Say it ain’t so! After years of rumours, the iconic, bone-shaking attraction Dinosaur at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is finally facing its own asteroid. Disney confirmed the thrilling time-travel adventure will close on February 2, 2026.
But don’t panic! This isn’t just an extinction event. It’s a metamorphosis! The space is being completely re-imagined. It will become part of a brand new land: the vibrant Tropical Americas (Pueblo Esperanza). This new area is slated to open in 2027.
From Iguanodon to Indy
Many of us have spent years being violently thrashed around in a Time Rover. We raced against an incoming meteor to save an Iguanodon at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. (Thanks a lot, Dr. Seeker!) This news is bittersweet.
Here’s a fun fact that makes the change a natural fit: The Dinosaur ride and the famous Indiana Jones Adventure in Disneyland use the exact same Enhanced Motion Vehicle (EMV) technology and a near-identical track layout. You’ve essentially been riding a dinosaur-themed Indy ride all along!
The new version will complete the family resemblance. It’s set to become a new Indiana Jones adventure inside a mysterious Mayan temple. We hear it will be unlike any Indy experience you’ve seen before. That’s great, because who doesn’t want a new thrilling adventure where a giant snake might appear?
The Last Chance to Ride
If you want one last chance to yell “WE’RE NOT GONNA MAKE IT!” at the top of your lungs, you have until February 1, 2026. That will be the ride’s final day of operation. After that, your Time Rover will be grounded indefinitely.
The new Tropical Americas land is a massive project. It will completely re-imagine Dino Land U.S.A at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It will also feature the first-ever ride-through attraction based on Disney’s Encanto. While the Indiana Jones attraction will re-use the former Dinosaur structure, the whole land is expected to be a stunning new addition to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
So, get your last ride photos. Say goodbye to the massive Carnotaurus that jumps out in the dark. Prepare to trade in your paleontologist’s tools for a fedora and a whip. The age of the dinosaur is ending, but a whole new adventure awaits in 2027!
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