Dinosaur Ride To Appear at EPCOT Post-Closure at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
DINOSAUR may be going extinct at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, but the beloved attraction is getting an unexpected second life at EPCOT. Creative Disney cast members have installed a memorial to the closing ride in the United Kingdom World Showcase Pavilion, giving theme park fans a place to remember the attraction after its February 1 demise.
February 1 Marks Final Day for DinoLand U.S.A.
DINOSAUR will welcome its last riders on February 1, 2026, closing permanently the following day along with the rest of DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Walt Disney Imagineering announced at D23 Expo 2024 that the entire dinosaur-themed section would be demolished to create Pueblo Esperanza, a Tropical Americas land that will replace the original theme park within a theme park.
Much of DinoLand U.S.A. was phased out in stages throughout 2025. Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama shut down first in early 2025, eliminating TriceraTop Spin, Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, and Fossil Fun Games from the theme park. The Boneyard play area closed in September 2025.
Disney announced last year that Restaurantosaurus and DINOSAUR would close on February 2, 2026, making Sunday, February 1, the final opportunity to experience the original Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park attraction and surrounding area.
Indiana Jones Transformation Ahead
The DINOSAUR ride building won’t be demolished. Walt Disney Imagineers plan to convert the attraction into an Indiana Jones adventure, repurposing the existing infrastructure for a completely different experience. Walt Disney World Resort clarified the reimagined ride will be distinct from Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland Park, even though both attractions share identical ride systems and track configurations.
Pueblo Esperanza is scheduled to open in 2027, with construction already underway. The land’s centerpiece attraction draws inspiration from Casita, the sentient house from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Encanto (2021). An animal carousel featuring creatures from the film will also be included in the area.
Unexpected DINOSAUR Memorial at Disney World
Disney cast members ensured DINOSAUR won’t vanish completely from Walt Disney World Resort by creating a commemorative display at EPCOT. A custom family crest honoring the DinoLand U.S.A. attraction now hangs inside Crown & Crest, a specialty merchandise shop in the United Kingdom World Showcase Pavilion.
X (formerly known as Twitter) user @odysseyjurassic documented the tribute:
Look who has a family crest in England at EPCOT!!
DINOSAUR will forever be remembered and will still have a presence in WDW🫡
Look who has a family crest in England at EPCOT!!
DINOSAUR will forever be remembered and will still have a presence in WDW🫡 pic.twitter.com/UzsuxRDvgo
— JurassicOdyssey #SaveDINOSAUR (@OdysseyJurassic) January 6, 2026
The crest displays “Goodbye DINOSAUR!” text above artwork showing a Tyrannosaurus rex fossil racing ahead of an incoming meteor. The dates 1998-2026 mark DINOSAUR’s 28-year operational history at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, spanning from its opening day through its final closure.
Temporary or Permanent Display?
Crown & Crest’s wall display changes regularly as Disney cast members rotate decorative elements to match seasons and Walt Disney World Resort events. The DINOSAUR family crest could remain on display for several months or disappear during the next scheduled update cycle.
Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World Resort for one final ride on DINOSAUR before it closes? Let Disney Dining know in the comments!
