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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rle4lunch1 hour ago

we ate at both of those in May and were able to get free refills at the fountain drink machines.

danlb_20001 hour ago

It doesn't prevent them from making money, but they probably believe that Indy will make more money. First it will probably sell more merchandise, second they believe more people will ride it then dino thus reducing the need to build more new things.

TheMaxRebo1 hour ago

definitely found that to be the case most with Genie+ - just felt like I was on my phone a lot, not just to book my next thing but monitoring the return times for various attractions the plan out my next few moves ... basically in-park project management I did find this to be much less with LLMP. As with always being able to hold three our next few moves were generally set it really because tap in, then go in and book another and that was it. Not to say you will never be in your phone but definitely something I like about LLMP vs G+ is that was a lot less of that

JMcMahonEsq1 hour ago

How long has it been since you have been to the park? Even before Covid during the days of FP+ you would be using the AP to make FP selections after your pre-selects. That’s where you would also get your wait times from if you wanted to see them.

Incomudro4 hours ago

Genie and Genie+ really soured me on our last trip. (the first time our trip required those things) In the past, I only took my phone out to take pictures and text family members if we split up. With Genie, I was up at day break trying to snag rides every morning. As well as walking through the parks with my head down staring at my phone. I hate that, as I never do that anywhere else.

solidyne11 hours ago

I was referring to free refills on the regular paper cup drinks (which were available the last time I was at Restaurantosaurus). Ayla suggested that refills probably will be restricted only to the RFID-equipped cups (as in the resorts and other locations). It wasn't a suggestion that RFID refills are bad themselves. I was just lamenting the loss of old-fashioned regular refills. Is ABC commissary the only one left? Regal Eagle maybe? 🤔

Disgruntled Walt12 hours ago

#SAVEDINOSAUR

Brer Panther13 hours ago

Exactly! They're already making plenty of money, how does Dinosaur existing prevent them from making money? And wouldn't simply refreshing it cost less money than retheming the whole thing?

JD8015 hours ago

I wrote a blog post on touring plans q few weeks ago detailing the cost of a WDW trip going back 30 years. It same interesting data points.

James Alucobond22 hours ago

It’s extensive, and while thematically less impressive than Honey I Shrunk the Kids (IMO, at least), it has a dig site where you can unearth buried fossils, which keeps kids happily occupied for a long time. I’d love to see that element in particular return, especially because it works well with the new archaeologist resident of the adjacent attraction.

JMcMahonEsq23 hours ago

So? The RFID readers at the resorts do allow for free refills

Ayla23 hours ago

Probably not (if they even do now). They'll make sure they install the dispensers with the RFID readers, like they have at the resorts.

Ayla23 hours ago

Honey I Shrunk the Kids play area was terrifying as a parent. Once your kid got beyond 10 feet of you, you couldn't see them, anymore.

Bocabear1 day ago

I mean, with the huge price increases over the past few years, and more and more expenses to a Disney vacation they HAVE to be making a profit... I think they are at the edge of a Disney vacvation no longer feeling like a fun thing to do because of the amount of nickel and diming that goes on, and the ridiculous amount of pre-planning and reservations necessary to just have a decent day...all in the interest of them boosting their bottom line.