Tropical Americas Revealed: Indiana Jones and Encanto Rides Coming to Animal Kingdom by 2027
Disney's Animal Kingdom is getting a new 11-acre land, Tropical Americas, built around the village of Pueblo Esperanza on the DinoLand U.S.A. footprint. The land will feature an all-new Indiana Jones adventure and the first-ever Encanto ride-through, with construction starting fall 2024 and an opening targeted for 2027. A new Zootopia show is also coming to the Tree of Life Theater.
Disney's Animal Kingdom is in line for one of its most ambitious transformations ever: an entirely new 11-acre land called Tropical Americas, anchored by two signature attractions themed to Indiana Jones and Walt Disney Animation's Encanto. Revealed during the Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, the land rises on the DinoLand U.S.A. footprint, with construction beginning fall 2024 and an opening targeted for 2027.
Key Details
- What: Tropical Americas, a new themed land built around the village of Pueblo Esperanza
- Where: Disney's Animal Kingdom, replacing the DinoLand U.S.A. area over 11 acres
- Headliners: An all-new Indiana Jones adventure and the first-ever Encanto ride-through attraction
- Plus: A hand-carved animal carousel and one of the largest quick-service restaurants at Walt Disney World
- Timeline: Construction begins fall 2024; land opens in 2027; Dinosaur remains open in the meantime
- Also announced: "Zootopia: Better Zoogether!" comes to the Tree of Life Theater in winter
Welcome to Pueblo Esperanza
The new land introduces guests to Pueblo Esperanza, a lush, sprawling village that Imagineers describe as feeling lived-in and rooted in a long history, the same approach that grounds Harambe in the park's Africa section. At its heart sits a large central fountain where, in the land's story, villagers gather to swap tales, surrounded by tropical greenery designed to immerse visitors the moment they pass beneath the entrance arch.
Anchoring the family-friendly side of the land is a giant working carousel, presented in the story as the work of a local woodcarver who hand-carved his favorite animals from Disney films, a fresh spin on a classic park staple aimed at young families. Disney also confirmed a large hacienda that will become one of the biggest quick-service restaurants anywhere at Walt Disney World Resort.
Indiana Jones uncovers a Maya temple
The first of the land's two signature attractions puts guests alongside Indiana Jones on an adventure Disney says will differ from every other Indy experience in its parks worldwide, including the versions in Anaheim, Tokyo, and Paris. In the ride's story, the famed archaeologist has discovered a perfectly preserved Maya temple and, chasing rumors of a mythical creature hidden deep inside, brings guests along to explore it. Disney is being coy about exactly what waits in the dark, including whether Indy's least favorite animal, snakes, makes an appearance.
The first-ever Encanto ride-through
The second headliner is a landmark for fans of the Oscar-winning film: the first-ever Encanto-themed ride-through attraction, starring the beloved Madrigal family. The experience takes guests inside the magical Casita just as the youngest Madrigal, Antonio, receives his gift, the ability to talk to animals, and his room blossoms into a living rainforest. As guests explore alongside him, other members of the family appear along the way.
Timeline, and what happens to Dinosaur
Construction on the land begins this fall, with the doors opening in 2027. Because the site is the park's DinoLand U.S.A. area, the announcement doubles as a countdown for Dinosaur; Disney noted guests will still have plenty of time to ride it, and grab that signature stuffed dino, before work closes the area.
Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro underscored that none of this is hypothetical, framing the D23 reveals as projects already moving forward:
"At Disney Experiences, Imagineers dream, create, design and build these stories into real places. And we have Imagineers in place right now all around the world because everything we're going to share with you is in active development. Plans are drawn. Dirt is moving. I just want to be clear about this: We are doing everything you're going to hear tonight." - Josh D'Amaro
Zootopia comes to the Tree of Life Theater
Tropical Americas isn't the only thing on the way. The park's Tree of Life Theater, home of It's Tough to be a Bug, will debut a new show, "Zootopia: Better Zoogether!", starring Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and the rest of the cast from Disney Animation's Zootopia. The production guides guests through the different biomes seen in the film and opens in winter, well ahead of the new land.
What this means for Disney fans
This is the biggest expansion Animal Kingdom has seen since Pandora opened in 2017, and it finally answers the long-running question of what replaces DinoLand U.S.A. Families with young kids get a carousel and an Encanto dark ride; thrill-minded guests get an Indiana Jones attraction unlike the versions at other resorts. Anyone who wants a last ride on Dinosaur should plan a visit before construction walls go up, and the Zootopia show gives the Tree of Life Theater fresh material while the bigger work gets underway.