Hello, Steve! Welcome to planDisney!
Thanks for stopping by with your dino-sized question. My family loves Dinoland U.S.A—especially The Boneyard playground—and I’m sad to see it go. Still, I’m excited to see what the Imagineers have in store for the new
Tropical Americas area. The concept art has looked amazing so far.
The skeleton of
Sue the T-Rex found at the Animal Kingdom is a replica. The real fossils are on display at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, Illinois. My understanding is that Walt Disney World and other sponsors helped the museum purchase the fossils in 1997. So does that make Sue the T-Rex a Disney Princess? You decide!
There hasn’t been any public announcement of what will happen to the replica Sue. It may be displayed elsewhere in the park, or like so many things at Walt Disney World, perhaps it be incorporated into another attraction. For example, I’ve read that the statue of Uh-Oa at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at the Polynesian Village Resort used to be in The Enchanted Tiki Room: Under New Management. I’ve heard about other animatronics from retired rides finding homes in new attractions, so it seems like a common practice. Hopefully, some news about the Sue replica will be shared with the public, and I’d suggest keeping an eye on the
Disney Parks Blog for announcements on all the new things coming to Animal Kingdom.
Steve, I hope this information is helpful. You can always come back if you have any other questions. You’re as welcome as can be at planDisney!
Magical travels!
Matt