Can you hear that sound? It’s kinda quiet? Oh yeah, it’s our hearts breaking into two.
So. Many. Walls.
DinoLand U.S.A. formally closed in Animal Kingdom in February 2026, and it has truly been a bittersweet process. The land is being replaced with a Tropical American-inspired area called Pueblo Esperanza, which we are excited about, but it hasn’t made saying goodbye to Dr. Seeker any easier. Now, another huge part of DinoLand has disappeared forever, and we aren’t handling it well.
The land entrance sign to DinoLand U.S.A. has been removed from Animal Kingdom. That’s right, that lovely sign with a brachiosaurus and the phrase “DinoLand U.S.A.” on it has disappeared.
The sign is GONE!
This sign signaled your official entrance into the land, where it boasted about “exploration, excavation, and exultation.” Sure, the land, along with the DINOSAUR attraction, closed permanently on February 2nd, but this feels particularly painful.
The former Dinoland U.S.A. sign!
On the back of the sign, it said “Thank you for visiting DinoLand, U.S.A.,” and yes, we cried the last time we read it. It was an honor to visit!
The back of the sign.
It really does feel so empty without the signage! The rest of DinoLand is covered with walls and shrubs to cover the construction that’s going on.
It’s so empty.
While we are so sad to lose this original land, we are pretty excited to see what’s on the way! Pueblo Esperanza will be the home of Indiana Jones and the Family Madrigal from Encanto.
©Disney || Tropical Americas Land coming to Animal Kingdom
There will be 2 signature attractions (an Encanto ride and a new Indiana Jones adventure ride) as well as a carousel with hand-carved characters, a new play area, and a new quick service that Disney boasts will be one of the largest quick service restaurants at Disney World.
Pueblo Esperanza Market Concept Art ©Disney
There really are some very exciting things to look forward to, especially because there is still a lot we don’t know about the land. The new land is opening sometime in 2027, and Disney is wasting no time getting it built. Be sure to keep following DFB for more Disney news, updates, and more!
The Tropical Americas: Pueblo Esperanza — An Encanto Transformation in Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom
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I’m sorry Emma. I know a lot of people really loved Dinoland and will miss it terribly. I didn’t myself, but I feel for those who did. It just wasn’t my cup of tea so to speak, and I’m excited for Tropical Americas.
Just focus on how awesome it will be to ride through Antonia’s room in the Casita! Also, once you eat the magical Arepas (which fingers crossed will be sold somewhere near the Casita) your heart will be healed. lol!
I’m sure that the new area will be great (I hope for WDW’s sake that it is), but we loved Dinoland for what it was. We will miss Restaurantosaurus, Dinosaur, and Chip and Dale in those adorable dino costumes. I am so glad we enjoyed a nice long visit in the area the last time we were there. I know a lot of people are not sorry to see the area change, and they’re definitely entitled to their preferences. I’m just tired of losing in order to gain – there is a lot of space at WDW. Even though I doubt people in our group will be interested in it, I’m glad there will still be a play area, I hope there will still be seating for parents, because seating is another problem at AK. I also doubt there will be any interest from our folks in a carousel or the resort’s largest quick service (yikes), but more dining options are always good. Holding any real reservations until we experience it, but I think overall there will be less in AK for us.