Tropical Americas Revealed: Indiana Jones and Encanto Rides Coming to Animal Kingdom by 2027

By entgrove · June 21, 2026

Disney's Animal Kingdom is getting a new 11-acre land, Tropical Americas, built around the village of Pueblo Esperanza. 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 breaks ground later this year with an opening targeted for 2027.

Welcome to Pueblo Esperanza

The new land introduces guests to Pueblo Esperanza, a lush, sprawling village that Disney Imagineers describe as feeling lived-in and rooted in a long, rich history — much in the same way Harambe grounds the park's existing 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. It's a fresh spin on a classic park staple aimed squarely at young families — and a softer counterpoint to the two thrill-forward headliners going in next door. 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 promises will be unlike any other Indy experience in the world. 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 from the Walt Disney Animation Studios hit. 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, there's no telling which member of the family they might bump into along the way.

Construction on the land begins this fall, with the doors opening in 2027. Disney was quick to reassure longtime fans that there's still plenty of time to ride Dinosaur — and grab that signature stuffed dino — before the new land takes shape on the DinoLand U.S.A. site.

Zootopia Comes to the Tree of Life Theater

Tropical Americas isn't the only thing on the way to Animal Kingdom. The park's Tree of Life Theater 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 is slated to open in winter, expanding the park's animation-driven storytelling beyond the headline attractions.

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

What This Means for Disney Fans

For Animal Kingdom — long the most thrill-light of Walt Disney World's four parks — Tropical Americas represents a major bet on new, story-rich attractions and a chance to bring two beloved franchises into a single immersive land. With an Indiana Jones adventure, the first Encanto ride anywhere on the planet, a new carousel, a marquee quick-service restaurant, and a Zootopia stage show all in the pipeline, the park is positioned for its biggest leap forward in years. Construction kicks off this fall, so fans planning a Walt Disney World trip in 2027 will want to keep this corner of Animal Kingdom firmly on their radar.