DINOSAUR’s Final Roar: What’s Next for Animal Kingdom

Greetings fellow Rope Droppers,  

As of last night, if you were looking for a coveted Beak and Barrel reservation, your luck might have changed, with Disney dropping tons of new availability on the calendar. If you still didn’t snag a reservation, keep checking.

We hope you’re having a good start to September! For me, it means I’ll be back at the parks in just a few weeks (ahhhhh!)

We sifted through 617 stories this week to bring you the top hits, just under a 4-minute read.

Gabe

Well, time travelers, we knew the day was coming. And now we know exactly when. Our last day to take an unauthorized trip to the late Cretaceous Period on DINOSAUR will be February 1. (MickeyVisit) It was really a one-two punch - the news came the day after the Boneyard’s final day of operation on Monday. 

It’s not just Dr. Seeker, Restaurantosaurus and the remaining remnants of DinoLand will also be extinct come February 2. (Not all is lost though on the dining front, WDWNT reports that Harambe Market will pick up some of the menu from Restaurantosaurus early next year.)

All of this of course is to make way for Tropical Americas land, which is estimated to be done in 2027. 

Here’s what we know about that:

It’s a big project, one that we think is going to bring some fresh and exciting experiences to Animal Kingdom. But still, we’re really going to cherish our last few rides to track down that Iguanodon. 😭

We told you last week that we were expecting a few tidbits of news from Destination D23. ICYMI, here are some of the highlights to know about:

Fresh Paint: And Cinderella Castle is getting yet another makeover. No, it’s not the cake again, but the 50th anniversary color palette is going a little more classic. Am I alone in hoping we might get Dream Lights again one day? (Disney Parks Blog)

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It’s on: Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is officially up and running, and we’re hearing all of the impressions of this annual hit (one of my personal favorite times of the year).

WDWinfo did a roundup of their favorite and least favorite items, as well as a roundup of the special PhotoPass spots.

Disney Food Blog says these are the must-try items.

Harvest Hollow is getting a lot of coverage. Visitors seem to be loving the upgraded picnic and play area that’s set on the walkway behind Journey Into Imagination With Figment.

For your planning: Don’t forget there’s a special show on Spaceship Earth that happens through the night, so be sure to take a few minutes out of your trip “around the world” to gaze across the lagoon. (And don’t forget, as we shared a few weeks ago Spaceship Earth itself - the ride - is currently closed for a regular refurbishment.)

It’s full steam ahead for Disney’s forthcoming two newest cruise ships, Disney Destiny and Disney Adventure.

As Disney Cruise Line Blog reported, the Disney Adventure has departed Wismar, Germany and is undergoing sea trials, after a wild 7+ year construction process. 

Some of the specialty cocktails for Destiny were revealed, including one that floats and reacts to touch. 

It also seems like the Destiny will be getting some new character experiences:

Destiny’s maiden voyage from Port Everglades is November 20, followed closely by Adventure’s maiden from Singapore on December 15.

If you’re just joining us for the first time, welcome! You should know we always like to finish with something fun, interesting or otherwise nostalgic.

This week we thought, how could we not… if you get a few minutes, enjoy the DINOSAUR pre-show that we’re REALLY GONNA MISS!

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