At Destination D23, Disney teased a potential Encanto and Indiana Jones-themed expansion at Animal Kingdom.

It’s an exciting time for Disney Parks fans!  The 2023 Destination D23 is currently taking place at Walt Disney World, with panels showcasing everything happening across Disney. Today, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro presented at the “A Celebration of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” panel — and he had some exciting announcements! One of those announcements was a follow up to a big tease from last year’s D23 Expo — the potential expansion of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

New Expansion at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

For those who followed last year’s D23 Expo, you may remember D’Amaro speaking about “blue sky projects. “Blue sky” is essentially a part of the Disney Imagineering creative development process. During this stage, Imagineers gather inspiration as they focus on what something could be. At the 2022 D23 Expo, D’Amaro specifically shared potential concept art for the “blue sky” idea of both Zootopia and Moana lands coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Zootopia Tree of Life Show

At today’s presentation, D’Amaro shared some new news. He confirmed Zootopia will be coming to Animal Kingdom…but in a differnt way! Instead of a new land, a new show based on Zootopia will be coming to the Tree of Life theater at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Currently, the area is home to “it’s tough to be a bug,” a show based on A Bug’s Life.

Photo Courtesy of Disney

The current concept for the experience will have guests visiting the different biomes from the film, traveling along with Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and other characters. Details are currently being finalized, but we should know more in the future!

Indiana Jones and Encanto Expansion at Animal Kingdom

Now, heading over to the area of DinoLand, U.S.A., which is where the “blue sky” concepts from last year would take place. While nothing has been confirmed, Disney did reveal that new experiences from Encanto and Indiana Jones are being considered for the reimagined land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Photo Courtesy of Disney

Disney revealed new concept art images that show the Madrigal House from Encanto, along with an exciting temple that looks to be from Indiana Jones.

While Disney did not confirm whether these concepts will definitely come to life, it was certainly exciting to see what could be coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the future.We will continue to keep you updated on more news from Destination D23, so stay tuned to WDW Magazine!