ROMKids

REASON 24 TO VISIT #ULTIMATEDINOS: THE BATTLE OF MADAGASCAR!

Like many Torontonians, I grew up in the ROM’s old Dinosaur Gallery. The dioramas acted as time travel machines, that transported me to the prehistoric past. The closing segment to the gallery featured an Allosaurus vs Stegosaurus faceoff. I spent many days just leaning on the exhibit railing imagining the outcome of this epic battle, while my mom would read the NOW Magazine on a bench behind me. Do you remember how the wall was textured like a tree, and how the scenes featured ferns and other prehistoric vegetation, while old 70’s lights filled the room with a purple glow? I would walk in after lunch and stay until close.

With that said, one of favourite things about Ultimate Dinosaurs: Giants of Godwana is how the diorama as an imagination device has returned.

Above you can see the Battle for Madagascar, in which the abelisaurid Majungasaurus takes on the herbivorous titanosaur, Rapetosaurus! It’s such a great scene, with an incredible amount of movement. I can just see the tiny armed Majungasaurus charge at its prey, while the Rapetosaurus gets ready to maybe swing its tail in defence. The lightning lighting and the thunder sound effects only add to this display. It’s a full on SENSORY EXPLOSION!

Dioramas and displays in motion encourage imagination and thought. I mean, here I am today reminiscing about a display long gone. They has a lasting impact on the viewer. But what’s better is seeing the kids of today experiencing these latest dioramas and loving them as much I do! It’s been wonderful to see a new generation of Torontonians get the same experience I did as a kid.

Make sure to check out Reason 27 to learn more about Majungasaurus and the abelisaurids.
Also, Reason 24 features Julius Csotonyi, the incredible palaeo artist who designed the #ultimatedinos murals.

Make sure to check out the rest of our 28 Reasons to Visit #ultimatedinos! The greatest dinosaur exhibit ever shown (at least in my personal opinion) closes March 17th. More info here!

Have you visited? What’s your favourite part of #ultimatedinos?