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Moana and Zootopia Concept Art for Disney's Animal Kingdom Dinoland U.S.A

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.

Moana and Zootopia Land Concept Art for Dinoland U.S.A replacement at Animal Kingdom
Image: Disney

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?

 
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Comments

Zootopia? Blah. Stupid idea.
I wnatheto keep the prehistory. Every zoo and safari park must own a prehistoric thing so people can learn of prehistoric life.
They can replace the carnival thing. It be silly.
The Dinosaur ride cna be improve. The riders can eb helping Aladar and co with finding herd members. I picture Aladar and NEera accepting the humans quick. And Baylene as well. And Eema's comical scenes sucha s complaining. And Yar freaking out.
One add on the prehistoric thing I want be a Brother Bear cave. There msut be a Brother Bear thing. Cave paintings of North American animals including Ice Age giants with info, they do noises when you press buttons. And a part where you experience spirits to the Transforming song from the Brother Bear 1.
And add dodos, Tasmanian tigers, great auks, and more humans wipe out. Helps add humans must conserve life.

So, wait. Are they going to be leaving Dinosaur alone, and just replacing the swath of space that Dino-Rama is wasting, or is Dinoland USA going to be gone in it's entirety? I feel like removing dinosaurs from a theme park celebrating animals would be a huge miss, especially considering children will always love dinosaurs. Not to mention, Moana really has no animal-based themes (I guess aside from having a big crab?) so it doesn't feel like a good fit like Avatar and Zootopia would be.

I agree with you. Moana's more for the Fantasy parts.
I want the to preserve the prehistory. Every zoo and safari park must own prehistory.,
I want a Brother Bear thing on the Animal Kingdom. The USA part be one I picture since it involves prehistory, and Brother BEar was on North America during the Ice Age. A spirit cave bea grand idea.

This breaks my heart. My brother was a big part of the Dinoland landscape design team. His rare collection of Cycads were planted throughout the Cretaceous trail and other parts of Dinoland. I certainly hope that Disney will keep these beautiful, rare, expensive specimens. It would be a great injustice to just dig them up and destroy them. My brother passed away but he would be devastated to hear this news as are all of his remaining family members who knew that Dinoland was part of his legacy.

In reply to by Dana Cheek Del Colle (not verified)

Dana, we are very sorry to hear about your brother. We hope Disney will indeed keep these specimens so they are preserved for others to see. Best Wishes.

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