Early plans have been laid out for Dinoland U.S.A’s replacement at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom, putting an end to the speculation that has now surrounded this area for months.
Announced at D23 Expo’s parks panel as “suggestions” for the land, both Zootopia and Moana were revealed to be in the early concept stages to replace Dinoland U.S.A in an entirely new dual-themed area, with very few details having been released in regard to just how these two Disney properties could be presented in the land. Concept art was released, which you can check out below, that offered a glimpse at this unique land concept, before it was reiterated that these plans are in their very, very early stages.
After Dinoland U.S.A’s Primeval Whirl attraction was initially demoted to a seasonal ride back in 2019, guests were already fairly certain of its eventual fate. This was later confirmed when Walt Disney World officially closed in March 2020 due to the pandemic and reopened to the public in July, as the ride did not reopen with the rest of Animal Kingdom’s attractions. Late 2021 saw Primeval Whirl completely demolished, leaving a considerable footprint in its wake in Dinoland U.S.A. As a result, this part of the park has been at the centre of major speculation as to what Disney have planned for this majorly underutilised area and now guests finally have their answer.
Zootopia is a film that has long been speculated to eventually appear in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, so for some this announcement may not be all that surprising, though it is no-less exciting. Moana may perhaps seem more of the unique choice for the park, though thematically it’s easy to imagine plenty of different ways the film can be incorporated. It’s certainly great to finally have some confirmation of future plans for this area of Animal Kingdom, even more so when you consider that it will expand upon two much-loved Disney properties.
Are you excited for this new land at Animal Kingdom? Do you think Zootopia and Moana are the right choices?
