food IS a theme park
Things are happening, friends!
Sneak peek at ‘Encanto’ ride!
Tons of changes are coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, most notably the creation of Pueblo Esperanza where DinoLand U.S.A. used to be. We’ve been watching construction closely, but now, thanks to a sneak peek at the Disney Imagineers: Horizons exhibit at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, we’ve got a sneak peek at the three attractions coming to the new land!
In case you missed it, DinoLand USA at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is under construction to become a newly reimagined Tropical Americas land! This change will bring three brand-new rides, along with a new quick-service restaurant that will be the largest on Disney property.
©Disney
Disney has been hard at work building the new land. But it’s not all done, because Disney just filed a permit for the new Indiana Jones ride!
We’re gearing up for a BIG addition to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park next year!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Earlier in 2026, DinoLand, U.S.A. closed completely to make way for the Tropical Americas land coming to the park. This new land will feature attractions inspired by Indiana Jones and Encanto, along with new shopping and dining. We can’t wait to check it out when it opens in 2027, but for now, we’ve got a big construction update!
If DINOSAUR is one of those rides you automatically squeeze in every Animal Kingdom day, you’re going to want to read this now.
Dinosaur
We know how easy it is to miss big closure news when you’re focused on planning dining, park days, and where you’re staying. Disney has officially confirmed the permanent closing date for DINOSAUR, and there is now a very real last day to ride. If this attraction is on your must-do list, or if you just love screaming at dinos in the dark, here’s exactly what you need to know.
Recently, Disney has announced new lands, attractions, and entertainment headed to the theme parks, new ships coming to the Disney Cruise Line, and so much more.
Tree of Life in Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Keeping up with the latest construction permits Disney World files can be a great way to find out just what is going on around the parks and hotels, and we recently spotted one you might want to know about!
Big things are happening at the domestic Disney Parks!
©Disney
Some major expansion projects are underway at BOTH Disney World and Disneyland — some with some very tangible progress. While things are moving along for all the projects announced by Disney at both theme park resorts, a few projects got some serious updates via recently filed permits!
Big changes are coming to Disney World, and some of them might sting a little.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
Disney has already been in the middle of a huge transformation across multiple parks, and now it looks like two more fan-favorite attractions will soon be added to the closure list. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and DINOSAUR are both scheduled to close in 2026, though Disney hasn’t given us official closure dates yet. The timing here is critical, because both rides are tied to massive park transformations — one featuring The Muppets and the other tied to the new Tropical Americas land at Animal Kingdom. Here’s what you need to know about these two closures and what’s coming next.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is getting a MAJOR makeover with Pueblo Esperanza — a Tropical Americas-themed land. However, before the new land fully takes shape, the park will need to say goodbye to DinoLand U.S.A.
Dinosaur
The removal of DinoLand sadly also means the end of the DINOSAUR attraction, which will ultimately give way to a brand-new Indiana Jones ride similar in ride mechanics to DINOSAUR and Disneyland’s Indiana Jones Adventure, but with an original story. DINOSAUR is set to close permanently sometime in 2026, and when it does, its absence will create an unavoidable problem.
It’s the beginning of the end for this beloved Animal Kingdom ride.
DinoLand U.S.A.
Animal Kingdom is undergoing heavy renovations to make way for the Pueblo Esperanza expansion, and we’ve just taken another step closer to change.
Can you believe it?! It won’t be too long before we get Pueblo Esperanza in Disney’s Animal Kingdom!!
Tropical Americas concept art
Back during the D23 2024: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, we had the confirmation of the new Tropical Americas (Pueblo Esperanza) land as well as the new Indiana Jones attraction coming to it. So, specifically we wanted to do a deep dive into the concept art and see if we could glean some info about the new Indiana Jones attraction that’ll be coming to Disney World! [Read more…]
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