Disney World opened in 1971 and has been growing and changing since. So have the other theme parks in town. Many vacationers are aware of Universal Orlando’s new theme park Epic Universe that’s opening in 2025. Fans have been wondering what’s next for Disney in response to Epic Universe. One big thing that has been announced is the Disney tropical Americas expansion at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
We now have updates thanks to the D23 fan event Disney Experiences Showcase presentation lead by Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro.
Disney World Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom
Disney has shared more information about this ambitious Disney’s Animal Kingdom expansion. There have been different ideas about what’s coming to this space in this park for years.
What’s Coming to Animal Kingdom?
According to Josh D’Amaro, the Chairman of Disney Experiences at The Walt Disney Company, the Tropical Americas land at Animal Kingdom will have the following.
- In the D23 announcements 2024, we learned there is an Indiana Jones attraction that has an all new story. Indy goes in an ancient Mayan temple taking us on a journey to find a creature he’s heard legend of.
- An Encanto ride is coming to Animal Kingdom! Antonio receives his gift and the casita has brought furniture to life to take us around house and into his rainforest bedroom.
What is Tropical Americas at Disney?
Disney’s concept for Animal Kingdom’s tropical Americas expansion includes the idea of real and made up places. Instead of saying South America, Tropical Americas has a wider, less specific scope.
Disney defines the Tropical Americas in the initial announcement as including biodiverse areas on the planet in the regions just north and south of the equator in the Western Hemisphere. This refers to the northern part of South America and up into Central America.
When does the Tropical Americas land open at Disney World?
Construction begins in the fall of 2024. Work begins on this in phases but the land opens in 2027.
Is Encanto coming to Animal Kingdom?
Yes, Encanto is coming to Animal Kingdom! We know the following about this Tropical Americas land:
- The Encanto part of the Tropical Americas land is Pueblo Esperanza which means Village of Hope. It’s in the heart of a rainforest.
- There is an Encanto restaurant with the food and culture of the region.
- There is also a traditional style carousel in the Encanto part of the land.
- There is a ride in the Encanto house Casa Madrigal. Antonio receives his gift and the casita has brought furniture to life to take us around house and into his rainforest bedroom.
See all of the Encanto at Disney World.
How big is the Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom?
The Tropical Americas is eleven acres.
Is Zootopia coming to Animal Kingdom?
Yes, Zootopia is coming to Animal Kingdom!
In the last few years, Disney said Zootopia was coming to this area of the park. That’s no longer part of the plan.
Since then, a Zootopia show was announced for the Tree of Life. This will take over the It’s Tough to Be a Bug show and open in Winter of 2025.
Disney Tropical Americas FAQS
When was Disney Tropical Americas land first announced?
Some context about the Animal Kingdom expansion. We first heard about a Disney’s Animal Kingdom expansion of this kind at the 2022 D23 Expo. In the original concept art, the Dinoland area reimagining included:
A detailed look at a Moana land including a log flume water ride and a simple spinner attraction.
A distant look at a Zootopia land, not to be confused with recent international Disney Zootopia additions.
Then, at the Destination D event in 2023, the concept was completely changed. This is when the Tropical Americas idea was introduced with:
The Encanto house.
An Indiana Jones attraction, presumed to be going into the Dinosaur attraction. The Disneyland attraction uses the same operational style ride vehicles and has a similar layout.
Is Zootopia coming to the Tree of Life?
At that point in time, Disney also announced that Zootopia would take over the 3D movie style attraction in the Tree of Life. We now have an opening time frame: Winter 2025.
What is where the Tropical Americas expansion is going? Is Dinoland going away?
When it was announced, the tropical Americas expansion was meant to be a reimagining of Dinoland U.S.A. into a new land. Dinoland is going away to make room for this new area. The Dinosaur ride is closing. It will be replaced by Indiana Jones.
What kind of foods will we be able to enjoy in the Animal Kingdom tropical Americas?
In any land at Disney Parks, food plays a role. There can be a range from signature dining like Be Our Guest Restaurant to simple walk up delights like Dole Whip stands. There is an Encanto food offering in the tropical Americas! We don’t have much information yet.
Will there be animals in the tropical Americas?
Disney’s Animal Kingdom exists with intentions to “edutain” to use an old Walt Disney idea. Different cultures are portrayed authentically in the different lands but animals and conservation are a huge thread here. The rest of the park has enclosures with animals related to the different regions. So how will animals be incorporated into the tropical Americas region?
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