Walt Disney World Resort has officially filed a new construction permit for the Indiana Jones retheme of DINOSAUR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
At D23 Expo 2024, Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, revealed that a Tropical Americas land, Pueblo Esperanza, would replace DinoLand U.S.A. in 2027. This land will include two new attractions based on Encanto (2021) and an Indiana Jones retheme of the DINOSAUR attraction.
The move marks a significant shift for DINOSAUR, a 26-year-old attraction that has been part of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park since the park’s opening. In January 2025, much of the area surrounding DinoLand U.S.A. was closed off, and Disney crews have already begun the demolition process. The following areas have already been bulldozed:
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Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures
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Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama (including Fossil Fun Games)
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TriceraTop Spin
The Next Steps for DINOSAUR and DinoLand U.S.A.
DINOSAUR, The Boneyard play area, and DinoLand U.S.A.’s Quick Service restaurants will continue to welcome guests until 2026. At that point, Walt Disney Imagineers will begin demolishing DinoLand U.S.A. and retheme DINOSAUR into its new incarnation. The transformation will prepare Pueblo Esperanza for a grand opening slated for 2027.
Although the DINOSAUR retheme won’t begin until 2026, work is already underway. A Notice of Commencement was filed this week for general construction at the DINOSAUR attraction. The permit reveals that Ferran Services & Contracting Inc. has been contracted to handle “general construction.”
Details from the Animal Kingdom Theme Park Permit
The Notice of Commencement reveals that the permit will expire on March 18, 2026, suggesting that the initial construction work will focus on basic preparations for the DINOSAUR attraction overhaul. The permit does not cover the full-scale demolition and retheming of the ride, which will require additional permits as Walt Disney Imagineering moves forward with its plans.
Disney has yet to confirm the exact closing date for the ride in 2026 or the precise opening date for Pueblo Esperanza in 2027. Follow Disney Fanatic for updates on this and other projects around Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
What should Walt Disney Imagineers include in the Indiana Jones retheme of DINOSAUR? Share your ideas with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
