Disney World’s next major land no longer has a firm arrival year.
Tropical Americas is currently replacing DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, bringing one of the park’s biggest overhauls since Pandora — The World of Avatar opened in 2017.
The 11 acre area, officially named Pueblo Esperanza, will introduce attractions based on Encanto (2021) and Indiana Jones, alongside new dining, play areas, and an elaborate carousel.
Construction is already well underway. What has become less clear is when guests will actually be able to experience it.
Disney previously said Tropical Americas would open in 2027. That year has now disappeared from one of Walt Disney World’s main official pages.
Disney Quietly Drops Its 2027 Promise
Walt Disney World has updated its Coming to the Parks page to remove the opening year previously attached to Tropical Americas.
The page formerly said: “Tropical Americas: Pueblo Esperanza — Get ready to journey to an 11-acre, immersive land in 2027. This Village of Hope will feature an exciting Encanto attraction, an action-packed Indiana Jones attraction, a woodcarver-themed carousel and more.”
Its replacement description contains no date.
It now reads: “Tropical Americas — Prepare for your journey to an 11-acre land. This village of hope will feature new attractions like the joyful Antonio's Fiesta de Encanto and action-packed Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent—plus a handcrafted El Carrusel de los Animalitos featuring wooden animal figures inspired by Disney and Pixar films.”
Disney has not formally announced that Tropical Americas is delayed. The 2027 timeframe also remains visible on an older Disney Parks Blog page.
However, the disappearance of the year from Walt Disney World’s current attractions page adds uncertainty around the project.
It also follows Disney’s D23 presentation in August, where the company shared more details about Tropical Americas without repeating the previously announced 2027 opening date.
The project itself remains very active.
Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto will send guests through the Casita from Encanto. Recent aerial images show its enormous show building largely enclosed, with steelwork for the recognizable Casita facade rising in front of it.
Aerial photo of temple construction at Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent.
The colorful sections were sculpted and painted over several months at the Imagineering offices in backstage Animal Kingdom. Crane recently placed these sections above rockwork forms. pic.twitter.com/oo8UMOJh1G— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) September 4, 2026
Nearby, El Carrusel de los Animalitos is also taking shape. The carousel will feature 22 hand-carved creatures inspired by Disney and Pixar films, while much of its roof structure is now covered.
Crews have also started work on Pueblo Esperanza’s central fountain and continue transforming the former Restaurantosaurus into a large hacienda-style quick service restaurant.
Imagineers have researched locations throughout Central and South America while developing the area. Walt Disney Imagineering veteran Joe Rohde has previously confirmed that Tropical Americas will not contain live animals.
Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent is making visible progress as well.
The attraction replaces DINOSAUR while reusing its ride system and building, but Disney has created an entirely different story centered on an ancient Maya temple.
Sections of the temple facade were installed in September, including large decorative pieces prepared backstage before being lifted into place.
The land’s main entrance near Discovery Island is also moving beyond its basic framework, while themed rockwork, new buildings, and artificial mountains are gradually reshaping the former DinoLand site.
A Delay Would Leave Animal Kingdom Waiting Longer
Any change to Tropical Americas’ opening schedule would have an especially noticeable effect at Animal Kingdom.
The park has already lost DINOSAUR and TriceraTop Spin as part of the redevelopment, reducing an attraction lineup that was smaller than those found at Disney World’s other theme parks even before construction began.
Families still have multiple attractions without height requirements, including Kilimanjaro Safaris and Na’vi River Journey.
Animal Kingdom also offers Festival of the Lion King, Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!, wildlife trails including Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail and Maharajah Jungle Trek, and character experiences such as Mickey and Minnie at Adventurers Outpost.
The ride lineup is more limited for younger children.
Avatar Flight of Passage and Expedition Everest require guests to be at least 44 inches tall, while Kali River Rapids has a 38 inch minimum.
TriceraTop Spin had previously provided a simple ride for younger guests without a height requirement. Its removal means Pueblo Esperanza’s family attractions will eventually fill an important gap.
The biggest question is whether guests will now need to wait until 2028.
Disney has not announced a new opening year, so a delay beyond 2027 remains speculation rather than confirmation.
Another possibility is that Tropical Americas opens in stages.
Disney is already planning a phased debut for Monstropolis at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Parts of that land are expected to open in 2027 while construction continues on its Monsters, Inc. door coaster – Disney's first suspended and vertical lift roller coaster.
Pueblo Esperanza could theoretically follow the same approach.
The carousel, restaurant, plaza, or other completed sections could open first, followed later by Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto or Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent.
There is also uncertainty around the timing of several other Walt Disney World projects, including Piston Peak National Park and Disney Villains Land at Magic Kingdom.
When do you think Tropical Americas will open?
