Walls are up, steel is rising, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom is clearly moving full speed into its next big chapter.
DinoLand U.S.A. is no more. In its place, Disney is building Tropical Americas, a sweeping reimagining inspired by Central and South American cultures, wildlife, and storytelling traditions. The carnival-style dinosaur theme that once defined the area is being replaced by vibrant landscaping, immersive architecture, and a lineup of major new attractions.
The transition has been impossible to miss. Pathways have been rerouted, construction barriers line the former land, and heavy equipment has taken over spaces once filled with midway games and prehistoric backdrops. The closure became official in early February, when DINOSAUR welcomed riders for the last time before shutting down permanently. Not long after, the land was removed from park maps and the My Disney Experience app.
Disney offered fans a clearer preview of what’s coming through a scale model displayed at Walt Disney Presents inside Walt Disney World Resort. The exhibit highlighted three major additions across the property: Tropical Americas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a new Monsters, Inc. coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and a Cars and Villains expansion planned for Magic Kingdom.
The Tropical Americas model revealed a layout filled with winding walkways, thick greenery, and a central plaza known as Pueblo Esperanza. The space will feature a fountain and architecture inspired by Latin American design influences. A carousel populated with hand-carved animals inspired by creatures from Disney films will also be part of the experience.
Perhaps most notably, the display confirmed the future of DINOSAUR’s ride system. The attraction’s existing track will be reimagined into an Indiana Jones adventure. Alongside it, an Encanto-themed ride is set to become the land’s headline experience. A quick-service dining location and additional yet-to-be-announced offerings will round out the area.
Construction progress has been well documented from the air. Aerial images from October 2025 showed that the Encanto attraction had already begun vertical construction.
Steel beams and concrete foundations outline what will become the show building. Large excavated areas nearby have led fans to speculate about expansive show scenes or a major finale element. Separate aerial views confirm ongoing groundwork in the carousel’s future location as well.
Disney marked a significant milestone late last year when Walt Disney Imagineering shared that the Encanto attraction had officially “gone vertical” with its first steel supports installed. The structure will serve as the main show building and is widely expected to become a defining addition to the park.
Behind the scenes, Encanto (2021) co-director Jared Bush is working hand-in-hand with Imagineering and writing original dialogue for the attraction.
Instead of recreating the events of the 2021 film, the ride will introduce new story moments featuring the Madrigal family. This approach allows the attraction to expand the film’s universe, offering guests fresh scenes designed specifically for the theme park setting.
A recent aerial video from @Bioreconstruct underscores just how extensive the redevelopment has become, showing cleared land and multiple structures rising simultaneously.
The same account has now shared additional photos capturing steel framing extending beyond the main show building. The images appear to reveal early construction of the Encanto attraction’s entrance and queue, areas that will eventually receive the detailed thematic treatment Walt Disney Imagineering is known for.
Aerial photos of steel frame raised for the entrance areas of the Encanto ride in Animal Kingdom.
Aerial photos of steel frame raised for the entrance areas of the Encanto ride in Animal Kingdom. pic.twitter.com/bOHB7DoNxl
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) February 28, 2026
Animal Kingdom has seen transformative additions before. The debut of Pandora—The World of Avatar reshaped guest expectations and played a major role in establishing the park as a full-day experience. Tropical Americas appears positioned to build on that momentum, bringing new intellectual properties and richly themed environments into the fold.
While DinoLand’s chapter has officially closed, its replacement is steadily emerging. With steel in place and construction accelerating, Tropical Americas is no longer just a concept—it’s becoming a reality right before guests’ eyes.
How are you feeling about Animal Kingdom’s next era? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
