3 Game-Changing Updates Announced for Disney's Animal Kingdom in 2025

We can’t believe that it is almost 2025! Where did 2024 go?

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

We have a whole, new year ahead of us, and we can’t wait to see what it holds. Of course, we will be providing you with all your Disney World news and updates, including LOTS of food reviews. But, there have already been three updates announced for Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2025 that you need to know about!

There are a couple of game-changing updates that you will want to be aware of if you are headed to Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2025! The first round of closures for DinoLand U.S.A., begins January 12th, 2025. TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures will close on this date. However, you will still have a bit longer to get a last ride in on Dinosaur or play around in the Boneyard!

DinoLand U.S.A.

Disney has not yet announced when the rest of DinoLand U.S.A. will be closing to make way for the new Tropical Americas-themed land, Pueblo Esperanza. However, they did make a statement about Dinosaur, saying that ““2025 is your year to visit before it goes extinct!”

Dinosaur

Along with the closure of a portion of DinoLand U.S.A., we will begin to see some construction beginning on Pueblo Esperanza. The first phase of closures and the beginning of construction likely won’t have a HUGE impact on your trip to Animal Kingdom. Since TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s are kind of in the corner of DinoLand U.S.A., you will likely only see construction walls if you are headed back to Dinosaur or other areas of DinoLand. However, we want to ensure you know of these closures and that you might see some construction in Animal Kingdom in 2025. We don’t want any of your kiddos to be really bummed out when they find out Fossil Fun Games is closed.

Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures

Pueblo Esperanza will be a brand-new land that will feature two major attractions and one of the largest quick-service restaurants in Disney World. One of the major attractions will be an Encanto-themed ride, and the other will be an Indiana Jones-themed ride. Currently, the land is anticipated to make its debut in 2027.

Pueblo Esperanza Model

Finally, we will also be seeing the closure of It’s Tough to Be a Bug in 2025. Disney has not announced the date for the show’s closure yet, but it is set to be replaced by a brand-new Zootopia show, called Zootopia: Better Zoogether! The Zootopia show is expected to debut in the winter of 2025, so we know that It’s Tough to Be a Bug will be closed sometime in 2025. We are continuing to watch for more news about the retheming of this show and will be sure to keep you updated.

It’s Tough to be a Bug

The new Zootopia: Better Zoogether! show will “take guests on an adventure through different biomes seen in the film” featuring Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and more. We are excited to watch this new show in winter 2025!

©Disney

If you are heading to Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2025, also make sure you check out our ULTIMATE guide to Animal Kingdom in 2025:

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