Disney World is working on building its own Casita from Encanto, and we’re counting down the days until you get to step inside this world.
©Disney
Big changes are officially underway at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and one of the most exciting additions on the horizon is an all-new Encanto-themed attraction. As Disney prepares to say a final goodbye to DinoLand U.S.A. and welcome a brand-new land called Pueblo Esperanza, fans are eager to know exactly when they’ll be able to step inside the magical world of the Madrigal family. Here’s what we know so far about the attraction so far and when you can ride it.
What Is Pueblo Esperanza?
At the D23 Expo in 2023, Disney announced that Animal Kingdom will soon be home to Pueblo Esperanza, a new land inspired by the cultures, landscapes, and architecture of Latin America. To make way for this transformation, DinoLand U.S.A. has closed in phases, with the entire land scheduled to close on February 2nd, 2026. While it’s always bittersweet to see a land go, what’s replacing it is already generating serious excitement. Pueblo Esperanza will feature immersive theming and new attractions, including a highly anticipated Encanto ride that will serve as one of the land’s signature experiences.
©Disney || Tropical Americas Land coming to Animal Kingdom
What We Know So Far
Unlike Bruno, the new Encanto ride is something Disney is very much talking about. The new attraction will take guests inside the Casita, the magical home of the Madrigal family. According to Disney, the story of the ride takes place after Antonio receives his gift, allowing his room to transform into a lush rainforest. Guests will journey through the Casita itself, encountering different members of the Madrigal family along the way, creating a story that expands on the film rather than simply retelling it.
The Casita ©Disney
We’ve already seen a scale model of the attraction and official concept art, but recent aerial photos have revealed just how ambitious this project really is. New images shared by @bioreconstruct show the full footprint of the Encanto ride’s construction site, and it is enormous. While Disney attractions are famously bigger on the inside, these photos make it clear that this ride is designed to be a lengthy, immersive experience with multiple scenes and significant elements.
See More Construction Photos Here!
@bioreconstruct on X
At this time, Disney has not confirmed the exact ride system for the Encanto attraction. Based on the concept art, it could be that the experience could be a trackless dark ride, similar to Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway or Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. A trackless system would allow guests to move fluidly through the many rooms of the Casita. However, a boat ride has not been ruled out and could also work well, particularly given Antonio’s rainforest setting. We are excited to learn more about the ride.
©Disney
When Will the Encanto Ride Open?
Disney has not announced an official opening date for the Encanto ride or for Pueblo Esperanza as a whole. What is confirmed is that Pueblo Esperanza will open sometime in 2027. We could see the land open in phases or all at once; that part is still unknown. We do know that when the attraction and the land as a whole opens, it will completely change the way everyone experiences Animal Kingdom.
Casita model
As Pueblo Esperanza continues to take shape, DisneyFoodBlog will be following every update, announcement, and construction milestone along the way. From opening timelines to ride details (and of course, the food nearby), we’ll make sure you don’t miss a thing. Be sure to stay tuned to DFB because when Disney finally reveals more about this Encanto ride, we’ll have all the details right away.
16 Places UNDER CONSTRUCTION at Disney World
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