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Surprise! Disney World Officially Combines Dinoland U.S.A. And Tropical Americas Land

Walt Disney Imagineers are hard at work on the Tropical Americas land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. As work continues, some new additions have briefly combined the new area with its existing predecessor, DinoLand U.S.A.

Pueblo Esperanza was first confirmed at D23 Expo 2024, where Disney confirmed that its former “blue sky” plans for a Tropical Americas land would replace DinoLand U.S.A. Construction began quickly after permits were filed for the demolition of much of the DinoLand U.S.A. area.

Entrance sign for Dinoland U.S.A. at Animal Kingdom
Credit: Elsa Salinas, Flickr

In January 2025, several attractions closed, including Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama (including the Fossil Fun Games) and TriceraTop Spin, marking the beginning of the major overhaul. Some parts of the area, including DINOSAUR and The Boneyard, will remain open until 2026, giving guests one last chance to experience the park’s classic prehistoric-themed attractions before they go extinct.

Tropical Americas Carousel at Disney's Animal Kingdom
Credit: Disney

Pueblo Esperanza will feature two all-new attractions inspired by the hit animated film Encanto (2021), plus a thrilling Indiana Jones-themed reimagining of DINOSAUR. Disney has already given fans a taste of what to expect, with concept art showing an attraction inspired by Casita, the Madrigal family home, and a possible carousel themed around Antonio’s gift to communicate with animals.

Concept art of Encanto's Casita Madrigal at Disney World
Credit: Disney

While the land itself is still in development, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park guests are getting their first official look at the transformation taking place. X (formerly Twitter) user @bioreconstruct recently posted photos showing some Tropical Americas-themed signage going up at the construction site.

Tropical Americas signage up at construction fencing in Animal Kingdom.

Some of the Tropical Americas signage on construction fencing in Animal Kingdom.

The once-plain-green construction walls are now decorated with vibrant, Tropical Americas designs, including artistic borders and bright yellow butterflies. One wall even displays a large rendering of the new land.

Tropical Americas concept art
Credit: Disney

One directional sign shared by @bioreconstruct offers a shortlived combination of Pueblo Esperanza and DinoLand U.S.A.:

Tropical Americas themed direction signage in Animal Kingdom.

While there is still no official date for the opening of Pueblo Esperanza, Walt Disney World Resort has confirmed that the area will be ready sometime in 2027. DINOSAUR, The Boneyard, and the rest of DinoLand U.S.A. will close sometime in early 2026 to make way for the Tropical Americas expansion at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.

What are you most looking forward to about Pueblo Esperanza at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park? Disney Dining would love to hear from you in the comments! 

Jess Colopy

Jess Colopy is a Disney College Program alum and kid-at-heart. When she’s not furiously typing in a coffee shop, you can find her on the hunt for the newest Stitch pin.

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