Time is running out for one of Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s original attractions. DINOSAUR will close permanently on February 1, 2026, and Disney fans are finding some pretty unique ways to say their final goodbyes.
The TikTok Tribute Everyone’s Talking About
If you’ve been scrolling TikTok lately, you might have come across videos from a creator named Kennedy who’s been cosplaying as Dr. Helen Marsh, the character from DINOSAUR’s pre-show. For those who don’t know, Dr. Helen Marsh is played by Phylicia Rashad in the attraction’s opening video, and she’s become iconic among longtime fans.
Kennedy’s cosplay is seriously impressive. She’s got the outfit down, the mannerisms, everything. Her videos have been blowing up, with view counts ranging from 27,000 all the way up to 136,000. The comment sections are filled with fans who can recite the entire pre-show from memory appreciating how accurate her portrayal is.
What makes Kennedy’s tribute even better is that she’s done this before with other Disney attractions. She previously created a Spaceship Earth cosplay that was equally well-received. She clearly has a talent for picking the most memorable moments from classic Disney rides and bringing them to life in funny, creative ways.
Why This Disney Closure Matters
DINOSAUR has been at Animal Kingdom since 1998, when it first opened as Countdown to Extinction before being renamed. The ride takes guests back to the late Cretaceous period on a mission to rescue an Iguanodon right before the meteor that wiped out the dinosaurs hits. It’s dark, it’s loud, and that Carnotaurus chase scene has been scaring kids for nearly three decades.
For a lot of Disney fans, losing DINOSAUR feels like losing a piece of theme park history. The attraction represents a specific era of Imagineering, with practical effects and genuine thrills that feel different from newer rides. Even though what’s replacing it sounds exciting, saying goodbye isn’t easy.
What’s Coming Next to Disney
During D23 Expo 2024, Disney officially announced plans to transform DinoLand U.S.A. into a new area called Pueblo Esperanza, inspired by Tropical Americas. The closure has been happening in phases. Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama shut down in early 2025, followed by The Boneyard in September. Now DINOSAUR and Restaurantosaurus are next, with February 2, 2026, marking their permanent closure.
The new land is expected to open in 2027 and will feature an Encanto-themed attraction centered around Casita, plus a carousel with animals from the film. As for DINOSAUR itself, the ride system will be rethemed to Indiana Jones, though Disney says it won’t be identical to Disneyland’s Indiana Jones Adventure.
An Unexpected Tribute at EPCOT
Here’s something sweet that nobody saw coming. Over at EPCOT, a DINOSAUR tribute has appeared at the Crown & Crest merchandise shop in the United Kingdom pavilion. The shop creates custom family crests, and cast members added one specifically for DINOSAUR.
The crest shows a T-rex fossil outrunning a meteor with text reading “Goodbye DINOSAUR!” and the dates 1998-2026. It’s a small gesture, but it shows how much the attraction meant to the people who worked with it over the years.
Disney cast members typically rotate the crest displays every few months, so there’s no telling how long the DINOSAUR tribute will stay up. But for now, it’s a nice way to honor the ride’s legacy.
Final Goodbyes Happening Now at Disney
Kennedy’s viral videos and the EPCOT crest are just two examples of how fans are memorializing DINOSAUR. Social media is full of people sharing their final ride experiences, posting old photos, and talking about their memories of the attraction. Some guests are making multiple trips to Animal Kingdom specifically to ride it one last time before it disappears.
There’s something special about watching fans come together to celebrate an attraction they love, even as it’s being removed. These creative tributes ensure that DINOSAUR won’t just fade away quietly.
Make Your Last Visit
If you want to experience DINOSAUR one more time, you’ve got until February 1, 2026. After that, it’s gone for good, replaced by whatever Indiana Jones adventure Disney has planned. Whether you’re a hardcore fan who’s ridden it dozens of times or someone who just wants to see what all the fuss is about, now’s the time to make that final visit happen.
