Disney’s Animal Kingdom has officially closed the book on a long-standing attraction, and the reaction from fans has been immediate and emotional.
On February 1, 2026, DINOSAUR permanently shut its doors, officially ending a run that stretched back to the park’s early years. The closure is a key step in Disney’s broader reimagining of DinoLand U.S.A., which is being transformed into the new Tropical Americas land.
Just days after the attraction ceased operation, construction activity has ramped up, with walls extending further, heavy equipment moving into place, and guest walkways redirected around the growing work zone. The roadside carnival-style dinosaur setting that once defined this corner of the park is rapidly fading as the new land begins to take physical shape.
DINOSAUR’s closure follows a series of changes that have steadily cleared the area. The Boneyard playground welcomed its final guests on September 1, 2025, and with the ride now shuttered, there are no remaining attractions operating within the former DinoLand footprint. Disney has already confirmed that DINOSAUR’s ride system will live on, repurposed for a future attraction rather than dismantled.
Late last year, Disney offered a closer look at what’s ahead by revealing detailed models of its upcoming land expansions. The Animal Kingdom section showcased Tropical Americas with winding pathways, lush landscaping, and a central gathering space known as Pueblo Esperanza, complete with a fountain centerpiece. Also featured in the model is a carousel attraction populated by hand-carved animal figures inspired by characters from Disney films.
The display also revealed what lies ahead for the former DINOSAUR ride. The existing track layout will be reused for an all-new Indiana Jones attraction, described as a fresh experience rather than a copy of any existing version. Nearby, an Encanto-themed attraction is positioned as the headline offering for the land, with surrounding dining and entertainment venues still largely under wraps.
DINOSAUR’s farewell weekend proved just how beloved the attraction remained. In its final days, wait times surged past even Flight of Passage, which typically dominates the park. On the attraction’s final operating day, guests faced waits of up to four hours to ride one last time. Adding to the moment, Wallace Langham—who portrayed Dr. Grant Seeker—was on hand to experience one of the attraction’s final journeys.
As anticipation builds for what’s next, conversations continue around Disney’s recent decisions to retire legacy experiences, including Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island. Even Disney World’s biggest competitor stepped into the discussion.
Universal Orlando, known for its playful jabs at Walt Disney World, responded shortly after DINOSAUR’s closure with a post that read:
Time to ride with a dinosaur.
Time to ride with a dinosaur. 😉 pic.twitter.com/35zvoZvwSe
— Universal Orlando Resort (@UniversalORL) February 2, 2026
The message appeared on X just one day after the Animal Kingdom attraction closed. Universal Orlando Resort currently features multiple dinosaur-based experiences tied to the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World franchises. Guests at Islands of Adventure can ride Jurassic Park River Adventure and Jurassic World VelociCoaster, along with Pteranodon Flyers and the Raptor Encounter. With these offerings, Universal has firmly established itself as Central Florida’s home for dinosaur thrills.
Back at Animal Kingdom, aerial imagery continues to document the pace of development. Photos taken in October revealed that construction on the Encanto attraction had moved upward, with steel framing, concrete work, and early structural elements visible. Large excavation areas around the site suggest extensive show scenes or technical components are planned. Additional images confirm ongoing groundwork at the carousel location.
Disney later released its first official construction update for the Encanto attraction, confirming vertical progress. Walt Disney Imagineering shared that the first steel beams had been installed, outlining the show building that will house Animal Kingdom’s newest major attraction.
More details about the Encanto experience have since been shared. Filmmaker Jared Bush is collaborating directly with Walt Disney Imagineering and is writing original dialogue exclusively for the attraction. Rather than recreating scenes from the film, the ride will introduce new moments and interactions with the Madrigal family, following Disney’s approach of expanding film worlds through original park storytelling.
With demolition underway, longtime fans are reflecting on DinoLand U.S.A.’s intentionally offbeat roadside theme, which stood apart from the rest of Animal Kingdom for years. At the same time, attention has shifted toward what’s taking its place as concept art gives way to active construction.
A newly shared aerial video from @Bioreconstruct captures the current state of the project ahead of DINOSAUR’s closure.
Animal Kingdom has evolved before, most notably with the arrival of Pandora—The World of Avatar, which redefined the park and helped turn it into a full-day destination. The Tropical Americas project appears to follow a similar path, blending immersive environments, new attractions, and character-driven storytelling rooted in the cultures and landscapes of Central and South America.
As of early February, the prehistoric era of this section of the park has officially come to an end. Rising in its place is a new chapter for Disney’s Animal Kingdom, already taking form behind construction walls.
How are you feeling about Animal Kingdom’s next era? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
