First Look at Imagineering’s Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom Progress
Imagineering has shared a first look on the research that they’ve undertaken to create an authentic Tropical Americas expansion of Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World. This post covers details about the potential Indiana Jones, Encanto, and Coco land slated to replace Dino-Rama and the latest developments.
For those who haven’t been following along closely, Tropical Americas is the Animal Kingdom that has been teased in various incarnations a couple of times. These blue sky daydreaming sessions have confused many Walt Disney World fans, but plans are starting to firm up in terms of what Tropical Americas is and isn’t.
During the last Chapek-era D23 Expo in California, Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro talked about the “what if” possibilities for Animal Kingdom, and showed off concept art for a Moana area to replace Dino-Rama and a Zootopia land beyond that. That’s what this Dino-Rama replacement is NOT–there’s no Moana, and Zootopia has been relegated to replacing the “It’s Tough to Be a Bug” 3D show inside the Tree of Life (this is official, albeit with only one piece of concept art and no closing/opening date/timeframe for the project).
Fast forward one year, and both Disney and Imagineering are ‘Under New Management’ of the Bob Iger (take 2) regime. D’Amaro again takes the stage at Destination D23 in Florida, but this time alongside newly-returned head Imagineer Bruce Vaughn. During this, they engaged in another blue sky session, but also made official announcements.
Walt Disney World has confirmed that Imagineering will transform this into a new land inspired by a region sometimes referred to as “Tropical Americas.” As part of their research, Imagineers are looking at some of the most biodiverse areas on the planet in the regions just north and south of the equator in the Western Hemisphere–the northern part of South America, stretching up into Central America.
Tropical Americas will feature “authentic experiences” from this area of the world, with placemaking and storytelling you’d expect from Animal Kingdom. “It’s a beautiful region to explore and has been the inspiration for so many magical stories over the years,” added Vaughn. We can only assume this means that Tropical Americas will feature capybara and chupacabra, both of which are definitely real animals and not at all made up freaks of nature.
Vaughn also indicated that Imagineering had considered several options for Dino-Rama and Tropical Americas, but that Encanto and Indiana Jones “rose to the top” because they give Imagineering “so much to play with.” Vaughn also indicated that there’s “a long way to go and a lot more to discover, but our team in Florida is all over it.”
All of that suggests Tropical Americas featuring Encanto and Indiana Jones is the plan for Dino-Rama. Coco also seems to maybe have a place in Tropical Americas, with a carousel replacing TriceraTop Spin, restaurant replacing Restaurantosaurus, and courtyard architecture reminiscent of Santa Cecilia. Beyond the concept art above, I saw concept art reflecting the latter during a recent visit to Imagineering.
At the time of Destination D23, we were told by credible sources that this is what’s happening. That it’s pretty much a done deal, but Disney just isn’t ready to confirm it really-for-real for a variety of reasons. With that said, even some official announcements from the 2017 and 2019 D23 Expos didn’t come to fruition, so nothing is truly a “done deal” until you’re stepping foot in it.
Fast-forward to Spring 2024, when Walt Disney Imagineering filed a 25-page package of new permits with the South Florida Water Management District for Animal Kingdom, suggesting that major expansion is slated to start soon on Tropical Americas.
You can read that post for full details, but in a nutshell, the permit outlines a plan to create a Walt Disney Imagineering staging area behind Kali River Rapids. This is NOT where construction will occur. Rather, it’s essentially a trailer park for on-site Imagineers that will include 5 temporary office buildings, plus 363 parking spaces and a new sidewalk with crosswalks down the entire stretch of roadway from the WDI trailer park to behind Dino-Rama.
The permit lists this as being for “Project RO” and the proposal itself for the “Project RO Trailer Compound” (or ROTC). It does not mention Tropical Americas or Dino-Rama, but between the sidewalk leading to the project site and prior announcements, the permit’s purpose is patently obvious. Tropical Americas is being led in-house by a Florida-based team of Imagineers, which makes sense and is a good thing for a number of reasons.
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The latest development is that the Walt Disney Imagineering project team for Tropical Americas recently took a research trip to the Yucatán Peninsula for culturally authentic inspiration. This is one of the many locales that’ll be highlighted in Tropical Americas, coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom!
The above video shares a first look at progress on developing the land, including glimpses of 3D models and the art, architecture, archeology, and culture of the Maya civilization. Obviously the model is the big thing, but perhaps equally as notable is that they’re still using the same concept art as was released at last year’s Destination D23.
I’m not going to rehash my commentary from the original announcement at last year’s Destination D23, much of which focused on why Animal Kingdom is Disney’s top priority right now. That’s worth reading if you question the decision to move forward with expansion at Animal Kingdom as opposed to Beyond Big Thunder at Magic Kingdom or potential projects at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT.
As also mentioned there, I love the idea of reimagining DINOSAUR into Indiana Jones Adventure (IJA). Both attractions use the exact same ride system and even a very similar track layout. Despite this, Indiana Jones Adventure is substantially superior–it’s a top 5 ride at Disneyland, which is really saying something given the wealth of great attractions there. (I’d put it roughly on par with Radiator Springs Racers, another ‘wish list’ ride for Florida fans.)
There’s also a version of Indiana Jones Adventure at Tokyo DisneySea (TDS), which is notable because it’s set in the Lost River Delta port-of-call that’s themed to a rainforest in Central America. That’s closer thematically to Tropical Americas than the Adventureland version of the ride, and the Indiana Jones Adventure queue at Tokyo DisneySea has more real world grittiness of an ancient Aztec pyramid. In fact, footage from the Imagineering research trip reminded me a lot of IJA at TDS.
I’d also expect Indiana Jones Adventure at Animal Kingdom to be more like the Tokyo DisneySea incarnation since the latter was a clone that iterated on issues with the original and streamlined the ride. Meaning that it dropped frequently-broken effects and some of the ‘big swings’ from the original in favor of something more reliable.
I’d expect Indiana Jones Adventure at Animal Kingdom to have its own unique twists, figuratively, as more new effects and tech are introduced given that this version will come over 20 years after the last one and ~30 years after the original. (Fear not, non-believers–this ride is timeless and still feels innovative.)
My dream approach involves Imagineering opting to make the most significant changes in the queue, creating a temple on par with the Tokyo DisneySea version of Indiana Jones Adventure. In the actual ride-through portion, I’d love to see dinosaurs and Indiana Jones live together in delightful harmony (well, plus the inevitable conflict of the attraction).
It would be truly tragic if dinosaurs go extinct at Walt Disney World with Tropical Americas. It’s wild to think that the awesomest animals of all-time went from having an awful land (Dino-Rama) and unpopular ride at EPCOT (Universe of Energy) and Imagineering might not recycle any of that. Maybe it’s time for a live action remake of The Good Dinosaur?!?
One way or another, Walt Disney World needs dinosaurs. Universal is about to have two dinosaur-adjacent lands (Jurassic Park and How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk), which should be a wake-up call for Disney. With that kind of cornering of the large lizard market, maybe all the critics are actually right and Universal will eat Disney’s lunch (figuratively).
Ultimately, we’re pleased that Walt Disney Imagineering has pulled back the curtain a little more on Tropical Americas with a look at their research trip to prepare for the Dino-Rama replacement. While we had hoped for a splashier reveal and Indiana Jones Adventure confirmation (and concept art) during the annual shareholders meeting, it’s still good to see progress.
At this point, we assume that the big reveal will occur during the D23 Expo in August. As that’s shaping up to be a jam-packed Parks Panel–and a Dino-Rama replacement has been teased at the last two tentpole D23 presentations–it would’ve been nice to see the substance of this unveiled prior to then. Then again, I’ll happily take an announcement and concept art then along with a line that “site work is already underway.” That also would be a nice change of pace from the past, when D23 announcements were made and then there weren’t shovels in the ground for another 6+ months.
Either way, it’s going to be a very busy D23 Expo if even half the rumored projects that Imagineering is working on end up being announced. Seriously, there’s a lot on the horizon for Walt Disney World and Disneyland; if all goes right, the next decade is going to be a lot of fun to watch. It’ll be an interesting saga to follow–we’ll keep you posted!
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Your Thoughts
Excited that Imagineering is actively working on Tropical Americas and it’s not just going to be an Encanto and Indiana Jones IP land but will also offer cultural authenticity? Are you optimistic that this will usher in an era of expansion at Walt Disney World? What do you think of the Tropical Americas expansion announced for Animal Kingdom? Excited or underwhelmed by the (possible) plan? Or, are you in wait and see mode with this? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback—even when you disagree with us—is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Disney, if you’re reading this, please also include a Tropical Americas discovery trail with living animal exhibits (as exists in the Asia and Africa areas).
Looking forward to this new addition to AK. I would welcome any Indiana Jones themed attraction and honestly wouldn’t miss any of the dinosaurs. Sorry Tom.
Your point about Disney keeping dinosaurs in some form is interesting. As you note, Universal will have a How to Train Your Dragon area (close to dinosaurs) and they have a Jurassic Park/World area. Disney had two major dinosaur attractions over the years: Dinosaurs and Universe of Energy/Ellen. It’s interesting how Disney has replaced both.
Hey Tom – could you clarify if the new concept art of the carousel was ‘blatantly’ Coco, or you are just making a guess?
I’m finding the non-mention of Coco on their behalf incredibly odd. Whether the fandom is reading too much in to things or if WDI is still wavering on its usage.
There were a few pieces of art from the non-Indiana Jones and Encanto area of the land. Granted, they only flashed briefly, but they were not just the vague/impressionistic concept art WDI sometimes does to conceal details, and I could not clearly clock Coco in any of them.
It’s always curious to me when Disney flashes concept art on screen but doesn’t release it (same thing happened with EPCOT Central Spine 1.0 in 2017, Reflections in 2019, and more that I’m probably forgetting). I assume it’s because the exact plans for that front section haven’t fully firmed up.
That’s why I equivocated on the Coco part of this post with the line that it “seems to maybe” be part of the reimagining.
If the areas of Tropical Americas match up with the areas of Dinoland, I suppose they could close it off in waves. While the Boneyard and Dino-rama are next to each other and Restaurant-osaurus isn’t far away from them, Dinosaur is set off by itself quite a bit. Depending on what Tropical Americas looks like, the old Countdown to Extinction could be the first or last to go of the old place. While I’ll miss relaxing and watching the kids run around the Boneyard, for my money the coolest thing ever at Dinoland was when they had the Fossil Preparation Lab preparing the actual bones for Dino-Sue, and the associated walkthrough of various dinosaur bones.
(Boring housekeeping question: is there supposed to be a link in or around the “You can read that post for full details” phrase?)
Let’s not forget that the opening scene of Raiders of the Lost Ark takes place in South America. If they want to engage in some serious fan service for us older people who can remember seeing that movie in the theater then they will base the ride on that. They could even include the riders getting rescued by Jock Lindsey at the end of the ride.
Seriously I’m very happy about this. My son is adopted from Guatemala and there is a lot that can done with attractions and exhibits from that part of the world.
If they announce at the D23, when do you expect to have the whole land including attractions open? 2027? 2028? That is along time for a park to have a land closed. Not to mention a park that is already short on attractions. Hopefully, Disney has some plans for other entertainment while this is being built.
It depends upon whether they’re wanting to open in phases with Indiana Jones Adventure and Coco first, as that could conceivably be done in 2026. Even that feels like a bit of a stretch, but I think there’s gotta be a sense of urgency to give DAK a shot in the arm. It’s almost certainly going to be the park most impacted by Epic Universe.
I’d say 2027 for everything.
I don’t know how an attraction based on la casita would work, other than a clone of Haunted Mansion. I’d almost like to see a show similar to Enchanted Tiki Room, but with infinitely better AA. And it might work better as a Colombian pavilion at EPCOT. Same thing with a ciudad de los muertes attraction. Don’t replace Gran Fiesta Tour (though it could do with an update) but expand the Mexico pavilion. Coco has a contemporary setting, so I think it clashes with the aesthetic of Frontierland.
As for Indiana Jones, other than a dark ride/indoor coaster, I think there’s plenty of wiggle room to showcase some exhibits dedicated to Pre-Columbian civilizations. Also, maybe keep some dinosaur fossils, but only those found in the Americas.
This sounds awesome! Bad timing for our trip though – I’m guessing by early 2025 we’ll just miss Dinosaur in its current state but way too early to experience any of the new offerings. At this point it’s a once in a lifetime trip, but hoping we’ll be able to swing another visit every decade or so!
Or Indiana Jones with a Bronze Age time machine
Tom, any indication what the “Encanto” portion of the new land will entail? I’m really hoping for a substantial E-Ticket family ride here, and not just a plussed up character interaction (like Enchanted Tales of Belle – which is really nice, but AK needs more attractions!)
The “house on a hill” model they show in the video has Mystic Manor vibes. Would be cool if they took that platform (music and magic in a mansion) and adapted and plussed it to the Encanto house, characters, and music.
A trackless ride utilizing the technology of Mystic Manor would be awesome! I agree. I hope they do something that cool and immersive… and they can use the animal tie-in with Antonio’s character to keep things somewhat within the theme of the park.
Interesting! I wonder if they will consider working something from The Emperor’s New Groove into a new Tropical America’s land. I adore that movie and I’d be beyond excited to meet Kronk and Yzma.
This really looks like it’s going to be wonderful. I can’t wait! Unfortunately AK is going to lose an entire land and attractions for what will probably be many, many years while this is being worked on. Also, Dinosaurs are awesome and still deserve to have a presence in the park.
I’d also be sad to see dinosaurs disappear from Animal Kingdom entirely. If they don’t work them into the Indy attraction somehow I keep thinking a fun tie-in to the park’s nature theme would be to have Indy on a mission to rescue the last of some rare species of snake (maybe it has cultural significance to the local community? idk. details TBD). That way they could include a message about the importance of all animals, even ones that a lot of people are adverse to. Also- character growth!
I think having Antonio as Encanto’s link to the park’s theme is a no-brainer.
Coco I feel like is the IP that LEAST fits in here, it doesn’t really have much to do with animals at all unless they’re including alebrije the same way the Asia part of the park has the Yeti- representation of folkloric creatures. If they wanted to go more real world/educational, maybe something about the monarch migration? I feel like that could have a nice visual link to the film’s marigolds.
I also wonder if they’d move any of the Up stuff to this part of the park.
-also meant to say, the monarchs would also be nice rep for insects since Tough To Be a Bug is leaving (bugs are an important part of the eco-system too!).
I’ll never get my dream Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom mine cart thrill ride. Sigh….
It kinda exists in Disneyland Paris and Disney Seas.
I really hope the Casita is an actual ride and not just a façade to look at. I will be bummed if the Encanto items don’t include an actual attraction for the movie.
I also would very much appreciate if the official Tropical Americas confirmations at D23 are accompanied by a “construction already started” addendum. Everything in Dinoland is already torn down, get started on that ASAP. At D23 you could announce a closing date for Dinosaur so any fans can get in last rides, since as a reimagining I would imagine it will need less time than the fresh builds the rest of the expansion will need.
In a dream world Disney would get this open by late 2026; ambitious yes, but it feels more plausible than it would have before Tiana’s got moved up by half a year. They could also hire a lot of the construction workers from Epic Universe to help speed things along since that will need new jobs by mid-2025. Realistically summer 2027 is probably the target for this, but might as well dream big!
Indiana Jones with Dinosaurs? That’s like saying Indiana Jones with aliens would work.
is that a reference to Cowboys & Aliens?
I assume it’s to Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
And great point–aliens would fit rather nicely alongside dinosaurs in this Indiana Jones Adventure. Beam me up, Scotty!
Or Indiana Jones with a Bronze Age time machine