Big Changes Ahead: Animal Kingdom’s Exciting Transformation to Pueblo Esperanza

Big changes are on the horizon for Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and there’s a lot to get excited about! First, the park is giving a complete makeover to its DinoLand U.S.A. area, turning it into a vibrant, tropical world called Pueblo Esperanza. This new area, inspired by the Tropical Americas, is already taking shape. Some attractions, including TriceraTop Spin, are permanently closing, but the fan-favorite DINOSAUR ride will stay open through 2025.

In September 2023, Disney revealed that DINOSAUR would undergo a major overhaul in 2024, with concept art showing a thrilling new direction. The ride will be rethemed around Indiana Jones, the iconic adventure movie franchise. While the track and ride system will likely remain the same, the attraction will get refreshed scenes, new special effects, and animatronics to fit the daring spirit of Indiana Jones. This change will tie into the larger transformation of DinoLand, which will be turned into a South American rainforest-inspired area. The new land will draw inspiration from Encanto and the Indiana Jones films, promising even more immersive experiences for guests.

But that’s not all. On March 16, the It’s Tough to Be a Bug! show in the Tree of Life Theater will close permanently, making way for the park’s new Zootopia show: Zootopia: Better Zoogether. Fans can look forward to seeing Judy Hopps, voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin, and Nick Wilde in this new experience that will bring the Oscar-winning movie to life in a whole new way.

With these exciting updates, Animal Kingdom is poised to become an even more magical place. While the Tropical Americas area won’t be ready until 2027, Disney is already moving forward with major changes. In fact, the South Florida Water Management District recently approved permits that will allow Disney to start infrastructure work without impacting the park’s natural environment.

Animal Kingdom fans, get ready—there’s a whole new world of adventure coming your way!

Concept art for the new Tropical Americas coming to Disney's Animal Kingdom Park at WDW.

Concept art by Disney for the new Indiana Jones Attraction going into Tropical Americas at Disney's Animal Kingdom at WDW.

Concept art by Disney for the new Encanto Attraction going into Tropical Americas at Disney's Animal Kingdom at WDW.

Concept art by Disney for a brand-new show, Zootopia: Better Zoogether at Disney's Animal Kingdom at WDW.

Concept art by Disney for the Woodcarver's Carousel at Disney's Animal Kingdom at WDW.

Speaking of Encanto, Animal Kingdom is also getting an exciting new Encanto-themed ride, which will take guests on a magical journey through Antonio Madrigal’s bedroom and into the heart of the Casa Madrigal. Along the way, visitors will get to meet beloved characters from the movie, including Mirabel and the rest of the Madrigal family. Additionally, a woodcarver’s carousel featuring Disney’s animal characters will add to the fun.

Trivia question.

With the transformation of the attraction Dinosaur to Indiana Jones at Disney's Animal Kingdom, what are the Disney Imagineers currently looking to keep the same between the two attractions?

Answer. The ride system and track layout will remain the same. Concept art unveils plans to reimagine the attraction with an Indiana Jones theme, inspired by the iconic adventure movie franchise. While the ride system and track layout are expected to stay the same, the experience will be updated with new scenes, enhanced special effects, and animatronics that align with the Indiana Jones universe. This transformation is part of a broader overhaul of DinoLand, which will be re-themed into a vibrant South American rainforest area, drawing influence from films like Encanto and the Indiana Jones series.

Dinosaur attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom at WDW. Photo by Disney.

Indiana Jones attraction at Disneyland in CA. Photo by Disney.