Final Traces of Original Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park Demolished
Walt Disney World Resort is officially saying goodbye to a major part of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park’s original opening-day lineup. As Disney prepares for its upcoming Tropical Americas expansion, the final remnants of DinoLand U.S.A. have been demolished, marking the end of an era.
Disney Demolishes More of DinoLand U.S.A.
The home of prehistoric fun and quirky roadside theming, DinoLand U.S.A. first welcomed guests in 1998 when Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park officially opened. Now, nearly 26 years later, the land is being torn down to make way for Pueblo Esperanza, an all-new Encanto (2021) and Indiana Jones-inspired area.
The phased closure began in January, when TriceraTop Spin, Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama (including the Fossil Fun Games), and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures shut down for good. Construction walls and rolling planters quickly went up, and within weeks, demolition began.
Disney Removes Final Traces of Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama
According to BlogMickey, demolition crews have removed the last visible remnants of Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama. Two iconic billboards—one welcoming guests to “Diggs County” and another advertising the Dino-Rama parking lot—were torn down overnight.
The Diggs County sign, which featured a drawing of The Dino Institute, was visibly crumpled and destroyed on the ground at the construction site. Meanwhile, it’s unclear whether Disney preserved the Dino-Rama billboard or if it suffered the same fate.
Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures is still standing behind construction walls, but with demolition moving quickly, guests shouldn’t expect it to survive much longer. The large dinosaur statue that once welcomed guests to Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama is also still visible—for now.
What’s Next for Disney’s Animal Kingdom?
Though much of DinoLand U.S.A. has already disappeared, Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t said goodbye to its prehistoric past just yet. Several attractions, including DINOSAUR and The Boneyard, will remain open through 2025, allowing guests to enjoy the last bits of the original Animal Kingdom land before the new expansion takes over.
While Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t confirmed an exact opening date for Pueblo Esperanza, the Tropical Americas land is expected to debut in 2027.
What will you miss most about DinoLand U.S.A.? Disney Dining would love to hear from you in the comments!
