Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
On February 2, 2026, Disney Parks fans said goodbye to the final parts of DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. But did you know that part of the land lives on, and continues serving Walt Disney World Resort guests?
The original theme park within a theme park began closing in phases in January 2025, starting with Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama (including the Fossil Fun Games), Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, and TriceraTop Spin. The Boneyard play area followed in September. The final day to experience the DINOSAUR attraction, Restaurantosaurus, and several Quick-Service kiosks throughout the land was February 1, 2026.
What’s Replacing DinoLand U.S.A.?
At D23 Expo 2024, Walt Disney Imagineers confirmed that the company had greenlit a formerly blue-sky idea for a Tropical Americas-themed land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. The area joins several other continent-themed lands at the park, including Africa and Asia.
The land, called Pueblo Esperanza, will take over the current footprint of DinoLand U.S.A. It will include two Encanto (2021) attractions: an animal carousel and an experience inspired by Casita, the magical house from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film. Disney is also retheming DINOSAUR into an Indiana Jones-inspired experience. Imagineers have promised it will differ from Indiana Jones Adventure, the Disneyland Park attraction that uses the same track and ride system as DINOSAUR.
The Dino Institute Lives On
DinoLand U.S.A. might be extinct, but part of the land lives on at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park (for now). According to X (formerly Twitter) user @greencheetah99, a snack cart bearing the green “Dino Institute” logo continues serving guests near one of the former land’s shuttered entrances. (The Dino Institute was the research institution guests visited during the DINOSAUR attraction, and served as Chester & Hester’s inspiration for building the roadside attraction nearby.)
The Dino Institute still lives on at this snack cart!
The kiosk serves pre-packaged ice cream and frozen treats, including Mickey ice cream bars and Mickey cookies-and-cream ice cream sandwiches. Guests can also purchase bottled Coca-Cola beverages.
Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t said when it will remove or retheme the Dino Institute snack cart. It’s likely to disappear soon as part of the construction on Pueblo Esperanza.
Which part of DinoLand U.S.A. will you miss the most? Let us know in the comments!
