Disney has already updated its maps to show the off-limits construction site

DISNEY is making major changes to its Animal Kingdom theme park as it closes a nearly 30-year-old beloved attraction to make way for new development.

The theme park’s iconic Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama at DinoLand USA is now closed.

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Animal Kingdom Theme Park Entrance, Disney World Resort, Orlando FloridaCredit: Alamy
The closure paves the way for a two-year construction project that will see a new Tropical Americas-themed attraction come to the Florida theme park.

The new area will be based on the popular Disney movie Encanto as well as the Indiana Jones franchise.

Dino-Rama’s closure officially took place on January 13 after Disney World announced the planned shutdown last October.

This marks the end of an era for DinoLand USA, which opened with the park on April 22, 1998.

DinoLand’s roadside carnival-style attractions entertained millions of guests for over 27 years.

That section of the park featured two main rides — TriceraTop Spin and the thrilling Dinosaur — plus character meet-and-greets, Fossil Fun Games, a gift shop, a restaurant, and an outdoor play area.

But while Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama is shuttered, a portion of DinoLand will remain open throughout 2025, Disney said, including the Dinosaur ride and the Boneyard play area.

Construction for the new Tropical Americas land is set to happen in phases, so there’s still time to “get that dino,” Disney said in a statement, per Orlando NBC affiliate WESH.

“Instead of Disney just completely knocking that land out for the next two-ish years, they’re kind of doing it in phases where hopefully we can see somewhat construction with some new things, and they can kind of balance each other out, because, if not, Animal Kingdom would have lost almost a third of its attractions just from that area,” Tharin White, a theme park expert, told WESH.

CHANGING THE MAP

Disney first announced its proposed plans for a park change in 2023 and filed its first construction permits in October, The U.S. Sun previously reported.

Disneyland Paris reveals its new immersive night-time show

At the time, it confirmed the phased introduction of the new Tropical Americas site and announced an expected completion date of sometime in 2027.

Large construction walls have been erected around the former DinoLand USA area, blocking it off from guests as work begins, WESH reported.

The Animal Kingdom guidemap has been updated, debuting the changes at Walt Disney World, according to photos obtained by Disney parks news site WDW News Today.

The new map design features a blue-to-green gradient border, centered around a tiger, with the Disney’s Animal Kingdom wordmark in the top left corner.

Inside the map’s first fold, various sections are highlighted under the heading “Alive with Magic,” promoting key park features.

To the right, there’s an advertisement for the My Disney Experience app, showcasing its offerings and benefits.

The map also reveals that DinoLand USA has been updated to remove Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama.

Least crowded months at Disney World

If you’re looking to avoid crowds at Disney World, it’s important to plan your trip on slower months.

When to go:

Blogs dedicated to Disney recommend going to the parks in February, May, August, and September.
As far as which days to go, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays can be a bit less crowded, according to Magic Guides.

When to avoid:

Public holidays can be the busiest times at the parks
The pros recommend avoiding the periods around Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, and Spring break
Memorial Day and Easter weekends are also crowded
Summer, Thanksgiving week, and Christmas until New Year’s Day should also be avoided if possible

Fans of DinoLand quickly shared their nostalgia for the area on social media.

“Goodbye Dinoland USA… I’ll miss you and your silly quirky aesthetic,” one person wrote on X, along with a sobbing emoji and several hearts.

“I came to really enjoy dino-rama and DinoLand in general. So many details around every corner. First time playing games there I only won a tiny green dino. The last time I finally got my Dino. Thank you DinoLand Gods,” another person said on the platform of their final visit before the closure.

Others mourned the “end of an era,” according to one poster, with several sharing more fond memories of the area.

While some are sad to see it go, others are excited about the upcoming Tropical Americas attractions.

“I’ve never really cared about Dinoland USA but I will say I’ll definitely miss the odd beaten off vibe this place had and the lore that only 5% of DAK guests knew about lol,” one person wrote on X.

“Chester and Hester thanks for the past 26 years. Bring on Tropical Americas!”

Disney has yet to release full details about the attractions planned for the Tropical Americas land.

The changes are part of a broader plan by Disney to refresh its parks and enhance guest experiences.

Tourists coming to Animal Kingdom might see continued updates as work progresses on the new land.