Construction is advancing quickly on one of the largest projects currently underway at Walt Disney World.
Fresh aerial photographs from Disney’s Animal Kingdom reveal significant progress on Tropical Americas, the all-new themed land that will replace DinoLand U.S.A. The latest images show that demolition is largely complete in the former dinosaur-themed area, while work is now shifting firmly toward the construction of new attractions, buildings and infrastructure.
The multi-year expansion is scheduled to open in 2027.
Vertical Construction Begins
The newest construction update reveals several major milestones across the site.
Foundations and concrete work continue to spread throughout the future land, while steel structures are beginning to rise in multiple locations. New utility corridors, backstage roads and support buildings are also becoming increasingly visible, highlighting the scale of the transformation taking place behind the construction walls.
Much of the former Dino-Rama area has now disappeared completely, creating space for the first phases of the new development.
Home to Indiana Jones and Encanto
Disney has already confirmed that Tropical Americas will feature two major attractions based on popular franchises.
A reimagined version of DINOSAUR will become an Indiana Jones adventure, with an entirely new storyline created specifically for Walt Disney World rather than a copy of the Disneyland attraction.
Meanwhile, Encanto will receive its first-ever major theme park ride, taking guests inside the magical Casita and the world of the Madrigal family. The attraction is expected to feature a combination of immersive sets, advanced technology and Disney storytelling.
The new land will also include themed dining, shopping and lush tropical landscapes inspired by the diverse cultures and environments of Central and South America.
One of Disney’s Biggest Current Projects
Tropical Americas represents one of the largest expansion projects currently under construction at Walt Disney World.
The redevelopment replaces DinoLand U.S.A., one of the original lands that opened with Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 1998. While the land remained popular with younger guests, many of its attractions and carnival-style areas had become increasingly outdated compared with the rest of the park.
Disney announced the Tropical Americas project at the 2024 D23 Expo as part of a broader strategy to refresh Animal Kingdom with new intellectual properties while maintaining the park’s emphasis on nature, exploration and adventure.
Opening Planned for 2027
Although guests will still have to wait until 2027 to experience the new land, the latest aerial photographs show that construction has entered a far more visible phase.
With vertical construction now underway across multiple areas of the site, Tropical Americas is steadily evolving from a cleared construction zone into what will become one of the most ambitious additions to Disney’s Animal Kingdom in nearly three decades.
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