DinoROAR takes a nap

The dinosaurs featuring in our summer spectacular DinoROAR will be taking a daily nap to ensure a quiet hour for guests with sensory needs.

DinoROAR is running from 20 July to 1 September featuring a host of prehistoric creatures inside the Longhouse. However, the organisers have ensured the animatronic dinosaurs will be sleeping between 3.30pm and 4.30pm each day.

The quiet hour in The Longhouse will ensure the dinosaurs don’t move, there aren’t any loud noises and no colourful lighting, but explorers can still discover information about the dinosaurs, enjoy the VR experiences and get hands-on with Dino Dig – the chance to find fossils. The towering T-rex roaming the Park to meet explorers will also be sleeping during this time.

The move coincides with a sensory map and special signs being erected across the Park to show particularly noisy or hot areas.

The map will be downloadable from the website so families can plan their trip to meet the needs of their group. The map and signs will be in place from 20 July and are a permanent addition to the attraction.

Kim Ovens, Education and Engagement Lead, said: “We know from feedback that public spaces can be overwhelming for those with neurodiversity when trying to deal with too much information. Modifying lighting, sound and temperature can help ease sensory stress and it is important to us we make our guests as comfortable as possible.

“It’s not always possible to change temperatures, particularly in animal areas, but with the new signage and sensory map we can inform guests of what they may encounter.

“We have worked with local sensory experts and listened to what our guests have told us to bring in these initiatives.”

There is a dedicated accessibility section on Longleat’s website which includes a social story to help people prepare for a visit, the Queue Assist Scheme and more information.

DinoROAR is an additional feature for the summer included in all Day Tickets.