Major changes are coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
@Disney
After months of rumors, and talk of blue sky possibilities, Disney has confirmed a NEW land is coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This new land will be called Pueblo Esperanza and will take over the existing Dinoland U.S.A. area. This new land will include THREE new attractions and one of the largest Quick Service restaurants in the world. With everything confirmed so far, there is one attraction we’re dreaming of…
Rumors of Disney expanding Animal Kingdom by repurposing the area that currently makes up Dinoland U.S.A. have been going strong for years, with fans considering numerous different concepts. Finally, at the Destination D23 event in September of 2023, Josh D’Amaro — the president of Disney Experiences — confirmed that Disney was considering additions inspired by Encanto and Indiana Jones. And in 2024, at D23 the name of the land and the attractions coming to the land were CONFIRMED along with an opening timeline of 2027!
So, let’s chat rides that have been confirmed for the land. Because there is one ride we have all been HOPING that Disney would bring to this area since it was teased in 2023. Or really we have been hoping Disney would bring to the parks since 2000.
Pueblo Esperanza ©Disney
The existing Dinosaur attraction is going to become an Indiana Jones ride. And we know what you’re thinking. “Will it be a carbon copy of the one in Disneyland?” And according to Disney, it will not be! As described by Disney, the attraction will follow “the man with the hat” during a time when he has “recently discovered a perfectly preserved Maya temple, and that can only mean one thing: it’s time to explore it. He’s heard rumors about a mythical creature deep within the temple — and he’s got to see it for himself. So, he brings us along on the adventure… but will there be snakes? We’ll just have to wait and see.”
New Indiana Jones Ride ©Disney
We will also get the opportunity to go into the Casita from Disney’s Encanto! Sounds pretty epic, right? We think so too.
The Casita ©Disney
This will be a boat ride that begins just as Antonia receives his gift and his special room transforms into a rainforest.
©Disney
And last but not least, a stunning carousel will also be added to the land. This carousel will featured hand carved animals from your favorite Disney and Pixar films.
A carousel featuring the resident wood carver’s favorite animals. ©Disney
Here is a look at Kevin who will be part of the ride. The details are INCREDIBLE!!
A carousel model on display at the d23 Ultimate Fan Convention
While we must admit that this all sounds lovely and all…there is still one ride we’re dreaming of for the area:
A thill ride based on The Emperor’s New Groove — which is set in the Peruvian area of the Incan Empire — that culminates in a massive “Pull the lever, Kronk!” scene. Come on, admit you would LOVE that just as much as we would!
Disney
So maybe just maybe Disney is holding out on us and will surprise us by announcing a fourth ride for the area????? MAYBE?! Disney has been known to open and land and then add on to it later. That’s exactly what they are doing with Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure right now. They are adding not one but two more attractions to the land and doubling it in size. So it’s possible we could see even more additions to this land in the years to come.
©Disney
OR!!! Maybe Disney could surprise us all and this long awaited and asked for attraction could be coming to the new confirmed Villains Land expansion that’s going beyond Big Thunder Mountain in Magic Kingdom? Disney hasn’t shared WHAT is going in this land yet. So there’s a chance, people!!! We aren’t losing hope for this ride just yet. Because c’mon, we’ve all been dreaming of riding it since Emperors New Groove was released.
Villains Land Concept Art
©Disney
Kronk ride aside, the massive expansions coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom should prove to change the Disney World Resort FOREVER.
Read all about the new land making its way to Animal Kingdom HERE!
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This is all I want Disney to remember…you can build Frozen Land themed to 2 movies or you can build Tundraland where you can have Frozen, Pablo the Penguin, Ice Age, an original design, Cool Runnings Bobsled, Matterhorn, Fantasia, Beauty and the Beast, Bambi, Peter and the Wolf, Monster’s Inc… Do I think this is the best theme? No, but it shows the range of areas covered instead of doing Land=1 IP we’ve been suffering under since they grew jealous of HP Land.
When they build Tropical Americas, I’d hope they somehow sneak in some original concepts, but if we’re only going to get IP, remember to include more than 1, maybe 2 movies.
Yes. You will go and you will eat Julieta’s arepas to heal your broken heart. LOL!!
Yes. I would absolutely love this ride to be a part of the expansion.
For the record, it’s spelled Colombia. Been there personally, amazing country. Kinda peeves this wonderfully friendly people if you don’t get the name spelled right.
I’d love to see an animal exploration trail added to the Tropical Americas area (as they have in Asia and Africa). There are so many wonderful animals to see and experience from that region.