At D23 2026, Disney confirmed Tropical Americas — a new, roughly 11-acre land coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom on the footprint of the former DinoLand U.S.A. Targeted for 2027, it brings two headliner rides, a hand-carved carousel, and one of the largest quick-service restaurants on property. Here’s everything Disney confirmed.
Updated August 24, 2026: Since D23, Imagineer Joe Rohde has shared notable new details — the land won’t add live animals, and the Jade Serpent has a real Maya backstory. Both are folded in below.
Replacing DinoLand
Tropical Americas takes over the old DinoLand U.S.A. area — DINOSAUR has already closed to make way for it. The land trades the roadside-carnival theme for the landscapes and cultures of Latin America, built across about 11 acres and targeted to open in 2027.
Its official name is Pueblo Esperanza — and in a notable shift, the land won’t add any live animals. Joe Rohde, the Disney Legend who helped create Animal Kingdom, confirmed as much in an August Instagram exchange, saying there are currently no plans for live species in Tropical Americas. That’s a departure for a park built around living animals since 1998 — the old DinoLand even kept an American crocodile habitat. Rohde acknowledged the land “would be better with live animals,” but pointed to the Encanto story’s message about people and the natural world as its link to Animal Kingdom’s mission.
Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto
The Encanto ride puts you inside the Madrigals’ Casita on Antonio’s gift day. The ride vehicles are made of furniture that magically assembles itself, and the original Madrigal voice cast returns for the attraction.
Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent
The land’s other headliner is an original Indiana Jones adventure set in an abandoned Maya temple. Notably, Harrison Ford serves as the model for the ride’s animatronic — Disney says it’s the first time his likeness has appeared on a Disney attraction.
Rohde has since shared the serpent’s name and backstory: it’s Tsukán, and — like the yeti at Expedition Everest — it’s drawn from a real, living Maya myth rather than invented for the ride. In the story, Tsukán guards the sacred water of a cenote; guests encounter it throughout the temple before a final face-off with a larger-than-life Audio-Animatronic.
El Carrusel de los Animalitos
Rounding out the rides is a carousel featuring 22 hand-carved animals inspired by Disney and Pixar characters — the lineup includes the likes of Simba, Pascal, Squirt, Kuzco, and Heimlich, among others.
Dining, Play & Shopping
Anchoring the land is a large hacienda-style quick-service restaurant — one of the biggest quick-service spots at Walt Disney World. Disney also confirmed a Maya-inspired play area and new shopping within the land.
What’s Still Unknown
Exact opening dates haven’t been set, and no height requirements have been published for any of the three attractions yet — so there’s nothing official to plan around for younger kids at this stage. As with everything revealed this early, details will shift between now and opening, and we’ll keep this piece updated as Disney confirms them.