Disney Teases 'Encanto' and 'Indiana Jones'-themed experiences for Animal Kingdom's big refresh

Sep 09, 2023 in "Disney's Animal Kingdom"

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Tropical Americas Encanto land concept art at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Posted: Saturday September 9, 2023 10:37am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

New experiences inspired by "Encanto" – the Academy Award winning Walt Disney Animation Studios film – and the fan-favorite adventurer Indiana Jones are being considered for the reimagined DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

New experiences inspired by “Encanto” and the fan-favorite adventurer Indiana Jones are being considered for the reimagined land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

The new land themed to the tropical Americas would replace the entire Dino-Land U.S.A. area, with Indiana Jones replacing the existing Dinosaur ride, and Encanto replacing Dino-Rama. This latest concept also suggests that Disney has abandoned the plans for Moana and Zootopia in this area of the park.

Dinosaur is replaced in this concept art with Indiana Jones

Dino-Rama is replaced with Encanto

Imagineering Boss Bruce Vaughn said, "Imagine a land filled with authentic experiences from this part of the world. With all of the placemaking and storytelling you'd expect. Look, it's a beautiful region to explore and has been the inspiration for so many magical stories over the years. We're looking forward to bringing all of that to life"

Tropical Americas Encanto land concept art at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Vaughn contninued, "Imagineering has been talking about stories from this part of the world; Encanto with Indiana Jones just rose to the top. They give us so much to play with. We have a long way to go now and a lot more to discover. But our team here in Florida is all over it."

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mikejs7815 minutes ago

The QSR lunch is something we really miss. Pre-pandemic, it was our go-to lunch on the first MK day of every trip. The current setup is just too much - and we haven't eaten there since it reopened.

eddie1041 hour ago

I wonder if there are several plans in the works including a more budget friendly one versus a plussed up version?

UNCgolf1 hour ago

The room off to the right is easily the worst by far, but last time I was there the ballroom definitely felt like a huge cafeteria. Incredibly loud and people everywhere. But, and this is admittedly a huge but, we had breakfast there (and the food wasn't very good either). They don't even serve breakfast anymore, and hopefully they pack fewer people in there for the prix fixe lunch/dinner. I wouldn't even consider going back as long as it's prix fixe, though.

JD803 hours ago

Down with prefixe menus.

Tha Realest4 hours ago

No, you’re getting an $8 steak but paying $70 for it at 11 am

PREMiERdrum4 hours ago

Re: BOG Prices will keep ticking up (and staffing ticking down) to compensate for the softer demand. What was once a tough reservation to get is now mostly available for walkup day-of. I will say that I've never had a bad meal there, and the potato leek soup they had last year was absolutely divine... but our check last visit was over $500. We won't be back for a bit. What really hurt was their shift away from the hybrid QS/TS model it opened with. It democratized the experience a bit, pumped more people through on the quicker breakfast and lunch turns, and protected the scarcity and pricing integrity of the dinner offerings. Every internal move to fix it has been quashed, so we're left with rising prices and worsening service. Oh well. BUT this thread is about Tropical Americas... and I'm still quite optimistic in their plans. Some interesting scuttlebutt on why and how Brayden may have been leaked recent art with bad info. While Indy is teed up to be the standout here, the inbound dining concept is looking very promising. Encanto should be great, too, though from what I can tell they're keeping details quieter than the rest.

Bocabear4 hours ago

I have tried BOG multiple tmes...Have been seated in everywhere but the Music Box Room... No one wants to sit in the basically unthemed cafeteria room... My first meal there was nice but it seems like the quality has gone down, and the atmosphere is not worth it. I would rather have them turn this into the BATB ride. Build that Tiana's Palace dining location...

ToTBellHop5 hours ago

I refused to be seated there. It was immature but for that kind of money, I’m eating in The West Wing. They’d do better to reserve The Music Box Room for walk-ups.

Zummi Gummi5 hours ago

The ballroom doesn't feel that way to me at all. It's that room off to the right (not even sure what they call it) that has a distinct "cafeteria" feel to it.

ToTBellHop5 hours ago

I just miss the QSR lunch. I’m not getting at $70 steak at 11 am.

MisterPenguin11 hours ago

Heard from whom?

UNCgolf13 hours ago

Have to agree to disagree on that one -- I was very disappointed in Be Our Guest and find it one of the weaker restaurants (other than maybe the West Wing, although it's actually too dark in there). The main ballroom just doesn't work at all, although part of that is definitely the cafeteria atmosphere.

eddie10413 hours ago

I don’t think they should axe anything because the design is definitely one the best out Disney as far restaurants go imo. The castle should definitely be rebuilt though.

UNCgolf13 hours ago

Personally I'd be happy to see Be Our Guest get axed because I think they really missed their opportunity there. The design is decent, but it's ruined by the cafeteria atmosphere. That's not going to happen, though, and MK does need the dining capacity.