Disney’s Animal Kingdom is preparing for one of the biggest transformations in its 28-year history.
Construction is underway on Tropical Americas, the new land replacing DinoLand U.S.A. The 11-acre area, officially named Pueblo Esperanza, is scheduled to open in 2027 with new Encanto and Indiana Jones attractions, a carousel, dining, shopping, and other additions.
Disney shared more details about the project at D23 in Anaheim last week. However, one element of the land was notably absent from those announcements — and Disney Legend Joe Rohde has since offered an explanation.
Animal Kingdom Breaks With a Park Tradition
Tropical Americas will not introduce any additional live animals to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, according to Rohde. That marks a departure from DinoLand U.S.A., which included the American crocodile exhibit that remained at the park until the land’s final closure.
Responding to a comment on Instagram, Rohde acknowledged the omission. He said “live animals are an important part of the park” and agreed that Tropical Americas “would be better with live animals.”
However, Rohde pointed to the realities of the project’s budget. Tropical Americas is largely redeveloping an existing area rather than being built on untouched land, meaning Disney has had to prioritize the additions it believes Animal Kingdom needs most.
Joe Rhode basically confirmed on instagram that there will be no live animals in Tropical Americas. This is disappointing but not surprising. This is a comment on his newest post about Encanto not fitting in with DAK
Joe Rhode basically confirmed on instagram that there will be no live animals in Tropical Americas. This is disappointing but not surprising. This is a comment on his newest post about Encanto not fitting in with DAK pic.twitter.com/7xidZXSz9a
— RockNstardust🎸✨ (@CoasterK24) August 20, 2026
One of those priorities is increasing the park’s relatively small selection of attractions for children. Rohde said Animal Kingdom “needs rides for young people,” particularly air-conditioned attractions that can offer families a break from the Florida heat.
He did not rule out animals eventually joining Pueblo Esperanza. Rohde said he believes “they should be included in the future,” but suggested Disney would first need a viable business plan to justify that additional investment.
Animal Kingdom currently houses more than 250 animal species. Kilimanjaro Safaris features elephants, giraffes, lions, rhinos, hippos, and other wildlife, while trails including Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail and Maharajah Jungle Trek provide some of the park’s most animal-focused experiences.
Disney has also recently expanded its family offering elsewhere. Bluey’s Wild World debuted at Conservation Station in May, combining appearances by Bluey and Bingo with games and activities. The nearby Jumping Junction introduced Australian wildlife, including kangaroos and wallabies.
Tropical Americas is not the first Animal Kingdom expansion to open without new live-animal exhibits. Pandora – The World of Avatar took a different approach in 2017, using fictional creatures, elaborate landscaping, and environmental storytelling to connect the Avatar franchise with the park’s themes.
Few people have a closer connection to those themes than Rohde. The longtime Imagineer served as Animal Kingdom’s lead designer, helping develop the park ahead of its 1998 opening. He later oversaw projects including Expedition Everest and Pandora before retiring from Walt Disney Imagineering in 2021.
Disney Reveals What Will Replace DinoLand U.S.A.
While live animals are not part of the current plan, Disney is filling Pueblo Esperanza with references to wildlife. That includes Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto, a new attraction built around the Encanto character whose magical gift allows him to communicate with animals.
Rather than retelling the 2021 film, the attraction will revisit Antonio’s gift day. Guests will travel through Casita and encounter previously unseen rooms, members of the Madrigal family, animals, and new Audio-Animatronics created for the ride.
Rohde explained why that distinction matters. Without Antonio’s connection to animals, he said, “there's no reason this IP should be at Disney's Animal Kingdom,” describing the movie itself as “an interpersonal family drama.”
Instead, the attraction will use Antonio to broaden one of the park’s core ideas. Rohde summarized its message as: “We are all one family. Animals included. And that is a good moral lesson for Disney’s Animal Kingdom.”
Elsewhere, Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent will replace DINOSAUR. The original adventure will send Indiana Jones into a Maya temple in pursuit of a mythical serpent, with supernatural encounters and a new Indiana Jones Audio-Animatronic promised along the way.
The land will also feature a third ride, El Carrusel de los Animalitos, a family carousel populated by carved Disney animals. A Maya-inspired archaeological play area will give younger visitors another activity, while a large hacienda replacing Restaurantosaurus will contain one of Walt Disney World’s largest quick-service restaurants.
Together, those additions underline the priority Rohde described: more experiences that families and younger children can enjoy. However, Tropical Americas will accomplish that without expanding the collection of real-world species that has distinguished Animal Kingdom from Disney’s other theme parks since 1998.
Are you excited for Tropical Americas?
