Tropical Americas is the 11-acre land replacing the former DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney is still targeting 2027 for its debut. It brings three rides (Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto, Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, and El Carrusel de los Animalitos), a giant hacienda restaurant, and a Maya-inspired play area.
Get Our Disney, Universal, & Cruise News First on Google
Add to Preferred Sources
By Favorite Grampy | Last Updated: October 2026 | Verified against Disney Parks Blog announcements through October 2026
What Will Families Find at Tropical Americas in Animal Kingdom?
Tropical Americas is an 11-acre land coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s most recent updates still point to 2027. It replaces the former DinoLand U.S.A. footprint.
The centerpiece village is called Pueblo Esperanza, which translates to “Village of Hope.” The land features three rides, one of the largest quick-service restaurants at Walt Disney World, a Maya-inspired play area, and themed shopping. This is Animal Kingdom’s first major expansion since Pandora opened in 2017.
The land draws on the northern reaches of South America, Central America, and parts of Mexico. Together, its rides bring the first Encanto attraction at any Disney park and a brand new Indiana Jones adventure to Walt Disney World.
| Feature | Detail | Family Note |
|---|---|---|
| Land Name | Tropical Americas (village: Pueblo Esperanza) | Replaces DinoLand U.S.A. |
| Size | 11 acres | A full-size land with rides, dining, and play |
| Opening | 2027, per the Disney Parks Blog (no month or date announced) | Disney’s coming-soon page dropped the year in September 2026 |
| Rides | 3: Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto, Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, El Carrusel de los Animalitos | A family ride with no height requirement, a thrill ride, and a carousel |
| Dining | Large hacienda quick-service restaurant | One of the largest QS spots at all of WDW |
| Play Area | Maya-inspired play area where kids unearth artifacts | Great for younger kids and stroller breaks |
| Themed Settings | Pueblo Esperanza, the Madrigal Casita, a Maya temple | Inspired by Mexico, Central America, South America |
Swipe left to see all columns on mobile.
Tropical Americas Quick Facts
When does Tropical Americas open at Animal Kingdom?
Disney is still targeting 2027. Disney Parks Blog articles updated in October 2026 say the land opens in 2027, although Disney has not announced a month or date.
What rides are coming to Tropical Americas?
Three new rides: Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto, the first Encanto attraction at any Disney park; Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, replacing DINOSAUR; and El Carrusel de los Animalitos, a carousel with 22 hand-carved animal figures from Disney and Pixar stories.
What is Pueblo Esperanza?
Pueblo Esperanza is the village at the heart of Tropical Americas. The name translates to “Village of Hope” in Spanish.
When Will Tropical Americas Open?
Disney is still targeting 2027 for Tropical Americas. The latest Tropical Americas update on the Disney Parks Blog says the land opens in 2027, and Disney has not named a month or a date.
Here is the part that has many parents scratching their heads. In September 2026, Disney quietly removed “2027” from the Tropical Americas listing on its Walt Disney World coming-soon page. The listing now simply invites guests to prepare for their journey to an 11-acre land, with no year attached.
That said, Disney has not explained the change, and it has not announced a delay. Its Parks Blog articles, updated in October 2026, still say 2027. Some Disney news coverage suggests late 2027 is most likely, but that is reporting, not an announcement from Disney.
So what does a grandparent tell a parent? Plan around 2027, but hold off on locking in a trip built around Tropical Americas until Disney names a date. Until then, our Disney vacation planning advisors keep an eye on every announcement, and a complimentary 15-minute consultation is the easiest place to start.
What Happened to DinoLand U.S.A.?
The project has been moving in phases since January 2025. TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Chester and Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures had their last day on January 12, 2025, and The Boneyard playground closed September 2, 2025.
DINOSAUR and Restaurantosaurus had their final day of operation on February 1, 2026, marking the end of DinoLand U.S.A. By August 2026, Imagineers shared that the Indiana Jones temple entrance was already being built.
For families planning a 2027 or 2028 trip, this matters now. As a grampy who has walked my grandkids through DinoLand for years, I know how big this change feels. It’s sad we’re losing such a nostalgic, memory-filled land, but I am also excited to make new memories in Tropical Americas.
I’ve been a longtime Indiana Jones superfan, and my youngest granddaughter loves to go to school in her Mirabel dress. If your family is as excited as we are, it is smart to have a plan ready for the day Disney releases official dates. An FGT advisor would be happy to lock in your trip before opening-year crowds and surge pricing kick in.
How Much Will Tropical Americas Add to a Disney World Trip?
Disney has not announced a ticket price increase tied to Tropical Americas. Walt Disney World ticket prices change by date and season, so the same one-day Animal Kingdom ticket costs more on a holiday week than on a quiet weekday.
Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass prices also move by date. Disney has not announced which Lightning Lane option Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent will use, so budget a little extra for the park’s newest headliner.
Keep in mind that opening-year hotel pricing at Disney resorts will likely climb in the months around the Tropical Americas debut. Booking 11 to 12 months ahead is the smartest move for families on a defined budget.
What Rides Are Coming to Tropical Americas?
Tropical Americas will feature three brand new rides, and Disney revealed their official names at D23 in August 2026. Each one targets a different family travel style.
The lineup is Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto, the first Encanto attraction at any Disney park; Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, which replaces DINOSAUR; and El Carrusel de los Animalitos, a hand-carved carousel.
Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto
Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto is a family ride-through attraction inside the Madrigal family Casita. Best of all for little ones, Disney says there will be no height requirement.
The ride is set on Antonio’s gift day, when he discovers he can talk to animals. You board ride vehicles shaped like pieces of furniture that the Casita’s magic assembles, and they react to each scene like characters of their own.
The journey ends in Antonio’s room, transformed into a rainforest with more than 50 animal species. Stephanie Beatriz, Jessica Darrow, and Diane Guerrero return as the voices of Mirabel, Luisa, and Isabela.
My granddaughter would lose her mind over this one. Above all, it celebrates the message that all living things are part of one familia.
Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent
Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent replaces the former DINOSAUR ride with an original storyline. You meet Dr. Jones exploring a mysterious Maya temple near a cenote, an underground cave that once held water.
Local legend says the passage leads to the Maya Underworld, guarded by a serpent creature called the Tsukán. Riders get pulled through a portal into the Underworld and face monstrous bats, giant scorpions, fire, and yes, snakes.
Even better for longtime fans like me, Harrison Ford is the model for the new Indy Audio-Animatronics figure. Disney says it is the first time his face will appear on a Disney attraction anywhere in the world.
Here is why this matters for grandparents like me. DINOSAUR was loud, jerky, and scary for little ones, and this adventure still sounds intense. That said, Disney has not announced a height requirement yet, and the original DINOSAUR ride had a 40-inch minimum, so plan for something similar until Disney confirms.
El Carrusel de los Animalitos
El Carrusel de los Animalitos is the family-friendly anchor of Pueblo Esperanza. In the land’s story, a local woodcarver built this giant working carousel featuring his favorite animals from Disney stories.
Disney says the carousel will have 22 hand-carved animal figures from Disney and Pixar stories. That means every grandkid gets to pick a favorite critter to ride.
This attraction is going to be a crowd-pleaser for grandparents and toddlers alike. Best of all, it gives Animal Kingdom a true young-child ride that DinoLand has been missing since TriceraTop Spin went extinct.
What Is Pueblo Esperanza, the New Village at Animal Kingdom?
Pueblo Esperanza is the fictional village at the heart of Tropical Americas.
It is designed to feel like a real, lived-in town. The village is built around a large central fountain where, in the story, villagers gather to share their tales. Just like Harambe in Africa or Anandapur in Asia, this place has a backstory, an architectural identity, and a culture all its own.
In Disney’s words, Pueblo Esperanza is a crossroads of culture surrounded by a rainforest filled with life. The Madrigal Casita and the Maya temple that is home to Indiana Jones both sit within that setting.
Together, they pay homage to Mexico, Central America, and South America without flattening any of those cultures into one generic theme.
To perfect it, Imagineers traveled to Honduras to meet with Maya artists who carve replicas of the famous Copán site. Striking red and green stones from the same quarries that built Copán will be carved for Tropical Americas.
As a result, the buildings will be authentic in a way Disney rarely attempts. Meanwhile, a separate research trip took the team to Colombia to study the places that inspired the original Encanto film.
What Will Families Eat at Tropical Americas?
Disney has confirmed a large hacienda inside Pueblo Esperanza. It will be one of the largest quick-service restaurants at all of Walt Disney World.
Disney says final food and beverage plans are still being worked out. The restaurant’s name and menu have not been announced.
This solves one of Animal Kingdom’s biggest pain points. On busy days, families with little ones know how hard it is to find an open seat at lunch. With more capacity in this new hacienda, midday meals should be far less stressful for larger groups.
In fact, my own family has eaten more lunches than I can count at the old Restaurantosaurus, dinosaur themes and all. The new spot will not just be bigger, it will feel transportive in a way the old quick service never did.
If your family loves Disney quick service, target this hacienda for a late lunch around 1:30 to 2:00 p.m. once Tropical Americas opens. Crowds thin out, and you will have a much better shot at indoor seating and shorter lines on opening-year days.
Who Are the Characters at Tropical Americas?
Tropical Americas features two confirmed story worlds. The Madrigals headline Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto, and Indiana Jones leads the Maya temple adventure.
The Madrigals come from Disney Animation’s Encanto, including Antonio, Mirabel, Luisa, and Isabela. However, Disney has not announced any character meet-and-greets for the land yet.
My grandkids quote Encanto all year long. Getting to see the actual Casita and the family inside is going to be a major bucket-list moment.
Meanwhile, Indiana Jones gives parents and grandparents a hero we grew up with, which makes this land work across all three generations.
How Will Tropical Americas Compare to Other Animal Kingdom Lands?
Tropical Americas continues Animal Kingdom’s tradition of culture-driven lands. It joins Africa’s Harambe, Asia’s Anandapur, and Pandora’s floating mountains.
At 11 acres, it is a full-size land rather than a small themed pocket. With three rides plus a play area, dining, and shopping, it adds significant capacity to a park that had been short on attractions since Primeval Whirl closed.
Once Tropical Americas opens, Animal Kingdom will have nine total rides, including the Wildlife Express Train.
Tropical Americas is not the only new land on the way, either. Monstropolis at Disney’s Hollywood Studios also opens in phases starting in 2027, which could give a Walt Disney World trip two new lands to build around rather than one.
That said, Animal Kingdom still tends to close earlier than the other parks. If your family is hoping for a full Tropical Americas evening with nighttime entertainment, you may want to wait and see what Disney announces for evening hours.
Once Tropical Americas opens, plan to spend a full day at Animal Kingdom rather than the half day many families used to. With Tropical Americas added to Pandora, Africa, Asia, and Discovery Island, there will be more than enough to fill a complete park day with little ones and grandparents alike.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom
Why Did Disney Remove the 2027 Opening Date for Tropical Americas?
Disney has not said why. In September 2026, Disney removed “2027” from the Tropical Americas listing on its Walt Disney World coming-soon page, but its Disney Parks Blog articles, updated in October 2026, still say the land opens in 2027.
Disney has not announced a delay or a specific date. Plan around 2027, and ask your FGT advisor to watch for the official opening date.
Is DinoLand U.S.A. Closed for Good?
Yes. DinoLand U.S.A. closed in phases between January 2025 and February 2026. DINOSAUR and Restaurantosaurus had their final day of operation on February 1, 2026.
The entire area is now in active construction as Tropical Americas. I have a lot of memories taking my grandkids through DinoLand over the years, so this one stings a little. However, this new land is going to be a huge upgrade for families with younger kids.
Will the New Indiana Jones Ride Be the Same as Disneyland’s?
No. Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent has its own name and an original storyline. Indy explores a Maya temple near a cenote, and riders are pulled into the Maya Underworld to face a serpent creature called the Tsukán. Disney also says Harrison Ford is the model for the new Indy Audio-Animatronics figure.
Will Tropical Americas Have a Lightning Lane Option?
Disney has not yet announced Lightning Lane availability for any Tropical Americas rides. That said, based on every other major Animal Kingdom attraction, Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass options are likely. Your FGT advisor can help you build a smart Lightning Lane plan once the details are released.
Is There a Playground at Tropical Americas?
Yes. Disney has confirmed a play area inspired by the Maya, where young explorers can unearth artifacts through hands-on play. It arrives after The Boneyard, the old DinoLand playground, closed in September 2025.
For families with younger kids, this is huge. Animal Kingdom gets back a real play space, which the park has been missing since the Boneyard closed. We’ve made so many memories at Disney playgrounds, and I know this one will be a sure hit.
Will Tropical Americas Open All at Once or in Phases?
Disney has not announced whether Tropical Americas will open all at once or in phases. Some Disney news coverage has not ruled out a phased debut, with some pieces opening in 2027 and others later. We will not know until Disney makes the call official, and your FGT advisor will keep you posted.
How Can a Travel Advisor Help You Plan a Tropical Americas Trip?
Opening-year Disney trips reward the families who book the earliest. Hotels, dining, and ticket dates all get tighter as the calendar fills.
Specifically, on-site rooms at the deluxe resorts can vanish 12 months out for peak dates. Dining reservations open 60 days before arrival, and the most-wanted Animal Kingdom tables go fast. Best of all, an advisor watches those calendars so you do not have to and applies new promotions to eligible bookings as they come out.
At Favorite Grampy Travels, our concierge advisors specialize in Disney family trips, including multigenerational groups with grandparents, kids, and grandkids all traveling together. We compare hotel categories, hold your dining window, build your Lightning Lane strategy, and update you the moment Disney announces new Tropical Americas details.
To get started, request a complimentary consultation or meet our agents and pick the one who fits your family best.
