Rise of the Resistance-Level Attraction Confirmed for Animal Kingdom at Disney World
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is changing fast, and the latest developments prove the transformation is well underway.
The area formerly known as DinoLand U.S.A. is no more. In its place, Disney is crafting Tropical Americas, a sweeping new land rooted in the cultures, wildlife, and storytelling traditions of Central and South America. The quirky roadside carnival vibe filled with oversized dinosaurs and fossil dig sites has stepped aside for lush landscaping, intricate architectural details, and major new attractions.
Guests don’t need to rely on concept art to see the shift. Construction walls now block once-familiar walkways, traffic flow throughout the park has been rerouted, and heavy equipment has replaced carnival games and towering Dino-Rama figures.
DinoLand officially closed in early February. DINOSAUR welcomed its final riders before shutting down permanently, and soon after, the entire land vanished from park maps and the My Disney Experience app. That digital removal marked a clear end to the prehistoric era. Eventually, DINOSAUR’s ride system will be reimagined into an Indiana Jones attraction.
One of the most detailed previews of what’s ahead arrived inside the Walt Disney Presents gallery at Walt Disney World Resort. Walt Disney Imagineering debuted scale models outlining upcoming projects, including a detailed look at Tropical Americas.
The model showcases winding pathways cutting through thick greenery before opening into a central gathering space called Pueblo Esperanza. Designed as a community hub, the plaza features a fountain centerpiece and architecture inspired by Latin American styles. The display also reveals a carousel filled with hand-carved animals based on creatures from Disney films, offering a family-friendly focal point.
Late last year, Disney confirmed a major construction milestone for the Encanto attraction. Walt Disney Imagineering shared on social media that the project had officially “gone vertical,” marking the installation of its first steel columns. The structure will serve as the primary show building for what is shaping up to be one of Animal Kingdom’s headline additions.
Encanto co-director Jared Bush has also been closely involved in development, writing original dialogue specifically for the attraction. Rather than retelling the 2021 film beat-for-beat, the ride is expected to expand the world of the Madrigal family with new scenes and character interactions created exclusively for the park—an approach consistent with other Disney attractions that build upon their source material.
Now, a newly filed Notice of Commencement signals another key step forward. The permit, filed at 504 Dinoland Drive in the future Tropical Americas land, lists Scenario as the contractor responsible for installing set elements inside the show building. That filing suggests the project has moved beyond structural work and into detailed scenic construction.
Scenario has a strong track record with Disney’s most ambitious immersive environments. The company previously contributed to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and the ambitious Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Walt Disney World.
“Scenario was honored to have been the sole rockwork vendor for the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge projects at both the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort,” the contractor said in 2020, via Project Presenter. “The challenges of creating the massive rocky environment were embraced by a solid team that developed unique solutions for such a large rockwork effort.”
Given that history, it’s no surprise Disney is turning to a trusted collaborator to help bring Casa Madrigal to life. Detailed set pieces, textured rockwork, and immersive interiors will be critical to translating the vibrant animated home into a fully realized physical environment.
Aerial footage from @Bioreconstruct has offered an even clearer sense of scale. The videos show large portions of land cleared and new construction rising rapidly. More recent images reveal steel beams stretching outward from the Encanto show building, likely forming the early structure of the attraction’s queue. That space will eventually be layered with environmental storytelling, a hallmark of Walt Disney Imagineering.
Animal Kingdom has undergone major evolution before. The debut of Pandora–The World of Avatar significantly reshaped the park and helped elevate it into a full-day destination. Tropical Americas appears poised to continue that trajectory, blending established intellectual properties with regionally inspired settings grounded in cultural themes.
Still, some fans have questioned Disney’s strategy of replacing existing lands rather than expanding the park’s footprint, especially as Magic Kingdom Park moves forward with Piston Peak and Villains expansions elsewhere on the property.
For now, the pace of progress speaks for itself. What was once a carnival of dinosaurs is steadily becoming a vibrant new world. With each permit, steel beam, and scenic installation, Tropical Americas is moving from concept to reality.
How do you think Animal Kingdom’s Encanto attraction will go down with Disney World guests? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
