New Progress Revealed for Animal Kingdom’s ‘Encanto’ Attraction at Disney World
Construction is moving quickly at Tropical Americas, the land replacing DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, following a wave of official confirmations at the Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase during D23 Expo 2026.
Disney used the showcase to lock in names and story details for the land’s three attractions: Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto, Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, and El Carrusel de los Animalitos. Encanto and Indiana Jones are positioned as the two headliners.
Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto takes guests through Casita to celebrate Antonio Madrigal’s gift, ending in a rainforest-themed version of his room.
New aerial photographs shared by parks photographer Bioreconstruct on November 8 show significant progress at Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto.
The most striking development is the tall steel frame for Casita, the Madrigal family’s magical house, which now rises prominently in front of the attraction’s show building. Behind the frame, a rolling hill is taking shape, with its rockwork forms currently wrapped and surrounded by scaffolding. The attraction’s entrance is also visible on the left side of the structure, marked by a distinctive peaked roofline.
Aerial photo of steel frame for Casita, the magical house, and a rolling hill in the background. At left is the entrance of Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto.
Work is also well underway on the ground in front of Casita. Crews are building a series of concrete walls that, according to Bioreconstruct, will contain tiered berms with landscaping. The design is intended to create forced perspective, giving guests the impression that Casita sits high on a hill, much as it does in the film. Several of these curved and angular wall sections are already in place, with workers, rebar, and building materials scattered across the site as the berms take form.
Aerial photo of concrete walls in development in front of Casita, the magic house, and Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto. The walls will contain tiered berms with landscaping, for forced perspective of the house high on a hill.
A wider aerial view shows the Encanto site surrounded by active construction across Tropical Americas, with cranes, heavy machinery, and freshly graded pathways cutting through the land. The show building’s roof is fully fitted with mechanical equipment, suggesting the enclosed portion of the attraction is well advanced, while exterior theming catches up.
Disney has confirmed the attraction will carry guests through Casita to celebrate Antonio Madrigal’s gift, with the film’s voice cast returning. “When you enter the house, you’ll board a ride vehicle meant to represent the different pieces of furniture assembled by the power of Casita to carry you through the rooms,” Disney Parks Blog wrote. The Mouse House added that guests will eventually end up in Antonio’s room.
“The space has been transformed into a verdant rainforest, overflowing with animal species of many shapes and sizes,” it added. “ In total, there are more than 50 animals represented inside the attraction.”
Credit: Disney
Development Continues at the Indiana Jones Attraction
The other headliner is Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, which takes over the former DINOSAUR footprint. Indy discovers a hidden temple passage said to lead into the Mayan underworld, guarded by a mythological creature named Tsukán. Guests are pulled through a portal into an escape sequence featuring bats, scorpions, fire, and snakes, building to a confrontation with Tsukán. According to Disney Parks Blog, that finale “will probably solidify your fear of snakes for the rest of time.” The ride’s Indiana Jones Audio-Animatronic will also be the first sculpted in Harrison Ford’s likeness.
Progress is visible on-site. Aerial photos captured by bioreconstruct in late September show the temple’s colorful facade taking shape, with sections sculpted and painted backstage before being craned into place above the rockwork.
A notice of commencement filed September 11, 2026, names Buena Vista Construction Company for labor, materials, and electrical work on the Indiana Jones site, valid for one year.
What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming Tropical Americas expansion? Let us know in the comments below!
