Disney fans are concerned about these park changes, so we headed to the top

The energy was electric at the D23 Disney Experiences Showcase in Anaheim, California, over the summer. That changed quickly.

At the time, Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, was like Oprah Winfrey, who famously exclaimed, “You get a car! You get a car! You get a car!Revealing attraction after attraction coming to Disney parks.

“It was an incredible feeling to stand there on stage in front of 13,000 people and tell them about all these ambitious plans,” D’Amaro told USA TODAY. “The feeling of the energy coming back to me made me want to do even more.”

Screams, cheers and thunderous applause filled Honda Center like a rock concert when fans heard about a new villain country at Walt Disney World, the first Coco attraction coming to Disney California Adventure, and more.

But just days later, the cries of joy turned to shouts when fans learned that two new ones had been announced Car-themed attractions would replace Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America at Magic Kingdom.

Not long after, fans started to worry about possible losses Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to a newly announced one On Monsters Inc. inspired hanging roller coastereven though Disney has not confirmed the intended location.

“I love that our fans speculate and watch every move we make,” D’Amaro said. “That means they care. That means they are engaged with us. That means they dream and hope the same way we do.”

Here’s what Disney fans need to know:

When will Disney’s DinoLand USA close?

Disney first introduced the idea of re-theming DinoLand USA at Disney’s Animal Kingdom during the D23 Expo in 2022but the landscape began to change even earlier with the Wild Mouse-style Primeval Whirl roller coaster closed forever amid the pandemic.

Initially, Disney announced that other parts of the country would begin closing this fall, but according to Disney World’s website, the first wave of significant closures won’t begin until after the holidays. Tricera Top Spin, Fossil fun gamesAnd Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures closes on January 13. Disney has not yet revealed when DINOSAUR, The Boneyardnor eateries such as Restaurantosaurus will close.

Many fans on recent trips have made it a point to take one last drive or stroll through the area. DinoLand is loved by fans who grew up with the land, which opened along with the park in 1998, or who brought their children there. DINOSAUR has a cult following and The Boneyard, like Tom Sawyer Island at Magic Kingdom, is a prized place for kids to play and burn off energy after walking and waiting in lines all day. Disney Imagineering fans also love that DinoLand is an original concept land.

When Disney Legend, former Imagineer and one of the masterminds of Animal Kingdom Joe Rohde recently posted photos and a bit of it History of Restaurantosaurus on Instagram, fans like Joe Winner replied: “A lot of people didn’t ‘get’ Dinoland, but the story behind that land (and how it’s told through all the little details throughout the land) is one of the best stories EVER done at a Disney park.” DinoLand is said to be a tourist destination that emerged after dinosaur fossils were found in the area. Sarah Tizzano wrote: “I’m personally sad about the new theme of this country, but I’m always up for new magic!” Rohde said, “As much as I love dinosaurs, I want to say that I’m excited about the changes ahead.”

A new country with a tropical America theme called Pueblo Esperanza will replace DinoLand USA

“Like Harambe, the land feels lived-in, with a long, rich history – plus there is a large hacienda that will be one of the largest quick-service restaurants at the Walt Disney World Resort,” Disney Portfolio Executive Creative Producer Michael Hundgen wrote for the official Disney Parks Blog. “The space will be lush and expansive, with a large fountain in the center where the villagers like to gather and tell stories. Plus, a woodcarver has created a giant working carousel featuring his favorite animals from Disney stories.

The land will also feature a new Indiana Jones attraction, unlike those at other Disney parks, and Disney’s first Encanto-inspired attraction.

What’s coming to Disney Parks: All the biggest D23 announcements

Is ‘It’s Tough to be a Bug’ closing?

Yes, although Disney hasn’t announced exactly when.

“It’s hard being an insect!‘ is a hybrid 3D and live show inspired by the Disney Pixar film ‘A Bug’s Life’. As the web page warns, it will be dark and loud and can be scary, especially for young guests. That may be why there hasn’t been nearly the same level of nostalgia among guests, although some fans are sad to see it leave the iconic Animal Kingdom series. Tree of life.

In winter 2025, a new Zootopia-themed show called Better Zoogether will debut there instead. Few new details have been released other than those from last year Destination D23 fan event Walt Disney Imagineering President and Chief Creative Officer Bruce Vaughn said: “Our current concept is filled with humor and action and takes you into the different biomes you see in the film and some you have yet to see. We meet Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde and my favorite, a fantastic Clawhauser animatronic. It’s going to be great.”

Respond to Facebook post from Disney D23 about the new theme, Amber Snipes wrote: ‘Sad because it’s hard to be an insect that leans into the fight conservation story from Animal Kingdom and I don’t see how that is possible with the Zootopia/a Gazelle concert…” Fellow fan Chrissy Betts posted: “I love the idea of adding Zootopia somewhere in Animal Kingdom, but the Bugs Life 3D show is the best of all your 3D shows and it makes sense for it to be under the tree. It’s like you’ve been shrunk to bug size. Zootopia doesn’t make sense under a tree.”

Is Disney going to get rid of Tom Sawyer Island?

Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America only close at Disney World. They remain open at Disneyland, where “the attraction is the only attraction designed by Walt Disney,” according to the California resort’s website.

“Walt revered Mark Twain’s novels and wanted the island to reflect the world Twain evoked in his stories,” Disneyland’s web page explains. Pirate lair on Tom Sawyer Island. “Days before construction began, he took the plans home and reimagined the design, creating the inlets, bays and atmosphere the island is known for today.”

Disney World’s version of Tom Sawyer Island opened in 1973two years after Magic Kingdom opened in 1971 and even longer after Walt Disney’s death in 1966. Even if Florida’s version doesn’t have the same ties to Walt Disney, fans have still reacted strongly to the planned departure. Several petitions have been started on Change.org calling for its preservation.

“Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America are two special attractions that remind you of a simpler time and their loss would be a great loss to all Magic Kingdom guests,” one noted. petition with more than 500 signatures. Fans praise the picturesque waters and shady trees, the space to wander and the quiet places away from the crowds.

It’s unclear when Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America will close, but Disney says work in the area will begin early next year for two upcoming Cars rides.

“The first attraction is an exciting race rally across the border,” D’Amaro said during the D23 Disney Experiences Showcase in August. “Our second attraction is specifically aimed at our littlest racers, something the whole family can enjoy.”

Many fans are excited about the new attractions, especially now that the Lightning McQueen Racing Academy has closed Disney’s Hollywood Studios to make way for a new Villains show next summer. But that doesn’t mean they won’t miss Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America.

What would Walt Disney do?

In a speech about bringing Disney stories to life on the Incoming business conference in Boston in mid-September, D’Amaro said, “I always remind my team that if we want to change something, we have to create something that is even better than what was already there.” We may not always be able to get this right, but I believe Walt would have wanted us to try. He would have wanted us to be brave.”

D’Amaro, who worked at Disney for 26 years and previously served as president of both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, also cited Walt Disney’s legacy of taking risks during his conversation with USA TODAY.

“We will always introduce new things to our theme parks, just like Walt started here at Disneyland in 1955,” he told USA TODAY.

Disney parks are always developing. Just look at EPCOT, which just marked the completion of one years of transformation this summer and started right away Redesign Test Track. That does not mean that the past is forgotten.

“We have cast members across the company, including myself, who work very hard to ensure that we strike a balance between pushing the boundaries of what’s new and also preserving the legacy and memory that is so much of our have fans here in the world. parks,” D’Amaro said. “So I’m not surprised that people are speculating, but what they need to know is that we are taking this seriously. We want to hear them and we think we will eventually find that balance.”

(This story has been updated with new information.)