Disney's Animal Kingdom Announces First Dinoland U.S.A. Closures for Tropical Americas Project

Oct 14, 2024 in "Tropical Americas"

Posted: Monday October 14, 2024 3:13pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney's Animal Kingdom is preparing for a major transformation as the phased closure of Dinoland U.S.A. begins to make way for the much-anticipated Tropical Americas expansion.

The first wave of closures will take place in January 2025, with the final day for guests to experience TriceraTop Spin, the Fossil Fun Games, and the charming shop Chester & Hester's Dinosaur Treasures set for January 12, 2025.

While much of the Dino-Rama area will be closing, several DinoLand attractions will remain open, at least for now. DINOSAUR, The Boneyard, Restaurantosaurus, Dino-Bite Snacks, and Trilo-Bites will still be available to visitors until later in 2025.

TriceraTop Spin closes January 12, 2025

Dinoland U.S.A.'s Phased Closure

The closure of Chester & Hester's Dino-Rama is the first significant step in the transformation of Dinoland U.S.A. into Tropical Americas, a land inspired by the cultures, wildlife, and environments of Central and South America. Central to this reimagining will be the introduction of Disney's first Encanto-themed attraction. This magical experience will invite guests into the heart of the Madrigal family's casita, where they'll take part in a joyous celebration of Antonio receiving his special gift: the ability to communicate with animals.

As visitors step inside the casita, they'll join the Madrigals on an adventure filled with magic and wonder, exploring the mystical home and engaging with the animals in Antonio's enchanted world.

Tropical Americas Concept Art

What's Next for DINOSAUR and Other Attractions?

As the phased closures continue into 2025, another major change looms for Dinoland. DINOSAUR, one of Animal Kingdom's original thrill rides, will remain operational for the time being but will eventually close to make way for an entirely new Indiana Jones adventure. This new attraction will take guests on an archaeological journey through a recently uncovered Maya temple, with Indiana Jones leading the way as they search for a mysterious creature rumored to inhabit the temple's depths.

Tropical Americas Concept Model

Preparing for Tropical Americas

Construction on the new attractions will begin shortly after the initial closures, with the entire Tropical Americas land slated to open in 2027.

For visitors hoping to experience the final days of Chester & Hester's Dino-Rama, this is their last chance to do so before the land begins its transformation. Disney will provide further updates on additional closures as 2025 progresses.

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Nickm202220 minutes ago

Yeah but there are rumors about superhero island becoming DC if Universal guys Warner so that may not be the case in a few years. Plus disney/marvel got the rights back to hulk and namor and when that happened I remember rumors about disney in convo about getting shared marvel park rights but maybe that was just a false rumor I heard 2 years ago

TheMaxRebo7 hours ago

And just at Super Hero Island

Streetway Again7 hours ago

Yes. Dr Doom’s fearfall

TheMaxRebo7 hours ago

Could be wrong but I don't think they can use the Fantastic Four at WDW as they have a representation at Universal

MisterPenguin7 hours ago

Oh, no! They discovered a fossil at the construction site!! This requires an archeological dig and will hold up construction for years!!!

Nickm20227 hours ago

I completely agree. I have a theory that if Fantastic 4 (and even Elio) do well that will give disney the reason (and the IP) to refresh MK's Tomorrowland and esp DL. Samething with Pandora, I have no doubt they'll do more with it across the world but I think they want to wait for more movies so each land of pandora across the world is different (unlike Starwars). For Hollywood, I think they are waiting out the licensing deals for zootopia at Shanghai. I also know it's been rumored for a while disney has been trying to get the marvel rights back so maybe they are planning a bigger better avengers campus for AC. EPCOT just needs to focus on fixing what's broken. They are doing it w test track and here's hoping SSE and Figment are next

Disstevefan17 hours ago

Smoky8 hours ago

This sign always reads to me "you are an idiot and we know what's best now give us your money". Maybe I've just become too much a cynic ha.

Disney Analyst8 hours ago

They should take the walls down for like two weeks, and just have the rubble and a big asteroid sitting there steaming away.

gerarar21 hours ago

Am at WDW for the week and was at AK today. Excavators were on site ripping up the existing concrete and pavement. Only was able to really stop and take a look in the afternoon near closing but active work was happening when I passed by in the morning. Some other photos I grabbed. It's very surreal seeing half the area walled off already. RIP Cementosaurus....not ready for Dinosaur to share the same fate next year.. 848117 848118 848125

Disgruntled Walt1 day ago

If they're going to actually expand Animal Kingdom, I think there's only one logical choice: BEASTLY KINGDOM!!!

James Alucobond1 day ago

Cars isn't really a miniland; it's just part of Frontierland. Monstropolis is, and it's the correct amount of compact for two attractions. Tropical Americas is an overlay of a three-attraction land, so it makes sense for it to follow suit. I genuinely hope Villains has more than two, but we'll see. The real issue is stuff like Galaxy's Edge, Pandora, and Avengers Campus are big examples from recent memory where the attraction density really fell short.

Gremlin Gus1 day ago

TA has 3-4 attractions coming with it (the Encanto attraction, the Indiana Jones attraction, the carousel, and the rumored Indiana Jones themed play area), the Monsters Inc and Cars Mini-Land both have 1 major attraction and 1 smaller attraction, and Villains I think has 2 major attractions coming with it with some smaller attractions probably coming with that land as well. So two rides per new land being the norm doesn't seem to really apply for any of the new lands coming to WDW in the next 5 years