Goodbye Dinoland USA, Hello Puebla Esperanza

It’s official—the asteroid has finally hit.

Image Courtesy of Andrew Dupont

As of February 2, 2026, the remaining fossils of DinoLand U.S.A. in Disney’s Animal Kingdom have officially gone extinct. Walking toward that side of the park right now is a bit surreal; the giant yellow "Dino-Rama" sign is gone, the tacky (but beloved) carnival lights are dark, and the construction walls are up in full force.

Whether you loved the "cheesy" roadside attraction vibe or you were one of the people counting down the days until it was replaced, there’s no denying that this is one of the biggest identity shifts in Animal Kingdom’s history.

Here is everything you need to know about the extinction of the dinosaurs and the "Village of Hope" rising from the dust.

Image Courtesy of Loren Javier

What DinoLand U.S.A. Used to Be

DinoLand was always a bit of a "love it or hate it" spot. For those who didn't know the backstory, it looked like a cheap carnival had just set up camp in a parking lot. But for the lore-hunters, it was a masterpiece of storytelling.

Located in the DinoLand U.S.A. section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the land was split into two vibes:

• The Dino Institute: Home to the high-stakes, "definitely-not-safe" mission of DINOSAUR.

• Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama: A roadside carnival built by two local gas station owners trying to make a buck off the tourists visiting the Institute.

We lost the first piece of this world on January 13, 2025, when TriceraTop Spin and the midway games shuttered. Then, the beloved Boneyard playground followed suit on September 2, 2025. But the real heartbreak for many was February 1, 2026—the final day guests could ride DINOSAUR and grab a burger at Restaurantosaurus.

Image Courtesy of Disney

The Future: Welcome to Pueblo Esperanza

So, what’s happening behind those giant construction walls? Disney is trading the fossils for the lush, living jungles of the Tropical Americas. The new land will be a fictional village called Pueblo Esperanza (which means "Village of Hope").

Instead of a parking lot carnival, we’re getting a sprawling, Spanish-style hacienda and a town center that feels lived-in and vibrant. Here’s what we’re looking forward to when it opens in 2027:

• The Indiana Jones Adventure: This is the big one. It’s replacing the DINOSAUR attraction. While it will use the same ride vehicle and track layout (RIP to those jerky turns!), the story is entirely new. Indy has discovered a Mayan temple, and yes—there will likely be snakes.

• The First-Ever "Encanto" Ride: We are finally going inside the Casita! You’ll join Antonio on the day he receives his gift, traveling through his rainforest-themed bedroom.

• A Woodcarver’s Carousel: Replacing the old spinner ride, this will feature hand-carved animals from your favorite Disney stories.

  
  

What Animal Kingdom Looks Like Right Now

If you’re visiting in 2026, be prepared: Animal Kingdom is a massive construction zone.

To make this transformation possible, Disney has basically walled off 11 acres of the park. You’ll notice a lot of "green walls" and rerouted walkways. Because Restaurantosaurus is gone, the park has also been tweaking menus over at Harambe Market (Africa) and Flame Tree Barbecue (Discovery Island) to help absorb the crowds.

It’s a "bittersweet" phase. The park feels a little smaller without that entire loop available, but the speed at which they are vertical with the Encanto show building is actually pretty impressive.

Final Thoughts

It’s hard to say goodbye to Dr. Seeker and our "I Made It!" shirts, but the Tropical Americas feels like a more natural fit for the conservation-heavy heart of Animal Kingdom. We’re trading 65-million-year-old bones for the magic of the Madrigal family, and honestly? I think I'm ready for it.

Let me know in the comments if you managed to get one last ride in before the February 2nd closure!