A major chapter has closed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom—and what’s rising in its place is something entirely different.
For decades, DinoLand U.S.A. brought roadside Americana and oversized dinosaurs to life in a playful carnival setting. Now, that corner of the park is being reborn as Tropical Americas, an expansive land drawing inspiration from Central and South America’s cultures, wildlife, and storytelling heritage.
The change isn’t subtle. Construction barriers dominate the skyline where spinning carnival rides once stood. Pathways have been rerouted, heavy machinery occupies former fossil dig sites, and the visual identity of the area has shifted dramatically.
DinoLand officially shut its gates in early February. DINOSAUR sent off its final guests before permanently closing, and shortly after, the land disappeared from both physical maps and the My Disney Experience app. The removal confirmed what fans already knew: the prehistoric playground had reached the end of its run. In the future, the DINOSAUR attraction will evolve into an Indiana Jones experience.
Inside the Walt Disney Presents gallery at Walt Disney World Resort, Walt Disney Imagineering has provided a closer look at what comes next. Detailed scale models outline the future of Tropical Americas, offering guests a preview of the layout and atmosphere.
At the heart of the land will be Pueblo Esperanza, a central plaza designed as a communal gathering space. The model highlights a fountain centerpiece and architectural styles influenced by Latin American design traditions. A carousel filled with hand-carved animals inspired by Disney creatures is also featured, reinforcing the land’s family-friendly appeal.
Encanto stands at the center of the transformation. Late last year, Walt Disney Imagineering announced on social media that the project had officially “gone vertical,” marking the placement of the first steel columns for the attraction’s show building.
Encanto (2021) co-director Jared Bush has been collaborating directly with Imagineering and penning original dialogue for the ride. Instead of recreating the film’s storyline, the attraction is expected to introduce fresh scenes and character moments within the Madrigal family’s world—expanding the narrative in a way designed specifically for theme park audiences.
Now, construction has entered another phase. A new Notice of Commencement filed at 504 Dinoland Drive names Scenario as the contractor responsible for installing interior set elements within the Encanto show building. This development signals that the project has moved beyond foundational work and into immersive theming.
Scenario is no stranger to Disney’s most ambitious undertakings. The company previously worked on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge as well as Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Walt Disney World, contributing detailed rockwork and scenic elements.
“Scenario was honored to have been the sole rockwork vendor for the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge projects at both the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort,” the contractor said in 2020, via Project Presenter. “The challenges of creating the massive rocky environment were embraced by a solid team that developed unique solutions for such a large rockwork effort.”
Those past projects required extensive environmental storytelling and highly detailed craftsmanship—qualities that will be essential when translating Casa Madrigal’s magical interiors into a walk-through queue and ride experience.
Aerial photographer @Bioreconstruct has been documenting the transformation from above. Earlier footage revealed the enormous footprint of cleared land, while newer images show steel structures stretching outward from the main show building. The framework appears to mark the beginning of the attraction’s queue, which will eventually be layered with elaborate scenic elements.
Animal Kingdom has faced sweeping change before. When Pandora–The World of Avatar debuted, it redefined the park’s scope and encouraged guests to spend an entire day exploring its offerings. Tropical Americas aims to build on that success, combining well-known Disney stories with environments grounded in regional inspiration.
Not all reactions have been entirely positive. Some fans have voiced concerns over Disney’s decision to replace existing attractions rather than add new ones, particularly as Magic Kingdom Park expands with Piston Peak and Villains projects elsewhere at Walt Disney World.
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