Disney World to temporarily close Big Thunder Mountain, more rides to make way for park expansions

The countdown to extinction is on for attractions in DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

The last day to experience TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures is Jan. 12, 2025. The next day, construction walls will go up to make way for the Tropical Americas redesign and expansion in that area of the park.

Don’t worry, dino fans, Dinosaur the ride, the Boneyard, Restaurantosaurus, Dino-Bite Snacks and Trilo-Bites are staying open — for now.

DinoLand U.S.A. has offered a family-friendly play area and carnival style rides and games since Animal Kingdom opened in 1998. The Dinosaur dark ride was originally titled Countdown to Extinction. The attraction was lightly rebranded to promote the 2000 animated film Dinosaur .

The 11-acre prehistoric-themed land will be transformed into Pueblo Esperanza, a “Village of Hope” in the heart of a rainforest inspired by the Tropical Americas. The indoor DINOSAUR ride will become a new Indiana Jones attraction. Elsewhere in the village will be the Casita from Encanto – including a ride through the enchanted Madrigal mansion.

The Tropical Americas land is expected to open sometime in 2027. Another new addition to Animal Kingdom is the “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” show at the Tree of Life Theater. The park’s distinctive Tree of Life currently houses the “It’s Tough to be a Bug!” show, but Disney has not yet shared the closing date for that attraction.

Over at Magic Kingdom, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will close on Jan. 6, 2025, for an extended refurbishment. The wildest ride in the wilderness — opened in 1980 — is set to reopen in 2026 with “extra magic.”

There’s no confirmation if these revamps are in any way related to the Beyond Big Thunder Mountain project, which was confirmed as Disney Villains back in August. The new and sinister themed land will expand Magic Kingdom beyond the Big Thunder coaster and include two major attractions, dining, shopping and all the most popular Disney Villains.

Nearby, the park’s Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America will soon be cleared to make way for a Cars land. Construction on that new land begins next year, and no closing date for the classic attractions has yet been set.

While we wait for those new lands, the “Disney Starlight” parade and a new Pirates of the Caribbean tavern are both set to open in 2025 in the Magic Kingdom. The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure stage show recently had its opening date moved from fall of this year to summer 2025 at Hollywood Studios.

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