In case you missed it, DinoLand is headed for extinction!
©Disney
The Animal Kingdom land is closing in early 2026 to make way for Pubelo Esperanza, a Tropical Americas themed land. This new land will feature attractions inspired by Indiana Jones and Encanto. We’ve been following this news since it was announced by Disney in 2023, and we finally have a new update on the Casita ride coming to the park!
Everyone, start warming up your singing voices! We have been eagerly awaiting any morsel of news connected to the new Pueblo Esperanza land in Animal Kingdom, and finally, a surprise source has given us an update. Jared Bush, a writer on Encanto and Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios, has given us an exciting tidbit on the attraction.
Flying home from Europe and my plane homework will be writing new dialogue for… the Encanto attraction at #DisneyAnimalKingdom which means new words for the magical, fantastical Familia Madrigal! You will not believe what the imagineers are cooking up. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/CLdCAovL2g
— Jared Bush (@thejaredbush) September 23, 2025
In a tweet on X, Bush shared that he is currently working on new dialogue for the Encanto attraction! He teased that this means new lines for the amazing Familia Madrigal and even wrote, “you won’t believe what the Imagineers are cooking up.” If it’s so unbelievable, Jared, why don’t you tell us more?! We’re patiently waiting!
©Disney
What we do know is that the ride, which looks to be a boat ride in concept art, will begin just as Antonio has received his special gift and his room becomes a beautiful rainforest. You go explore with him, and according to Disney, “You never know what member of the family you might bump into…”
Encanto Concept Art at D23 in 2024
In addition to this ride, this new land will also feature an Indiana Jones attraction unlike any other we’ve seen! It will be a brand-new story, even though it will feature the same ride technology as the one in Disneyland. Disney has shared the ride will follow, “the man with the hat” during a time when he has “recently discovered a perfectly preserved Maya temple, and that can only mean one thing: it’s time to explore it. He’s heard rumors about a mythical creature deep within the temple — and he’s got to see it for himself. So, he brings us along on the adventure… but will there be snakes? We’ll just have to wait and see.”
The new Tropical Americas land coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom lets guests explore a preserved Maya temple – and the ensuing adventure – alongside Indiana Jones.
Along with those major attractions, you will also be able to find the new giant carousel “sculpted by a local woodcarver.” We’ve even seen one of the characters on the attraction up close, and it blew us away!
It’s Kevin!
We also know about a play area coming, a larger-than-life quick service, and that the new land is expected to open in 2027. We are seriously excited for this new update on the attraction, and we are (not so subtly) begging Disney for more! As always, be sure to keep following DFB for more Disney news and updates.
The Tropical Americas: Pueblo Esperanza — An Encanto Transformation in Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom
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A slow moving boat ride that tells a story sounds fun. I hope it won’t be too dark or scary. Wish we didn’t have to wait a year or two….
This all sounds so exciting and fun! A romp through South American lands and seeing the creatures that will be their ambassadors is my prime hope. That said, I really love Encanto for its spirit and song, and I look forward to a boat ride through that land (maybe several rides in a row!).
I hope they make this one wheelchair accessible like It’s a Small World.
Love Indy but hate snakes! Hope we won’t be put through that….or that ride will be too jerky or so dark we cannot see anything! I’m with Anne! Slow moving and telling a story!
I am hoping for walk-through animal encounters like Asia and discovery island. Capybaras Tibors etc. would be wonderful!