As Walt Disney World followers plan farewell journeys for points of interest & areas which are closing in Animal Kingdom, readers are asking about closure dates for DINOSAUR and the remainder of Dinoland that hasn’t already gone extinct. This explains when the rides, eating places, outlets, and leisure on this land will completely shut, together with different operational updates within the park.
A few of these closure particulars have been coated elsewhere in our 5-12 months Development Plan for Walt Disney World. That gives a regularly-updated rundown of all initiatives on the horizon, and our expectations as to when closures would happen and when the reimagined replacements or new points of interest would open.
This covers the newest on all the things we all know in regards to the finish instances for DinoLand USA, when DINOSAUR to go extinct, and so forth. It additionally covers what Animal Kingdom goes to appear to be for the subsequent a number of months to return, because the park makes operational changes to accommodate dropping one in all its (few) marquee rides, a large restaurant, and extra.
Think about subscribing to our free Walt Disney World publication, the place we’ll share on the spot updates as quickly as they’re introduced. To that finish, Walt Disney World has shared an up to date FAQ, revealing the closure date for DINOSAUR and the remainder of Dinoland USA, plus all kinds of operational updates for the remainder of Animal Kingdom.
With that in thoughts, let’s get diggin’, diggin’ in DinoLand…
Is DinoLand nonetheless open?
Sure! You don’t even want a Time Rover to go to DinoLand as a result of components of the world are nonetheless at present open till 2026. There’s even the new-ish Eco-Rhythmics leisure act close to the land’s entrance that’s presumably meant to attract visitors deeper into the park who’re asking this very query.
What’s already closed in DinoLand USA?
To accommodate development, the primary wave of closures occurred earlier this 12 months, with TriceraTop Spin, the Fossil Enjoyable Video games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures working their final day of operations on January 12, 2025.
Mainly, the Dino-Rama carnival subsection (the world we hated with the burning ardour of a thousand suns) is already closed. The nice portion of DinoLand USA (that we like) continues to be open. Effectively, minus one large asset for younger households like us.
Most just lately, the Boneyard is extinct as of September 2, 2025. The final day to expertise the world was Labor Day.
When is DINOSAUR Completely Closing?
The newest replace is that Walt Disney World has formally introduced that the closure date for DINOSAUR is February 2, 2026. Which means the final day to expertise the attraction earlier than extinction is February 1, 2026.
That is truly a bit later than anticipated. It’s one 12 months and a pair weeks after Dino-Rama closed again in January of this 12 months, and we anticipated a repeat of that with DINOSAUR. This sort of main change/closure so usually happens on the second Monday in January as a result of that’s after the vacation season, after colleges return into session, and in addition after the 2026 Walt Disney World Marathon wraps up. It’s the top of the height season, and begin of the winter season.
Truly, the closure is going on in spite of everything of that, in addition to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, however earlier than the favored Presidents’ Day journey interval. There’s actually no nice clarification for the DINOSAUR cut-off date. Maybe they wished to align it with Groundhog Day or Nationwide Tater Tot Day. Who is aware of.
When is Restaurantosaurus Completely Closing?
Walt Disney World has additionally formally introduced that Restaurantosaurus will shut as of February 2, 2026. Its final day of operations will likewise be February 1, 2026. (The Dino Institute Store, Restaurantosaurus, and Restaurantosaurus Lounge will all shut on today–no phrase but on Trilo-Bites.)
That is excellent news! We had nervous that decreased foot visitors again right here, fewer folks eating at Restaurantosaurus, and decrease utilization of all the things else would result in an earlier closure date. That it’d possible come right down to what is smart from a capability and crowd-absorbing perspective. It appeared doable that if demand drops beneath a sure level, that Walt Disney World would decide to shut the eating choices earlier. It is a firm large on saving working bills at any time when doable.
Now that this February 2, 2026 cut-off date for Restaurantosaurus has been formally introduced, all of that strikes us as extremely unlikely. Restaurantosaurus will virtually definitely stay open day by day between at times. A seasonal closure or shorter hours in the course of the offseason is theoretically believable if this nook of the park finally ends up being a lifeless zone now that partitions are up on the most important entrance of Dinoland, but in addition unlikely.
Excellent news for followers of the eclectic restaurant! You should definitely cease by Restaurantosaurus and decide up a number of the tasty entrees and snacks at present accessible, just like the fan favourite Foot-long Sizzling Canine with Chili and Cheese, an order of A-Maize-ing Magic Munch Fries, or the S’moresosaurus Shake!
The close by Dino-Bites Snacks can be nonetheless open, the place you’ll be able to decide up an ice cream cookie sandwich or the Dig Dino ice cream sandwich — you’ll be able to’t go mistaken with both snack. Trilo-Bites can be open close to the doorway of Dinoland USA, and the Buffalo Hen Chips are one in all our go-to “sleeper snacks.” (Truthfully, we predict this is the larger loss than something on the menu at Restaurantosaurus!)
What Concerning the 76th Annual Dino Institute Vacation Celebration?
With Restaurantosaurus not closing till February, this can possible return. We haven’t been capable of 100% verify this, however have robust purpose to imagine the 76th Annual Dino Institute Vacation Celebration will probably be again for its second and last vacation season.
One factor to notice right here is that Walt Disney World didn’t point out the 76th Annual Dino Institute Vacation Celebration when asserting the vacation season leisure choices. Maybe this was merely an oversight, however our guess is they’d but to decide at the moment.
Now that this Restaurantosaurus cut-off date has been introduced, it’s extremely possible that the 76th Annual Dino Institute Vacation Celebration will return to the again porch of Restaurantosaurus this Christmas. Similar goes for the cute Chipmunk character costumes, decorations in Dinoland (the parts which are open), and so forth. Christmas 2025 needs to be a pleasant send-off to Dinoland USA!
What Will Occur to the Characters in February?
Walt Disney World has revealed that the present character meet & greets which are a part of Donald’s Dino Bash in Dinoland, together with Donald and Daisy Geese in addition to Chip & Dale, will probably be relocated to different areas of Animal Kingdom.
No official particulars as to areas, however it’s secure to say they received’t be a part of Donald’s Dino Bash. Our greatest guess is that the characters will probably be dispersed throughout a number of out of the way in which areas. It’d be good if they’d distinctive costumes that match Animal Kingdom, however we wouldn’t maintain our breath on that. Keep tuned for extra.
When Will Kali River Rapids Shut for Its Annual Refurbishment?
As longtime Walt Disney World followers are little doubt conscious, Kali River Rapids closes for an annual refurbishment every winter. As we’ve identified prior to now, that is equal components upkeep and demand dipping resulting from winter climate.
Nonetheless, Animal Kingdom already has a restricted trip roster and will probably be dropping yet one more attraction when DINOSAUR goes down. As an offset to this and to make sure the visitor expertise is preserved to the best extent doable throughout Tropical Americas development, the Kali River Rapids refurbishment is being moved ahead.
Kali River Rapids will shut beginning October 6, 2025 and is predicted to reopen someday in December 2025. Keep tuned for a selected date sooner or later.
What Concerning the Fantastic Meals at Restaurantosaurus?
Restaurantosaurus is dwelling to Animal Kingdom’s most family-friendly, crowd-pleasing delicacies.
Staples from its menu will transfer over to Harambe Market to accommodate visitors. In preparation for this transformation, Harambe Market will shut for routine refurbishment in Late 2025 and reopen across the time that Restaurantosaurus closes. No particular dates are recognized at the moment.
Our Commentary
Though February 2, 2026 is just a few weeks later than we anticipated for the closure of DINOSAUR, we might not suggest ready that lengthy to say your goodbyes to DINOSAUR, regardless. One factor we’ve seen time and time once more with trip reimaginings is that, as soon as an attraction is slated for alternative, it stops receiving TLC upkeep. To make certain, Disney will proceed doing needed work on the trip system to make sure it’s secure. However something non-essential–which means to the present scenes, lighting, and so forth–that’s all however over.
DINOSAUR is already infamous for being poorly-maintained (“dinosaur on a stick,” anybody?), and that’s solely more likely to worsen. With that mentioned, maybe my pessimism is unfounded. It’s doable that Walt Disney World will need it in its greatest form so followers can provide their fond farewells, and we’ve already been shocked by some long-dormant results which have immediately began working this 12 months.
Don’t depend on that lasting. Hedge your bets by saying your goodbyes ASAP. If Splash Mountain was any indication, you most likely don’t wish to keep in mind the trip based mostly on its January 2026 situation. (Actually hope to be mistaken about this, and never attempting to be a debbie downer…simply being practical based mostly on loads of previous precedent.)
Past that, I don’t love this information about Dinoland staying open by February 1st. Having extra time to say goodbye to DINOSAUR may sound like excellent news on the floor, however this implies a tighter timeline for the reimagining into Indiana Jones Journey.
In the event you’re a Walt Disney World diehard enjoying the lengthy sport, you need to need as a lot time as doable for that trip redo because it’ll be with us for many years to return. We wish Imagineering to have so long as needed to perform a high quality reimagining. I expressed comparable sentiment with Splash Mountain and Tiana’s Bayou Journey, hoping the latter would open delayed versus forward of it (and now we all know how that turned out!).
Whereas I didn’t count on it to occur, I might’ve been thrilled if Walt Disney World had introduced that they’re accelerating work in Dinoland, simply as occurred with the Boneyard, they usually had been closing the rest of the land in just a few weeks. That might’ve been met by backlash amongst followers who thought they’d extra time, so I get why it couldn’t happen. However however, we’ve now recognized for 2 years–because the earlier Vacation spot D23–that the countdown to extinction was on for DINOSAUR. There’s been loads of time to say goodbye.
I additionally suppose this takes Tropical Americas opening early off the desk. My hope had been that they’d push for a primary half of 2027 opening, as Animal Kingdom wants assist sooner moderately than later. This will increase the chance of a Christmas 2027 opening for Tropical Americas, which was at all times essentially the most logical timeframe, anyway.
One other risk that’s on the desk is a phased opening because of the distinctive circumstances of Animal Kingdom (needing new rides to return on-line ASAP so visitors don’t skip the park). Whereas I don’t essentially suppose that is what’ll occur, I wouldn’t be shocked if Tropical Americas opens in 3 phases.
Though that strategy didn’t go effectively for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, that is completely totally different. Once more, the massive concern with Animal Kingdom is having too few points of interest on-line, because the trip roster of the park could be very restricted. Walt Disney World is understandably involved about visitors skipping the park fully if the development affect is simply too important, which is exactly why the park has achieved a phased closure of Dinoland, is making different operational modifications as mitigation, and ready till Zootopia: Higher Zoogether opens earlier than closing the rest.
Animal Kingdom is not like some other park at Walt Disney World, and easily can not afford to lose extra rides concurrently. It additionally wants extra past simply Tropical Americas, which is why we strongly suspect a Lion King attraction will probably be introduced on the 2026 D23 Expo. However that’s one other matter for one more day!
In the event you’re questioning how this multi-phase closure and opening would work, it’s as a result of there are additionally a number of sub-lands or areas inside Tropical Americas.
The primary is Pueblo Esperanza, the hub in coronary heart of the rainforest that’s identify interprets to “Village of Hope.” (Some followers have began referring to this complete Tropical Americas challenge as Pueblo Esperanza–it’s our understanding this identify is only for the core group up entrance. It’s kinda like the brand new EPCOT, which has a bunch of useless neighborhood names.)
The Pueblo Esperanza group will characteristic a big hacienda, which will probably be one of many largest quick-service eating places at Walt Disney World Resort. It’ll additionally provide a critter carousel as an attraction. Pueblo Esperanza will change the Boneyard, TriceraTops Spin, Restaurantosaurus, Dino-Chew Snacks, and (presumably) Trilo-Bites.
After leaving the Pueblo Esperanza, visitors can enterprise deeper into the rainforest to seek out not one however two signature points of interest. To the left is the Encanto magical Madrigal Casita darkish trip, which is more likely to be a family-friendly Omnimover–maybe like an Encanto-ized model of Mystic Manor.
The Encanto attraction will change all of Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama, together with all of its carnival video games, that large roadside dinosaur, Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, Donald’s Dino-Bash, and TriceraTop Spin (once more–it straddles the Pueblo Esperanza and Encanto areas).
That is the world of Tropical Americas development the place partitions have been up since January. We’re anticipating the Encanto attraction to go vertical any day now. It’s very shut!
Lastly, there’s the new Indiana Jones Journey attraction, which is able to change DINOSAUR.
his will probably be a brand new twist on IJA that will probably be totally different from the present variations of the attraction at Disneyland in California and Tokyo DisneySea. Each of these are fairly totally different from each other, and this would be the third non-cloned model of the attraction. Clearly, all of them bear similarities–but in addition all inform distinctive and distinct tales.
On this new journey at Animal Kingdom, the person with the hat has just lately found a wonderfully preserved Maya temple, and that may solely imply one factor: it’s time to discover it. He’s heard rumors a couple of legendary creature deep throughout the temple — and he’s bought to see it for himself. So, he brings us alongside on the journey.
I assume there’s additionally Dino-Sue and a few winding pathways with statues again right here, however for essentially the most half, this space is just being reimagined from DINOSAUR to the third incarnation of Indiana Jones Journey.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Shocked that DINOSAUR and Dinoland at Animal Kingdom are staying open by February 1, 2026? Suppose the Tropical Americas opening will probably be moved ahead or delayed? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
