Why We're Worried About These Upcoming Disney World Closures

Big changes are coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and while the long-term vision sounds exciting, we’re a little concerned about what’s happening in the meantime.

DinoLand USA

There is growing concern, especially with the confirmed closure of DinoLand U.S.A., one of the park’s original lands. When you’re already dealing with the fewest rides of any Disney World park, every closure matters, and with this one, we could be heading toward some very sparse park days.

Over the past year, DinoLand has slowly been closing in pieces. The Primeval Whirl roller coaster permanently closed in 2020. We saw TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures closed in January 2025. The Boneyard and the Dig Site both permanently closed on September 2nd during the second wave.

TriceraTop Spin closed

Finally, the last day to experience DINOSAUR, The Dino Institute Shop, Dino-Bites Snacks, Restaurantosaurus, and Restaurantosaurus Lounge is February 1st, 2026. That means one of Animal Kingdom’s few indoor, air-conditioned rides will be gone, and for the next couple of years, we’ll be left with even fewer attractions in an already ride-light park.

Dinosaur

This creates a ripple effect across Lightning Lane Multi Pass. With DINOSAUR gone and only a handful of major rides remaining, demand for the remaining Lightning Lane selections is likely to increase. That could mean longer wait times for top-tier attractions and fewer appealing options for guests, especially those not interested in thrill rides or intense simulators. In short, less to choose from means more demand for other rides. We also don’t expect a price decrease in Lightning Lane at this park during this time.

Kilimanjaro Safaris

However, that doesn’t mean you should turn Animal Kingdom into a half-day park. Instead, check out the things that you might have rushed by in the past. Things like the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail or even one of the two incredible shows offered here, Finding Nemo: The Big Blue and Beyond, and The Festival of the Lion King. Animal Kingdom is also home to some amazing snacks and bars like Nomad Lounge or the Dawa Bar.

Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail

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So what is the silver lining? We’re getting something new and promising. Disney has announced that the area will be reimagined into a “Tropical Americas” land, inspired by the cultures and environments of Central and South America. It will include attractions based on Encanto and Indiana Jones, the latter of which is rumored to replace the existing DINOSAUR ride system.

Concept art on the construction walls

This exciting new land is currently projected to open in 2027, but that’s still at least a year without a replacement, and that’s assuming there are no delays. While we’re genuinely excited for the transformation, it’s hard not to worry about what Animal Kingdom will feel like in the meantime: a little emptier, a little less balanced, and a bit more difficult to justify as a full-day park.