Some posts may contain affiliate links which means our team could earn money if you purchase products from our site.
Dino-Sue Digs Her Last: Indiana Jones Construction Charges Ahead at Animal Kingdom
It is officially the end of an era in DinoLand U.S.A. Over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the Aladar Iguanodon statue that once guarded the entrance to DINOSAUR has vanished into extinction and the iconic Dino-Sue T. rex cast has been removed from her pedestal. Fresh aerial photos from bioreconstruct show the entire forecourt stripped down to bare earth, with construction tracks carving through what used to be one of the park’s most prehistoric photo ops.
Related: Visit Some Rare Disney Characters Now in EPCOT
The space in front of the former DINOSAUR attraction is now an open dirt pad buzzing with heavy equipment. While the building façade and signage are still standing for now, the entrance area has been completely cleared to make way for the upcoming Indiana Jones Adventure. For longtime fans, it is a bittersweet sight. Dino-Sue stood tall for decades as a nod to the real Tyrannosaurus rex fossil discovered in the 1990s, and Aladar’s dramatic water feature gave the attraction a cinematic welcome worthy of its Dinosaur roots.
What is coming next is anything but a simple re-theme. Disney has confirmed the new Indiana Jones attraction, inspired by Indiana Jones, will debut in 2027 with an all-new story unique to Animal Kingdom. In this version, Indy has uncovered a perfectly preserved Maya temple and heard whispers of a mythical creature lurking inside. Naturally, guests will hop aboard the same Enhanced Motion Vehicle ride system used for DINOSAUR and head straight into the unknown. Adventure? Check. Ancient ruins? Check. Questionable life choices? Always.
Related: Fresh Blooms & New Magic: What’s Coming to the 2026 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival
Concept art teases a lush temple façade replacing the carnival vibes of DinoLand, aligning with the park’s larger Tropical Americas transformation. With the nearby Encanto-themed attraction and carousel also under construction, this corner of the park is evolving fast. DinoLand may be fossilizing before our eyes, but the next chapter looks ready to crack the whip in a big way.
If you have been tracking the Tropical Americas overhaul like we have, this latest update shows just how quickly things are moving. Dino-Sue has left the building, and Indy is clearly packing his fedora.
Get all the best Disney News
and more, straight to your inbox!
We don't spam. Read our privacy policy for more info.
For the BEST in Disney, Universal, Dollywood, and SeaWorld Theme Park News, Entertainment, Merchandise & More follow us on, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube.
Let our friends at Get Away Today help you book your next Disney or Universal Vacation. They are the preferred Travel Agency of Chip and Company and Disney Addicts, and who we use ourselves.
