Disney’s array of amusement parks has been bringing joy to kids and adults alike for generations now.
The Animal Kingdom has just gone extinct in Canada.
After being closed down by Disney, it closed its doors for the last time over the weekend.
People quickly went to the nostalgic Dinoland, one of the original areas of Animal Kingdom, which has been open for more than 25 years since it was first built.
The Triceratop Spin, as well as beloved Dinosaur attractions, had their final ride cycles.
Although the love for Dinoland runs strong, it has now seen the end of rides, with Primeval Whirl, its roller coaster, closing its doors for good in 2020.
Those days of character meet-and-greets, the Restaurantosaurus, Dino-Bite Snacks, Trilo-Bites, the Boneyard, and Fossil Fun Games are a thing of the past.
All that’s left is the green fence with the banner “change is good” while the Dinosaur ride has a new look inspired by Indiana Jones.
Canadians have been getting sentimental since the closure, reminiscing about the enchantment Dinoland brought to their childhood.
Loren Jessica described the closure of Dinoland as “bittersweet”, expressing enthusiasm for the new developments that will be taking its place.
‘Dinoland USA was definitely one of our family’s favourite places,’ she said.
I really enjoyed the games and the fact that we never had to wait too long for Triceratops Spin and those cute and colourful little dinosaurs, it was one of the younger ones’ favourite rides.
‘It was always lovely and warm, and the meet-and-greets were fantastic. I felt like we really got to spend quality time with the characters there.’
I’m looking forward to seeing the changes that have taken place in these locations.
Jessica Proteau said: “The dinosaurs have officially gone extinct, Chester and Hester, you two were a right old mess, but you’ll be greatly missed.”
‘It’s tough to accept you’re gone but I’m looking forward to seeing what’s coming next for Animal Kingdom, eh. Don’t get too sentimental ‘cause it’s done, be proud that it happened, okay?’
And Anna Handloser said, “This part of the park is really nostalgic to me and was a favourite when I was a kid.”
‘Change is good, but it’s also a bit sad! There are so many memories that are linked to this quaint little place.’
Dinoland supposedly got its start as a minor town along a highway where, back in 1947, some amateur fossil hunters made a fascinating discovery with dinosaur bones.
The ‘Dino Institute’ was set up, a once-used fishing lodge was converted into the ‘Restaurantosaurus,’ and the Institute ended up stumbling upon a way to travel through time, and started running tours through different eras.
Here’s how Countdown to Extinction, later renamed Dinosaur: The Ride, was developed: The ride transports visitors back in time to rescue a dinosaur seconds before a massive asteroid hits.
Two locals, Chester and Hester, sought to capitalize on the attraction and ended up becoming the official ambassadors.
They established a souvenir shop and transformed the parking lot into “Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama”, featuring the Primeval Whirl and Triceratop Spin.
Exhibits at Dinoland feature animals such as storks, crocodiles and tortoises.
Last year, Walt Disney Imagineering announced plans to construct a Tropical Americas zone at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park.
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Disney World’s Animal Kingdom map has now been digitally updated to include images of the new Encanto ride area, concealing parts of the existing Dinoland USA section with tree imagery.
Rides We’ve Fondly Remembered from Disneyland
Several attractions have shut down at Disney’ s Animal Kingdom and other amusement parks around the world in recent times.
The attraction “Flights of Wonder” closed down in December 2017. It was shut down along with “Primeval Whirl” in March 2020 and “Rivers of Light – We Are One”.
Other well-known rides and attractions that have been put on hold include Magic Kingdom’s Splash Mountain, which closed in 2023, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy closed at Hollywood Studios last fall, and the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure stopped operating at the same park back in 2016.
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