Energy Dinosaurs

The, "**Energy Dinosaurs**" refers to audio-animatronic depictions of various prehistoric animals which appeared in the Epcot attractions *Universe of Energy* and *Ellen's Energy Adventure*, whom are referenced in *Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind*.

## Description

The, "Energy Dinosaurs" were (often inaccurate and anachronistic) depictions of prehistoric animals which were historically encountered at the *Energy Pavilion* of EPCOT. It is possible that some of these animals were inhabitants of (or otherwise connected to), "The Savage Land", a region of Antarctica with was home to various prehistoric extinct animals.

### Animals

* **Edaphosaurus**: In real-life, the Edaphosaurus was not a dinosaur, ave or reptile but was instead a synapsid ancestor to modern mammals which died out long before the appearance of the first dinosaurs. In Universe of Energy, it was shown as a scaly, iguana-like creature.
* **Elasmosaurus**: Also not a dinosaur but rather an aquatic reptile, the elasmosaur appeared within a swamp where it attempted to bite guests or Ellen DeGeneres. The creature was more land adjusted and flexible than its prehistoric counterpart.
* **Giant Invertebrates**: Various giant invertebrates were included such as the giant millipedes arthropleura, giant snails, and the giant dragon-fly meganeura.
* **Ornithomimus**:
* **Pteranodon**: Pteranodon is a genus of pterosaur who had some representation in the cohort, looking more bat-like than actual pterosaurs and lacking any of the fluff or proto-feathers which their real-world inspiration would have required to survive cold temperatures and wind at high-altitude.
* **Sauropods**:
* **Stegosaurus**: A jurassic herbivore which had a body lower to the ground with a more flexible spine than its prehistoric counterpart. The stegosaurus was notably found fighting with a T-Rex, an animal which it lived billions of years apart from.
* **Trachodon**: Various duck-billed trachodon appeared, watching the other animals from their hind-legs.
* **Tyrannosaurus-Rex**: A grossly inaccurate T-Rex with a scaly hide, three-fingered hands, and a kangaroo-like bipedal stance. It was notable seen fighting with a stegosaurus. Due to its three-fingers and affiliation with the stegosaur, it has sometimes been identified as an *Allosaurus*.

## History

### Background

The Energy Dinosaurs were known to have been visible at EPCOT during the 1980s but were presumably removed, possibly for the construction of the Nova Corps' Xandarian Outpost.

### Development history

The designs of many of the prehistoric animals came from the Rite of Spring sequence of the 1940 Disney film *Fantasia*. Various of the figures resembled those used for *Ford's Magic Skyway* at the 1964 World's Fair, which were repurposed for the *Primeval World* scene for the Tomorrowland section of the Disneyland Railroad. The dinosaurs were consistent in the attraction throughout its time as Universe of Energy, and Ellen's Energy Adventure (albeit with some changes over the years) until being removed to make-way for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

## Marvel appearances

### Disney Traders

There is a promotional travel banner in this EPCOT shop for the Savage Land, a location from Marvel Comics inhabited by various prehistoric animals. On the poster is a green sauropod with its head sticking out of the greenery, which is likely a tribute to the edaphosaurus which appeared in the defunct Universe of Energy.

### Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

On *Good Morning Xandar*, Peter Quill mentions wanting to see the, "Energy Dinosaurs", not knowing that the attraction is defunct. On the Nova ship, there is a Xandarian code which translates to, "DINO".

### Other connections

#### Universe of Energy/Ellen's Energy Adventure

These attractions featured a Primeval Diorama to represent where fossil fuels come from. In Ellen's Energy Adventure, this was part of Ellen DeGeneres' dream.

## Gallery

TrachodonsEdaphosaurusConcept artThe edaphosaurus on a Disney Traders poster
## References

1. ↑ https://wdwnt.com/2023/02/marvel-themed-travel-poster-banners-installed-in-disney-traders-at-epcot/
2. ↑ https://blogmickey.com/2022/05/guardians-of-the-galaxy-cosmic-rewind-easter-eggs/