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Credit: Jess Colopy, Inside the Magic Watching beloved theme park lands like DinoLand U.S.A. disappear is a melancholy experience. Each demolition represents the loss of cherished memories tied to attractions and environments enjoyed by generations of guests. DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, with its quirky carnival aesthetic celebrating amateur paleontology, divided opinions. Some loved its campy charm, while others found it out of place among the park’s focus on realism and conservation.
From January 2025 to February 2026, the land closed in phases, making way for Tropical Americas. This new area will feature an Encanto dark ride, an Indiana Jones adventure replacing DINOSAUR, and a fictional village, emphasizing South American themes aligned with the park’s conservation messaging. As construction rapidly progresses, remnants of DinoLand U.S.A. are being removed, highlighting the transformation and Disney’s prioritization of contemporary intellectual properties over original concepts that once characterized earlier park developments.
Restaurantosaurus Demolition Begins at Disney
Crews have started removing elements of Restaurantosaurus in DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom following its closure last weekend. The restaurant and adjacent Dinosaur Treasures gift shop will be repurposed for the new Tropical Americas land rather than completely demolished, but visible changes indicate transformation has begun.
The off-white tarp covering has been partially removed from a section of the restaurant that held a bar, exposing the building structure underneath. Items like stanchions, umbrellas, and trash cans have been removed from the area, clearing the spaces that once accommodated dining guests.
The Restaurantosaurus sign and various props remain in place for now. Christmas lights still hang on the “EAT” water tower, creating strange juxtaposition between the defunct theming and ongoing construction surrounding the building.
DinoLand U.S.A. Archway Gone
The DinoLand archway was torn down a few days ago, with one of its base supports initially remaining next to the Moana meet and greet sign before that base was also removed. The archway’s demolition represents one of the most visible symbols of DinoLand’s erasure, as the structure welcomed guests into the land for over two decades.
Encanto Show Building Progress
Inside the land, the show building for the new Encanto ride continues to grow. The building is now split into distinct sections of different heights, which is more visible in aerial photographs. Some interior work has begun but the ride itself has not yet been installed.
The Encanto show building is visible from multiple vantage points within the construction zone, providing guests with glimpses of the major attraction coming to Tropical Americas when the land eventually opens.
Construction Walkways
Over walls and scrim, the walkway that guests used to access Restaurantosaurus and DINOSAUR for the past few months is visible cutting right through two dirt construction zones. With walls down in certain areas, the extent of construction becomes apparent as the former guest pathways now traverse active work sites.
From various angles, Restaurantosaurus remains visible though partially obscured by construction barriers and equipment. The former Dinosaur Treasures gift shop is also visible, awaiting its transformation into new retail space for Tropical Americas.
Dino-Sue Still Standing at Disney
Though the DINOSAUR show building is largely out of sight behind construction walls, Dino-Sue still stands outside. Dino-Sue is a replica of a real-life T. rex fossil that served as iconic photo opportunity and landmark within DinoLand for years.
Dino-Sue’s continued presence creates poignant reminder of what DinoLand was, standing sentinel over the construction that is erasing the land she represented.
Dino-Rama Remnants at Disney
A surprising remnant of Dino-Rama remains hidden by construction walls. The concrete wall with white rocks was once a planter that held “Dino-Rama” shrubbery. All the surrounding infrastructure was removed long ago but the planter itself persists, possibly for reuse in Tropical Americas.
Carousel Foundation Visible
In the foreground of construction photographs, the foundation of a future carousel is visible. The carousel will be one of the family-friendly attractions at Tropical Americas, offering an experience suitable for young children alongside the more elaborate Encanto and Indiana Jones rides.
Tropical Americas Vision
Tropical Americas will include the fictional village of Pueblo Esperanza. In concept art, the expansive hacienda on the right is Restaurantosaurus transformed. In the upper right is the Indiana Jones attraction replacing DINOSAUR. In the lower center is the carousel. And in the upper left is Casita, the facade of the Encanto ride, with the reimagined Dinosaur Treasures nearby.
DinoLand Closure Timeline
DinoLand U.S.A. closed in phases from January 2025 to February 2026. DINOSAUR, which originally opened as Countdown to Extinction in 1998, closed along with Restaurantosaurus, Donald’s Dino-Bash character experiences, Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama carnival attractions, Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures gift shop, and The Boneyard playground across multiple closure dates.
What’s Being Lost
DinoLand represented unique themed environment within Animal Kingdom that celebrated paleontology through combination of educational DINOSAUR dark ride exploring time travel to prehistoric eras and campy Dino-Rama celebrating roadside attraction aesthetics. While divisive among guests, the land had devoted fans who appreciated its quirky charm and family-friendly attractions.
Looking Forward at Disney
As Restaurantosaurus loses its DinoLand theming and the surrounding construction continues transforming this corner of Animal Kingdom, the reality of DinoLand’s permanent disappearance becomes increasingly tangible. Tropical Americas promises immersive South American environments aligned with Animal Kingdom’s conservation themes, but for guests who loved DinoLand’s quirky character, watching the remaining pieces being torn apart creates bittersweet acknowledgment that this chapter of Animal Kingdom history is truly ending as Disney builds the future on foundations of the past.