Walt Disney Imagineers have shared the process they use to create the architecture for Tropical Americas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. And, as a bonus, it’s done without horse manure (who would’ve thought?).
Tropical Americas Architecture
Imagineers first start off by showing samples of exterior and interior architecture, including walls, columns, and more. This allows them to inspect every piece that will be part of Tropical Americas and make adjustments as needed.
They spent two years testing prior to installing everything to ensure the colors, textures, and even the combination of hardscape to walls to get all the inspiration from their research trips to build it prior to installing onsite.
Everything needs to feel natural, as well as aged appropriately after sitting out in the elements for several months. The structures also need to be up to code, smooth enough to be comfortable for all the hands touching them, and that all the mixtures and colors are just as they were designed to be.
If they don’t like the way something looks or feels, they demo it and start over again. They give the example of 24 8×8 samples of hardscape that they didn’t like and started over. It’s a continuous process that helps you get to that final product.
The video then goes into more depth about how they take inspiration from the local areas of the real places they are designing.
The goal is for guests to have an authentic experience. For example, in Barichara, they use house manure to create sustainable architecture. However, Imagineers made it clear they did not use horse manure for their samples.
Drawing from other sustainable practices, and the humble materials are the details that love to incorporate into their stories.
Watch the video below:
More About Tropical Americas
Tropical Americas will represent the fictional community of Pueblo Esperanza. This will replace DinoLand, as it closed incrementally as construction began in early 2025. DINOSAUR and Restaurantosaurus closed permanently in February 2026, which was the last phase of the DinoLand closure.
Attractions that are set to be in this land will feature a carousel, a new Encanto attraction, a playground, and an Indiana Jones adventure replacing DINOSAUR.
Tropical Americas is set to open at Animal Kingdom in 2027.
Keep up to date on the Tropical Americas construction here.
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The post Imagineers Share Process of Creating Architecture for Tropical Americas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom (Without Horse Manure) appeared first on WDW News Today.
