Credit: Disney / edited by Inside the MagicSomething big is happening across Walt Disney World, and you can feel it even if Disney hasn’t spelled it out yet. Construction walls are popping up, cranes are moving more often, and progress seems to be happening at a quicker pace than many fans expected. There’s a sense that Disney isn’t just planning for the future anymore—it’s actively racing toward it. One project in particular is starting to turn heads. While the company hasn’t officially pulled back the curtain, all signs point to the brand-new Encanto attraction coming together faster than anticipated.
What makes this moment interesting is how much is already visible without Disney saying a word. Guests don’t need concept art or press releases to know something significant is taking shape. You can see it happening in real time, and it’s adding a new level of excitement to a park that’s long been viewed as overdue for a shake-up.
Animal Kingdom’s Reputation—and Why It Was Ready for Change
For years, Disney’s Animal Kingdom has carried an unfair label. Among the four theme parks, it’s often been described as the least interesting or the most “half-day” experience. While fans appreciate its theming and animal exhibits, many guests felt it lacked the ride depth and repeatability found elsewhere at Walt Disney World.
That perception didn’t come out of nowhere. Compared to Magic Kingdom’s classics, EPCOT’s festivals, or Hollywood Studios’ blockbuster attractions, Animal Kingdom felt quieter. The park closed earlier, had fewer nighttime experiences, and leaned heavily into education rather than thrills. For some guests, that made it special. For others, it made it skippable.
Disney clearly recognized that imbalance, and the company’s response reshaped the park in a big way.
Pandora Changed Everything for Animal Kingdom
When Pandora – The World of Avatar opened, it completely altered how people talked about Animal Kingdom. Suddenly, the park wasn’t just about animals—it was home to one of the most immersive lands Disney had ever built. Flight of Passage became a must-do attraction, wait times skyrocketed, and nighttime crowds followed.
Pandora proved a crucial point: Animal Kingdom could support massive intellectual property and still feel cohesive. It didn’t lose its identity—it expanded it. That success set the stage for more ambitious plans, even if Disney took its time revealing what would come next.
Now, those plans are no longer theoretical. They’re rising behind construction walls.
Pueblo Esperanza Brings Tropical Americas to Life
The next evolution of Animal Kingdom centers on a new land called Pueblo Esperanza. This area draws inspiration from the Tropical Americas, blending architecture, music, and storytelling from across the region. Unlike Pandora, which exists in a fictional universe, Pueblo Esperanza leans into real-world cultures while tying them to major Disney-owned stories.
Disney has confirmed that this land will connect two powerful franchises: Encanto and Indiana Jones. That combination alone signals a shift in strategy. Instead of building one headline attraction, Disney is creating a layered land with multiple experiences, each aimed at different types of guests.
What’s especially exciting is how thoughtfully this area appears to be designed. Pueblo Esperanza isn’t just a backdrop for rides—it’s meant to feel like a lived-in village, complete with plazas, pathways, and shared spaces that bring everything together naturally.
The Encanto Ride Is Starting to Show Itself
Until recently, the Encanto attraction existed only in concept art and speculation. That’s no longer the case. Construction walls are firmly in place, and guests can now see parts of the structure emerging above them. The framework is clearly visible, and cranes are actively working on the site.
Based on the scale and shape of what’s rising, many believe this is the beginning of Casa Madrigal. The structure appears substantial, and from its current footprint, it’s easy to imagine it growing taller as construction continues. Seeing this much progress so early has surprised even seasoned Disney watchers.
Disney rarely allows this level of visible momentum unless a project is moving confidently forward. Whether this ends up being a trackless ride, a dark ride with large show scenes, or something entirely new, the fact that the structure is already taking shape has sparked real excitement among guests walking by.
More Than One Attraction Is on the Way
Pueblo Esperanza isn’t putting all its energy into one experience. The land will also feature a new Indiana Jones attraction, officially replacing DINOSAUR, which closed permanently on February 2, 2026. While Disney already has Indiana Jones rides in other parks, the company has been clear that this version will be different.
Rather than a clone or minor update, this attraction is expected to offer a new story and ride system explicitly tailored to Animal Kingdom. That distinction matters. It suggests Disney is investing in originality instead of shortcuts, something fans have been asking for.
In addition to the two major attractions, the land will also include a magical carousel. While details remain limited, its inclusion reinforces the idea that Pueblo Esperanza is designed for all ages, balancing high-energy rides with gentler experiences.
Why This Feels Like a Turning Point
What makes this project feel different isn’t just what’s coming—it’s how quickly it’s coming together. Framework rising above walls, cranes in constant motion, and visible progress all point to a land that’s moving from blueprint to reality at a steady pace.
For a park once criticized for lacking excitement, Animal Kingdom suddenly feels like the most interesting construction zone at Walt Disney World. Between Pandora’s continued popularity and Pueblo Esperanza taking shape, the park is positioning itself as a destination that blends storytelling, culture, and big-name attractions in a way few expected years ago.
Looking Ahead to 2027
Disney expects Pueblo Esperanza to open to guests in 2027, and if current progress is any indication, that timeline feels realistic. There’s still plenty we don’t know, but what’s already visible has been enough to shift the conversation around Animal Kingdom.
This park is no longer playing catch-up. It’s evolving, expanding, and finally stepping into a new era. As construction continues and structures rise higher, excitement will only grow. If this momentum holds, Animal Kingdom’s next chapter could end up being its most defining yet.