Show menu
Notice Our team will be traveling in Europe from September 5 to 20. We will post river levels and news as we can, but some updates may be delayed. Thanks for bearing with us.

Disney sets DinoLand U.S.A. closing for 2026

Construction walls rise around the former DinoLand U.S.A. as Animal Kingdom prepares for the Tropical Americas, ahead of the DinoLand U.S.A. closing.
by
6 min read

Walt Disney World has set the end date for DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney's Animal Kingdom, confirming the land will permanently close on February 2, 2026. The final day to ride DINOSAUR or dine at Restaurantosaurus will be February 1, 2026, as crews pivot fully to the park's Tropical Americas expansion. The 11-acre project, centered on a fictional town called Pueblo Esperanza, will add an all-new Indiana Jones adventure and an Encanto ride experience, with opening targeted for 2027. Select DinoLand elements, including The Boneyard, have already shut to make way for construction.

Key Points

  • Why it matters: A firm date lets travelers plan last-chance visits or avoid peak-crowd farewells.
  • Travel impact: Expect construction walls, rerouted paths, and fuller queues near remaining attractions.
  • What's next: Tropical Americas debuts in 2027 with Indiana Jones and Encanto attractions.
  • The final operating day for DINOSAUR and Restaurantosaurus is February 1, 2026.
  • Disney says Pueblo Esperanza will include one of the resort's largest quick-service restaurants.

Snapshot

DinoLand U.S.A. will "go extinct" on February 2, 2026, with the marquee DINOSAUR ride and Restaurantosaurus closing after operations on February 1. Earlier phases removed TriceraTop Spin, Chester and Hester's Dinosaur Treasures, the Fossil Fun Games, and, as of September 1, 2025, The Boneyard play area. Disney's replacement, the Tropical Americas, is a richly themed, 11-acre land that evokes biodiverse regions near the equator in the Western Hemisphere. Two signature draws are planned, an original Indiana Jones temple adventure and a ride experience set inside the magical Madrigal home from Encanto. Disney also teases a grand hacienda quick-service dining hall and a central plaza with a fountain and a locally carved carousel.

Background

DinoLand U.S.A. opened with Animal Kingdom in 1998, anchored by Countdown to Extinction, retitled DINOSAUR in 2000. Over time, aging midway-style attractions and maintenance needs made the land a prime candidate for reuse. Disney revealed the Tropical Americas concept during its 2023 fan event, then confirmed in August 2024 that DINOSAUR would be reimagined as an Indiana Jones adventure while Encanto would receive its first full ride-through. A phased wind-down began in January 2025, culminating with The Boneyard's closure on September 1, 2025, and a full land shutdown after February 1, 2026. For broader context on Disney's multi-year Orlando refresh, see Disney World Expansion Plans: No Fifth Gate in Orlando.

Latest Developments

Closure timeline, what still operates, and crowd patterns

Disney set February 2, 2026 as the date DinoLand U.S.A. officially closes to guests. The last day to ride DINOSAUR, shop at The Dino Institute Shop, and eat at Restaurantosaurus is February 1, 2026. The phased closures have narrowed pathways and concentrated foot traffic, especially around DINOSAUR and Discovery Island. Disney has already updated park guidemaps and temporarily relocated certain activities, which can increase walking times and create brief bottlenecks near construction walls. Expect sporadic entertainment and wayfinding changes as the park removes remaining DinoLand iconography and prepares utilities, foundations, and staging areas for Tropical Americas.

What Tropical Americas adds to Animal Kingdom

The Tropical Americas will occupy 11 acres themed to Pueblo Esperanza, a lived-in town with layered history, crafts, and music. Plans call for an original Indiana Jones dark-ride experience, set inside a Maya temple with a new storyline for Walt Disney World, along with an Encanto attraction that explores Antonio's rainforest room within the Madrigal house. The land will feature one of Disney World's largest quick-service restaurants in a grand hacienda setting, plus a large central fountain and a hand-carved carousel inspired by beloved Disney animals. Disney positions the land as a sibling to Africa's Harambe, emphasizing culture, marketplace energy, and family-friendly exploration.

Dining shifts and operations while construction ramps up

With Restaurantosaurus closing after February 1, 2026, Disney plans to redistribute some family-friendly menu staples elsewhere in the park during the transition. Travelers should watch for temporary menu updates, limited-time kiosks, and periodic refurbishments that prepare kitchens for added throughput. The company often balances capacity during major overhauls by adding mobile-order pickup windows, pop-up seating, and flexible entertainment in nearby zones. These micro-tweaks, paired with evolving traffic routes around construction barricades, aim to keep guest flow steady while steel rises behind the walls.

Analysis

DinoLand U.S.A.'s firm end date gives travelers a clean planning line. If you want a last spin with Dr. Seeker, target late January 2026 and expect goodbye-crowds plus possible weather delays for outdoor entertainment. If you dislike construction zones, consider Animal Kingdom as a half-day in 2025 to 2026 while the park's center of gravity shifts. Disney's strategy is consistent, retire lower-rated capacity, then replace it with richer placemaking that drives per-guest spend and satisfaction. The Tropical Americas should lengthen average dwell time with shade, music, and multiple family attractions, while the Indiana Jones headliner restores Animal Kingdom's thrill balance alongside Expedition Everest. Operationally, watch for staggered construction milestones that add noise and limit certain paths for days at a time. The payoff, if Disney sticks the 2027 target, is a refreshed park loop with new narratives and improved quick-service seating, a common pinch point in summer. For budget planning, assume typical price creep around major openings, then leverage early-morning entries and mobile dining to offset crowds.

Final Thoughts

A precise February 2, 2026 shutdown lets Disney accelerate site prep without mid-season surprises. In exchange for a messy year, travelers should gain a cohesive new land with fresh rides, more shade, and a marquee quick-service hub that eases lunch crunch. If Animal Kingdom is a must, build flexible time buffers, follow wayfinding in the app, and expect evolving menus as capacity shifts. If your priority is new-new, pencil a return in 2027 once Pueblo Esperanza opens its gates. Either way, the window is closing to say farewell, so plan accordingly around the DinoLand U.S.A. closing.

Sources

Topics