Closer Look at the Tropical Americas Construction in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Progress Report on the Tropical Americas Land at Animal Kingdom

We’ve been keeping a close eye on the transformation of DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and thanks to some incredible new aerial shots from bioreconstruct, we can see that Tropical Americas (officially named Pueblo Esperanza) is officially rising from the dust.

Since the final fossils were packed away following the closure of DINOSAUR and Restaurantosaurus in February 2026, the pace of construction has been nothing short of breakneck. Here is a closer look at what the current site reveals about the future of this 11-acre land.

Related – Electrical Work Begins for Encanto and Indiana Jones Rides in Tropical Americas

One of the most striking developments in the recent photos is the massive vertical progress on the Encanto attraction.

In the overhead view, you can clearly see the sprawling footprint of what will become the Madrigal family’s Casita. Steel framing is now several stories high, including the “Garden House” entrance. This area is designed to transition guests from the lush jungle of the village into the magical, shifting rooms of the Casita. Recent reports even confirm that the original film cast has been recording lines for this ride, which is rumored to be a state-of-the-art boat attraction beginning in Antonio’s rainforest-themed room.

Looking toward the back of the site, work is intensifying on the former DINOSAUR show building. While the structural exterior remains largely intact, the interior is being gutted and rebuilt to house an all-new Indiana Jones adventure.

Unlike the version at Disneyland, this attraction will follow Indy as he explores a preserved Maya temple. The photos show heavy machinery surrounding the entrance area, where the old “Cretaceous Trail” is being reimagined into a new playground and climbing area for younger explorers.

What Else We Spotted

• The Carousel Foundation: In the center of the site, a large circular concrete foundation is now visible. This will be the home of the land’s third attraction—a giant carousel featuring wood-carved animals from across the Disney and Pixar libraries (keep an eye out for Kevin from Up!).
• The Hacienda Restaurant: The skeleton of the former Restaurantosaurus is being reimagined into a massive, quick-service hacienda. It’s slated to be one of the largest dining locations in all of Walt Disney World, featuring classic Spanish-style architecture.
• Pueblo Esperanza Fountain: The central hub of the land is starting to clear out, making room for the large community fountain where “gathering villagers” will tell stories to guests.

While Disney has officially pointed to 2027 for the grand opening, the rapid vertical progress on the Encanto show building suggests that the structural work could wrap by early 2027, leaving the rest of the year for the intricate “character plaster” and thematic detailing Imagineers are known for.

Whether you’re a fan of the whip-cracking action of Indy or the family magic of the Madrigals, Pueblo Esperanza is quickly becoming the most anticipated expansion in Florida.

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