Hi there!
I'm so glad you stopped by planDisney with a question about Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. It's my very favorite place in all of Walt Disney World Resort, so let's
dig into the details!
I'm not going to lie, I had a
bone to pick with Walt Disney World when I first heard that DinoLand U.S.A. was facing
extinction. Not only is it home to my very favorite snack,
buffalo chicken chips, and characters, Chip 'n' Dale, in adorable - I mean fearsome - dinosaur costumes, but one of my family's most
beloved attractions as well. However, as more
information on the retheming has been revealed, I must admit that my excitement to explore spaces inspired by Indiana Jones and Encanto has grown. The wood-carved carousel and Mayan temple adventure are on my list of must-do additions!
To make room for this new magic, DinoLand U.S.A. will be closing in phases. So far, the only confirmed date of closure is January 13, 2025, when
TriceraTop Spin,
Chester & Hester's Dinosaur Treasures, and
Fossil Fun Games will cease operations as construction begins in their respective areas. While the fact that
Donald's Dino-Bash! does not have an end date specified on its webpage should indicate that it will still be taking place during your visit, a few of the characters (including Donald) are currently greeting Guests in areas very close to one of the locations listed above, so there is a chance that meet and greets could be relocated or limited. Because you'll helpfully find a list and map of daily character appearances in the My Disney Experience app, I suggest checking for Donald's appearances in Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park after January 13 for an idea of what to expect during your vacation. As DinoLand U.S.A.'s
countdown to extinction continues, you'll want to keep an eye on the
Disney Parks Blog as well as attraction, event, and dining-specific pages on the
Walt Disney World Resort website for the most up-to-date information on closures.
I hope this was helpful and that
you ARE gonna make it to see your favorite Disney duck in his dino-inspired finest on your next vacation. If any additional questions arise as you continue to plan, feel free to
stop back by. I'm always happy to help!
Thinking Happy Thoughts,
Lizzie