Credit: DisneyWhat will Disney’s scariest thrill ride look like in the months leading up to its permanent closure?
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Over the last several years, guests have watched as some of the biggest and most transformative changes have taken place at the Walt Disney World resort. This extends well past the resort’s array of rides and attractions, which include classic roller coasters like Space Mountain and dark rides like Pirates of the Caribbean, also affecting Disney World’s selection of hotels and out-of-park activities.
There’s simply no denying that Walt Disney World is in the middle of one of the most transformational periods it’s ever seen, with an unprecedented number of rides, attractions, and locations set to close over the next decade.
While not ever considered a true “Disney classic,” DINOSAUR finds itself at the top of this list for a number of reasons, mostly due to the amount of love the ride has received following the announcement of its permanent closure.
However, with so much love for the ride now pouring out, both in person and online, many fans may be wondering if Disney will follow suit and give one of its most unique and controversial attractions the flowers it deserves before it goes extinct.
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Dsney’s DINOSAUR Problem
DINOSAUR opened alongside Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park in 1998, though the dark ride had a different name than what guests now know. Originally titled Countdown to Extinction, the core experience of the intense dark ride was essentially the same as what guests find today, albeit with slightly altered animatronics and sound mixing.
A few effects like real sparks in the time tunnel are no longer powered on, but for the most part, the ride guests experienced over 26 years ago is the same as what they will find today in 2024. However, DINOSAUR will not live to see its 28th birthday, with Disney confirming the attraction will be closing at the end of next year.
An exact date isn’t known, but Disney warned guests that 2025 would be the final year DINOSAUR will operate at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The prehistoric ride is closing to make way for a new Indiana Jones-themed attraction, one that will use DINSOSAUR’s original show building, track, and ride vehicles.
This is rather ironic, considering DINOSAUR itself was a copy of Disneyland’s original Indiana Jones-themed attraction.
With DINOSAUR closing soon, many guests are worried the ride will be left in a sorry state for its twilight years, something seen with other now-defunct attractions like Splash Mountain. However, according to guest reports, certain elements of DINOSAUR have actually been fixed, giving fans hope that the ride will remain a quality product as it lives out its final year.
Twitter/X user Dr_GrantSeeker shared an update regarding DINOSAUR, showing that parts of the attraction that had previously been out of commission or broken are now back online.
Dinosaur update as of last week *Great to see the new projection mapping in the time tunnel. However, the smoke machine was not operational on my ride through *Charging Carno works! Along with the restoring of the Carno footprints loudly chasing you! *Alioramus is still gone, but I realized there are 3 raptor statues in its place, not 2. Also, a net covers the Ali hole Overall the ride is looking quite good. If Ali comes back and they add the smoke back to the time tunnel, we are cooking. Oh, also fix the final Carno that takes your picture. He is hunched over worse than ever!
Dinosaur update as of last week
*Great to see the new projection mapping in the time tunnel. However, the smoke machine was not operational on my ride through
*Charging Carno works! Along with the restoring of the Carno footprints loudly chasing you!
*Alioramus is still gone,… pic.twitter.com/EtdfDRfngq— Dr. Grant Seeker (@Dr_GrantSeeker) December 16, 2024
For months, certain animatronics were simply not moving properly, with the most egregious example being the Carnotaurus near the end of the ride. This massive dino figure is supposed to charge toward guests as they “narrowly” escape but remained motionless during the last several trips the Inside the Magic team took to Walt Disney World.
This dinosaur is reportedly moving again, and projection mapping has been working again since the first time tunnel. These changes beg the question: “Will Disney’s Dinosaur go out with a bang or with a whimper?” Only time will tell, but for now, guests can hop aboard the Time Rover and embark on one of Disney World’s most unforgettable adventures.
Will you miss DINOSAUR? What’s your favorite ride at Walt Disney World?