 0E2, Downsview Airport Lands (YZD), Toronto

Age Requirement: All Ages!