On Animal Kingdom’s Birthday, Disney Says Goodbye to Original Theme Park
On its 27th birthday, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is preparing to say goodbye to one of its original lands: DinoLand U.S.A. After years of operation, this prehistoric-themed area, which opened alongside the park in 1998, is closing to make room for some new additions.
DinoLand U.S.A. has been part of Disney’s Animal Kingdom since the very beginning, but this will be the park’s final birthday with its original “theme park within a theme park.” The phased closure began in January 2025, forcing guests to say goodbye to TriceraTop Spin, the Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures. The remaining attractions, DINOSAUR and The Boneyard, are set to close in early 2026.
Though it marks the end of an era for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, this change is paving the way for a new and vibrant land: Pueblo Esperanza. Disney has already released concept art for the Tropical Americas-themed land, featuring two Encanto (2021) rides, including a carousel and a “Casita” attraction. The original DINOSAUR ride will also undergo a significant reimagining, transforming into an Indiana Jones-themed adventure that will stand apart from the similar attraction at Disneyland Park.
But the changes don’t stop there. Another beloved opening-day attraction, It’s Tough to Be a Bug!, closed permanently in March 2025. The 3D show, inspired by Pixar’s A Bug’s Life (1998), will be replaced by a new experience: Zootopia: Better Zoogether!. This new show will feature a brand-new song by Ginnifer Goodwin, the voice of Judy Hopps in Zootopia (2016), and a Clawhauser animatronic, similar to the one featured in the Zootopia: Hot Pursuit ride at Shanghai Disneyland.
Zootopia: Better Zoogether! will open sometime later this year, coinciding with the November premiere of Zootopia 2 (2025). Pueblo Esperanza will debut sometime in 2027. Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t announced any exact grand opening dates.
While Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park’s 27th birthday brings a sense of nostalgia for what’s being lost, it also signals an exciting future. There’s much to look forward to!
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