Disney World’s Animal Kingdom, as Guests Know It, Will Vanish in One Month

In just one month, a familiar corner of Disney’s Animal Kingdom will quietly disappear, marking a turning point for Walt Disney World Resort as it prepares for a major evolution heading into 2026.

As 2025 transitions into a new year, Disney World finds itself deep in a period of change. Guests have already seen longtime experiences close across the resort, including Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island at Magic Kingdom, as well as Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Yet no project underway carries the same scale or impact as what’s unfolding at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

At the center of the transformation is DinoLand U.S.A., which has been steadily phased out to make way for Pueblo Esperanza, a Tropical Americas-inspired land set to debut in 2027. The new area will introduce attractions themed to both Encanto and Indiana Jones, and construction progress is already visible.

Over the past year, several DinoLand staples have closed permanently. Dino-Bites Snacks, Trilo-Bites, and The Boneyard playground are no longer welcoming guests, leaving Restaurantosaurus and the DINOSAUR attraction as the final remnants of the land that debuted with Animal Kingdom in April 1998.

That remaining chapter is now nearing its end. Disney Experiences, the division overseeing parks and resorts, has confirmed that both Restaurantosaurus and DINOSAUR will close for good in early 2026. February 1, 2026, will be the final day for guests to dine at Restaurantosaurus or board DINOSAUR, with closures taking effect on February 2.

Once shuttered, work is expected to expand across the full footprint of DinoLand. DINOSAUR’s ride system will be reimagined into a new Indiana Jones attraction, which Disney has confirmed will differ from every other Indiana Jonesride worldwide.

Meanwhile, construction on the Encanto-themed attraction has already reached a major milestone. The structure has gone vertical, signaling steady progress. The experience will be inspired by Antonio Madrigal’s bedroom from Encanto (2021). Voiced by Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Antonio’s ability to communicate with animals is expected to align naturally with Animal Kingdom’s overarching themes.

With DinoLand U.S.A.’s full closure just weeks away, Animal Kingdom is preparing to move forward without one of its original lands. After 27 years, the park’s layout will soon look markedly different, closing a long-running chapter in Walt Disney World history.

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