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

3 hours ago in "Tropical Americas"

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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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Disgruntled Walt11 minutes ago

Keep Dinosaur open until the end of July, please!

Moth1 hour ago

Iguanadons are going for big prices on the aftermarket, hoping they get more before November!

Starship8241 hour ago

Probably don't want people seeing backstage work for it.

Starship8241 hour ago

Just wanna say I was right. I don't have any "insider" info it was just a meme guess.

WorldExplorer1 hour ago

I feel a lot less stressed now; I've been planning my schedule around "but I need to be in Dinoland at least once this week; what if it closes!?" for like two months. I'm super happy for one more Dinoland Christmas! They're going to need to get more prizes in, unless they plan to just shutter the games. They're running really low. The big triceratops are small prizes right now and you can get baby igaunadons as mediums.

Rteetz1 hour ago

Date is the day after the WDW marathon which runs through there on the 12th.

TrainsOfDisney1 hour ago

I always thought that was a strange date to close - traditionally things close in early January for a reason. It made 0 sense for it to be different this time around.

EagleScout6101 hour ago

Good riddance. Bring on Encanto.

Gusey2 hours ago

I've crunched the numbers, and TriceraTop Spin will have been opened for 8473 days (roughly 23 years & 2 months) before it closed. That means, it's operated longer than 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea at 8362 days (roughly 22 years & 10 months) and Ellen's Energy Adventure at 7637 days (roughly 20 years and 10 months). Studio Backlot Tour May 1, 1989 September 27, 2014 9280 25 years, 4 months, 26 days River Country June 20, 1976 November 2, 2001 9266 25 years, 4 months, 13 days Innoventions September 29, 1994 September 8, 2019 9110 24 years, 11 months, 10 days El Rio del Tempo October 1, 1982 January 2, 2007 8859 24 years, 3 months, 1 day TriceraTop Spin November 1, 2001 January 12, 2025 8473 23 years, 2 months, 11 days 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea October 14, 1971 September 5, 1994 8362 22 years, 10 months, 22 days Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes October 1, 1971 January 1, 1994 8128 22 years, 3 months Ellen's Energy Adventure September 15, 1996 August 13, 2017 7637 20 years, 10 months, 29 days

KDM310912 hours ago

I wish they'd move Triceratop to DHS as a Trixie spinner, which would require minimal investment in the grand scheme and at least give DHS one "short wait" attraction

arich352 hours ago

I wish they would keep the playground, just retheme it. My kids love that area

KDM310912 hours ago

At least we get one more holiday season with the decorations that are cute. I expect Dinosaur itself is safe until after spring break at the least. Very sad day, though.

lentesta2 hours ago

That Chester & Hester's date is later than the date we'd heard a few weeks ago, which makes me think the Dinosaur date is almost certainly also pushed back.

lazyboy97o2 hours ago

Epic Universe is an example of how it is something that is scaled. The lands do not have the same resources because the scope of work for each is not the same. All while also having teams in various stages of work on two additional parks and new additions to the existing parks. If there was a point where you couldn’t scale up more than just designing a park would be a serious issue, but it’s not. A bigger land isn’t the limitation of scaling the team to accomplish the work.