DINOSAUR is scheduled for extinction at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park on February 1, 2026, with the entire DinoLand U.S.A. area disappearing to make room for new attractions. However, Disney cast members have found a creative way to preserve the beloved ride's memory at Walt Disney World Resort, ensuring DINOSAUR won't be completely forgotten when it closes.
DinoLand U.S.A. Faces Complete Demolition
Walt Disney Imagineering unveiled plans at D23 Expo 2024 to eliminate DinoLand U.S.A. from Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. The company is replacing the dinosaur-themed area with Pueblo Esperanza, a Tropical Americas-inspired land featuring attractions and environments tied to the culture of Central and South America.
The phased closure of DinoLand U.S.A. began in early 2025. Chester & Hester's Dino-Rama closed first, taking TriceraTop Spin, Chester & Hester's Dinosaur Treasures, and the Fossil Fun Games offline permanently. The Boneyard play area followed in September 2025.
Walt Disney World Resort announced last year that the remaining elements of DinoLand U.S.A.—including Restaurantosaurus and DINOSAUR—would permanently close on February 2, 2026. Sunday, February 1, marks the final day guests can experience the original Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park land.
Tropical Americas Replacement Coming 2027
Pueblo Esperanza is projected to open sometime in 2027 at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Construction has already commenced on the land's flagship attraction inspired by Casita from Walt Disney Animation Studios' Encanto (2021). A carousel featuring animals from the film will also operate in the new area.
DINOSAUR won't disappear entirely—Walt Disney Imagineers plan to retheme the attraction as an Indiana Jones adventure. Walt Disney World Resort has confirmed the reimagined ride will differ from Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland Park, despite both attractions using identical ride systems and track layouts.
DINOSAUR Appears Elsewhere at Walt Disney World
Disney cast members created a tribute to ensure DINOSAUR won't be completely erased from Walt Disney World Resort. A family crest honoring the DinoLand U.S.A. attraction has appeared on the wall display at Crown & Crest, a merchandise location in the United Kingdom World Showcase Pavilion at EPCOT.
X (formerly known as Twitter) user @odysseyjurassic shared a photograph of the memorial:
Look who has a family crest in England at EPCOT!!
DINOSAUR will forever be remembered and will still have a presence in WDW🫡
Look who has a family crest in England at EPCOT!!
DINOSAUR will forever be remembered and will still have a presence in WDW🫡 pic.twitter.com/UzsuxRDvgo
— JurassicOdyssey #SaveDINOSAUR (@OdysseyJurassic) January 6, 2026
The family crest features text reading “Goodbye DINOSAUR!” alongside an image of a Tyrannosaurus rex fossil outrunning a meteor. The dates 1998-2026 commemorate DINOSAUR's opening and closing years at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
The tribute's longevity remains uncertain. Disney cast members routinely update the Crown & Crest wall display every few months to reflect seasonal changes or other developments at Walt Disney World Resort. The DINOSAUR family crest could remain for months or disappear within weeks.
Does your family have a favorite memory of DINOSAUR at Walt Disney World Resort? Share it with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
