PhotoPass Photographers Stationed Outside DINOSAUR Before Imminent Closure

Disney PhotoPass photographers are stationed in front of DINOSAUR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as guests get their final photos before the ride closes.

DINOSAUR PhotoPass Opportunity

We’ve seen photographers outside the attraction more than usual in the past few weeks. There were two cast members facilitating photos in front of the Aladar the Iguanodon statue on Tuesday.

There have been long lines for the photo op, so make sure to get your pics ASAP if you want one before DINOSAUR is extinct.

Guests can purchase photos individually through the Walt Disney World website and My Disney Experience app, or purchase a Memory Maker photo package. DINOSAUR also has an on-ride photo.

On Tuesday, January 27, DINOSAUR had the longest wait time in the park, which isn’t typical for the thrill ride. We expect long wait times to continue for both the ride and photos.

DINOSAUR will close permanently after Sunday, February 1, marking the extinction of DinoLand U.S.A. DINOSAUR will be reimagined into an Indiana Jones ride, as part of a new Pueblo Esperanza.

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.

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