As any frequent Disney park visitor will tell you, Disney is always working on changes and improvements to its parks to keep visitors coming back.
At the end of 2024, Disney shared a list of what visitors could look forward to in 2025, and it was an impressive slate, to say the least.
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Among the plans are two new live shows. The first, dedicated to fans who have a soft spot for Disney’s notorious cast of villains, is called “Villains: Unfairly Ever After.” The second, “A Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure,” is based on the classic original animated film.
In addition, EPCOT is getting a cool new Spaceship Earth lounge in the famous sphere with breathtaking views of the park. Plus, Disney World will feature a brand-new nighttime parade called “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away,” and a Pirates of the Caribbean-themed tavern comes to Adventureland in late 2025.
Related: Disney World closing three iconic attractions permanently
This is all very exciting for folks who love to see what’s new at the parks. But like any change, Disney needs to prepare and make accommodations for what’s to come — and that means closing some of the park’s more dated attractions.
Big changes are coming to Animal Kingdom.
Image source: Shutterstock
The end of an Animal Kingdom favorite
In 2024, Disney explained during its annual D23 event that DinoLand U.S.A. would be closing to make room for new attractions.
Originally opened in 1998, DinoLand U.S.A. is a prehistoric-themed romp that was popular for many years.Â
But Disney has been tweaking it since January as a part of its eventual closure and transformation into Animal Kingdom: Tropical Americas, which will also feature a brand-new Indiana Jones experience that takes place inside a Mayan temple.Â
Visitors can also enjoy an “Encanto” experience that lets them explore the famous Madrigal house from the film.
If you’re excited, be aware that construction will take some time, as both new attractions aren’t scheduled to open until 2027.
Related: Disney Cruise Line quietly challenges Royal Caribbean, Carnival
Some of DinoLand has already closed, including TriceraTop Spin, the Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures — and now it’s time for a new section to close to make way for new attractions.
These old bones need rest
Disney’s next attraction to close in DinoLand U.S.A. will be The Boneyard, which is an open play area that looks like a fossil dig site.
The Boneyard’s final day of operation will be September 1, 2025. The next day, Disney will roll out the second leg of construction on Tropical Americas, which will have a new playground for small visitors, although the theme of it hasn’t been revealed.
Restaurantosaurus and Dinosaur are still open at the park, as Disney has not specified closing dates for them. Dinosaur will remain open through the end of 2025, at which point Disney will start its magical transformation into the new Indiana Jones attraction.
According to an unnamed source who spoke to WDW News Today, DinoLand will fully shutter in January 2026 — but Disney hasn’t yet confirmed it.
