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It’s the beginning of the end for one of Disney’s most divisive theme park lands. With just a month left until The Boneyard shuts its gates for good, Walt Disney World is accelerating its plans to overhaul Animal Kingdom’s DinoLand U.S.A. — and not everyone is thrilled.
Though Disney fans have long known about its closure, The Boneyard’s upcoming departure marks a tangible shift. At the end of its operating day on September 1, the dinosaur dig-themed playground will close permanently, clearing the way for the park’s next evolution: Tropical Americas.
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A Park in Transition
DinoLand U.S.A. has been a mainstay of Animal Kingdom since the park’s debut in 1998, offering a blend of educational theming, carnival-style games, and the thrill ride DINOSAUR. Over the years, however, the land became increasingly criticized for its uneven tone and aging infrastructure. The closure of Primeval Whirl in 2020 only amplified speculation about its fate.
Still, even with its flaws, the decision to demolish rather than reimagine has sparked debate. “I never wanted them to get rid of Dinoland and replace it with something else,” wrote one fan on Reddit. “I wanted them to improve it so it could align with the original vision of the park.”
Another added, “They could put in a family coaster like the Excavator that was pitched a while back. Rejuvenate the land, and take out the one part… that practically no one likes.”
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For now, only DINOSAUR and Restaurantosaurus also remain operational. Once The Boneyard closes, DINOSAUR will become the final holdout of the original land — at least until its closure in 2026.
What’s Coming in Its Place?
Disney’s plans for Tropical Americas have grown increasingly ambitious. Inspired by the natural landscapes and cultures of Central and South America, the new land will introduce lush environments, vibrant facades, and two major attractions.
The first is an Encanto-themed ride set inside Antonio’s rainforest room, which promises a kid-friendly journey filled with animals and magical surprises. “It’s time to go explore alongside him,” Disney teases, “and you never know what member of the family you might bump into…”
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The second is an Indiana Jones ride that will seemingly reuse the existing DINOSAUR ride system but introduce a brand-new storyline and setting. Unlike Disneyland’s version, this take will explore Maya-inspired ruins and reportedly lean more heavily into archaeological mythology.
Complementing these rides will be a new storytelling fountain, a reimagined carousel featuring Disney animal sidekicks like Squirt, Timon, and HeiHei, and a focus on culturally rooted design rather than kitschy spectacle.
The overhaul is part of a broader investment across Walt Disney World Resort. At Magic Kingdom, Cars Land will soon replace Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island, and a Disney Villains-themed area is in early development. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the former Animation Courtyard is set to be replaced by a land themed to Walt Disney Animation Studios, while the park readies its first Monsters, Inc.-based land nearby.
For Animal Kingdom, the coming years promise sweeping transformation. Zootopia: Better Zoogether! will debut later this year inside the Tree of Life theater, and by 2027, the park’s entire southeast corner will be unrecognizable.
