Dinosaur closing February 2026 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom | Full DinoLand closing timeline

By Blake Taylor and Samantha Davis-Friedman

_{Last updated September 2, 2025.}

DinoLand closing in phases

Indiana Jones and “Encanto” attractions will officially replace DinoLand, U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World near Orlando, Fla. The new rides will open in 2027 as part of an area called Tropical Americas, as confirmed by Disney Experiences Chairperson Josh D’Amaro on Aug. 10, 2024 at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.

DinoLand is closing in phases, which began in fall 2024:

The Boneyard play area permanently closed, Sept. 2, 2025. The immersive playground was themed as an excavation dig site for dinosaur “bones.” The Tropical Americas replacement of DinoLand will include a new play area of its own.

Dinosaur — the Jeep-like thrill ride at Animal Kingdom that debuted with the park in 1998 — will permanently close on Feb. 2, 2026. The closing date for Dinosaur was posted on the attraction’s landing page on the Disney World website on Sept. 2, 2025.

Restaurantosaurus, a quick-service dining location, will also close Feb. 2, 2026, with its final operating day being Feb. 1, as posted on the Disney World website.

Additionally, Donald’s Dino-Bash! character meet & greets will permanently close on Feb. 2, 2026, according to journalist Scott Gustin. The final day to see Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Chip, and Dale in their dino-inspired celebration is Feb. 1.

Following a crocodile habitat removal in the fall, Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama! permanently closed on Jan. 13, 2025. The mini-land’s final operating day was Jan. 12. This included:

• the TriceraTop Spin ride
• Fossil Fun Games midway activities
• Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures store

Additionally, Donald’s Dino-Bash! character meet & greets will permanently close at an unspecified date.

DinoLand opened with Animal Kingdom in 1998 as Disney World debuted its fourth theme park.

What’s replacing DinoLand?

DinoLand will be replaced by a Tropical Americas-themed land, complete with attractions based on Indiana Jones and “Encanto.” The area will debut in 2027, taking place in a fictional locale called Pueblo Esperanza, which means “village of hope.”

Dinosaur will be rethemed to a ride taking place in the world of Indiana Jones. While Dinosaur shares the same ride system as Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland, this new attraction will tell a different story from that classic ride.

A ride based on “Encanto” will take place inside the Madrigals’ Casita. Unlike the Indiana Jones ride, which will repurpose an existing attraction, the “Encanto” ride will be a completely new attraction.

A newly built carousel (in the area previously occupied by the Boneyard) will also be part of Tropical Americas. In the concept artwork, we spy ride vehicles resembling Eeyore, Kaa from “The Jungle Book,” Abu from “Aladdin,” Timon and Pumbaa from “The Lion King,” Nigel and Squirt from “Finding Nemo,” and Kevin from “Up,” to name a few.

What’s -not- replacing DinoLand

In years past, Disney personnel teased possibilities for attractions themed to “Zootopia” and “Moana” replacing DinoLand, U.S.A. These experience are no longer part of the plan.