Credit: DisneyAs of March 19, Walt Disney World Resort has officially marked part of a once-popular Quick-Service restaurant for demolition. Here’s what Central Florida Disney Park guests need to know.
Disney World Restaurant Marked for Demolition
On Thursday, guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park spotted some major developments above the construction walls that currently surround the former DinoLand U.S.A. The original theme park land permanently closed in February to make way for a new Tropical Americas-themed land called Pueblo Esperanza.
Inside the Magic has previously reported on the ongoing construction, including the foundation for a Disney animal-themed carousel and the towering new infrastructure for a Casita attraction inspired by Encanto (2021). But this week, Walt Disney World Resort shifted focus to another part of the ongoing makeover: the former Restaurantosaurus Quick-Service restaurant.
On March 19, WDWNT reported that a trailer once attached to the restaurant’s “Hip Joint” dining room has been marked for demolition, and that exterior paneling has been removed from the building. The outlet shared this photo on Facebook:
Walt Disney World Resort is transforming parts of the former restaurant building into a hacienda-style Quick-Service dining location to fit with the new theme.
What’s Coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park?
Walt Disney Imagineering first announced plans for Pueblo Esperanza at D23 Expo 2024. The new land will include the previously mentioned Casita ride, an Indiana Jones-inspired retheme of the existing DINOSAUR attraction, and a Disney-animal themed carousel featuring characters like Dug from Up (2009). As we mentioned before, Restaurantosaurus is transforming into a hacienda, while the former Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures gift shop will be repurposed into another gift shop selling items that fit the Tropical Americas theme.
DinoLand U.S.A. closed in phases, starting in January 2025 with the permanent closure of Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama (including the Fossil Fun Games), and the TriceraTop Spin ride. The Boneyard play area followed in September. Then, in February 2026, DINOSAUR, Restaurantosaurus, and the rest of DinoLand U.S.A. officially went extinct.
Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t announced an exact opening date for Pueblo Esperanza. Still, the Tropical Americas-themed land is expected to debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park sometime in 2027.
What should Walt Disney World Resort serve at the new Quick-Service restaurant in Pueblo Esperanza at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park? Share your ideas with Inside the Magic in the comments!