The prehistoric era at Disney’s Animal Kingdom has officially come to an end. DinoLand U.S.A., a beloved opening day land that has entertained guests for nearly 3 decades, closed its gates on January 12th, 2025.
The quirky roadside carnival-themed area has been a staple of Disney’s Animal Kingdom since its inception. While some attractions like DINOSAUR will stick around through 2025, three iconic prehistoric-themed areas have now gone extinct: Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama with its carnival games, the DinoRama gift shop, and the TriceraTop Spin ride.
Of course, Disney isn’t going to let any prime real estate stay dormant. The company has plans to transform the space into Pueblo Esperanza, which is planned to be a vibrant Tropical Americas-themed area. The new land will feature attractions inspired by the animated hit Encanto, while the DINOSAUR ride will undergo an Indiana Jones makeover to match its West Coast counterpart.
During DinoLand’s final weeks, the area saw massive crowds flocking to experience DinoLand’s experiences one last time. As a matter of fact, the outdoor play area, Fossil Fun Games, completely ran out of their signature dinosaur and character plush prizes just before closing.
For those who missed the final days to visit DinoLand U.S.A., there’s still time to experience some prehistoric magic at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. To that effect, several DinoLand establishments, including Restaurantosaurus, Dino-Bite Snacks, Trilo-Bites, and the Boneyard playground, will remain operational throughout 2025.