Dinosaurs Unearthed Behind the Scenes

If you’ve driven downtown lately, you may have noticed a new guard at the corner of Pershing & Main in front of Union Station. A gigantic animatronics T Rex stands tall greeting visitors and publicizing the anticipated arrival of Dinosaurs Unearthed the LARGEST collection of dinosaur fossils, fossil replicas, and animatronics dinosaurs outside of China. This GIGANTIC exhibit is coming to Kansas City on May 1st, and I was invited to take an exclusive tour behind the scenes.

Dinosaurs Unearthed will impress visitors both young and old as they learn about the latest fossil research from the 1996 dig in the Liaoning Province of China, where feathered fossils were first discovered. The exhibit features 40 real fossils, fossil replicas, an imitation archaeological site, and 24 life-sized dinosaurs that come to life demonstrating the sights, sounds, and movements of these now extinct creatures.

As I toured the exhibit “in progress,” I watched the Dinosaurs Unearthed staff busily assembling 24 animatronics Dinosaurs making their debut in Kansas City.

The exhibit is considered “Edutainment” as it is both educational and entertaining with most of the exhibit being interactive. I was lucky enough to be the very first person to play the electronic game “Find the Dino” (which is making its debut in Kansas City). For the game, over twenty animals are displayed and you are asked to push buttons selecting the four “real dinosaurs.” After each guess, I was told whether I chose a real dino or an imposter along with a full explanation for each answer. The game even cheers with animal sounds when correct answers are chosen... something I eventually accomplished… thankfully getting to practice before the kids show up!

Other interactive elements to the exhibit include a “Dino Dig” for budding paleontologists where they uncover dinosaur fossil replicas like those discovered in China. And of course, the most fun is controlling the animatronics dinosaurs as they come to life right before your eyes with moving legs, swinging tails (one nearly hit me in the head, thankfully I was warned in time to duck!), blinking eyes, "breathing" nostrils, and sounds in the form of “Dino-Speak” a.k.a roaring.

On my tour, I was fortunate to meet and interview Teresa White, Inventory & Special Projects Manager for Dinosaurs Unearthed, and author of the exhibit. Teresa introduced me to a juvenile Tyrannosaurus Rex, old and new versions of the Velociraptor, and life-sized Baryonyx, Protoceratops, Stegosaurus, Allosaurus, and juvenile Apatosaurus, as well as fossils including the 62-foot long Omeisaurus!

Watch the video below as Teresa tells me about the Juvenile T. Rex at Dinosaurs Unearthed. 

This video shows the Velociraptor as you've never seen one before... with feathers! 

Dinosaurs Unearthed is a one-of-a-kind exhibit ONLY in Kansas City! Don't miss your opportunity to see it this summer at Union Station (30 W. Pershing, Kansas City, MO)! The exhibit opens on May 1st and is open Tues- Sat 10am-5pm, Sunday noon-5pm.

KCParent.com's Photo Gallery Behind the Scenes of Dinosaurs Unearthed!

 (Note: You must have a Shockwave Flash Media Player installed to view these photos.)

Hot News from Union Station Kansas City:

• New Membership Packages at Union Station
• More information about Science City DinoLab and resident paleontologist, Dino Matt
• Dino Birthday Parties at Union Station
• Union Station's is partnering with Build a Bear to bring Build a Dino to Union Station. Visitors will be able to build their own Dino inside of the Station just next to the Dino exhibit.
• In conjunction with the exhibit, visit the Regnier Extreme Screen to see Dinosaurs Alive! 3-D

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