If you’ve visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom recently, you may have noticed something strange.
An area once filled with carnival games, spinning dinosaurs, and a quirky roadside attraction theme now sits behind construction walls. There are no more bright signs pointing guests toward Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama, and the familiar figures that once greeted visitors are nowhere to be seen.
For years, rumors have swirled about DinoLand U.S.A.’s uncertain future. It was no secret that the area, with its intentionally kitschy theme, was never a fan-favorite among diehard Disney parkgoers. While some guests appreciated its charm, others saw it as a cheaply thrown-together space in a park that prided itself on immersion and realism.
The fate of the land became clearer when Disney officially announced at the 2024 D23 Expo that it would be replaced by a new themed area—Tropical Americas, inspired by Encanto and Indiana Jones.
Now, it’s happening. Demolition has begun.
Overnight, construction crews moved in and began dismantling what remained of Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama.
Theme park reporter Drew Smith shared a tweet showing the entrance sign and dinosaur figures being removed, confirming that the transformation is now well underway.
FIRST LOOK: The former Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama! entrance sign and dinosaurs were demolished overnight in DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
This is a significant milestone as work ramps up on the Tropical Americas land opening in 2027.
📸: @JerolomR11456 pic.twitter.com/OiuRJ8JBB3
— Drew Smith (@DrewDisneyDude) February 16, 2025
Guests visiting Animal Kingdom have reported seeing heavy machinery on site, as well as debris piling up where structures once stood. The sight of demolition crews working quickly to erase the remnants of DinoLand U.S.A. has made it clear that Disney is fully committed to the overhaul, and there is no turning back.
The Slow Goodbye to a Nostalgic Land
The closure of DinoLand U.S.A. wasn’t a sudden decision. In many ways, this transformation has been unfolding for years. The first major sign of trouble came in 2020 when Primeval Whirl, the steel roller coaster that had been operating on a seasonal basis, shut down permanently. For a while, the attraction’s skeleton remained, its faded signage and unmoving track serving as a ghostly reminder of the past. But when the ride was demolished, speculation about the future of DinoLand ramped up even more.
Despite its critics, DinoLand U.S.A. held a special place in the hearts of some Disney fans. The land, which opened alongside Animal Kingdom in 1998, was unique in its approach—it wasn’t trying to be ultra-realistic but instead leaned into the idea of a roadside attraction built by two eccentric fossil hunters.
While it may not have been the most beloved part of the park, it had its charm. The land’s carnival games, colorful signage, and fun backstory gave it a personality unlike anything else in Walt Disney World.
What’s Next for the Area?
Though demolition has officially started, the full transformation won’t be complete for several years. Disney has announced a 2027 opening for Tropical Americas, meaning construction will be a long-term presence in Animal Kingdom. The new land will include a highly immersive Encanto attraction based on Antonio’s rainforest-inspired room, as well as an Indiana Jones adventure that is expected to reimagine the existing DINOSAUR ride.
For now, the remaining portions of DinoLand U.S.A., including The Boneyard playground, Restaurantosaurus, and the DINOSAUR ride, will stay open through 2025, allowing guests one last chance to say their goodbyes. It’s unclear exactly when these attractions will close permanently, but it’s safe to say that Disney will continue the demolition in phases.
The winds of change have come to Animal Kingdom, and there’s no stopping them now. DinoLand U.S.A. is officially becoming history, and soon, something completely new will rise in its place.
