A major transformation at Walt Disney World is about to cross a visible threshold, and guests visiting the parks as early as next week will begin to see just how much is changing.
The Central Florida resort is currently navigating one of the most ambitious redevelopment stretches in its history. After a year defined by permanent closures in 2025—including Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and MuppetVision 3D—Walt Disney World has shifted fully into a forward-facing phase of construction. As 2026 progresses, that momentum is only increasing across multiple parks.
No park reflects this transition more clearly than Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The ongoing demolition of DinoLand U.S.A. is clearing the way for Pueblo Esperanza, a new land inspired by the Tropical Americas. Disney plans to anchor the area with two major attractions based on Encanto and Indiana Jones, with an anticipated opening sometime in 2027. Construction crews have become increasingly active, signaling that the end of DinoLand is imminent.
Guests have already said goodbye to much of the area. Quick-service locations such as Dino-Bites Snacks and Trilo-Bites are permanently closed, and The Boneyard playground has also shut down. With those gone, only Restaurantosaurus and DINOSAUR remain as the final operating pieces of DinoLand U.S.A.
That status is about to change. Disney Experiences has confirmed that February 1, 2026, will be the final day of operation for both Restaurantosaurus and DINOSAUR. As of February 2, the locations will close permanently, marking the official end of a land that has existed since Animal Kingdom opened in April 1998.
Following the closures, construction is expected to push further into the former DinoLand footprint. Disney has stated that DINOSAUR will be reworked into a brand-new Indiana Jones attraction. The company has emphasized that this experience will be different from any Indiana Jones ride currently operating at other Disney destinations.
Meanwhile, the Encanto attraction continues to take shape. Vertical construction has begun, and the ride will invite guests into Antonio Madrigal’s bedroom. Antonio, voiced by Ravi Cabot-Conyers in Encanto (2021), is known for his ability to communicate with animals, a narrative element that ties closely into Animal Kingdom’s core themes.
Beyond DinoLand, guests may notice other changes early in 2026. Part of Pandora–The World of Avatar is temporarily closed as Disney refreshes and repaints the land’s bioluminescent features. While the work is focused on maintaining the nighttime experience, it could influence crowd flow, especially during evening hours.
Additional paperwork suggests more updates may be coming elsewhere in the park. A newly filed permit, highlighted by WDWNT, points to upcoming work at Feathered Friends in Flight!. The filing notes that Buena Vista Construction Company will “Provide labor, material, and/or electrical for construction.”
Disney has not officially commented on the permit, but similar filings in the past have often preceded show adjustments or technical updates.
With DinoLand U.S.A. set to close entirely in just days, Animal Kingdom is entering a new chapter. The park guests have known for nearly 28 years is being reshaped, with long-standing attractions making way for new experiences and a reconfigured layout.
As Walt Disney World continues evolving through 2026, this moment stands out as a defining shift—one that closes a familiar chapter while setting the stage for what comes next.
How do you feel about all the current Animal Kingdom changes? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
