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Adjust Your Disney World Itinerary—This Popular Ride Is Closing Forever (And Sooner Than You Might Realize)

As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end—even at Disney World. For me, the Haunted Mansion was the ride that made the whole Orlando park experience feel so enchanting, and I can’t imagine visiting while my favorite ride was closed for the season, let alone gone forever.

That leads us to some bittersweet news, Disney fans: A beloved Animal Kingdom attraction that’s been thrilling riders for nearly 30 years is ceasing operation, and sadly, this one’s shuttering for good. The announcement comes on the heels of other longtime favorites in the Disney theme park ecosystem being retired over the past year, including Tom Sawyer Island, Rivers of America and Muppet*Vision 3D.

If you’re planning a trip to the Place Where Dreams Come True, as the tagline goes, this is a closure you’ll want to know about sooner rather than later. Rest assured, the park will be replacing this fan-fave ride zone with something just as exciting, but it won’t be ready to welcome kids—and kids at heart—for quite some time. Read on to learn which popular park destination is getting permanently dismantled, what’s taking its place and key facts to know before you book your next vacation to the Most Magical Place on Earth.

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Which Disney World attraction is closing?

Sorry, dinosaur fans! Disney World is closing Animal Kingdom’s DinoLand U.S.A., including the popular time-traveling thrill ride DINOSAUR (and its iconic prehistoric target, Iguanodon). The decision to dismantle this back section of the park is part of Disney’s ongoing effort to update and modernize the Magic Kingdom for future generations of fans.

A park fixture since it opened in April 1998, DinoLand U.S.A. is a Cretaceous-period-themed adventure land featuring everything from prehistoric-themed rides and food stops, like Dino-Bite Snacks and Trilo-Bites, to an archaeology-inspired playground called the Boneyard, designed as an open-air dig site with rope bridges, tunnels, slides and sand pits.

The land’s cult-favorite attraction was DINOSAUR, a ride that whisked Animal Kingdom guests through a dark forest on the verge of an asteroid impact. Originally called Countdown to Extinction, the ride was renamed DINOSAUR to promote Disney’s 2000 film of the same name. According to Inside the Magic, the attraction’s aging infrastructure, which became more complicated and costly to keep running over time, played a role in Disney’s decision to shut it down.

What’s taking DinoLand’s place in Animal Kingdom?

DinoLand U.S.A. will be transformed into Pueblo Esperanza, an immersive zone also broadly known as Tropical Americas. The reimagined area is expected to feature live music, lush landscaping and a whimsical wood-carved Disney animal carousel.

Two major new attractions will anchor the new expansion. One is based on the Indiana Jones film franchise, and another on the animated musical fantasy Encanto.

The Indiana Jones Adventure will reportedly feature animatronics and lavish sets, taking riders deep into the rainforest on a quest to a Mayan temple. The Encanto attraction, currently under construction in the former DinoLand area, will be a melodic journey through the Madrigal family’s magical casita in the Andes Mountains of Colombia, showcasing projection mapping and sensory effects to bring the story to life.

When are these changes happening?

Disney has announced that Feb. 1, 2026, is the last chance fans have to ride DINOSAUR. All remaining rides, shops and restaurants in DinoLand U.S.A. will be closing the following day. While it’s sad to see spots like Restaurantosaurus and the kitschy gift shop Chester and Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures turn into fossils, those eager to experience the brand-new Pueblo Esperanza will have to have patience. As of now, current timelines suggest the land won’t be ready to open until at least 2027.

What can you ride while waiting for Pueblo Esperanza to open?

Even though DinoLand is headed for extinction and Animal Kingdom is temporarily shrinking, there are still plenty of fun things to do. True to its name, there are lots of real wildlife encounters to be had in Animal Kingdom, starting with Kilimanjaro Safaris, which takes guests through a sprawling wildlife reserve, home to giraffes, lions, elephants and more. On the walkable Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, you can spot real primates up close, while tigers and other exotic creatures roam the rainforest habitats of the Maharajah Jungle Trek.

For a tamer time, Pandora–The World of Avatar features immersive 3-D flight simulators, and an all-ages Na’vi River Journey boat ride offers a glowing, bioluminescent feast for the senses. Thrill seekers can still tackle the high-speed, Himalayan-themed coaster Expedition Everest or brave a chilling white-water jungle adventure on Kali River Rapids.

And, of course, there are all those family-friendly shows Disney does best. Keeping with the Animal Kingdom’s nature-forward theme, the Broadway-style Festival of the Lion King remains one of the most appreciated productions in all the Disney parks. The 4D Zootopia: Better Zoogether! and the musical stage show Finding Nemo: The Big Blue … and Beyond! continue to wow audiences as well.

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Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing, and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

This Is Prince Harry's Favorite Disney Ride

Will This Classic EPCOT Attraction Reopen?

Four Must-Haves When Packing for Disney

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