(updated 9/8/26): All about Animal Kingdom’s new land inspired by Tropical Americas – what to expect, when to expect it, and how it will affect the theme parks:
We knew changes were on the horizon for Animal Kingdom’s Dinoland USA, and then we got confirmation at the 2024 D23 Expo, with the announcement of a new Tropical Americas land coming to Animal Kingdom! The 2026 D23 Expo saw additional details on many of these projects.
If you’re planning to visit Animal Kingdom in the next few years, you might have some questions. When will everything be open? Will I have to deal with a lot of construction?
I’ve shared below some of the announcements and details that we know so far about what is in store for Animal Kingdom’s new land!
Pueblo Esperanza
Where: Animal Kingdom – taking over what was previously Dinoland USA
When: 2027
What: Animal Kingdom’s new land themed after the Tropical Americas, with 3 attractions, a quick service restaurant, and more
Details
“Just like Harambe, the land feels lived in, with a long, rich history — plus there’s a large hacienda which will be one of the largest quick-service restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort.” (Disney Parks Blog)
We have some good details about what is going in Pubelo Esperanza, which means “Village of Hope.” It replaces Dinoland USA. Construction started in the fall of 2024 with a projected opening of sometime in 2027. The three attractions in this land will include an Indiana Jones attraction, Encanto attraction, and carousel. There will be a fountain in the center of the area, with lots of greenery and nature around. It has also been confirmed that there will not be any live animal exhibits.
Thoughts
I love a land themed around the Tropical Americas, and overall I’m quite excited for this area. However, I am incredibly disappointed that we won’t see any animal exhibits. It would have been a great opportunity to feature South American animals, and seeing real animals is truly the heart and soul of Animal Kingdom.
It sounds like the Imagineers are creating an awesome and authentic backstory for this land, and I look forward to all of the amazing little details we’re sure to find once it opens. I’m salso thankful that they aren’t just randomly jamming a few attractions into areas where they don’t really fit. It looks like there will still be some open space, or at least areas for use that aren’t just rides, like the fountain.
I’m also very excited for a quick-service restaurant – the food has the potential to be incredible if the focus remains on this region!
How does this affect my park visit?
Right now, an entire land is under construction at Animal Kingdom. All of the rides that were previously in Dinoland have closed (including Dinosaur, Triceratops Spin, and Primeval Whirl). It is hard for me to tell anyone not to visit Animal Kingdom because it is my favorite park, but I can’t deny that is it a little light on attractions right now. (Still, you should go to do the Safari and see the animals!).
Here are a few ways your visit might be affected in the next few years:
- Construction of general area started in late 2024
- Because of the layout of Animal Kingdom, construction shouldn’t be too intrusive to other areas of the park
- If you visit in 2026-early 2027, there will not be an attraction here that is open
- The land will open sometime in 2027. (I was thinking Earth Day originally, but I’m not sure the timeline is on track for that, so possibly in the fall)
- It’s possible that the land will open up in phases – so perhaps the restaurant & carousel will open before the Encanto and Indiana Jones attractions are available
Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent
Where: Animal Kingdom – Tropical Americas
When: 2027
What: A new thrill attraction replacing Dinosaur (using the existing ride base)
Details
“the man with the hat has recently discovered a perfectly preserved Maya temple, and that can only mean one thing: it’s time to explore it. He’s heard rumors about a mythical creature deep within the temple — and he’s got to see it for himself. So, he brings us along on the adventure… but will there be snakes?” (Disney Parks Blog)
We know that this will be replacing Dinosaur, and will use the same ride vehicles/track (presumably with some updates). Dinosaur is the same ride base as Indiana Jones Adventure in Disneyland, but they have stated that this will not just be a copy of that ride. It will be an entirely new story, and different than any of the other Indiana Jones attractions in Disney parks.
At D23 2026, we learned a bit more about the plot for this attraction. We were told it is set in 1950 (before Crystal Skull), and will showcase Mayan culture. Dr. Jones is exploring the temple and fids a passageway thta leads to the Maya underworld. It is protected by the Tsukan. We join him and are sucked through the portal and need to escape bats, scorpions, flames, and (of course) snakes.
So far we have seen models of the facade of the temple, and we learned that Harrison Ford has been used as the model for the Indiana Jones animatronic.
Thoughts
Animal Kingdom is my favorite park, and I really want to see it get some love and attention, but this is the announcement I knew was coming but still didn’t want. Part of that is sentimental for me, because I just really enjoy Dinosaur and the cheesiness of it. I’m also not a big Indiana Jones fan.
That being said, it does have a lot of potential to be extremely exciting and become a fantastic attraction. I have a feeling many people will love this way more than Dinosaur. And maybe I will too – I just know that most people also think Indiana Jones Adventure is the superior ride to Dinosaur, and I still prefer Dinosaur.
I’m also a bit torn on this choice for Animal Kingdom. Indiana Jones isn’t really about animals. I suppose you could say the same about Avatar and Pandora, but I feel like there were different animals and creatures in that film that they really focused on for the theme park. Maybe my issue is that most of the animals in Indiana Jones are terrifying, and I want to love and appreciate the animals – not be scared of them!
Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto
Where: Animal Kingdom – Tropical Americas
When: 2027
What: a family-friendly, Encanto-themed ride-through attraction
Details
“Inside the Casita, Antonio has just received his special gift — the ability to communicate with animals — and his room has transformed into a rainforest. It’s time to go explore alongside him.” (Disney Parks Blog)
The ride takes place on Antonio’s gift day. We will ride furniture through different rooms of Casita and end in Antonio’s rainforest room.
This will be a dark ride, with a moving vehicle, though it’s not confirmed if it will be on a track or trackless. We do know it’s not a boat ride and we have seen models of the vehicles, which are assembled from various “furniture” in Casita. This is a family-friendly attraction with no height requirement.
There will be over 50 different animal animatronics on the attraction, including a donkey, toucan, and capybara. A model of one of the rooms was on display at the most recent D23 event. We have also been told that the original voice actors of Mirabel, Isabela, and Luisa will be returning to record for the attraction.
Thoughts
This one I am very excited about! I love Encanto, and I think focusing on Antonio is a beautiful fit with Animal Kingdom. I truly hope we get some animal trails or exhibits in this new area to feature more of the Tropical Americas wildlife. The chance to “go inside” Casita is awesome.
I’ve seen some speculation on what style of ride this might be. I’ve heard some The most common suggestion I’ve seen is a similar attraction to Mystic Manor in Hong Kong. My understanding of that is it uses a trackless ride system. I’m not sure how (if at all) it differs from the other trackless rides, such as Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway or Ratatouille.
El Carrusel de los Animalitos
Where: Animal Kingdom – Tropical Americas
When: 2027
What: Carousel ride
Details
“A woodcarver has created a giant working carousel featuring his favorite animals from Disney stories. It’s a new take on a classic attraction that young families are going to love.” (Disney Parks Blog)
We saw some concept art and a model at the D23 Expo – from pictures we’ve been able to confirm all of them. There will be 22 unique hand-carved wooden figures, and we had 4 of them on display at D23.
They include: Eeyore (Winnie-the-Pooh), Pua (Moana), Nigel (Finding Nemo), Chispi (Encanto), Scuttle (The Little Mermaid), Squirt (Finding Nemo), Kevin (Up), Pascal (Tangled), Simba (The Lion King), Kuzco (Emperor’s New Groove – in llama form of course), Heimlich (A Bug’s Life), Bambi (Bambi), Meeko (Pocahontas), Kaa (The Jungle Book), Timon (The Lion King), Pumbaa (The Lion King), Heihei (Moana), Parce (Encanto), Abu (Aladdin), The Great Prince of the Forest (Bambi), Thumper (Bambi).
There will also be a nearby play area for kids inspired by the Mayan culture.
Thoughts
A carousel might not be the most exciting attraction, but the more we see of it the more I am looking forward to this. It’s always good to have more attractions for little ones, and I love that they doing hand-carvings. It looks beautiful. It’s a fun twist to incorporate Disney characters we love which are all animals.
Expedition Everest updates
Where: Expedition Everest – Asia
When: Unknown (2028 or later?)
What: an updated animatronic
Details
We are finally getting a fixed version of the yeti animatronic! Disney stated that the yeti would be “coming back to life” at Expedition Everest during the 2026 D23 expo.
Thoughts
I figured if they hadn’t updated it by now they wouldn’t bother, but I guess Disney is finally making the effort! It will be great to see a working yeti animatronic again. I never got to see it, since it was only around for a few months when the ride first opened. The silly part of me will miss the disco yeti, though. We don’t have a timeline for this project, but I wouldn’t expect it to start until after all of Tropical Americas opens. They definitely won’t want to put another ride into refurb until they have several new attractions up and running. Maybe 2028 or 2029?
Projects that have opened recently
Zootopia: Better Zoogether
Where: Tree of Life theater
When: opened November 7, 2025
What: 3D show
Details
“The show, “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” will take guests on an adventure through different biomes seen in the film and opens next winter.” (Disney Parks Blog)
This was the one Animal Kingdom announcement we got in 2024 outside of the attractions coming to Animal Kingdom’s new land. It replaces It’s Tough to Be a Bug in the Tree of Life theater. It features Nick, Judy, and their friends celebrating Zoogether Day.
Thoughts
I was never a fan of It’s Tough to be a Bug, so this is a welcome replacement. Zootopia is obviously a great choice for Animal Kingdom. It’s Tough to be a Bug was also outdated and feeling rather worn. I enjoy this show, and since the theater is so big it’s rare to have to wait more than 10-15 minutes.
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Are you excited about Animal Kingdom’s new land? What are you most looking forward to?
It’s nice to see an Encanto attraction!
Yes, and I love that they are focusing on Antonio to really tie it into Animal Kingdom!