Significance of Dino Institute Founding Date

[Flrancho]

We went to Animal Kingdom for the meet of the month last Saturday. The first thing we rode that day was Dinosaur. The line was a little longer than usual and I happened to glance over and see a plaque that they have on the side of the building saying something to the extent that the Dino Institute was founded on April 22, 1978.

Knowing Disney, I would think this date would have some sort of significance, but I can't find anything. It's way too early to be anything pertaining to the attraction or Animal Kingdom, I would think, It's too late to be anything to do with the former sponser of McDonald's, and it's not the founding of the first Earth Day either, which came 8 years earlier.

Does anyone know what the significance of the founding date for the Dino Institute is?

[BamaJenn]

I found a great site that chronologically lists all things Disney and I found nothing special about that date. April 22nd, 1970 was the first Earth Day so I'm wondering if it's a two part significance, one being Earth Day and 1978 being something else. Thought maybe it had to do with some sort of important scientific discovery but can't find much there either. No clue on that one. Great catch though, now I'm very curious.

[dzneynut]

I think you are trying to read too much into the exact date of this 'dedication.' The date is exactly 20 years before the Animal Kingdom opened, and the ride is about time travel. So, it's not too difficult to believe the 'Institute' was established sometime in the past, and it took them at least 20 years to develop the technology that they are supposedly demonstrating for you in the present.
I believe it was Dave Smith himself that told Lou one time that not everything in the Disney Parks has some secret meaning or is part of the backstory. Sometimes it is what it is!

[doconeill]

I think the date is partly to explain the "established" nature of Dinoland and the Institute. Part of the back story is that after the Institute was established, Chester and Hester, who owned a nearby gas station, converted into a souvenir shop and built a carnival in an attempt to cash in on the dino discovery...