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This Animal Kingdom Area’s Extinction Is a Bad Sign For the Disney Experience

Credit: Disney Dining

The most unique Animal Kingdom theme park areas will soon look vastly different, and that doesn’t bode well for the Disney we know and love…

Walt Disney World Resort has been one of the best family-friendly vacation spots for years, and while guests will always enjoy visiting Disney Parks, some of the best aspects may be phased out before you know it.

Part of what makes Walt Disney World such a family-friendly vacation destination is the educational aspect, which can still be found throughout some theme parks.

A young girl smiles brightly while wearing a red dress with white polka dots, and a headband with large black ears and a red bow. She stands outdoors in front of a large, leafy tree, with the sky and foliage visible in the background.

Credit: Disney

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It’s no secret that Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios have always been considered the most fun Disney Parks due to the higher emphasis on entertainment, attractions, and experiences. EPCOT and Animal Kingdom, however, used to have a higher focus on educational entertainment.

While EPCOT used to focus on advancements in science and technology, the preservation of nature and the environment, and the importance of experiencing new cultures, the Disney Park has been slowly but surely moving away from educational entertainment.

Now, the theme park has earned a reputation for being the best Disney Park to drink at, and the focus has noticeably shifted toward including more IP-themed experiences at the expense of educational ones.

A couple of examples include the Maelstrom attraction (a historical journey celebrating Norwegian folklore and history) being dismantled for Frozen Ever After and Impressions de France (a celebration of French architecture and classical music) being phased out to make way for a Beauty and the Beast sing-along instead.

A large geodesic sphere, part of a famous theme park, is prominently displayed against a blue sky. Water fountains arch upwards in front of the sphere, and surrounding greenery adds to the picturesque scene. The geometric panels of the sphere glisten under the sunlight.

Credit: Disney

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Throughout it all, there was still hope for Animal Kingdom, which had maintained a healthy mix between education, conservation, and entertainment…but the decision to dismantle DinoLand U.S.A. is a foreboding sign indeed.

DinoLand U.S.A. is a heavily-themed area of Animal Kingdom that perfectly intertwined education and entertainment, keeping kids fascinated with the idea of discovery and science.

DinoLand U.S.A. Disney's Animal Kingdom

Credit: @bioreconstruct

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This area used to feature attractions, a playground, and an entire dig sight where children could excavate their own dinosaur bones. Now, it’s a ghost town in the process of being dismantled. Few attractions remain, and the educational aspects are hanging by a thread.

As the Walt Disney Company decides to phase educational entertainment out to make room for IP-based entertainment, children visiting the theme parks will lose that spark for knowledge, discovery, and science.

A vibrant, colorful roadside attraction features a variety of dinosaur statues, neon signs, and eclectic decorations. There is a gift shop with bright signage at the center, while lush greenery and quirky dinosaur-themed sculptures adorn the area.

Credit: Disney

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Whether the company realizes it or not, encouragement from Mickey Mouse to study and preserve the world around us meant a lot to families everywhere, and it’s a shame to watch it slip through his gloved fingers.

While the colossal company can make more money focusing on IPs, something truly precious is being lost in the process.

About Isabella Reimer

Isabella Reimer grew up visiting Walt Disney World and relocated to Central Florida to be even closer to The Most Magical Place on Earth. She earned her Bachelor’s from Florida State University, where she studied Creative Writing and Women’s Studies. Her biggest hobby is bonding with the ikran at Avatar Flight of Passage, and her retirement plan includes becoming the 1,000 Happy Haunt of the Haunted Mansion.