Walt Disney World Resort has officially begun the transformation of DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
The area, which once featured the quirky roadside attraction-themed land, will soon be home to a vibrant, Tropical Americas-inspired area called Pueblo Esperanza. The overhaul was first announced at D23 Expo 2024, where Walt Disney Imagineering revealed plans to replace the long-standing DinoLand U.S.A. with a fresh new space celebrating the world of Encanto (2021) and featuring an Indiana Jones retheme of the iconic DINOSAUR ride.
Construction has already begun, with large portions of DinoLand U.S.A. now closed off. In January, attractions like Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, TriceraTop Spin, and Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama were shuttered, and construction walls and rolling planters blocked guests’ views of the area. The bulldozers have since rolled in, leveling much of the old land to make way for the upcoming changes.
In the months since, work slowed down, leaving only dirt and scattered construction materials in place of what was once a lively part of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. However, in recent weeks, new reports and aerial photos have confirmed that preparations for the new attractions are well underway. Last week, Disney Fanatic reported that Walt Disney World Resort had filed permits to build trailers at the site for the new Encanto-inspired attractions, with another site being prepared behind Expedition Everest. This suggests that the official work on Pueblo Esperanza is ready to ramp up.
Aerial images shared by X (formerly Twitter) user @bioreconstruct show that the berm and retaining wall that once separated DinoLand U.S.A. from backstage areas have already been demolished.
Aerial photos of where a berm and part of a retaining wall have been removed at the Encanto ride site in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Another photo reveals that crews are now installing another retaining wall, which will probably help define the boundary between the backstage areas and the upcoming Pueblo Esperanza.
Aerial photo of the Encanto ride site in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Walt Disney Imagineers have also started testing paint, layout designs, and other scenic elements for the new land. According to BlogMickey, these design elements are being worked on in a backstage area near Expedition Everest before the final plans are implemented at the main park site.
The transformation of DinoLand U.S.A. into Pueblo Esperanza is expected to be completed by 2027, though Disney has yet to announce a specific grand opening date. In the meantime, the remaining areas of DinoLand U.S.A. will close in phases. The Boneyard play area will shut its doors permanently on September 2, 2025, while DINOSAUR and the area’s Quick Service dining locations will remain open through early 2026.
Which Pueblo Esperanza attraction are you looking forward to the most? Let Disney Fanatic know in the comments!
