New Disney World Land Fully Revealed as Historic Closure Just a Day Away

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is pushing ahead with one of its largest changes in years, and a newly revealed construction video is giving guests a clearer picture of what’s ahead.

Work continues at a steady pace as the park reshapes the former DinoLand U.S.A. area into the new Tropical Americas land. The long-running dinosaur-themed section is being phased out and replaced with an environment inspired by Central and South American settings, stories, and characters.

Guests walking through the park have already seen the shift in real time, with construction walls, rerouted paths, and heavy equipment now dominating large portions of the space.

Several closures have already marked the transition. The Boneyard playground wrapped up operations on September 1, 2025, ending a long chapter for younger visitors. Meanwhile, DINOSAUR remains open for a limited time and is scheduled to operate until February 1, 2026. After that, the existing ride system will be reused as part of a different adventure.

Walt Disney Imagineering recently pulled back the curtain on what’s coming next by introducing a large-scale model inside the Walt Disney Presents gallery. The display outlines three upcoming projects across Walt Disney World Resort: the Tropical Americas overhaul at Animal Kingdom, a Monsters, Inc. coaster planned for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the Cars and Villains-inspired expansion at Magic Kingdom.

The Tropical Americas model offers a closer look at the land’s layout, showing curved walking paths, thick vegetation, and a central Pueblo Esperanza plaza anchored by a fountain. It also previews a carousel featuring hand-carved figures based on animals from well-known Disney films.

The model also confirms earlier reports about DINOSAUR’s future. The current track and ride system will be repurposed for an Indiana Jones-themed attraction. Alongside it, an Encanto ride will headline the new land, supported by food locations and additional experiences Disney has not yet detailed.

A placard displayed with the model reads: “A vibrant new land is coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, transporting guests into the lush rainforests and exciting stories of the Tropical Americas.” It also explains that Imagineering teams conducted research trips to help guide the land’s design and highlights two major attractions, a quick-service restaurant, the carousel, and the fountain as key components.

Beyond official previews, recent aerial photos have helped fans track progress from above. Images captured in October reveal that vertical construction is already underway for the Encanto attraction.

Steel supports, concrete work, and early framework point to the rising structure of the future show building. Large excavation zones are also visible, leading to speculation about complex ride elements or a large-scale finale scene. Separate aerial shots show continued groundwork at the carousel location as well.

Disney released its first official construction look at the Encanto attraction itself late last year, confirming a major step forward. Walt Disney Imagineering shared on social media that the project has officially gone vertical with the installation of its first steel beams. This structure will house the main show building for what is set to become Animal Kingdom’s featured new ride.

Creative details about the Encanto ride have also started to surface. Filmmaker Jared Bush is working directly with Imagineering and is writing original dialogue for the attraction.

Instead of recreating the movie’s plot, the ride is expected to present new moments and interactions with the Madrigal family, using fresh material created specifically for the park experience. The approach mirrors how other Disney attractions have expanded beyond their source films with new story content.

As the construction zone grows, longtime visitors are looking back on DinoLand U.S.A. and its offbeat roadside attraction style, which stood apart from the rest of the park. Even with that nostalgia, many guests are watching closely as concept art begins turning into real structures and the next version of Animal Kingdom takes shape.

In fact, a new aerial video, courtesy of @Bioreconstruct, shows the true scope of this development.

Aerial video of current Animal Kingdom construction for Tropical Americas.

With a bonus look at Aladar at the Dinosaur attraction that closes in a few days.

Aerial video of current Animal Kingdom construction for Tropical Americas.

With a bonus look at Aladar at the Dinosaur attraction that closes in a few days. pic.twitter.com/eTuDcflzM5

— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) January 30, 2026

The park has seen major growth before, most notably with the opening of Pandora–The World of Avatar, which changed how many visitors viewed the park as a full-day destination. Tropical Americas appears positioned to build on that shift, adding new rides, environments, and character-driven experiences tied to nature and regional storytelling.

With each new update, the direction of the park’s expansion becomes easier to see. The prehistoric era is nearing its end in this section of the park, but new adventures are rising just beyond the construction walls as Imagineers continue their work.

How are you feeling about Animal Kingdom’s new land? Share your thoughts with Inside the Magic in the comments below!