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Disney World Walls off 26-Year-Old Theme Park, Rejects Guests

On Sunday, January 12, 2025, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park permanently closed a significant chapter of its history. Much of DinoLand U.S.A., the “theme park within a theme park,” shut its gates forever, marking the end of its 26-year run as a quirky roadside carnival-inspired land.

As of Monday, January 13, most of the area is completely walled off, leaving Walt Disney World Resort guests unable to access the former attractions. The closure makes way for Pueblo Esperanza, a new land celebrating the Tropical Americas.

A Nostalgic Farewell to DinoLand U.S.A.

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

Since opening with Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park on April 22, 1998, DinoLand U.S.A. has delighted guests with its carnival games, themed attractions, and quirky charm. Highlights of the area included the Fossil Fun Games, TriceraTop Spin, DINOSAUR, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures.

However, the writing was on the wall when the Primeval Whirl roller coaster closed in 2020. Its demolition and subsequent replacement with construction walls signaled that the land’s days were numbered.

Entrance sign for Dinoland U.S.A. at Animal Kingdom
Credit: Elsa Salinas, Flickr

On January 12, a significant part of DinoLand U.S.A. officially went extinct. The closures included Chester & Hester’s DinoRama (and the Fossil Fun Games), Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, and the TriceraTop Spin ride. Fans flocked to the land over the weekend for one last dose of nostalgia, but by Monday morning, all three locations had been erased from digital and printed park maps.

Theme park journalist Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin on X) shared a screenshot of the updated Disney World digital map, showing the erased attractions:

“Here’s the new digital map at Animal Kingdom that shows the future footprint of the Encanto ride in the upcoming Tropical Americas-themed land.”

Meanwhile, Redditor u/Ekecede posted photos of the area’s new look, featuring rolling bushes and green construction walls decorated with quotes from Disney and Pixar films, including “SQUIRREL!” from Up (2009) and “Change is good” from The Lion King (1994).

Dino-Rama! Chester & Hester removed from Park Guide Map

Dino-Rama! Chester & Hester removed from Park Guide Map
byu/Ekecede inDisneyWorld

Exclusive DinoLand U.S.A. Prizes Run Out

A carnival game in DinoLand U.S.A., featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse and dinosaur plush toy prizes.
Credit: Jess Colopy, Disney Dining

In the weeks leading up to the closure, Walt Disney World Resort ran out of DinoLand U.S.A.’s exclusive plush prizes for the Fossil Fun Games. The coveted Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and dinosaur-themed prizes, adorned with the Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park logo, were replaced with more generic Disney merchandise, including Pride Mickey Mouse, Pride Stitch, and nuiMOs. By Saturday, January 11, all DinoLand U.S.A.-specific prizes were gone.

A Glimpse at What’s Next

Tropical Americas concept art
Credit: Disney

Pueblo Esperanza, the new land set to replace DinoLand U.S.A., will bring the Tropical Americas to DisneDisney’sal Kingdom Theme Park. Walt Disney Imagineering has confirmed that the land will feature an attraction inspired by Encanto (2021) and an Indiana Jones retheme of the DINOSAUR ride, which will remain operational through 2025. Other parts of DinoLand U.S.A., including the Boneyard playground, Restaurantosaurus, Trilo-Bites, and Dino-Bite Snacks, will also continue to operate through the end of the year.

Do you have a favorite memory from DinoLand U.S.A.? Share it with Disney Dining in the comments. 

Jess Colopy

Jess Colopy is a Disney College Program alum and kid-at-heart. When she’s not furiously typing in a coffee shop, you can find her on the hunt for the newest Stitch pin.

One Comment

  1. Maybe Disney can use the removed equipment to upgrade the flying carpet ride, in The Magic Kingdom, or retirement it and make a “Tiana” or a “Frozen” themed ride out of it. The little kids need more rides!

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