A New Chapter at Animal Kingdom
Disney's Animal Kingdom has spent nearly 30 years weaving together nature, storytelling, and adventure -- and it's not done yet. Coming in 2027, Tropical Americas is the park's newest land, and it's poised to be one of its most breathtaking additions to date.
Spanning the cultural and natural wonders of South America, Central America, and parts of Mexico, this region is one where nature does not just exist in the background -- it defines the people, traditions, and stories that have flourished there for centuries.
Welcome to Pueblo Esperanza
At the heart of Tropical Americas sits Pueblo Esperanza, a fictional-yet-grounded town with its own layered history and vibrant culture. Think of it like strolling through Harambe in Africa or wandering through Anandapur in Asia -- except this time, the sights, sounds, and stories are rooted in Latin American heritage.
First teased at the 2024 D23 Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase, Pueblo Esperanza promises to feel like a real, lived-in destination -- not just a backdrop.
A Dream That Never Disappeared
The idea of bringing a Latin America-inspired land to Animal Kingdom is not new. Early park concepts imagined guests exploring ancient Maya temples and dense rainforests. Those ideas never quite made it off the drawing board, but they never disappeared either.
True to Walt Disney Imagineering's creative spirit, those early sparks evolved into something bigger. Layer in the enchanting world of Encanto, the globe-trotting adventures of Indiana Jones, and the region's own extraordinary natural power, and Tropical Americas starts to take shape.
Research Trips Rooted in Respect
From the start, the Imagineering team committed to grounding Tropical Americas in real-world authenticity. That meant hitting the road -- or rather, the rainforest.
A research trip to Honduras brought the team face-to-face with Maya artists whose craft centers on recreating the intricate carvings of Copan, one of the ancient Maya civilization's most remarkable and well-preserved cities. The team traveled through mountain valleys to the very quarries that have supplied the region for centuries, witnessing firsthand the striking red and green stones native to the landscape. Even more remarkable: those same materials will be used in building Tropical Americas, shaped by carvers using traditional techniques.
The team also traveled to Colombia, retracing the steps of the original Encanto filmmakers to better understand the places and people that shaped the film. These experiences directly inform what will become the first-ever Encanto attraction at any Disney park -- a ride centered on Antonio's new gift: the ability to talk to animals. Guests will discover that no matter what makes them special, they belong to the greater "familia" of all living things.
Built with Curiosity and Care
Every research trip, conversation, and cultural exchange feeds directly into the details of Tropical Americas -- from the colors of town plazas and hacienda walls to the way local architecture responds to climate and terrain. The Imagineers' goal is not just to recreate a region, but to honor it. And with a land this rich in history and heart, there is plenty of inspiration to work with.
