In the Wake of Animal Kingdom’s Land Closure, Disney World Updates Park
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is charging ahead with one of the most dramatic overhauls in its history, and newly released construction photos make one thing clear: the park’s next era is taking shape at a rapid pace.
The space formerly known as DinoLand U.S.A. is being transformed into Tropical Americas, an ambitious expansion inspired by the cultures, wildlife, and stories of Central and South America. The roadside dinosaur carnival aesthetic that once defined this corner of the park is fading into memory, replaced by lush landscaping, immersive architecture, and major new attractions.
Visitors don’t need blue-sky artwork to understand the scale of what’s happening. Construction walls now slice through the former land, walkways have shifted, and heavy machinery occupies areas that once held carnival games and fossil dig sites. DinoLand officially closed for good in early February, with DINOSAUR operating for the final time before the attraction shuttered permanently. Soon after, the land disappeared from park maps and the My Disney Experience app.
A closer look at Disney’s plans arrived when Walt Disney Imagineering revealed a detailed scale model inside the Walt Disney Presents gallery at Walt Disney World Resort. The display previewed three major projects across the resort: the Tropical Americas overhaul at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a Monsters, Inc. coaster planned for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and a Cars and Villains-themed expansion in the works for Magic Kingdom.
The Tropical Americas model laid out the new land’s footprint. Guests will stroll along winding pathways surrounded by dense greenery that lead to a central hub called Pueblo Esperanza. This gathering space will feature a fountain centerpiece and architecture influenced by Latin American design. Also visible in the model is a carousel filled with hand-carved animals inspired by creatures from favorite Disney films.
The exhibit also showed the main change for DINOSAUR. The existing track and ride system will be reworked into an Indiana Jones adventure, bringing the famed archaeologist to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Nearby, an Encanto attraction will anchor the land as its headlining experience. Plans also include a quick-service restaurant and other offerings Disney has not yet fully detailed.
While the model provided a glimpse of the future, aerial photography has documented how quickly construction is moving in real time. Photos captured in October 2025 revealed that vertical work had already begun on the Encanto attraction.
Steel supports, concrete foundations, and structural framing revealed the main show building rising steadily. Large excavation sites nearby sparked conversation among fans about possible large-scale show scenes or a dramatic finale. Additional aerial shots showed continued groundwork in the section designated for the carousel.
Late last year, Disney shared its first official update on the Encanto project. Walt Disney Imagineering announced on social media that the attraction had officially “gone vertical” with the installation of its first steel beams. The building will house the primary show scenes for what many expect to become the park’s next signature attraction.
Creative collaboration is also underway behind the scenes. Jared Bush, co-director of 2021’s Encanto, is working directly with Imagineering and crafting original dialogue for the ride.
Rather than simply retelling the 2021 film’s story, the attraction will expand the world of the Madrigal family with brand-new scenes and character moments created exclusively for the park. It’s a strategy Disney has used before—building experiences that extend a film’s universe instead of duplicating it.
The overall scale of the redevelopment is evident in new aerial footage from @Bioreconstruct, which highlights just how much land has been cleared and how many structures are emerging from the ground.
The same creator has since posted additional images showing steel frames extending outward from the Encanto show building. The photos appear to capture the early framework for the attraction’s entrance and queue area—spaces that will eventually be layered with detailed theming by Walt Disney Imagineering.
Aerial photos of steel frame raised for the entrance areas of the Encanto ride in Animal Kingdom.
Aerial photos of steel frame raised for the entrance areas of the Encanto ride in Animal Kingdom. pic.twitter.com/bOHB7DoNxl
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) February 28, 2026
Disney’s Animal Kingdom has experienced major growth before, particularly with the debut of Pandora—The World of Avatar, which reshaped the park’s reputation and helped transform it into a full-day destination for many guests. Tropical Americas seems ready to continue that evolution, adding new intellectual properties, immersive environments, and regionally inspired storytelling.
With each milestone, the change becomes more visible. DinoLand’s prehistoric chapter has officially closed, and behind construction walls, a vibrant new setting is steadily rising.
How are you feeling about Animal Kingdom’s new expansion? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
