Disney Files Notice of Commencement for Triceratop Spin and Fossil Fun Games Demolition at Animal Kingdom

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Posted: Tuesday January 7, 2025 12:45pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) has filed a Notice of Commencement for the demolition of Triceratop Spin and the Fossil Fun Games area in Chester & Hester's Dino-Rama at Disney's Animal Kingdom. This filing is part of the ongoing preparations for the park's Tropical Americas expansion. The contractor listed for the project is Whiting-Turner, a company frequently involved in Disney's large-scale construction projects.

TriceraTop Spin

Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama Fossil Fun Midway Games

Triceratop Sping and The Fossil Fun Games have long been a whimsical part of DinoLand U.S.A. and will be removed as part of the area's transformation into a more immersive experience inspired by the cultures and ecosystems of Central and South America.

TriceraTop Spin

The Future of DinoRama

The closure and demolition of Triceratops Sping and the midway games mark a significant step in reimagining DinoRama. This section of the park will be replaced by a new Encanto-themed attraction, allowing guests to step inside the magical casita and join the Madrigal family in a celebration tied to Antonio's gift of communicating with animals.

As previously announced, Chester & Hester's Dinosaur Treasures are also set to close permanently, effective January 13, 2025. DINOSAUR and The Boneyard will remain open during the early stages of construction, though Disney has confirmed that DINOSAUR will close after 2025 to make way for a new Indiana Jones attraction.

Tropical Americas Concept Art

Tropical Americas Expansion Timeline

The Tropical Americas expansion, expected to debut in 2027, will feature new attractions, dining, and themed experiences celebrating the region's rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. The phased transformation of DinoLand U.S.A. begins with the demolition of Chester & Hester's Dino-Rama, with further site work to follow as part of a multi-year project.

Find out more about the Tropical Americas expansion and the land's attractions.

Tropical Americas Concept Model

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rle4lunch5 hours ago

You're right. The only attractions that come close to being equal between DL and MK are SM and HM. They're the best clone-non-clone effort. The rest fall short or have lacked the care and love (BTMR, which is about to be GREAT again).

Disney Analyst6 hours ago

You have seen the light. Disneyland supremacy!

SamusAranX6 hours ago

And I dislike that. Dinosaur is a good attraction but yes could have been great. I have so much I want to rant about WDW now in comparison to DL

rle4lunch9 hours ago

This is the normal response after riding IJ in DL in comparison to Dino. Sure, there's always the vocal minority that'll claim otherwise, but alas, it's feigning. Dino WAS great, SHOULD'VE been plussed up, COULD'VE been given some love, but it didn't happen. It was limped along for the last decade knowing that they were going to replace it.

SamusAranX16 hours ago

After riding IJ in DL today for the first time ever: 1. Dinosaur isn’t getting saved. I loved it but IJ is objectively better 2. I hope the best for the overlay and feel a bit better for it

larryz1 day ago

And that was ostensibly because they are considered intelligent creatures. We were never served elephant meat in Disney restaurants. And yet we can still get charred octopus at Tiffins... Yes, that's an octopus using a split coconut shell as a mobile home...

larryz1 day ago

It didn't work when the asteroid hit, and it won't work now, either... ;)

peter114351 day ago

🤔 But when Pandora opened we did get a new night show and longer hours. It just didn’t last because Rivers of Light was not successful

Ayla1 day ago

We said the same thing when Pandora opened...

lazyboy97o1 day ago

Nothing at Disney is just “one and done” or handed off to a single person to just come up with something. There are meetings, reviews and approvals. That’s then all done again when it goes for publishing in marketing materials (just look at how much went into editing Ridley’s Instagram posts). It’s also not a one time issue, but something multiplied and compounded across projects.

FigmentFan821 day ago

Hey Hey! Jimmy the intern did a solid job coming up with that backstory on his lunch break! He deserves all the accolades for such hard work!

Tha Realest1 day ago

I dunno. More park hours means higher operational costs. It seems they’re content with closing the park at dusk. Does anyone know how long that’s been the case?

davis_unoxx1 day ago

What are we thinking for park hours once this expansion opens? New nighttime show in the works as well? AK really is the most beautiful park at night, something is coming….

sedati1 day ago

I get you. I remember way back in '83 my dad drove us cross-country in a station wagon to go to the now defunct "Walley World". Once we got there my father was so incensed at finding the park so I.P. laden that he punched a figure of Marty Moose right in his stupid moose snout.