Dinosaur World

[sdcforever]

I could've sworn we'd discussed the now defunct theme park Dinosaur World, located in Beaver, Ark.  I guess not.  Like Dogpatch USA, I have some favorite childhood memories there.  This is located in extreme northern (and rural) Arkansas around Eureka Springs, and contains giant cement dinosaurs along with what is billed as "the world's largest King Kong" attraction (42 feet tall).  As far as I know, pretty much everything is still there (though with large "No Trespassing" signs and locked gates and doors).  It closed in 2005 but, strangely, even the gift shop was fully stocked (yet abandoned) in 2006.  I visited in the fall of 2006, but I haven't been back since then.  You can read a little more about Dinosaur World here:  http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/8415

Eureka Springs gained a little notoriety when part of the movie "Elizabethtown" was filmed there in late 2004.  They also filmed a couple of scenes at Dinosaur World, and the Tyrannosaurus Rex can be seen on both the poster and DVD cover, which I have pasted below.

[KBCraig]

That's funny, there's another Dinosaur World not far (45 miles) from the real Elizabethtown (Kentucky). We were there in 2005.

http://www.dinoworld.net/dino-start003text.php?page=2

[marolinesdad]

When I went to there as a teen it was called Land Of Kong.  http://secretfunspot.blogspot.com/2008/03/abandoned-dinosaur-world.html

[Junior]

I happened to see Elizabethtown on TV today, and enjoyed the brief scenes at Christ of the Ozarks statue and Dinosaur World near Beaver Lake. As far as I know, Dinosaur World is still closed, but I think there may be a family living in the building adjacent to it...last time I drove by (It's not too far away from my front porch.) there were a couple of vehicles there. Everything seemed maintained, too.

[slow_walker]

It is definitely still closed and is falling apart quickly. I really wish someone would buy it and reopen it. I mean, I know the economy is bad but even if they just opened it for drive-thru traffic only on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of June, July and August that would still be awesome. Lol.

Here's some pictures I took of the entrance this past November. I did no trespassing to get these shots.

[orient express]

thanx for the photos   i went to this place the same day i went to dogpatch ages ago. freaked me out a little but still great   thank you

[sdcforever]

^We used to do both Dogpatch and Dinosaur World in the same day too when I was growing up.  It's sad to see it falling apart.

[rubedugans]

This past fall after visiting a few places in AR with Tinman I had the urge to visit Dinosaur World, but it was getting late in the day. I wondered what exactly was still there or what was accessible to visitors. Thanks!

[Junior]

Thanks for the pictures...maybe it has been a while since I've driven past. If I remember, those sculptures are made of concrete, and would just need some paint. Can't say the same for the buildings, they look terrible. Anybody got a match? (JUST joking!)

[Coaster]

It amazes me how all these defunct parks just sit there slowly decaying. It is very creepy when you think about it...

[Junior]

The Arkansas Democrat Gazette Northwest Arkansas Edition has an article about Dinosaur World in it today. (3/6/10)
A group called the Society for Commercial Archeology has included the park in its first "Falling by the Wayside" list, announced last Wednesday. The 65 acre park is the largest property listed. Ralph Wilcox, a society boad member, and member of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, said that ultimately the society would like to see something happen so Dinosaur World is preserved. The park operated from 1960 through 2005, and has sat abandoned and began to decay.  The list can be viewed at this address:

                                 http://www.sea-roadside.org/endangered

The co-president of the organization, Nancy Sturm, says the organization hopes the list will bring attention  to roadside commerical architecture. 

[Junior]

WHOOPS! Let's try it one more time?   Try this address for the list:

                                             www.sca-roadside.org

[Junior]

Yeah, the above address works. Sorry about the confusion.

[tinmann620]

Update on Dinosaur World:  The current owner, who also owns one of the resorts, is rumored by his employees to have a golf course/resort in the plans for the place.  Also, Fun Spot (of which the owners purchased several prime locations in Eureka Springs & disappeared) is in a sad state.  I've posted photos from last weekend, here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30708145@N02/sets/72157623954885601/

[Junior]

Thanks for the update. It's sad to see Fun Spot fall into a state of disrepair. It does need some TLC. Anyone remember Fun Spot in Branson? Next to the 76 Mall/Old Wal-Mart location. (Grand buffet)