Entire Disney Theme Park Location Marked for Closure, New Details Released Ahead of Destruction

New permits have been filed for one of Disney’s most exciting projects yet.

The Tree of Life at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park in front of a clear blue sky. — Credit: Brittany DiCologero, Inside the Magic

During Disney’s D23 event this August, the company confirmed its Animal Kingdom park would be receiving several major upgrades, most notably the park’s Dinosaur-themed area, DinoLand U.S.A. This area will soon be transformed into a land inspired by the South Americas, with Disney set to build two completely new rides, one of which will take guests into the world of Encanto (2021).

Disney is also planning to build a new Indiana Jones-themed thrill ride similar to Disneyland’s Indiana Jones Adventure.

DinoLand currently features several dino-themed attractions, as well as a carnival and a playground for kids. DinoLand has long been a point of contention among fans, with many feeling the area does not mesh well with the rest of Animal Kingdom.

However, DinoLand had its fans, with a large number of guests feeling sad that the area will soon go extinct. As the weeks and months pass, small bits of information are released regarding this massive project, with Disney filing several new permits that give insight into DinoLand’s upcoming transformation.

Disney Signals DinoLand’s End with New Permits

Concept art for the Encanto area in the Tropical Americas land at Disney's Animal Kingdom Park — Credit: Disney

The new DinoLand permits see Disney once again work with its in-house contractors, Buena Vista Construction Company, or BVCC. The work detailed in the new permits calls for “labor, material, and/or electrical for construction.”

Disney’s permits are often vague but still always interesting, especially when the project is as large and as unprecedented as DinoLand’s overhaul.

These permits likely call for the demolition of backstage areas used for attractions currently open at DinoLand, such as DINOSAUR.

Concept art for the all-new area coming to Animal Kingdom inspired by Encanto and Indiana Jones — Credit: Disney

Disney’s new Tropical Americas land will be built in phases, meaning there’s plenty of time left for guests to ride DINOSAUR and Triceratop Spin before they close.

While DINOSAUR may be one of Disney’s most frightening and abrasive attractions, the ride cultivated a following over the last two decades, becoming one of the most special rides in all of Walt Disney World.

The ride is unique in many ways, notably with how many large-scale animatronics it features, something that is becoming increasingly rare with newer, more modern theme park attractions.

A dinosaur sculpture stands in front of the Dinosaur attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Behind it, a building entrance has a sign that reads "Dinosaur" with a fiery design and a smaller sign that reads "The Dino Institute." As trees and greenery surround the area, whispers about rides closing add to the air of suspense. — Credit: Inside the Magic

Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro stated during the company’s D23 event that guests can expect “shovels in the ground” this Fall at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, meaning work will likely become visible to guests visiting the park soon.

Disney has wanted to overhaul DinoLand U.S.A. for several years, though the company’s original plan looked a lot different.

In 2022, Disney first announced DinoLand’s days were numbered, with the company sharing a bold new vision for the often-loathed theme park area.

The original plan for DinoLand’s overhaul included bringing the worlds of Zootopia and Moana into Animal Kingdom. However, during Disney’s D23 event a year later in 2023, the company revealed it had dropped this plan, opting to go with Encanto and Indiana Jones as anchors instead.

Will you miss DinoLand? What’s your favorite ride or attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom?