There was a lot of energy at the D23 Disney Experience Showcase held in Anaheim, California over the summer. That changed quickly.
At the time, Disney Experience Chairman Josh D’Amaro was like Oprah Winfrey, famously yelling, “Get a car!” Get a car! Get a car! ” Attractions are appearing one after another at Disney Parks.
“It was an incredible feeling to stand on stage in front of a crowd of 13,000 people and talk about all these ambitious plans,” D’Amaro told USA TODAY. “I felt that energy coming back to me and it made me want to do more.”
The Honda Center was like a rock concert as fans cheered, cheered, and thundered applause as fans learned about new villains coming to Walt Disney World, the first Coco attraction coming to Disney California Adventure, and more. filled with.
But a few days later, cheers turned to protests when fans learned that two newly announced Cars-themed attractions would replace Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America at Magic Kingdom.
Shortly thereafter, fans learned that Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios would lose out to the newly announced Monsters, Inc.-inspired hanging coaster, even though Disney hasn’t confirmed its planned location. I started to worry that I might end up losing my life.
“I love the fact that our fans are speculating and watching our every move,” D’Amaro said. “It means they care. It means they are engaged with us. It means they dream and hope just like we do.”
Here’s what Disney fans need to know.
When does Disney’s Dinoland USA close?
Disney first introduced the idea of re-theming Dinoland USA at Disney’s Animal Kingdom during the 2022 D23 Expo, but the wild mouse coaster Primeval Whirl was permanently closed during the pandemic. By then, the landscape had begun to change even earlier.
Disney originally announced that other areas of the land would begin closing this fall, but the first wave of major closures won’t begin until after the holidays, according to the Disney World website. TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures will close on January 13th. Disney has not yet revealed when eateries such as DINOSAUR, The Boneyard, and Restaurantosaurus will close.
Recent trips have seen many fans go for one last ride or explore the area. Dinoland opened with the park in 1998 and is deeply loved by fans who grew up with the land and those who visit with their children. DINOSAUR has a cult following, and The Boneyard, like Tom Sawyer Island in the Magic Kingdom, is a rare place for kids to play and burn off energy after a day of walking and lining up. Disney Imagineering fans also love that Dinoland is an original concept land.
When Disney Legend Joe Rohde, a former Imagineer and one of the masterminds behind Animal Kingdom, recently posted a photo and some of the history of Restaurantosaurus on Instagram, fans like Joe Winner responded: Ta. The land (and how it’s told through small details throughout the land) is some of the best storytelling ever done at a Disney park. ” Dinoland is said to be a tourist destination that came into being after dinosaur fossils were discovered in the area. Sarah Tizzano writes, “I’m personally disappointed that the theme of this land has changed, but I’m always looking forward to new magic!” “I love dinosaurs, but let me just say I’m excited about the changes that are coming,” Rohde said.
A new tropical American themed land called Pueblo Esperanza will open to replace Dinoland USA.
“Like Harambe, this land has a long and rich history and feels lived in. In addition, we have a large restaurant that will be one of the largest quick-service restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort. There is also a farm,” wrote Michael Fungen, Executive Creative Producer, Disney Portfolio. Official blog of Disney Parks. “The space will be lush and expansive, with a large fountain in the center where the villagers like to gather and tell stories.In addition, the woodcarvers will be creating sculptures of their favorite animals from Disney stories. We created a giant moving carousel featuring the theme.
The land will also feature a new Indiana Jones attraction unlike any other Disney park, as well as Disney’s first Encanto-inspired ride.
What will happen to Disney Parks:All of D23’s biggest announcements
Is “It’s Tough Being a Bug” finished?
Yes, but Disney hasn’t announced the exact timing.
“It’s Hard to Be a Bug!” is a hybrid 3-D show and live show inspired by the Disney Pixar film “A Bug’s Life.” As the webpage warns, the interior will be dark and noisy and may be scary, especially for younger guests. Some fans are sad to be leaving Animal Kingdom’s iconic Tree of Life, but that may be why there hasn’t been nearly the same level of outpouring of nostalgia from guests.
In the winter of 2025, a new Zootopia-themed show called “Better Zoogether” will debut there instead. Few new details have been announced, but at last year’s Destination D23 fan event, Walt Disney Imagineering President and Chief Creative Officer Bruce Bourne said: There are some things I haven’t seen yet. Meet Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and my favorite, the amazing Clawhauser animatronics. It’s going to be great. ”
Amber Snipes wrote in a Facebook post about Disney D23’s theme change. “It’s tough being a bug that leans into animal kingdom conservation stories, and I don’t see how that can be done in a Zootopia or Gazelle concert.” Fellow fan Chrissy Betts said, “Somewhere in Animal Kingdom… The idea of adding Zootopia is great, but A Bug’s Life 3D show is the best of all 3D shows and it makes sense to put it under the tree.” It’s like they’ve shrunk to the size of an insect. Zootopia makes no sense under the tree. ”
Will Disney abolish Tom Sawyer Island?
Tom Sawyer Island and the River of America will only be closed at Disney World. They will remain open at Disneyland and “this attraction has the distinction of being the only attraction designed by Walt Disney,” according to the California resort’s website.
“Walt admired Mark Twain’s novels and wanted the island to reflect the world Twain conjured up in his stories,” says Disneyland’s webpage about the pirate’s lair on Tom Sawyer Island. is explained. “Days before construction began, he took the blueprints home and rethought the design, creating the coves, coves, and atmosphere that the island is known for today.”
Disney World’s version of Tom Sawyer Island opened in 1973, two years after Magic Kingdom opened in 1971 and even longer after Walt Disney’s death in 1966. Even if the Florida version didn’t have the same connections to Walt Disney, fans still have a strong reaction to its planned departure. Multiple petitions have been started on Change.org calling for its preservation.
“Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America are two special attractions that remind us of a simpler time, and their loss would be a great loss to all Magic Kingdom guests,” said the petition, signed by more than 500 people. This is stated in one petition filed. Among the virtues admired by fans are the area’s scenic ocean views and shady trees, space to roam, and quiet spaces away from the crowds.
It’s unclear when Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America will be closed, but Disney says construction in the area for the next two Cars rides will begin early next year.
“The first attraction is a thrilling race rally across the frontier,” D’Amaro said at the D23 Disney Experience Showcase in August. “Our second attraction is built especially for the smallest racers and is fun for the whole family.”
Many fans are excited about the new vehicle. Especially now that the Lightning McQueen Racing Academy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is closing to make way for a new Villains show next summer. But that doesn’t mean you won’t miss Tom Sawyer Island and the American River.
What would Walt Disney do?
In a speech about bringing Disney’s stories to life at the Inbound Business Conference in Boston in mid-September, D’Amaro said: Even better than the previous one. We don’t always get this right, but I think Walt wanted us to try. He would want us to be courageous. ”
D’Amaro, who worked at Disney for 26 years and previously served as president of Walt Disney World and Disneyland, also cited Walt Disney’s credit for taking risks in an interview with USA TODAY.
“We’re always going to be introducing new things to our theme parks, just like Walt started here at Disneyland in 1955,” he told USA TODAY.
Disney parks are constantly evolving. Look at EPCOT. This summer, we completed a year-long transformation and immediately began rethinking the test track. This does not mean that the past can be forgotten.
“There are cast members at this company, including myself, who are passionate about finding the balance between pushing the boundaries of newness and maintaining the tradition and memories that so many fans have here. We take great care of the park,” D’Amaro said. “So I’m not surprised that people are speculating, but what they need to know is that we’re taking this seriously. We’re listening to them. I hope we can find that balance eventually.”
(This article has been updated with new information.)
