Tropical Americas is the brand-new 11-acre land transforming the former DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, opening in 2027 with three rides, a giant hacienda restaurant, a new playground, and the first-ever Encanto attraction at any Disney park.
By Favorite Grampy | Last Updated: May 2026 | Verified against Disney Parks Blog announcements
What Will Families Find at Tropical Americas in Animal Kingdom?
Tropical Americas is an 11-acre land opening at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 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 brand new playground, and themed shopping. This is Animal Kingdom’s first major expansion since Pandora opened in 2017.
The land is built around three distinct areas inspired by Mexico, Central America, and South America. Together, they bring two new attraction franchises to Florida: Encanto and Indiana Jones.
| Feature | Detail | Family Note |
|---|---|---|
| Land Name | Tropical Americas (village: Pueblo Esperanza) | Replaces DinoLand U.S.A. |
| Size | 11 acres | Comparable to Africa and Pandora |
| Opening | 2027 (specific date not yet announced) | Plan trips early to beat opening crowds |
| Rides | 3 (Encanto, Indiana Jones Adventure, Critter Carousel) | Mix of family dark ride, thrill ride, and toddler-friendly |
| Dining | Large hacienda quick-service restaurant | One of the largest QS spots at all of WDW |
| Playground | New play area (replaces The Boneyard) | Great for younger kids and stroller breaks |
| Themed Areas | Pueblo Esperanza, Encanto Casita, Maya Temple | Inspired by Mexico, Central America, South America |
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Tropical Americas Quick Facts
When does Tropical Americas open at Animal Kingdom?
Tropical Americas opens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2027. Disney has not yet announced a specific month or date.
What rides are coming to Tropical Americas?
Three new rides: the first-ever Encanto attraction at any Disney park, a reimagined Indiana Jones Adventure replacing DINOSAUR, and a hand-carved Critter Carousel.
What is Pueblo Esperanza?
Pueblo Esperanza is the fictional village at the heart of Tropical Americas. The name translates to “Village of Hope” in Spanish, and the village covers 11 acres.
When Does Tropical Americas Open at Animal Kingdom?
Tropical Americas is scheduled to open in 2027. Disney has not yet announced a specific month or date.
Construction is well underway, with the carousel canopy frame already going vertical and Indiana Jones Adventure foundations being poured as of spring 2026. The project has been moving in phases since January 2025.
In fact, TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and the Chester and Hester gift shop closed January 12, 2025. The Boneyard playground closed September 2, 2025.
DINOSAUR and Restaurantosaurus closed permanently on February 2, 2026, marking the end of DinoLand U.S.A. The full footprint is now in active construction as Tropical Americas.
For families planning a 2027 or 2028 trip, this matters now. As a grampy who has been walking my grandkids through DinoLand for years, I know how big this change feels. It’s sad were losing such a nostalgic and memory-filled land, but I am also excited to make new memories in the new Tropical Americas.
I’ve been a longtime Indian 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 might be smart to book your vacation early when the official dates are released. 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 yet announced a price increase tied to Tropical Americas. Single-day Animal Kingdom tickets currently start around $114.
Prices in 2026 range from around $114 to around $174, depending on date and season. Lightning Lane Multi Pass for Animal Kingdom typically runs around $15 to $30 per guest per day.
For example, Pandora’s Flight of Passage Lightning Lane Single Pass currently runs around $20 to $30 depending on date. Indiana Jones Adventure could land in a similar premium tier given its scale, although Disney has not officially announced this.
Keep in mind that opening-year hotel pricing at Disney resorts will likely surge 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. Each one targets a different family travel style.
The lineup includes the first-ever Encanto attraction at any Disney park, a reimagined Indiana Jones Adventure that replaces DINOSAUR, and a hand-carved Critter Carousel themed around Disney animal characters.
The First-Ever Encanto Ride
The Encanto ride is a slow-moving family dark ride. It is built inside a recreation of the Madrigal family Casita.
According to the Disney Parks Blog, guests will arrive on the day Antonio receives his magical gift, the ability to talk to animals, and his bedroom has transformed into a rainforest. You will travel through the house in vehicles inspired by furniture that the Casita has brought to life.
Along the way, you might bump into Mirabel, Bruno, Isabela, or any other member of the familia. My granddaughter would lose her mind over this one. Above all, it celebrates the message that every member of a familia has a gift, no matter how big or small.
The New Indiana Jones Adventure
Indiana Jones Adventure replaces the former DINOSAUR ride. It uses the same general ride system but with a brand new story.
Disney confirms the storyline and scenes will be completely different from the Disneyland version. Indy has discovered a perfectly preserved Maya temple, and he has heard rumors about a mythical creature deep inside. He brings your family along on the adventure, and as the official announcement teases, you will just have to wait and see whether there are snakes.
Here is why this matters for grandparents like me. DINOSAUR was loud, jerky, and scary for little ones. The new ride keeps the thrill but wraps it in a story that families will actually want to ride together.
That said, this one is not the right fit for families with toddlers under 4. The original DINOSAUR ride had a 40-inch height requirement, and the new Indiana Jones version is expected to be similar, although Disney has not officially confirmed it.
The Hand-Carved Critter Carousel
The Critter Carousel is the family-friendly anchor of Pueblo Esperanza. A storyline woodcarver creates the giant working ride.
The seats are carved animals from Disney stories. Eagle-eyed fans spotted Kevin from Pixar’s Up among the carved seats at the 2024 D23 Showcase, and more characters are expected.
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.
The land is split into three distinct areas. Pueblo Esperanza is the central plaza, and the Encanto Casita area sits in one corner of the rainforest. The Maya-inspired temple area, home to Indiana Jones, sits in another.
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. They sourced the same red and green native stones from real Copán quarries.
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 same regions that inspired the original Encanto film.
What Will Families Eat at Tropical Americas?
Disney has confirmed a large hacienda-style restaurant inside Pueblo Esperanza. It will be one of the largest quick-service restaurants at all of Walt Disney World.
It will sit in the former Restaurantosaurus footprint, completely re-themed inside and out. Specific menu items have not yet 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. on a 2027 trip. 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 character families. The Madrigals headline the Encanto attraction, and Indiana Jones leads the Maya temple ride.
The Madrigals come from Disney Animation’s Encanto, including Antonio, Mirabel, and the rest of the family. In addition, a character meet-and-greet area is also confirmed in the concept art, although Disney has not yet announced exactly who will appear there.
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 similar in scale to Africa and Pandora rather than smaller themed pockets. With three rides plus a playground, 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. That brings it on par with Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
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 in 2027.
For 2027 trips, 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 is now more than enough to fill a complete park day with little ones and grandparents alike.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom
Is DinoLand U.S.A. Closed for Good?
Yes. DinoLand U.S.A. closed in phases between January 2025 and February 2026. The final closure of DINOSAUR and Restaurantosaurus took place on February 2, 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. Disney has confirmed the Animal Kingdom version will use a similar ride system but with brand new scenes and a brand new storyline. Indy is exploring a Maya temple in search of a mythical creature, and Walt Disney Imagineering filed multiple set installation permits in 2026 with longtime partners Adirondack Studios and Scenario.
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, both Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass options are very 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 brand new playground at Tropical Americas, located in the area where Cretaceous Trail used to be. It replaces The Boneyard, which closed in September 2025.
For families with younger kids, this is huge. Animal Kingdom now keeps a real play space, which the park has been missing since the Boneyard closed. We’ve made so many memories at Disney playgrounds, we know this one will be a sure hit.
Will Tropical Americas Open All at Once or in Phases?
Disney has not officially confirmed a phased opening. However, industry observers expect the carousel and large hacienda restaurant could potentially open ahead of the Encanto and Indiana Jones rides, similar to how Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge phased its 2019 launch. We will not know until Disney makes the call official.
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 2027 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 applicable promotions as they come out to your existing vacation packages.
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.
