Disney's Animal Kingdom in Orlando is set to undergo a significant transformation, with at least nine new attractions planned as part of a major overhaul of the DinoLand U.S.A. area. The project, which will create a new 'Tropical Americas' land, was first announced in 2024 and is expected to open in 2027.
According to permits filed by Walt Disney Imagineering and reported by Disney blog Inside the Magic, the new land will be inspired by the landscapes, culture and storytelling of Latin America. Key additions include an 'Encanto'-themed attraction and a reimagined version of the current Dinosaur ride, which will be rethemed as an Indiana Jones adventure. The Indiana Jones attraction will reuse the existing ride system and feature a fast-paced, practical effects-filled experience similar to the Disneyland version.
The redevelopment also includes supporting infrastructure such as a backstage pump house for water features and special effects, two meet-and-greet locations for character experiences, and a reimagined Restaurantosaurus as a hacienda-style quick-service restaurant. A wood-carved carousel featuring Disney character-inspired animals will add a whimsical touch to the land.
Animal Kingdom, which opened in 1998, is currently the lowest-performing park at Walt Disney World in terms of attendance. In 2024, it ranked eighth in the US and 15th globally, drawing about 8.8 million visitors—a 0.3 per cent increase year over year but well below its pre-pandemic peak of 13.9 million in 2019. The park is the only Walt Disney World park to fall short of 10 million annual visitors and sees less than half the attendance of Magic Kingdom.
