We’re sharing everything we know about the Tropical Americas expansion coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

A brand-new land is coming to one of Disney World’s theme parks! Animal Kingdom is currently under construction, with work on the Tropical Americas land already underway.

Tropical Americas will, when it’s complete, be home to attractions and experiences inspired by the stories of Encanto and Indiana Jones franchise. Wondering what that will include? We’re sharing everything we know – so far – about the Tropical Americas land at Animal Kingdom, from the attractions and entertainment to shopping and dining.

Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom: An Overview

Photo courtesy of Disney

First announced at Destination D23 in 2023, Tropical Americas is a new land that’ll open at Animal Kingdom. The land will represent the “northern reaches of South America, through Central America, and into parts of Mexico,” according to Disney. 

Animal Kingdom’s Tropical Americas land will be a new 11-acre land. Like the other lands of this theme park, Tropical Americas will feature a fictional village – Pueblo Esperanza – that feels lived-in and features rich history, similar to Harambe and Anandapur. 

Photo courtesy of Disney

Tropical Americas is taking over the former DinoLand U.S.A. area, which closed completely in early 2026. Construction is now underway on the lush new land, which will feature the village of Pueblo Esperanza, the Madrigal family’s Casita, a Maya-inspired temple, a large hacienda, and more.

We also know that two Disney films will have attractions in Tropical Americas: Encanto and the Indiana Jones franchise. 

Based on models shown at the 2024 D23 Expo, Tropical Americas will feature three distinct areas:

• Pueblo Esperanza, a village in the heart of the rainforest
• An Encanto-inspired area, where the Casita can be found
• A Maya-inspired area, home to the upcoming Indiana Jones attraction

Tropical Americas Location

Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom will be located on the  previous site of DinoLand, U.S.A. which has closed as of early 2026.

When Will the New Tropical Americas Land Open?

Disney has not yet announced an exact opening date for Tropical Americas, but the new land is scheduled to open in 2027. DinoLand U.S.A. closed in phases to make way for construction, beginning with TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures on January 12, 2025. The remaining DinoLand attractions closed in early 2026, and construction on Tropical Americas is now well underway.

Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom: What to Expect

Photo courtesy of Disney

Wondering what the Tropical Americas land at Animal Kingdom will include? Below, we’re sharing everything we know so far about the expansion’s attractions, dining, and shopping.

Tropical Americas Rides and Attractions

As we mentioned above, Disney has revealed that two stories will take center stage in Tropical Americas: Encanto and the Indiana Jones franchise. Both of these Disney staples will get their own attractions in the Tropical Americas land at Animal Kingdom.

Indiana Jones ride concept. Photo Courtesy of Disney

Here’s a look at the planned rides for Tropical Americas:

• Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent
• Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto: The first-ever Encanto attraction will star the Madrigal family. Guests will enter the Casita, where Antonio has just received his special gift.
• El Carrusel de los Animalitos: A carousel featuring 22 hand-carved animals inspired by Disney and Pixar stories (such as Scuttle, Squirt, Pua, Pascal, Simba, Eeyore, Kuzco, Heimlich, and more)

Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent

We now know much more about the new Indiana Jones attraction coming to Tropical Americas, including its official name. Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent will be an original adventure created specifically for Disney’s Animal Kingdom, taking guests beneath an ancient Maya temple alongside Indiana Jones.

Photo Courtesy of Disney

And Indy himself will look particularly familiar. Disney Legend Harrison Ford will serve as the model for the attraction’s Indiana Jones Audio-Animatronic, marking the first time Ford’s likeness will be used for an Indiana Jones figure in a Disney attraction. Imagineers revealed a first look at the digital model being used to create the Audio-Animatronic during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.

The attraction’s story begins as guests meet up with Dr. Jones while he explores a mysterious temple near a cenote, a once-water-filled underground cave. According to local legend, a passageway here leads directly to the Maya Underworld, where it is protected by a massive serpentine creature known as the Tsukán.

Photo Courtesy of Disney

Naturally, things don’t exactly go according to plan. Riders will be pulled through a portal into the Underworld, beginning an adventure filled with monstrous bats, enormous scorpions, fire, and plenty of snakes. The Tsukán will appear throughout the attraction before guests ultimately face the creature in a final confrontation. Disney also revealed a first look at the enormous Tsukán Audio-Animatronic, which is being sculpted by hand and towers over the Imagineers working on it.

Photo Courtesy of Disney

While the attraction will deliver the thrills you’d expect from an Indiana Jones adventure, Imagineers are also designing it specifically for Animal Kingdom. The story will explore Maya culture and its relationship with nature, connecting the attraction to the park’s larger focus on animals and the natural world. Disney says the project team is working with archaeologists, anthropologists, and Maya experts to help authentically represent the region, including original Maya-inspired artwork throughout the attraction.

Construction is already well underway, including work on the temple entrance. The attraction is taking over the former DINOSAUR location, but Disney has emphasized that this will be a completely different adventure from Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland.

Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto

Disney has revealed the official name and plenty of new details for the first-ever Encanto attraction: Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto. The family-friendly ride will invite guests inside the Madrigal family’s Casita to celebrate the day Antonio receives his gift of communicating with animals. And good news for families with young kids: the attraction will have no height requirement.

Photo Courtesy of Disney

Guests will board ride vehicles designed to look like pieces of furniture brought together by Casita. The vehicles will have plenty of personality of their own, reacting to the scenes around them as they carry guests through familiar and never-before-seen areas of the magical house.

Photo Courtesy of Disney

The journey will eventually take riders upstairs to Antonio’s room, which has transformed into a lush rainforest filled with animals. More than 50 animals will be represented throughout the attraction, including a capybara, toucan, donkey, and many more. Imagineers worked with Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment team to ensure the animals featured are accurate to Colombia, while research trips to the country helped inform the attraction’s colors, architecture, materials, and other details.

Several members of the film’s original cast are also returning to voice their characters for the attraction. Stephanie Beatriz will return as Mirabel, Jessica Darrow as Luisa, and Diane Guerrero as Isabela. The story will center on the idea that everyone is part of the familia of living things, tying Encanto‘s themes directly into Animal Kingdom’s focus on nature and animals.

El Carrusel de los Animalitos

El Carrusel de los Animalitos will put an Animal Kingdom spin on the classic carousel. Located in Pueblo Esperanza, the attraction will feature 22 hand-carved animals inspired by Disney and Pixar stories, including Scuttle, Squirt, Pua, Pascal, Simba, Eeyore, Kuzco, Heimlich, and more.

Photo Courtesy of Disney

Disney has described the carousel as an attraction for guests of all ages, adding another family-friendly experience to the new land.

Maya-Inspired Play Area

Tropical Americas will also include a new play area inspired by the Maya, giving younger guests another experience beyond the land’s rides. Kids will be able to unearth artifacts and investigate the natural wonders of the rainforest through hands-on exploration and play. Disney hasn’t yet revealed the name or additional details for the play area.

Tropical Americas Dining

Disney hasn’t revealed the final food and beverage lineup for Tropical Americas just yet, but we know Pueblo Esperanza will feature a large hacienda that will house one of the largest quick-service restaurants at Walt Disney World. Additional details, including the restaurant’s name and menu, have not yet been announced.

Tropical Americas Shopping

We don’t yet know any specifics as to what shopping options are coming to the Tropical Americas land. However, we can expect this new addition to Animal Kingdom to feature at least one shop for guests to explore.

Imagineering Research for Tropical Americas

Authenticity has been a major focus for Imagineers developing Tropical Americas. Teams have traveled to Honduras and Colombia to study the cultures, architecture, artwork, landscapes, and natural environments that are inspiring Pueblo Esperanza and its attractions. For Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, Imagineers have also worked with archaeologists, anthropologists, and Maya experts, drawing inspiration from places including the ancient Maya city of Copán. For Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto, Imagineering partnered with Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment team to ensure the more than 50 animals represented in the attraction are accurate to Colombia.