A Historic Moment At Animal Kingdom: Extinction for Dinoland USA and DINOSAUR And Temperature Records Broken

Today, Sunday, 1st February, 2026, the "Countdown to Extinction" has taken on a literal, bone-chilling meaning. As the gates opened for the final day of riding DINOSAUR at Disney's Animal Kingdom, guests weren't met with the usual humid Florida air. Instead, a rare arctic blast has settled over the park, with temperatures hovering near 0°C and wind chills making it feel more like -11°C.

The atmosphere has a hauntingly poetic feel. As guests make a beeline to “get that dino” for the last time, the prehistoric world of DinoLand U.S.A. is ending not with a fiery meteor, but with a frost that feels like a second Ice Age. It’s truly a memorable day in Animal Kingdom for anyone, but especially those UK visitors on that once-in-a-lifetime trip.

A Freezing Farewell & Historic Moment

As park hours countdown in Animal Kingdom, Dinoland USA heads towards extinction there are two historic moments occurring together, that will make this day memorable for all in the parks.

The last few days in the park have shown just how much this ride and land is loved by fans. The last ride in the area, DINOSAUR, has been limping toward the finish line, with operational delays and technical issues reported over the last 48 hours. These likely due to the uncharacteristically long wait times.

Today's record-breaking cold is providing an atmospheric farewell to a land that has been a staple of the park since it’s opening on 22nd April, 1998.

Orlando’s coldest temperature records have been beaten by 4F, around 3C. Fox 35 News outlet said:

For those waiting in line today, the cold and the wait are however minor hurdles. They are here to rescue that one last Iguanodon before the land is cleared to make way for Pueblo Esperanza, the upcoming Tropical Americas expansion featuring Indiana Jones and Encanto.

Wait Times Soar For One Last Ride

The wait times so far today tell the story of a Disney community desperate for one last trip to the Cretaceous period. According to ride data, the contrast between this farewell and the previous year is staggering:

Today, 1st February, 2026

Despite the biting cold, it’s -1C but feels like -5C at 11.00am, the standby line has recorded wait times as high as 130 minutes this morning before going down and coming back on with a 140 minute wait time around lunch time. Fans are braving the chill just to board a Time Rover one final time.

The January 2025 Contrast

Just one year ago, DINOSAUR was often a walk-on attraction at points in the day. On many mid-week mornings that month, the posted wait was as low as 5-10 minutes. In January 2025, data shows the ride averaged a modest 25-30 minute wait across the whole months. In 2026, with extinction looming this has changed. Here is a graph showing the average daily wait times for DINOSAUR in 2025 and in 2026. Just look at the change in wait times!

This difference between 2025 and today, coupled with the freezing temperatures which would usually be off-putting for many guests, shows just how much of an Institution this opening day ride has been in Animal Kingdom. While the future of the area looks exciting, this is one bumpy ride with a sentimental hold on many Disney fans heart strings.

Looking Ahead: Pueblo Esperanza

While the dinosaurs are bowing out, the land they occupy is preparing for a massive 11-acre transformation. Opening in 2027, the new land-Pueblo Esperanza (Village of Hope) will pivot from the prehistoric to the lush Tropical Americas.

Three exciting new rides are coming to the area:

1. Indiana Jones Adventure: The DINOSAUR ride building isn't being demolished; it's being reimagined. The same track system will now take guests into a mysterious Mayan temple on an Indiana Jones adventure..

2. The first-ever Encanto ride is already well under construction on the former Dino-Rama site. Guests will step inside the Madrigal's Casita and explore Antonio's rainforest room.

3. The Woodcarver's Carousel is coming in place of the old carnival games. It’s a handcrafted carousel that will feature animals from Disney stories, (look out for Kevin from Up!).

But before that can begin, let’s stick with the nostalgia for these last few hours with 5 secrets you may not know about DINOSAUR.

5 Secrets About DINOSAUR

Before the Time Rovers park for good, here are five secrets from the ride's 28-year history:

1. When it opened in 1998 it was called Countdown to Extinction, the ride was significantly louder and darker. It was toned down in 2000 to be more family-friendly and renamed DINOSAUR following the animated film release of the same name.

2. The red, yellow, and white pipes you can see on the walls in the loading area are a nod to original sponsor McDonald's; they are labelled with the chemical formulas for Ketchup, Mustard, and Mayonnaise.

3. The ride system and track layout are nearly identical to Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland California, which will make the 2027 transition much easier for Imagineers.

4. The ride's villain is a Carnotaurus robustus. This species doesn't actually exist; Imagineers added robustus to explain why their dinosaur was so much bigger than real fossils.

5. The Iguanodon you rescue is Aladar, the hero from the 2000 film Dinosaur. His animatronic was one of the most complex of its time, featuring realistic muscle and skin movement.

Magic In A Minute

Today is a day that will go down in not only Disney history, but Florida history too. From the extinction of not only a ride, but an opening day land in Animal Kingdom, to a historic weather event in the sunshine state that sees temperatures lower than in the UK. For UK visitors in Animal Kingdom, today isa truly unique, once-in-a-lifetime Disney, and Florida, experience you’ll be able to treasure forever.