PLANT CITY, Fla. — You have likely noticed the large Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaur off Interstate 4 in Plant City that's known as a local landmark for people going to and from Orlando. But if you haven’t stepped inside Dinosaur World's prehistoric playground, you’re missing hundreds of other life-sized dinosaurs and lots of interactive options.
“Dinosaur World is really the only place that is a permanent fixture where we have imagined what these dinosaurs look like, life-size, which whether you're three feet tall or six feet tall, they're still much bigger and we've just packed them all throughout the park and we've added interactive activities over the last couple of years,” marketing coordinator Dallas Cotton said.
For more than two decades Dinosaur World has wowed visitors in the area and grown in size and options.
“This is very much a family-owned park," Cotton said "The family immigrated here from Sweden about 30 years ago. They actually lived here in the park as they built it.”
The park now holds more than 200 handmade dinosaurs throughout the 20-acre site.
There are fossil digs and an exploration cave along with animatronics for kids of all ages.
"While you’re having fun, you don't realize it, but you're also learning,” Cotton said.
As the area evolves, Cotton said Dinosaur World remains a roadside constant and a pride of Plant City.
“We all kind of hold it special in our hearts because for people in Plant City," he said. "It's a small town, but we have one of the biggest theme parks that are in central Florida. Dinosaur World definitely runs along with bigger parks like the Florida Aquarium and Zoo Tampa and it’s a staple and it’s been right here in the heart of Plant City.”