Disney’s Animal Kingdom is saying goodbye to Dinoland USA as the park plans a highly anticipated reimagining of this beloved area. Originally opened in 1998, Dinoland USA has provided guests with prehistoric adventures for over two decades, with attractions like DINOSAUR, Triceratops-Spin and the now-closed Primeval Whirl roller coaster. However, Disney has confirmed that change is on the horizon as the company seeks to refresh and expand this section of the park to better align with Animal Kingdom’s storytelling mission and guest interests.

At the D23 Expo in 2022 and 2023, Josh D’Amaro hinted at what might be coming, sharing early concepts of new themed lands based on popular franchises. Some of the options considered for the retheme include lands inspired by Indiana Jones and Encanto, both of which are rich in adventure and nature. These concepts have sparked excitement and speculation among Disney fans, as each potential theme offers opportunities for immersive experiences that resonate with the park’s dedication to the beauty of nature, exploration, and storytelling.

The retheming of Dinoland USA is part of Disney’s broader strategy to keep their parks fresh, relevant, and engaging for new generations. By introducing popular intellectual properties (IPs) like Encanto, Disney can create experiences that resonate with guests who already have strong connections to these stories. The retheme promises to add new attractions, immersive environments, and interactive elements that elevate guest experiences and bring the area in line with modern-day expectations of theme park design.

Pre-COVID, Animal Kingdom boasted guest numbers of about 14 million per year, whereas in 2023, they had only about 9 million. With the low number of attractions and closures, the Cast Members have found themselves short on hours. What most tourists don’t know is the theme park industry in Orlando indirectly supports over 2 million jobs. This re-theme is sure to provide more consistent schedules for the cast members.

Long time Disney fan Vinny Paganelli recently made a trip out to Orlando specifically to see this area before it left. “I was most looking forward to visiting the pieces of the park I knew were going away, namely Dinoland USA and Its Tough to Be a Bug. I had an old promotional VHS that detailed the park when it first opened and I wanted to be sure to experience the things I saw on the tape before they disappeared forever!” Paganelli said. When asked about his experience he told us, “I was very excited to finally see Dinoland USA – I always thought it was such a funny name – but after experiencing the area itself, I was… underwhelmed. “

“The DINOSAUR ( formally known as Countdown to Extinction) ride, while very fun and I am very happy I got to experience it, had not been well maintained and it was obvious it was not long for this world. That being said, it was definitely the highlight of the Dinoland area by a LONG SHOT” said Paganelli.

“Dinoland as a whole felt very out of place among the other areas of Animal Kingdom. While I am glad there were a lot of kid-centered attractions in Dinoland, an American side-show carnival ala a local state fair is not what I expected when I considered a dinosaur area.”

When asked his opinions about the reimagining Paganelli continued, “With everything I mentioned in mind, I am very excited about the retheme. I think basing the area off of South & Central American tropics and jungles makes much more sense when you consider the other areas in Animal Kingdom as a whole. Indiana Jones is a property I have always been a big fan of and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye is one of my all-time favorites in Disneyland. However, I hope that the DINOSAUR ride becomes a UNIQUE Indiana Jones experience, rather than just the same thing California has. I also think that working in elements of Encanto into the land is a great idea and will be a hit with a lot of Disney fans. As a kid, I loved the 2000 film Dinosaur but it has definitely not had the lasting success that other Disney classics have and it makes sense to take it out of the park. “

While details are still under wraps, the transformation of Dinoland USA promises to be a significant change, offering guests an updated experience that stays true to Animal Kingdom’s vision. Fans will bid farewell to the dinosaurs, but what’s coming next will undoubtedly bring fresh wonder to the park.