The countdown is on. After more than 25 years of dust, dinosaurs, and debate, one of Walt Disney World’s original lands is entering its final stretch. In just a matter of weeks, a key section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom will close for good—part of a sweeping transformation that’s reshaping the resort’s entire footprint.
The decision arrives amid Disney’s wider push to overhaul aging areas across its Florida parks, replacing nostalgia with next-generation intellectual property.
Disney World Kicks Off Total Transformation
Walt Disney World is in the midst of a sweeping transformation, with large portions of its parks being reimagined to make way for newer, IP-driven experiences. The multi-year investment effort spans nearly every corner of the resort.
At Magic Kingdom, construction has begun on a Cars-themed expansion (different to the version found at California Adventure) that replaces the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island. An area inspired by Disney Villains is also in development.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is seeing an even more aggressive refresh. Muppet*Vision 3D has already closed, and demolition is underway as the park prepares for its first Monsters, Inc. land. Animation Courtyard will also disappear in the near future, making room for a new land modeled after the Walt Disney Animation Studios campus in Burbank. That means Star Wars Launch Bay and Disney Jr. Play and Dance! are both on borrowed time.
EPCOT, by contrast, appears to be entering a quieter phase. After several years of construction, the park has already rolled out major additions like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana, and a revamped central hub.
Animal Kingdom is the latest to enter transition. The park will soon debut Zootopia: Better Zoogether! at the Tree of Life and is preparing to replace DinoLand U.S.A. with a brand-new Tropical Americas land. Although much of DinoLand has already closed, a few elements remain—including DINOSAUR, Restaurantosaurus, and The Boneyard playground. That, however, is about to change.
The Boneyard’s Final Days
Now, another domino is about to fall. The Boneyard – a fossil-themed playground that has welcomed kids since Animal Kingdom’s opening day in 1998 – will permanently close at the end of its operating day on September 1.
The closure marks the beginning of the end for DinoLand U.S.A. Though Disney has confirmed a new play area will debut with Tropical Americas, the interim will leave Animal Kingdom with few kid-friendly interactive offerings.
For now, it’s unclear when exactly DINOSAUR will follow The Boneyard into extinction. Once The Boneyard has closed, DINOSAUR will stand as the last remaining attraction in DinoLand U.S.A. It’s expected to close sometime in 2026, but Disney has not yet announced a final date.
While DinoLand U.S.A. was undeniably dated in many ways, its closure has still been met with heavy backlash. Fans have criticized the decision to replace the land with even more IP and drift further away from Animal Kingdom’s original identity. A popular argument is that Disney could have upgraded DinoLand U.S.A. rather than ripping it out completely.
“I never wanted them to get rid of Dinoland and replace it with something else,” one fan wrote on Reddit, “I wanted them to improve it so it could align with the original vision of the park. Get rid of the kitschy carnival and turn it into a recreation of prehistoric Earth with more attractions and educational exhibits about dinosaurs.”
Another wrote, “I really wish they’d just bulldoze the carnival section and put something else in [its] place. Rejuvenate the land, and take out the one part of the land that practically no one likes. They could put in a family coaster like the Excavator that was pitched a while back.”
Animal Kingdom itself has seen a slow but steady shift away from its founding principles. Originally designed to highlight conservation and the natural world, the park has leaned heavily into character-based experiences in recent years. Pandora – The World of Avatar opened in 2017, introducing alien wildlife in place of real-world habitats, while the upcoming Zootopia and Encanto additions continue that trend. Long-planned concepts like Beastly Kingdom, which would have showcased mythical animals, were shelved in favor of intellectual property with more brand recognition.
What’s Coming to Tropical Americas?
Set to open in 2027, Tropical Americas will feature a blend of family-friendly rides and lush, IP-driven storytelling. The headliner is an Encanto-themed attraction that invites guests into Antonio’s magically transformed rainforest room.
“Inside the Casita, Antonio has just received his special gift — the ability to communicate with animals — and his room has transformed into a rainforest,” says Disney. “It’s time to go explore alongside him, and you never know what member of the family you might bump into…”
Also coming is a reimagined version of DINOSAUR, now themed to Indiana Jones, set inside a Maya-inspired temple. Though it will share some DNA with its Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea counterparts, Disney has confirmed the ride will feature a new storyline and effects.
Beyond rides, the new land draws from Central and South American cultures, blending tropical flora with Spanish colonial architecture. Concept art teases a storytelling fountain, richly detailed facades, and a colorful animal-themed carousel featuring characters like Timon, Pumbaa, HeiHei, Eeyore, and even Nigel and Squirt from Finding Nemo.
With construction accelerating and long-standing lands disappearing, Disney is making it clear: the future of its parks lies in immersive storytelling powered by familiar characters. Whether that future leaves enough space for the parks’ original ethos remains up for debate.
Are you excited for Tropical Americas?
