In 1998, Walt Disney World added its newest — and one of its most stunning — theme parks, Animal Kingdom. At Animal Kingdom, guests can enjoy a safari tour through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve and see gorgeous animals like cheetahs, elephants, and lions. They can also journey into the heart of the Himalayas and see the mystical Yeti.
In 2017, one of Disney’s most ambitious projects — Pandora: The World of Avatar — opened in Animal Kingdom. Guests could fly through the stunning world on the back of a banshee and even travel down a Na’vi River and encounter an enchanting shaman.
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Back in August of this year, Disney announced that another massive project was on the way at Animal Kingdom.
Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro revealed that DinoLand U.S.A. would be going extinct. In its place would be an area called Tropical Americas, and it would have one area dedicated to the Indiana Jones franchise and a second area dedicated to the hit 2021 film Encanto.
News of the project was met with mixed reactions. Some were happy to see an underutilized area would get a much-needed refresh, while others were devastated that attractions like DINOSAUR would be permanently closing.
Related: Disney World Abruptly Erases Half of DinoLand in Latest Resort Update
For months, fans worried that the last time they rode DINOSAUR would be the very last time they ever rode the beloved attraction. However, recently, Disney confirmed that the attraction would be open through 2025.
Then, in a stunning move, just days ago, fans saw that the Alioramus had returned to the attraction. The popular dinosaur animatronic had been removed back in October during a ride refurbishment, and many were worried it would never be seen again.
Between the announcement that DINOSAUR will be open for at least another year and the return of the Alioramus, some are speculating that the entire Indiana Jones-themed area will be canceled altogether.
They are going to cancel the Indiana Jones overlay of Dinosaur before this Animal Kingdom refresh is over.
Dinorama is cooked for Tropical America but Dinosaur isn’t going to go anywhere. Just a hunch.
They are going to cancel the Indiana Jones overlay of Dinosaur before this Animal Kingdom refresh is over.
Dinorama is cooked for Tropical America but Dinosaur isn’t going to go anywhere. Just a hunch.
— Disney Dan Becker (@DisneyDan) December 20, 2024
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This, of course, is speculation, but many commenters not only agreed with the tweet, but also hoped that it was something that would really happen. While the Encanto-themed area received a lot of positive feedback, the Indiana Jones area’s reception was lukewarm.
A lot of fans pointed out that there was already an Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland Park, and they didn’t want to sacrifice DINOSAUR for more of the same. They just wanted Disney to make DINOSAUR fit into the Tropical Americas theme, which is definitely possible.
I agree, If i were disney I would don’t retheme dinosaur and just theme it to fit the tropical america land. Then after encanto and the rest of the land opens see if the better offering cause higher wait times for dinosaur and if not retheme the ride as originally planned
I agree, If i were disney I would don’t retheme dinosaur and just theme it to fit the tropical america land. Then after encanto and the rest of the land opens see if the better offering cause higher wait times for dinosaur and if not retheme the ride as originally planned
— Park Mind (@AParkMind) December 21, 2024
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Others felt that Disney should get away from the Indiana Jones theme because the films don’t have the same power they once did. While the original trilogy was very successful, the following films have struggled to find success. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny — which was released in June 2023 — was a complete box office flop.
It’s a bad idea. I love Indiana Jones but it’s not the IP it used to be. They should use their branding power for a lesser IP that is rewatchable on D+ and invigorate it. I’d love them to turn it into an emporers new groove attraction or a new story with the Atlantis characters
It’s a bad idea. I love Indiana Jones but it’s not the IP it used to be. They should use their branding power for a lesser IP that is rewatchable on D+ and invigorate it. I’d love them to turn it into an emporers new groove attraction or a new story with the Atlantis characters
— DP (@DarthImpervious) December 21, 2024
It’s important to remember that these same kinds of predictions were made when Disney announced in 2020 that it would be closing Splash Mountain at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The news was met with such backlash that some fans convinced themselves Disney would change its mind.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure replaced Splash Mountain at the Magic Kingdom in June 2024 and at Disneyland Resort in November 2024. However, the attraction is not nearly as popular as its predecessor, which has led to speculation and hope that Splash Mountain will return in the future.
Would like to see Disney cancel its planned Indiana Jones area in Animal Kingdom and keep DINOSAUR? Or do you think a change is really needed? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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