The former Restaurantosaurus restaurant at Animal Kingdom is undergoing a major transformation as part of Walt Disney World Resort's ambitious plan to reimagine DinoLand U.S.A. into Tropical Americas. This exciting project has construction crews hard at work, and we've got all the details on what's happening on-site. But here's where it gets controversial...
Construction Updates
The area surrounding the former Restaurantosaurus is a bustling construction zone. Over the wall, you can see excavators, rocks, and piles of dirt, with wood and concrete blocks stacked nearby. The dust floating above indicates the active work being done by the crews. Inside the Restaurantosaurus building, props like roof chairs and aluminum cans remain, but more construction materials and equipment have been moved in.
A large hole has appeared in the dirt in front of the building, with two excavators parked nearby. Walls have been erected in front of the former Dinosaur Treasures gift shop, and we can see crew members, equipment, and vehicles over the wall. Interestingly, no exterior work appears to have been done on the former gift shop since our last report.
The exterior of the upcoming Encanto attraction building looks largely the same as it did last week, with no significant changes visible.
DinoLand U.S.A. Farewell
DinoLand U.S.A. is undergoing a phased closure from January 2025 to February 2026. We've taken a final look at each part of the original land, including DINOSAUR, Restaurantosaurus, Donald’s Dino-Bash, Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama, Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, and The Boneyard. You can read the complete history of DINOSAUR, a.k.a. Countdown to Extinction, for a deeper dive into the ride's past.
Tropical Americas Unveiled
Tropical Americas will feature the fictional village of Pueblo Esperanza, with the expansive hacienda on the right being the former Restaurantosaurus. The Indiana Jones attraction, replacing DINOSAUR, will be located in the upper right, while the carousel sits in the lower center. Casita, the facade of the Encantoride, will be found in the upper left, with the reimagined Dinosaur Treasures nearby.
Are you sad to see DinoLand U.S.A. go or excited about the new Tropical Americas? Let us know on social media. For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
And this is the part most people miss...
The transformation of DinoLand U.S.A. into Tropical Americas is a significant undertaking, and it's fascinating to see how the area is being reimagined. However, some may argue that the closure of DinoLand U.S.A. represents a loss of a beloved Disney experience. What do you think? Are you excited about the new attractions, or do you have fond memories of the original DinoLand U.S.A. that you'll miss?
