DinoLand USA will likely be a big focus for the remaining months of 2024 as Walt Disney World begins construction for the reimagining of the opening-day land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. We know that plans have been put into motion for construction with the removal of Marley the American Crocodile earlier this month, and Walt Disney World has previously said that construction will begin this Fall. There are no other visible signs of construction yet, but we’ll surely be spending more time in DinoLand USA this quarter and for the next few years as the massive construction project kicks off. To that end, we’ve also begun the documentation process for the land, and while riding the DINOSAUR attraction recently, we noticed that the carnivorous Alioramus was missing.
Alioramus Missing from DINOSAUR Attraction
While there are rumors that portions of DinoLand USA are planned to close starting next month, the DINOSAUR attraction is not one of the offerings that are expected to close this year. Instead, as Walt Disney World has previously announced, the Tropical Americas construction will take place in phases. It is very likely that the DINOSAUR attraction retheme into an Indiana Jones-themed attraction will be part of the later phases of the project, and that the ride will remain open well into 2025. The whole Tropical Americas retheme is expected to be completed in 2027.
With the knowledge that the DINOSAUR attraction will be going away permanently at some point in the next couple of years, the question then becomes: when a part of the attraction breaks, does it get fixed? To that end, we noticed that the popular Alioramus dinosaur was removed from the ride during a visit to Animal Kingdom this weekend. First, here’s a look back at the dinosaur as normally seen during the attraction.
Instead of the Alioramus, Disney has scattered a few raptors in his stead. The raptors, which show up better on video than still photos due to the nature of them being placed in unnatural, poorly lit areas, fill the scene a bit but are no substitute for the Alioramus. Our hope is that the Alioramus is being repaired and will be returned with a full range of motion that has been missing in recent months and years.
VIDEO: Alioramus Removed from DINOSAUR Attraction
We’ll start with a video of the missing Alioramus, followed by a less-than-stellar photo of one of the raptors. As you can see in the video, a raptor has been added to the left of the vehicle, and two to the right of the vehicle where the Alioramus would be. Here’s a video we captured on two rides this weekend.
VIDEO (watch below or on YouTube)
Because the raptors aren’t positioned in show lighting, some dim lighting has been added. It’s a bit easier to see them in person than it is to photograph them.
UPDATE: Here are some better photos of the new raptors and foliage to hide where the Alioramus was previously located.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!
