RIP: Original Disney’s Animal Kingdom Location Shuts Doors After 27 Years
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park officially bid farewell to one of its original attractions on Monday, September 1, 2025. The Boneyard, the interactive playground that opened alongside DinoLand U.S.A. in April 1998, welcomed its last young explorers before closing permanently to prepare for the area’s transformation into Pueblo Esperanza.
The closure of The Boneyard was foreshadowed during the 2024 D23 Expo, when Walt Disney Imagineers revealed plans for a new Tropical Americas-themed land, Pueblo Esperanza. This expansion will replace DinoLand U.S.A., and feature two Encanto (2021) attractions and an Indiana Jones retheme of DINOSAUR. While DINOSAUR, Trilo-Bites, and Restaurantosaurus will remain operational through the end of 2025, The Boneyard’s final day was set in stone for September 1.
Much of DinoLand U.S.A.—including Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, TriceraTop Spin, and Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama—permanently closed in January 2025. Construction walls went up shortly after, and the area has since been cleared for the upcoming Encanto-themed attractions.
On Monday, X (formerly Twitter) user @Nickpalermo824 shared a video capturing Disney cast members delivering the final closing spiel for The Boneyard:
Here is the video of the final goodbye spiel of The Boneyard
“Attention paleontologists and fellow dinosaur lovers, the time has come for you to hang up your shovels, as our excavations have ended for the day,” the first Disney cast member began. “We hope you have enjoyed exploring The Boneyard and that you enjoyed your day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.”
A leader then took the microphone for the last farewell.
“From April 22, 1998, to September 1, 2025, paleontologists of all ages have explored The Boneyard and excavated the dig site,” the leader said. “DinoLand operations would like to thank all of our guests and cast members who have played a part in making this area so special. In Diggs County, we like to say, extinction is forever, but so are the memories.”
Guests applauded as cast members finished the closing procedures, officially marking the end of The Boneyard’s beloved 27-year history at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Walt Disney World Resort has not announced an exact closing date for the remainder of DinoLand U.S.A., nor has it shared a grand opening date for Pueblo Esperanza. Stay tuned to Disney Dining for ongoing updates as construction progresses and the new Tropical Americas-themed land takes shape!
What do you hope to see in Pueblo Esperanza at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park? Share your ideas with Disney Dining in the comments!
Do you happen to know if the character areas are shut down too? (Dino-Donald, Daisy, Chip/Dale, Pluto/Goofy) Thank you.
I was there with family the end of July. There was really not much for young children to do at Animal Kingdom. Pretty much everything that used to be for young children is gone. Very disappointed. We had 2 three year olds and they loved the boneyard. They were too young for most activities. I would not go back with young children.