Every time my family visits a Disney theme park, part of the fun is checking out what’s new since our last visit.

Because if there is one thing you can count on at Disney theme parks, it’s that no two visits are ever the same. Attractions get revamped, beloved restaurants are replaced with new concepts, and entire lands get razed to make way for new, exciting experiences.

Now change is happening again — this time, Disney Imagineers have set their sights on Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where several restaurants and snack kiosks are closing to make way for a massive redesign. The updates are part of Disney’s plan to replace DinoLand U.S.A. with a new themed area called Tropical Americas, inspired by “Encanto” and “Indiana Jones.”

This is the latest move in the closure of Dinoland.

Change is constant at Disney theme parks, including Disney World.

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What’s closing at Disney World, and when

Change is never-ending at Disney, and alhtough the revamps always provoke strong feelings and opinions from fans, they’re also a big part of what keeps people returning to the parks.

Disney has been gradually closing parts of Dinoland over the last few months, and now the company has announced the latest.

Disney Tourist Blog reports several key dining changes between late 2025 and early 2026:

  • Trilo-Bites & Dino-Bite Snacks: Permanently closing October 19, 2025.
  • Harambe Market: Will temporarily close October 20, 2025, for updates.
  • Restaurantosaurus (and its lounge): Closing February 2, 2026 (final day of guest service February 1, 2026).
  • DINOSAUR attraction: Will close February 2, 2026, signaling the end of DinoLand’s prehistoric era.

While these dates mark the official closures, Disney could adjust timelines as construction accelerates on the new land.

“We’ve got so many stories to tell, we have so many things we want to make even better in the theme parks. My plan is to continue to share that with the guests. I know people are like, ‘My gosh, I can’t believe he’s saying this. Is he serious, is he not?’ The answer is, we are absolutely serious. We know what this business is capable of, we know what our fans expect of us, and we’re going all in,” Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro said about the plans to replace DinoLand at Disney’s Animal Kingdom when the announcement was made.

What’s moving where at Disney World

To minimize disruption, Disney is relocating many popular menu items across Animal Kingdom. The menu shuffles show how carefully Disney manages change, making sure the foods that guests love and look forward to are still available, even if not in the expected locations.

  • Trilo-Bites’ Buffalo Chicken Chips will move to Eight Spoons Café on Discovery Island.
  • Harambe Market will be temporarily served at Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery starting October 20, 2025.
  • Ice cream treats from Dino-Bites will move to Tamu Tamu Refreshments and the Anandapur Ice Cream Truck.
  • Warung Outpost will take over Dole Whip floats.

Why Disney keeps changing

When it debuted in the late 1990s, DinoLand was a creative concept that blended roadside Americana with prehistoric humor. But its storytelling never resonated as strongly as that of Animal Kingdom’s other areas, like Pandora or Africa.

By replacing it with Tropical Americas, Disney is betting that storytelling focused on modern intellectual property and immersive experiences will draw younger audiences.

Related: Disney World raised ticket prices, now increases essential fee

This strategy mirrors Disney’s broader refresh across its parks — where timeless nostalgia coexists with new franchises that keep visitors coming back.

The company has learned that even its most loyal fans want Mickey, Minnie, and Donald Duck — and new attractions.

What Disney changes mean for guests

If you’re planning trips to Disney World between late 2025 and early 2026, you should expect:

  • Temporary food location changes and limited menus in certain areas.
  • Construction walls and rerouted paths around DinoLand.
  • Heavier crowds near remaining quick-service locations, especially Harambe Market and Flame Tree Barbecue.

For guests who loved the quirky dinosaur theming, this winter will be the last chance to grab one more bite before the area is extinct.

Still, if Disney’s history is any guide, the next version of Animal Kingdom will be bigger and brighter than DinoLand.

Related: A beloved Disney theme park ride is changing forever