Credit: DisneyWalt Disney World is preparing to make 2027 one of its biggest expansion years in recent memory.
Two major lands are officially scheduled to open next year, bringing significant new additions to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Construction is already underway, and Disney used its 2026 D23 event to offer another look at what’s coming.
But one major question remains.
When exactly will these new areas open?
Based on current expectations, two particular months have emerged as possibilities for placing both debuts around some of Walt Disney World’s busiest seasonal periods.
Here’s what we know so far.
Tropical Americas Will Transform Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Animal Kingdom will welcome Tropical Americas in 2027, with Pueblo Esperanza serving as the heart of the new 11-acre area.
Disney has designed the land around the cultures and environments of parts of South America, Central America, and Mexico. Nature will play a major role throughout the area, but familiar Disney stories will anchor its biggest attractions.
An Indiana Jones adventure will send guests into an ancient Maya temple in search of a mythical creature. The attraction will feature a new story created specifically for Animal Kingdom.
An Encanto (2021)-inspired attraction will also bring guests into the Madrigal family’s world, with Antonio and his connection to animals playing an important role.
Families will have another option with El Carrusel de los Animalitos, a carousel featuring 22 hand-carved animals inspired by Disney and Pixar stories.
Beyond the rides, Pueblo Esperanza will include a large hacienda housing one of Walt Disney World’s largest quick-service restaurants, along with additional details designed to make the community feel established and lived-in.
Disney continues to list Tropical Americas for 2027, although it hasn’t provided an official opening date.
Monstropolis Will Begin Opening in Phases
Disney’s Hollywood Studios will also get a major addition in 2027, but Monstropolis will take a different approach.
Disney confirmed at D23 that parts of the Monsters, Inc.-themed land will open next year while construction continues on its signature suspended door coaster.
That means guests shouldn’t expect everything to debut simultaneously.
The “first phase” is expected to include the Glob Theater, where Mike and Sulley will host a new show called “Welcome to Monstropolis.” The production will feature familiar characters and an original song written by Disney Legend Randy Newman.
Dining will play a significant role, too.
Harryhausen’s will bring the restaurant from Monsters, Inc. (2001) into the park, complete with a sushi chef Audio-Animatronics figure. Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza will provide another dining option inspired by monster college life.
Guests will also be able to shop at Scareporium.
The massive door coaster will follow later. Disney has confirmed that work on the attraction will continue after other portions of Monstropolis begin welcoming guests.
When Will Tropical Americas and Monstropolis Open?
Disney confirmed during its 2026 D23 event that Tropical Americas and the first phase of Monstropolis will debut in 2027.
However, Disney has not announced the official opening months.
Current speculation points toward September as a possible target for Tropical Americas. That timing could give Animal Kingdom a major draw heading into Disney World’s Halloween and holiday seasons.
For Monstropolis, November has emerged as a possible window for its phased opening.
Disney hasn’t confirmed November, but the timing could pair the expansion with Hollywood Studios’ holiday crowds, including guests attending Disney Jollywood Nights.
If portions of Monstropolis were ready, holiday visitors would have another new area to explore.
For now, September and November remain possible target months rather than confirmed dates, and construction could ultimately change those projections.
When Will Piston Peak and Villains Land Open?
The 2027 projects are only part of Disney World’s larger expansion plans.
Magic Kingdom is undergoing an enormous transformation of its own with Piston Peak National Park.
The Cars-themed Frontierland expansion will introduce two attractions along with mountains, trails, waterfalls, waterways, and other scenery. Disney has not announced an opening year, although current expectations place Piston Peak around 2028 or 2029.
Then there’s Villains Land.
Disney is developing an ambitious Magic Kingdom expansion centered on some of its most famous villains, with two major attractions planned for the new area. Disney hasn’t announced an official opening date for that project either, but current projections increasingly center on 2030.
Those timelines remain speculative until Disney provides official dates.
That leaves Tropical Americas and Monstropolis as the two major land projects currently attached to 2027.
Disney World’s 2027 Calendar Is Coming Into Focus
Disney has made one part of its timeline clear: both Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios will receive major additions in 2027.
Exactly when remains the unanswered question.
September could become an important month for Tropical Americas, while November could provide Disney with an attractive window to begin the phased opening of Monstropolis. Neither month is official, and construction could easily alter those projections.
What is confirmed is that Disney World guests will have two major expansion projects to watch next year.
And if those potential fall windows prove accurate, the final months of 2027 could look very different at Walt Disney World.
