The Boneyard Closes at Animal Kingdom, Removed from MDE App

The Boneyard, Animal Kingdom’s excellent free-play area, closed earlier this evening. And Disney wasted no time removing the attraction from the My Disney Experience (MDE) app. It makes sense, but it’s still a tough blow. DinoLand U.S.A. is one step closer to going away forever. Tropical Americas is coming.

Not surprisingly, Disney will close the main pathway through DinoLand. The Boneyard’s two playgrounds straddled the walkway, connected by the “Oldengate Bridge.” Crews will need to access both sides as well as the bridge. We’re not sure of Oldengate’s fate, but it’s a safe bet the brachiosaurus skeleton is going away.

For now, guests will need to take the longer route to reach DINOSAUR, Dino-Bite Snacks, Restaurantosaurus, and the Cretaceous Trail. Eventually, those areas will close too, but unlike The Boneyard, both DINOSAUR and Restaurantosaurus will be rethemed in the new land.

The Boneyard is being replaced by a carousel featuring handcrafted wooden animals. According to the story, the carousel’s creator, a master woodcarver, drew inspiration from Pixar’s Up and other Disney classics. One of his standout creations is Kevin, the film’s mama bird.

It’s a cool concept, but that doesn’t make the day any less bittersweet for OG Animal Kingdom fans or lovers of Disney’s free-play areas. Thankfully, Imagineers are working on a new play experience in the upcoming Tropical Americas land.

Read more: Aerial Photos Show DinoLand Demolition