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Credit: gardener41, FlickrIt’s not often that Disney completely transforms an entire theme park, but that’s exactly what’s happening at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. By 2027, the park will look and feel so different that longtime guests may have a hard time recognizing it.
The changes are sweeping, and they all start with one massive new project: the Tropical Americas expansion.
The End of DinoLand U.S.A.
For years, DinoLand U.S.A. was one of the more divisive areas of Animal Kingdom. Fans loved its quirky charm and nostalgic rides, but others felt it never quite matched the park’s overall theme. Disney has finally decided to pull the plug. In 2025, many of its attractions began shutting down. TriceraTop Spin, Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, and the Fossil Fun Games all had their last operating day in January 2025.
The Boneyard, a longtime play area for kids, closed in September 2025, and the updated Animal Kingdom guidemap already shows the land mostly erased, with only DINOSAUR and Restaurantosaurus still standing. Even those are on borrowed time—DINOSAUR is expected to close in 2026, with Restaurantosaurus following soon after.
What’s Replacing It?
All of these closures are paving the way for Tropical Americas, a massive 11-acre expansion that will completely reshape the park. This new land, also known as Pueblo Esperanza, is designed to feel like a vibrant Latin American community with a rich backstory.
Two centerpiece attractions are already confirmed:
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An Indiana Jones adventure that sends guests on a thrilling journey into a temple to uncover a mythical creature. Disney says it will be unlike any Indiana Jones ride we’ve seen before.
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The first-ever Encanto ride, a fully themed experience that brings Casita—the magical house of the Madrigal family—to life in a way fans have been dreaming of since the movie’s debut.
That’s not all. Pueblo Esperanza will also feature a massive new quick-service restaurant inside a hacienda, one of the largest of its kind at Walt Disney World. Guests can expect a carved animal carousel crafted by a local woodcarver, a play area for kids, and a central fountain that ties the land together.
The Timeline of Transformation
Disney isn’t rushing this overhaul—it’s a carefully staged process. DinoLand’s attractions are being shuttered in phases, with construction walls popping up as each section closes. By the end of 2025, most of DinoLand will be inaccessible. By 2026, even the last holdouts like DINOSAUR will be gone.
The work is already underway behind the scenes, and Disney has confirmed that Tropical Americas is on track to open in 2027.
A Park That Won’t Feel the Same
When Animal Kingdom opened in 1998, it was all about conservation, animals, and natural environments. Over time, it has embraced more fantastical elements, like Pandora – The World of Avatar. The addition of Tropical Americas continues that trend, blending real-world culture with Disney’s storytelling magic.
By the time this transformation is complete, Animal Kingdom will be a completely different experience. DinoLand U.S.A., with its carnival-style games and dinosaur digs, will be a memory. In its place, a lush, vibrant land inspired by Latin America will redefine the park’s identity.
What This Means for Fans
For fans of the old DinoLand, the next couple of years are your last chance to experience it. Restaurantosaurus still serves its chili-cheese foot-long hot dogs, and DINOSAUR is still sending guests on chaotic journeys through the Cretaceous—for now. But once 2027 arrives, those experiences will be gone, replaced with something entirely new.
Disney’s decision to overhaul Animal Kingdom on this scale shows just how serious they are about keeping the park fresh and relevant. When Tropical Americas opens, Animal Kingdom won’t just have a new land—it’ll feel like an entirely new park.
And by 2027, we might all be saying goodbye to the Animal Kingdom we knew, and hello to something completely different.