Disney's Animal Kingdom Closes Dino-Rama: Walls Go Up for Tropical Americas Expansion

Jan 13, 2025 in "Tropical Americas"

Gallery / 11 Photos
Dino-Rama Walled Off - January 13, 2025

See all 11

Posted: Monday January 13, 2025 8:10am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

As of January 13, 2025, Chester & Hester's Dino-Rama at Disney's Animal Kingdom is officially closed, marking the end of its colorful, carnival-style attractions.

TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Dinosaur Treasures are now permanently closed as Disney begins work on the park's upcoming Tropical Americas expansion.

Dino-Rama Walled Off - January 13, 2025

Walls and Planters Installed

Construction walls and rolling planters have been installed, blocking off the former Dino-Rama area as preparations for the new land begin. The walkway through Dinoland U.S.A. has been rerouted to guide guests alongside Restaurantosaurus and toward the entrance of the DINOSAUR attraction. The Boneyard playground remains open.

Dino-Rama Walled Off - January 13, 2025

The End of an Era

Dino-Rama's closure signals the start of a new chapter for Animal Kingdom. This section of Dinoland U.S.A. was known for its whimsical dinosaur theme and carnival games. Guests could take a spin on TriceraTop Spin, try their luck at the carnival-style midway games, and browse for prehistoric souvenirs at Dinosaur Treasures.

Dino-Rama Walled Off - January 13, 2025

What's Next: Tropical Americas Expansion

The Tropical Americas expansion will transform Dinoland U.S.A. into a land inspired by the cultures and ecosystems of Central and South America. A standout attraction will be Disney's first-ever Encanto-themed experience, where guests can step into the Madrigal family's casita and celebrate Antonio's magical ability to communicate with animals. The land will also feature an Indiana Jones adventure, replacing DINOSAUR after it closes at the end of 2025.

Tropical Americas Concept Art

Current Access and Attractions

Open: DINOSAUR, The Boneyard, Restaurantosaurus, and Dino-Bite Snacks
Closed: TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Dinosaur Treasures

Dino-Rama Walled Off - January 13, 2025

A New Beginning

The closure of Dino-Rama marks the beginning of significant changes at Disney's Animal Kingdom. With construction walls now in place, the area will gradually evolve over the next few years, with the full Tropical Americas expansion expected to debut in 2027.

Tropical Americas Concept Model

Discuss on the Forums

Get Walt Disney World News Delivered to Your Inbox

Gremlin Gus7 hours ago

Nickm20229 hours ago

completely agree, and want a drone show in Orlando so bad. I also wish they brought back the transport boats that would sail around the tree of life dropping people off in different lands

Nickm20229 hours ago

Im only talking about rides and the train is kinda a necessity and im also just saying I think the rides should fall in 1 of the 3 categories IMO

Pizza Moon9 hours ago

If they do a night show (they will), Animal Kingdom will easily become the best Disney park in Orlando.

Purduevian11 hours ago

1. relation between man and nature: Kali, Na'vi?, EE, (I assume Indy) 2. relation between man and animals Dinosaur, FOP, FotLK, Nemo, New Carousel, (Maybe Encanto) 3. relation between animals and nature: Gorilla Falls, Maharajah Jungel Trek, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Bird show, Winged Encounters, Not in any of the 3 categories as far as I can tell: Animation Experience, Eco-Rhythmics, Harambe Village Street Band, Kora Tinga Tinga, Songs You'll Dig, Tam Tam Drummers, Viva Gaia, Wildlife express train

Nickm202214 hours ago

IMO AK's rides should fall into one of three catagories 1. relation between man and nature 2. relation between man and animals 2. relation between animals and nature And I think all rides in AK present and future fall into these with exception to the zootopia show

jah495518 hours ago

yes...indeed...but.... out of the hundreds of millions who have ridden it, how many made that connection? Until I rode it enough times to remember to anticipate it, every time the omnimover made that sharp tilt all I was thinking was "WHAT'S GOIN' ON!?"

Purduevian18 hours ago

Isn't the story of expedition Everest that some entrepreneurs set up a tourist business to utilize old tea trains to journey to Everest. In order to increase profits, the entrepeneurs decide to use the shortcut through the Forbidden Mountain. However, the locals see this as disrespecting the mountain and that the guardian of the mountain (the yeti) will not take kindly to visitors. The Yeti does indeed exist and we escape back to the tourist station with the lesson that nature should be respected. I'm assuming the story of Indy will be that he is searching for some ancient artifact buried in some long abandoned temple and for some reason has asked us to join him on the quest. The locals see this as disrespecting the mountain temple and that the guardian of the mountain (the yeti) temple (Questacoatl) will not take kindly to visitors. The Yeti Questacoatl does indeed exist and we escape back to the tourist station temple entrance with the lesson that nature should be respected.

Bocabear19 hours ago

now that you mention it....even as a kid I wondered why the graveyard descent outside of the mansion did not architecturally match the exterior of the building.... Seems like just direct-lifting the setting from Disneyland was not the best idea....and it would not be riduculously hard to fix...

Touchdown19 hours ago

So I assume you hate the HM because it’s clear the ride isnt in the building, and breaks realism by having the house we see as we descend into the graveyard is clearly not the same house we entered. Not to mention, it’s always night in the graveyard! Totally reality breaking when you ride during the day. Ditto for Pirates in Orlando. I guess I’m not really a stickler for ride geography conforming to real world geography. While I know the T-Rex is up against the outer wall of the building that doesn’t register on the ride. It’s not a random industrial building it’s a hydrothermal power plant. The dinos have managed to get inside and wreck havoc because that’s what they do. The waterfall is there because part of the plant uses the now cooled water as a hydroelectric system. The only thing that doesn’t make in ride sense is why there is a lift for the boats. The T Rex smashes through the building on the other side because she doesn’t want to risk going down the waterfall, she’s smarter than you. The ultrasaur absolutely needs work, here’s hoping they fix it.

Brer Panther19 hours ago

Y'know, if the ride were about Indiana Jones facing off against dinosaurs, I could probably forgive this whole project. It'd be a good compromise - you'd still have dinosaurs in the park, you could keep all the dinosaur animatronics, and Disney still gets their stupid IP takeover. So what if the Indiana Jones movies don't have dinosaurs in them? Pretty sure they don't have mythical creatures in 'em either.

TrainsOfDisney1 day ago

That is not true. My mom and I loved seeing those dinosaurs and last I checked we are still counted as “guests” when at WDW. Do I also enjoy guardians? Yes. My mom will never ride it, and that’s one less thing we can do together when visiting Epcot. That’s the point. It’s the same situation at MK and DHS. At DAK it might be a win if Encanto is tame (no spinning etc.)

Chi841 day ago

People forget it’s Nahtazu.

AidenRodriguez7311 day ago

You're right! Lion King is also a human story told with animals, should get rid of that. And while we're at it, that Tree of Life isn't a real tree so thats also bad. Kali River Rapids has no animals in it! Where's the animals on expedition everest?