DINOSAUR Currently Longest Wait at Disney's Animal Kingdom Days Ahead of Closing

Before it permanently closes this weekend, DINOSAUR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is seeing long wait times. In fact, for the first time in a long time, it has the longest wait time in the park.

DINOSAUR Wait Times

Avatar Flight of Passage typically has the longest wait at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Na’vi River Journey, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Kali River Rapids, and Expedition Everest also usually have DINOSAUR beat.

But as of 2 p.m. on Tuesday, January 27, DINOSAUR has a 50-minute wait and Avatar Flight of Passage only a 40-minute wait. Na’vi River Journey has a 45-minute wait and Expedition Everest is 35 minutes. All other wait times are 25 minutes or less.

This week is the last opportunity to ride DINOSAUR before it closes and is reimagined into an Indiana Jones attraction. Sunday, February 1 will be the last day DINOSAUR operates. It will likely continue to have long wait times for the rest of the week.

History of DINOSAUR

A dinosaur statue stands in front of a building with a "Dinosaur" sign above the entrance, surrounded by greenery and under a cloudy sky, reminiscent of DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

DINOSAUR is closing after a nearly 28-year-run. It opened under the name Countdown to Extinction with the park on April 22 (Earth Day), 1998. Two years later, it was renamed and updated slightly to coincide with the release of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Dinosaur. Disney had always planned for the ride and film to be connected in some way, although the film was delayed until after the ride’s opening, and they only have loose connections in the form of the main two dinosaurs: Aladar the Iguanodon and the Carnotaurus.

The dark ride lasts about 3 minutes and 10 seconds. It consists of 15 ride vehicles (time rovers) that each hold 12 guests. The height restriction is 40″. It was sponsored by McDonald’s until 2008.

The DINOSAUR ride track is a near duplicate to Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland, making the switch to an Indiana Jones ride relatively easy.

New Indiana Jones Ride

A person with a torch approaches an ancient, glowing artifact inside a cave. Nearby, people in a vehicle point flashlights towards the artifact. The scene is filled with mystery and ancient symbols, reminiscent of an Indiana Jones adventure through the hidden wonders of the animal kingdom.

DinoLand U.S.A. will be replaced by Pueblo Esperanza, featuring an Encanto ride, carousel, and Indiana Jones ride. Though expected to be similar to Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland Park and Tokyo DisneySea, the currently unnamed Animal Kingdom version of the ride will have a brand new story set in a Mayan temple. Indy has heard stories of a mythical creature inside the temple.

A group of people observe and take photos of a vibrant red and yellow structure in a lush, jungle-like setting with surrounding greenery and ancient ruins.

The Dino Institute will get a temple facade. Construction walls already up in DinoLand feature Camazotz, bat-like spirits from Maya mythology, suggesting they could be connected to the story.

How do you feel about the closing of DINOSAUR? Let us know on social media.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.