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

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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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KDM3109139 minutes ago

I know that at this point it’s not going to likely change, but it baffles me that Disney finds it more reasonable to demolish/ replace Dinoland instead of adding to a park with so few attractions as it is. There’s no reason we couldn’t have Tropical Americas as an addition, and they could also improve Dinoland. I hope at the very least we are given ample warning with closures, as sometimes not much is given.

KDM3109141 minutes ago

It’s crazy that for all the years of closure nothing interesting was added. They had an opportunity and didn’t seem to care.

PREMiERdrum1 hour ago

Not plausible unless also accessible on foot.

HuckleBerryFin2 hours ago

Anyone else oddly surprised that they are not using the Conservation Station as a base of expansion? Feel like they could use the train to its advantage of “Transporting you to a new world or land”

celluloid2 hours ago

Oh you didn't hear? Those were since removed. They were ruining the sightline for guests of the next planned DVC booth.

erasure fan12 hours ago

Talk about ungrateful. They planted at least 4 new plants in-between fantasyland and Tomorrowland. That's worth at least a $3 increase in ticket price. Sheesh, you just can't please some people.

celluloid2 hours ago

Even sadder is the fact that the train closed for years and nothing really guest facing positive happened to it at all.

MistaDee10 hours ago

If we just keep repeating this idea, can we speak it into existence??

DreamfinderGuy11 hours ago

Pretty funny to think this will be their second missed opportunity in the span of less than a decade to repurpose a bunch of dinosaur animatronics for a Primeval World.