As Walt Disney World followers plan farewell journeys for points of interest & areas which might be closing in Animal Kingdom, readers are asking about closure dates for DINOSAUR and the remainder of Dinoland that hasn’t already gone extinct. This explains when the rides, eating places, outlets, and leisure on this land will completely shut, together with different operational updates within the park.
A few of these closure particulars have been coated elsewhere in our 5-12 months Building Plan for Walt Disney World. That gives a regularly-updated rundown of all initiatives on the horizon, and our expectations as to when closures would happen and when the reimagined replacements or new points of interest would open.
This covers the most recent on every thing we all know in regards to the finish instances for DinoLand USA, when DINOSAUR to go extinct, and so forth. It additionally covers what Animal Kingdom goes to appear to be for the subsequent a number of months to return, because the park makes operational changes to accommodate dropping considered one of its (few) marquee rides, an enormous restaurant, and extra.
Think about subscribing to our free Walt Disney World publication, the place we’ll share instantaneous updates as quickly as they’re introduced. To that finish, Walt Disney World has shared an up to date FAQ, revealing the closure date for DINOSAUR and the remainder of Dinoland USA, plus all kinds of operational updates for the remainder of Animal Kingdom.
With that in thoughts, let’s get diggin’, diggin’ in DinoLand…
Is DinoLand nonetheless open?
Sure! You don’t even want a Time Rover to go to DinoLand as a result of components of the world are nonetheless at present open till 2026. There’s even the new-ish Eco-Rhythmics leisure act close to the land’s entrance that’s presumably meant to attract visitors deeper into the park who’re asking this very query.
What’s already closed in DinoLand USA?
To accommodate development, the primary wave of closures occurred earlier this yr, with TriceraTop Spin, the Fossil Enjoyable Video games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures working their final day of operations on January 12, 2025.
Principally, the Dino-Rama carnival subsection (the world we hated with the burning ardour of a thousand suns) is already closed. The nice portion of DinoLand USA (that we like) continues to be open. Nicely, minus one big asset for younger households like us.
Most not too long ago, the Boneyard is extinct as of September 2, 2025. The final day to expertise the world was Labor Day.
When is DINOSAUR Completely Closing?
The newest replace is that Walt Disney World has formally introduced that the closure date for DINOSAUR is February 2, 2026. Which means the final day to expertise the attraction earlier than extinction is February 1, 2026.
That is truly a bit later than anticipated. It’s one yr and a pair weeks after Dino-Rama closed again in January of this yr, and we anticipated a repeat of that with DINOSAUR. This sort of main change/closure so usually happens on the second Monday in January as a result of that’s after the vacation season, after faculties return into session, and in addition after the 2026 Walt Disney World Marathon wraps up. It’s the top of the height season, and begin of the winter season.
In reality, the closure is happening in spite of everything of that, in addition to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, however earlier than the favored Presidents’ Day journey interval. There’s actually no nice rationalization for the DINOSAUR cut-off date. Maybe they needed to align it with Groundhog Day or Nationwide Tater Tot Day. Who is aware of.
When is Restaurantosaurus Completely Closing?
Walt Disney World has additionally formally introduced that Restaurantosaurus will shut as of February 2, 2026. Its final day of operations will likewise be February 1, 2026. (The Dino Institute Store, Restaurantosaurus, and Restaurantosaurus Lounge will all shut on at the present time–no phrase but on Trilo-Bites.)
That is excellent news! We had frightened that decreased foot visitors again right here, fewer individuals eating at Restaurantosaurus, and decrease utilization of every thing else would result in an earlier closure date. That it’d possible come all the way down to what is sensible from a capability and crowd-absorbing perspective. It appeared potential that if demand drops under a sure level, that Walt Disney World would choose to shut the eating choices earlier. This can be a firm massive on saving working bills every time potential.
Now that this February 2, 2026 cut-off date for Restaurantosaurus has been formally introduced, all of that strikes us as extremely unlikely. Restaurantosaurus will virtually definitely stay open every day between at times. A seasonal closure or shorter hours throughout the offseason is theoretically believable if this nook of the park finally ends up being a useless zone now that partitions are up on the most important entrance of Dinoland, but in addition unlikely.
Excellent news for followers of the eclectic restaurant! Make sure you cease by Restaurantosaurus and decide up a number of the tasty entrees and snacks at present out there, just like the fan favourite Foot-long Sizzling Canine with Chili and Cheese, an order of A-Maize-ing Magic Munch Fries, or the S’moresosaurus Shake!
The close by Dino-Bites Snacks can also be nonetheless open, the place you’ll be able to decide up an ice cream cookie sandwich or the Dig Dino ice cream sandwich — you’ll be able to’t go mistaken with both snack. Trilo-Bites can also be open close to the doorway of Dinoland USA, and the Buffalo Rooster Chips are considered one of our go-to “sleeper snacks.” (Actually, we expect this is the larger loss than something on the menu at Restaurantosaurus!)
What Concerning the 76th Annual Dino Institute Vacation Celebration?
With Restaurantosaurus not closing till February, it will possible return. We haven’t been capable of 100% verify this, however have robust motive to imagine the 76th Annual Dino Institute Vacation Celebration will likely be again for its second and remaining vacation season.
One factor to notice right here is that Walt Disney World didn’t point out the 76th Annual Dino Institute Vacation Celebration when asserting the vacation season leisure choices. Maybe this was merely an oversight, however our guess is they’d but to decide at the moment.
Now that this Restaurantosaurus cut-off date has been introduced, it’s extremely possible that the 76th Annual Dino Institute Vacation Celebration will return to the again porch of Restaurantosaurus this Christmas. Similar goes for the lovable Chipmunk character costumes, decorations in Dinoland (the parts which might be open), and many others. Christmas 2025 ought to be a pleasant send-off to Dinoland USA!
What Will Occur to the Characters in February?
Walt Disney World has revealed that the present character meet & greets which might be a part of Donald’s Dino Bash in Dinoland, together with Donald and Daisy Geese in addition to Chip & Dale, will likely be relocated to different areas of Animal Kingdom.
No official particulars as to places, but it surely’s secure to say they gained’t be a part of Donald’s Dino Bash. Our greatest guess is that the characters will likely be dispersed throughout a number of out of the best way places. It’d be good if they’d distinctive costumes that match Animal Kingdom, however we wouldn’t maintain our breath on that. Keep tuned for extra.
When Will Kali River Rapids Shut for Its Annual Refurbishment?
As longtime Walt Disney World followers are little question conscious, Kali River Rapids closes for an annual refurbishment every winter. As we’ve identified up to now, that is equal components upkeep and demand dipping as a consequence of winter climate.
Nonetheless, Animal Kingdom already has a restricted journey roster and will likely be dropping one more attraction when DINOSAUR goes down. As an offset to this and to make sure the visitor expertise is preserved to the best extent potential throughout Tropical Americas development, the Kali River Rapids refurbishment is being moved ahead.
Kali River Rapids will shut beginning October 6, 2025 and is predicted to reopen someday in December 2025. Keep tuned for a selected date sooner or later.
What Concerning the High-quality Meals at Restaurantosaurus?
Restaurantosaurus is dwelling to Animal Kingdom’s most family-friendly, crowd-pleasing delicacies.
Staples from its menu will transfer over to Harambe Market to accommodate visitors. In preparation for this modification, Harambe Market will shut for routine refurbishment in Late 2025 and reopen across the time that Restaurantosaurus closes. No particular dates are identified presently.
Our Commentary
Though February 2, 2026 is a number of weeks later than we anticipated for the closure of DINOSAUR, we might not suggest ready that lengthy to say your goodbyes to DINOSAUR, regardless. One factor we’ve seen time and time once more with journey reimaginings is that, as soon as an attraction is slated for alternative, it stops receiving TLC upkeep. To make sure, Disney will proceed doing crucial work on the journey system to make sure it’s secure. However something non-essential–that means to the present scenes, lighting, and many others–that’s all however over.
DINOSAUR is already infamous for being poorly-maintained (“dinosaur on a stick,” anybody?), and that’s solely more likely to worsen. With that stated, maybe my pessimism is unfounded. It’s potential that Walt Disney World will need it in its greatest form so followers can supply their fond farewells, and we’ve already been stunned by some long-dormant results which have immediately began working this yr.
Don’t rely on that lasting. Hedge your bets by saying your goodbyes ASAP. If Splash Mountain was any indication, you in all probability don’t wish to bear in mind the journey primarily based on its January 2026 situation. (Actually hope to be mistaken about this, and never attempting to be a debbie downer…simply being sensible primarily based on loads of previous precedent.)
Past that, I don’t love this information about Dinoland staying open by way of February 1st. Having extra time to say goodbye to DINOSAUR would possibly sound like excellent news on the floor, however this implies a tighter timeline for the reimagining into Indiana Jones Journey.
In the event you’re a Walt Disney World diehard taking part in the lengthy sport, it’s best to need as a lot time as potential for that journey redo because it’ll be with us for many years to return. We would like Imagineering to have so long as crucial to perform a high quality reimagining. I expressed related sentiment with Splash Mountain and Tiana’s Bayou Journey, hoping the latter would open delayed versus forward of it (and now we all know how that turned out!).
Whereas I didn’t anticipate it to occur, I’d’ve been thrilled if Walt Disney World had introduced that they’re accelerating work in Dinoland, simply as occurred with the Boneyard, they usually have been closing the rest of the land in a number of weeks. That may’ve been met by backlash amongst followers who thought they’d extra time, so I get why it couldn’t happen. However then again, we’ve now identified for 2 years–because the earlier Vacation spot D23–that the countdown to extinction was on for DINOSAUR. There’s been loads of time to say goodbye.
I additionally assume this takes Tropical Americas opening early off the desk. My hope had been that they’d push for a primary half of 2027 opening, as Animal Kingdom wants assist sooner fairly than later. This will increase the probability of a Christmas 2027 opening for Tropical Americas, which was all the time essentially the most logical timeframe, anyway.
One other chance that’s on the desk is a phased opening as a result of distinctive circumstances of Animal Kingdom (needing new rides to return on-line ASAP so visitors don’t skip the park). Whereas I don’t essentially assume that is what’ll occur, I wouldn’t be stunned if Tropical Americas opens in 3 phases.
Though that method didn’t go effectively for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, that is completely totally different. Once more, the massive concern with Animal Kingdom is having too few points of interest on-line, because the journey roster of the park may be very restricted. Walt Disney World is understandably involved about visitors skipping the park totally if the development influence is just too important, which is exactly why the park has performed a phased closure of Dinoland, is making different operational adjustments as mitigation, and ready till Zootopia: Higher Zoogether opens earlier than closing the rest.
Animal Kingdom is not like another park at Walt Disney World, and easily can’t afford to lose extra rides concurrently. It additionally wants extra past simply Tropical Americas, which is why we strongly suspect a Lion King attraction will likely be introduced on the 2026 D23 Expo. However that’s one other matter for one more day!
In the event you’re questioning how this multi-phase closure and opening would work, it’s as a result of there are additionally a number of sub-lands or areas inside Tropical Americas.
The primary is Pueblo Esperanza, the hub in coronary heart of the rainforest that’s identify interprets to “Village of Hope.” (Some followers have began referring to this entire Tropical Americas venture as Pueblo Esperanza–it’s our understanding this identify is only for the core group up entrance. It’s kinda like the brand new EPCOT, which has a bunch of useless neighborhood names.)
The Pueblo Esperanza group will characteristic a big hacienda, which will likely be one of many largest quick-service eating places at Walt Disney World Resort. It’ll additionally supply a critter carousel as an attraction. Pueblo Esperanza will exchange the Boneyard, TriceraTops Spin, Restaurantosaurus, Dino-Chunk Snacks, and (presumably) Trilo-Bites.
After leaving the Pueblo Esperanza, visitors can enterprise deeper into the rainforest to seek out not one however two signature points of interest. To the left is the Encanto magical Madrigal Casita darkish journey, which is more likely to be a family-friendly Omnimover–maybe like an Encanto-ized model of Mystic Manor.
The Encanto attraction will exchange all of Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama, together with all of its carnival video games, that massive roadside dinosaur, Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, Donald’s Dino-Bash, and TriceraTop Spin (once more–it straddles the Pueblo Esperanza and Encanto areas).
That is the world of Tropical Americas development the place partitions have been up since January. We’re anticipating the Encanto attraction to go vertical any day now. It’s very shut!
Lastly, there’s the new Indiana Jones Journey attraction, which is able to exchange DINOSAUR.
his will likely be a brand new twist on IJA that will likely be totally different from the prevailing variations of the attraction at Disneyland in California and Tokyo DisneySea. Each of these are fairly totally different from each other, and this would be the third non-cloned model of the attraction. Clearly, all of them bear similarities–but in addition all inform distinctive and distinct tales.
On this new journey at Animal Kingdom, the person with the hat has not too long ago found a wonderfully preserved Maya temple, and that may solely imply one factor: it’s time to discover it. He’s heard rumors a few legendary creature deep throughout the temple — and he’s bought to see it for himself. So, he brings us alongside on the journey.
I assume there’s additionally Dino-Sue and a few winding pathways with statues again right here, however for essentially the most half, this space is solely being reimagined from DINOSAUR to the third incarnation of Indiana Jones Journey.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Stunned that DINOSAUR and Dinoland at Animal Kingdom are staying open by way of February 1, 2026? Suppose the Tropical Americas opening will likely be moved ahead or delayed? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
