Disney World announces next phase of closure for fan favorite

If you have visited a Disney theme park more than once, you've probably noticed how The Walt Disney Company is masterful at making the parks seem always familiar, yet full of new energy and attractions at the same time. 

Attractions and experiences come and go, and that's actually part of the fun of visiting often. 

Yes, it was sad to bid goodbye to Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America at Disney World Magic Kingdom earlier this summer, but it will be amazing when Piston Peak National Park, an expansion of the "Cars" universe, opens. 

Over at Disney's Animal Kingdom which opened in 1998, Dinoland, U.S.A. has always been one of the premier attractions, with its focus on prehistoric life when dinosaurs roamed the earth. 

Back in March, Disney announced the land would be closing, but this week it updated the original blog post announcement. 

"If you're hoping to get in some prehistoric fun, now is your last year to visit before it goes extinct," according to Disney.

When is "Dinosaur" closing at Disney World?

So if you're one of those Disney fans who likes to plan "farewell" trips when you get wind of a permanent closure, you'll want to make plans for your next visit. 

DinoLand U.S.A. has an official final day.

More on travel:

• U.S. government issues serious warning for cruise passengers
• Delta Air Lines makes a baggage change that travelers will like
• United Airlines passenger incident triggers quick response

The first part of the attraction closed in early January 2025 — including TriceraTop Spin, the Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures — and the Boneyard closed on September 2, 2025. 

But there is still plenty to see before DinoLand U.S.A. and the Dinosaur ride goes extinct. 

Related: Disney fined $10 million for violating children's privacy laws

According to the Disney World website, the last day to experience the Dinosaur ride, the Dino Institute Shop, Restaurantosaurus, and the Restaurantosaurus Lounge is February 1.

Dinoland, U.S.A. will close permanently as of February 2, 2026, to make way for Tropical Americas. Construction of the new land begins fall 2025. It will feature two attractions: Encanto and India(BHARAT)na Jones, which are said to open in 2027. 

What is new at Disney World?

The Walt Disney Company constantly has an eye on growth, while paying attention to what its competitors are doing. 

Comcast's new Florida theme park, Epic Universe, opened to much fanfare in May 2025, and on the Disney Q2FY25 earnings call that same month, CEO Bob Iger said his company wasn't ruling out building a new theme park at some point. 

Related: Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger shares massive Disney+ streaming changes

But for the moment, he said the company is instead prioritizing massive upgrades in the company's theme parks in Florida and California. 

"As we prepare to embark on this exciting new addition to our experiences portfolio, we already have more expansion projects underway domestically and around the world than at any time in our history. That includes investing more than $30 billion in our theme parks in Florida and California to enhance our offerings, create jobs, and support the U.S. economy."

Of course, the Walt Disney Company has already made big changes at its Florida parks in the last year or so.  

Walt Disney World Resort openings in 2025 so far: 

• Test Track 3 at EPCOT: The reimagined Test Track reopened on July 22, 2025.
• Starlight Parade at Magic Kingdom: “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” debuted on July 20, 2025.
• Little Mermaid Show at Hollywood Studios: A live stage show opened May 27, 2025.
• Villains Unfairly Ever After at Hollywood Studios: The Disney Villains live show opened on May 27, 2025.
• Spaceship Earth Lounge at EPCOT: The GEO‑82 lounge inside Spaceship Earth opened on June 4, 2025.

Walt Disney World Resort plans for 2026 and beyond: 

• Piston Peak National Park at Magic Kingdom: Work began in July 2025 but no opening date has been announced.
• Villains Land at Magic Kingdom: The new land is based on Disney villains. Work has begun but no opening date has been announced.
• "Monsters Inc." Land at Hollywood Studios: The new land will include a thrill ride — a suspended coaster. Work began in June 2025 but no opening date has been announced.
• Muppet Coaster at Hollywood Studios: Aerosmith’s Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster is being reimagined as a Muppets attraction, with a planned opening in 2026.

As the saying goes, "Everything changes but everything stays the same," and that is certainly true for Disney. 

Related: Disney theme parks quietly abandon middle-class travelers