With DinoLand U.S.A. officially a thing of the past, Walt Disney World is wasting no time transforming Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The demolition crews have cleared the way, and vertical construction has officially begun on Tropical Americas. Set to open in 2027, this massive 11-acre expansion will transport guests to Pueblo Esperanza, a vibrant fictional village celebrating the cultures and architecture of Central and South America.
Featuring highly anticipated attractions based on Encanto and Indiana Jones, it is one of the most ambitious projects in the park's history. While 2027 feels distant, the construction site is already teeming with life and towering new structures. Here is the latest progress on the park's breathtaking transformation.
The Gateway to Pueblo Esperanza
If you look past the construction walls today, the physical footprint of the new village is rapidly taking shape. One of the most striking developments visible from the guest pathways is a large steel entryway gate. Its scale is highly impressive, featuring tall rectangular framework sections connected by a broad upper beam, with two diagonal braces creating an angular opening through the center. While it is currently exposed steel, this massive structure is poised to become the grand threshold into Pueblo Esperanza.
At another entrance point, Imagineers are setting a deeply immersive scene. Crews have erected a pair of concrete columns, currently wrapped in scaffolding, along with shorter concrete elements with distinctly uneven tops. These structures are being meticulously designed to resemble ancient, partially collapsing stone ruins, anchoring the village in a rich historical lore before guests even reach the main plaza.
A Crown for the Woodcarver’s Carousel
One of the land's thematic centerpieces is a massive, intricately carved carousel. According to the backstory of Tropical Americas, this beautiful ride is the passion project of a local village woodcarver. It will feature handcrafted-style renditions of beloved Disney animals—most notably, Kevin from Pixar’s Up.
Construction on the carousel's expansive roof structure is advancing at a blistering pace. Wooden rafters now span the perimeter, forming sloped roof sections that rest on sturdy masonry walls. The circular canopy covering the ride mechanism has seen dramatic updates; following the installation of core slanted beams in July, crews have now placed a large prefabricated upper section directly at the center of the canopy. Additionally, the carousel's queue has been positioned directly beside the attraction, ensuring guests have ample shade.
Forced Perspective and Breathtaking Rockwork
Animal Kingdom is famous for its hyper-realistic environments, and Tropical Americas is fully embracing that legacy. To preserve the immersion of Pueblo Esperanza, Imagineers are utilizing classic Disney magic to hide the massive attraction's show buildings.
Pointed rockwork formations are currently rising between the scaffolding deep inside the construction zone. These narrow, gray forms feature sharply tapered tops and rough textures. Rather than serving as freestanding decor, these jagged structures are being strategically installed along the exterior walls and roofline of the massive Encanto dark ride building. This forced perspective will expertly disguise the industrial warehouse, ensuring it blends seamlessly into the horizon.
To complete the illusion, massive mature trees—carefully preserved or transplanted during demolition—are being integrated into the new landscape to bridge the gap between artificial rockwork and natural forests.
The Future of Tropical Americas
Seeing the towering gates and the carousel canopy take shape is an incredibly exciting milestone for Disney fans. As the construction continues toward the 2027 grand opening, the anticipation for the land's flagship experiences is reaching a fever pitch.
When complete, Tropical Americas will feature a groundbreaking Encanto dark ride that takes guests on a magical journey through the Casita with Antonio Madrigal. Next door, a completely reimagined Indiana Jones thrill ride will utilize the former DINOSAUR track system to send guests on a high-stakes archaeological expedition. Rounding out the land will be a sprawling, open-air quick-service hacienda restaurant and a brand-new interactive playground to replace The Boneyard.
With vertical construction moving this quickly, Pueblo Esperanza will be a reality before we know it.
