Disney World Retires Mickey Mouse Toys Permanently

in Merchandise, Walt Disney World

A child hugs Mickey and Minnie toys at Disney World

Credit: Disney

As of Saturday, January 11, a beloved merchandise collection is officially retired from Walt Disney World Resort. Three parts of DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park will permanently close on January 12, including the carnival games–taking their exclusive Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and dinosaur plush prizes with them.

DinoLand U.S.A. opened alongside Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park on April 22, 1998. The theme park within a theme park is based on a classic American roadside attraction, inviting guests to experience Disney-fied carnival rides and games.

Chester & Hester's DinoRama at Christmastime.
Credit: Jess Colopy, Inside the Magic

On Sunday, January 12, three parts of DinoLand U.S.A. will close to make way for Pueblo Esperanza, the new Tropical Americas area at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. They include the TriceraTop Spin ride, Chester & Hester’s DinoRama (including the Fossil Fun Games), and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures.

The attractions were preceded in closure by Primeval Whirl, which closed permanently in 2020. The roller coaster has since been disassembled, and a construction wall has hidden its former location.

This weekend, guests flocked to DinoRama for their last chance at collecting the exclusive Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and dinosaur-themed prizes from the Fossil Fun Games. These prizes come in three sizes (small, medium, and large) and feature a Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park logo on their foot.

One of the games in DinoLand U.S.A., with prizes including Mickey and Minnie Mouse on display.
Credit: Jess Colopy, Inside the Magic

In the weeks leading up to DinoLand U.S.A.’s closure, the Fossil Fun Games ran out of the small and medium prizes–the easiest to win. Until this weekend, the only exclusive prizes available were large dinosaurs. The rest had been replaced by generic Disney plush toys, including Pride Mickey Mouse, Pride Stitch, and nuiMOs. @bioreconstruct shared this photo on X:

There are Dinoland plush available as top tier prizes in skill games at Animal Kingdom.

From @vincentprologo:

why are these being given away as prizes in dinoland? the world may never know…

According to multiple Walt Disney World Resort guests, the Fossil Fun Games ran out of the final large DinoLand U.S.A.-themed prizes on Saturday, January 11. The prizes have been replaced with more generic Disney merchandise for the area’s final day of operation.

A triceratops prize from DinoLand U.S.A.
Credit: Jess Colopy, Inside the Magic

Chester & Hester’s DinoRama, Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, and TriceraTop Spin will continue operating until Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park closes on Sunday, January 12, 2024. Walt Disney World Resort has reassured fans that the nearby DINOSAUR attraction will remain operational through 2025.

Do you have a favorite memory from DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park? Share it with Inside the Magic in the comments. 

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