DAK 'Encanto' and 'Indiana Jones'-themed experiences at Animal Kingdom

[Bleed0range]

I agree, and I still have my doubts that the Indiana Jones ride they replace it with will be an improvement.

I’ve been riding both for 20 years and I don’t get the big love for Dinosaur. It feels like an empty warehouse with some potted plants set near the track and some not all that impressive animatronics. They were much better 20 years ago but still… you ride Indy one time and the production quality of the same ride system is so much better.

I’ve lamented that they didn’t just put an Indy ride in WDW since it opened and so I am very happy and excited they finally came to their senses.

I do feel bad though for my daughter who loves this ride. She prefers Dinosaurs (or any animal thing) to Indy. But Disney just doesn’t have that much to offer Dinosaur wise when Universal has JP.

I wish they would have invested more into Dinosaurs though in AK. It always came off very budget minded and cheap.

 

[DCBaker]

With the Boneyard now closed, here's a look at the new Animal Kingdom guidemap released today:

 

[wdwmagic]

Disney's Animal Kingdom Closes The Boneyard, Changes Access to DINOSAUR​

Disney's Animal Kingdom Closes The Boneyard, Changes Access to DINOSAUR

Disney's Animal Kingdom Closes The Boneyard, Changes Access to DINOSAUR

www.wdwmagic.com

 

[Gusey]

Has the T-Rex always been the animal highlight for Dinoland?

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

What's going to happen to Dino-Sue now? I have the real one here in Chicago, but I always appreciated seeing the replica at AK.

 

[Mike S]

What's going to happen to Dino-Sue now? I have the real one here in Chicago, but I always appreciated seeing the replica at AK.

Hmmm, could she possibly work in Frontierland considering the regions tie to paleontology?

 

[DCBaker]

Disney has announced DINOSAUR and Restaurantosaurus are set to close February 2, 2026. The last day to ride DINOSAUR is February 1:

When is DinoLand closing?

If you’re hoping to get in some prehistoric fun, now is your last year to visit DinoLand before it goes extinct. DinoLand U.S.A. will permanently close on February 2, 2026. This means the final day to experience DINOSAUR, The Dino Institute Shop, Restaurantosaurus, and Restaurantosaurus Lounge is February 1.

DinoLand Closing Updates for Animal Kingdom

Discover the latest updates about DinoLand U.S.A. closing at Disney World. There's still time to catch that dino!

disneyparksblog.com

 

[Purduevian]

I wonder if Nemo will be in the "asia" section of the park (on park maps) once dinoland closes

 

[bmr1591]

Harambe Market also switching to a burger and chicken nugget location since Restaurantosaurus will be closed. That's... really disappointing.

 

[Surferboy567]

Disney has announced DINOSAUR and Restaurantosaurus are set to close February 2, 2026. The last day to ride DINOSAUR is February 1:

When is DinoLand closing?

If you’re hoping to get in some prehistoric fun, now is your last year to visit DinoLand before it goes extinct. DinoLand U.S.A. will permanently close on February 2, 2026. This means the final day to experience DINOSAUR, The Dino Institute Shop, Restaurantosaurus, and Restaurantosaurus Lounge is February 1.

DinoLand Closing Updates for Animal Kingdom

Discover the latest updates about DinoLand U.S.A. closing at Disney World. There's still time to catch that dino!

disneyparksblog.com

This is the only part of Dinoland I am sad to see go. Dinosaur is a great ride however I believe it’s time has come. Happy for Indy to get his due in Disney World very excited for what they do with the temple.

 

[JohnD]

I wonder if Nemo will be in the "asia" section of the park (on park maps) once dinoland closes

I would put it in "Oceania" by itself.

Oceania - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Timothy_Q]

Would love to see a new location at Discovery Island for burgers, so Harambe Market can return to its intended menu

 

[EagleScout610]

Fun fact - DINOSAUR is getting a longer "farewell" period that any other closing attraction at 152 days. The second longest was MuppetVision with 125 days.

 

[mattpeto]

Fun fact - DINOSAUR is getting a longer "farewell" period that any other closing attraction at 152 days. The second longest was MuppetVision with 125 days.
View attachment 880901

I love these little "fun facts". Please keep sharing!

 

[WorldExplorer]

CAN I HAVE A DAY TO MOURN PLEASE

I'm moving soon, I'll have to get back for this.

After that I want to make a real effort to cut Disney out of my life. There's too many things to see in the world to put up with their crap.

Man those neon paint jobs look so bad on CTX's dinosaurs. Like legitimately they are so distracting to me. Why is it glowing orange?

Alas though, I always enjoyed Dinosaur. I think it has been criticized way too much for not being IJA.

I was going to defend it as red not showing up well in the dark, but then I went and watched an old video, and no, no even the paint job used to look better. And he used to have a steam effect in the vent next to him. And, you know, the whole "movement" thing.

 

[mattpeto]

Calling it right now. Bookmark this, frame it, whatever you gotta do. But here's what's going to happen...

- Plans for Encanto remain unchanged.
- Indiana Jones is not happening.
- Dinosaur will remain but under a different name and story. Aladar statue and fountain is out. The area will look like a lush, tropical rainforest while the CTX building will look abandoned with overgrowth surrounding it. The "Countdown to Extinction" name will return.
- The ride's new story will center around discovering the abandoned lab and Time Machine. Any loose tie to the 2001 "Dinosaur" movie is gone.
- The change will be heralded at this year's D23 as Disney "listening to the fans", but in reality, they were hesitant to begin work on Indy until external situations played out. Hesitation began after the last Indy movie completely bombed but it was too late to not announce the project at 2023's D23. Now with building materials potentially being 25% more expensive, the large, rolling boulder finally caught up to the man in the hat. Splat.

You surely don't know the future @Sorcerer Mickey.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Harambe Market also switching to a burger and chicken nugget location since Restaurantosaurus will be closed. That's... really disappointing.

Really hope that is only temporary. I do understand feeling the need to have someplace that covers what Restaurantosaurus provided, but I always appreciated what Harambe Market offered

Not sure what would have been a better location to switch up or if there was a way to have like food trucks or something additional that could have served that role

 

[Kamikaze]

Feb 1 is probably going to be the closing date for Monsters Inc, Mike & Sulley to the Rescue as well.

Great day in the history of Disney Parks!

 

[JD80]

The whole market is changing or they just adding some additional offerings? I may have missed that announcement.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

The whole market is changing or they just adding some additional offerings? I may have missed that announcement.

the wording used is "Shifting it's menu" and will close for refurbishment sometime this winter to prepare for the new menu

So at least reads like a total change vs just additions (hopefully they keep at least a few of the current offerings vs only having burgers and chicken fingers)