Credit: DisneyA physical piece of the new Tropical Americas land has arrived at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park–two years before its anticipated opening in 2027.
At D23 Expo 2024, Walt Disney World Resort confirmed that its formerly “blue sky” plan for a Tropical Americas land was officially coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Walt Disney Imagineers got to work quickly, filing permits for the demolition of DinoLand U.S.A. to make way for the new land.
Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama (including the Fossil Fun Games), Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, and TriceraTop Spin closed in January 2025. Construction walls went up immediately, and almost all of the area’s former structures have been demolished. DINOSAUR, The Boneyard, and the DinoLand U.S.A. Quick Service dining locations will remain open through 2025 and close sometime in 2026.
The Tropical Americas area, Pueblo Esperanza, promises two attractions inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Encanto (2021) and an Indiana Jones retheme of DINOSAUR. Early concept art suggests one of the Encanto rides will be inspired by Casita, the home of the Madrigal family. The other appears to be some kind of carousel, perhaps tying into Antonio’s gift for communicating with animals.
Now, Walt Disney World Resort is giving guests an in-person look at Pueblo Esperanza. X (formerly Twitter) user @bioreconstruct recently visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and noticed that Disney cast members had added Tropical Americas-themed signage, including concept art, to the construction walls in DinoLand U.S.A. The Disney Park guest shared these photos:
Tropical Americas signage up at construction fencing in Animal Kingdom.
Some of the Tropical Americas signage on construction fencing in Animal Kingdom.
Some of the Tropical Americas signage on construction fencing in Animal Kingdom. pic.twitter.com/Pzcbzpy56m
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) March 29, 2025
The once-plain-green construction walls now feature themed directional signage with artistic borders and bright yellow butterflies. One of the walls has been transformed into a large rendering of Pueblo Esperanza, while another features a large sign reading “Tropical Americas.” Another photo from @bioreconstruct:
Tropical Americas themed direction signage in Animal Kingdom.
Tropical Americas themed direction signage in Animal Kingdom. pic.twitter.com/Wi1zlmcQkn
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) March 29, 2025
The directional signage is perhaps the only combination of DinoLand U.S.A. and Pueblo Esperanza that Disney Park guests will ever see. Tropical Americas-themed font directs guests to the last remaining elements of the 26-year-old Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park land: DINOSAUR, The Dino Institute Shop, and Restaurantosaurus.
The remainder of DinoLand U.S.A. will close in early 2026. Pueblo Esperanza is expected to open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park sometime in 2027. Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t announced an exact opening date for the Tropical Americas-themed land and its Encanto and Indiana Jones attractions.
Which Pueblo Esperanza attraction are you most excited about? Share your thoughts with Inside the Magic in the comments!