New aerial photos offer a sweeping look at construction across Tropical Americas, where the Casita façade, village buildings, carousel, restaurant, and other elements are taking shape at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Tropical Americas Construction Update
The latest aerial views courtesy of bioreconstruct show several wide views of the land, with crews working throughout the future Pueblo Esperanza village. The large show building for Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto stands near the rear, while El Carrusel de los Animalitos and the village’s restaurant, retail, and entrance structures are clustered closer to the active park pathways.
Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto
The expansive Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto show building is now largely enclosed. The utilitarian structure will eventually be hidden behind the colorful Casita façade and a mountainous backdrop.
Steel framing for Casita itself rises alongside the show building. The structure includes multiple levels, projecting sections, and a tall central tower that makes the building’s eventual silhouette increasingly recognizable. The tower was installed earlier this week.
A nearby rounded structure is covered with metal lath, preparing it for the application of more themed elements and texture. The lumpy shape forms the foundation of what will become part of the artificial landscape that will help conceal the attraction building and create the mountainous surroundings depicted in concept art.
Guests will enter Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto through Casita on the day Antonio receives his magical gift of communicating with animals. The ride vehicles will resemble furniture brought to life by the magical house.
Pueblo Esperanza
Steel, wood, and concrete structures now fill much of the Pueblo Esperanza construction site. Several village buildings have distinct rooflines, while others remain standing as exposed frameworks.
At another entrance near Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!, crews continue applying themed rockwork to several columns and walls. Some areas have received sculpted stone textures, while other portions remain covered with scaffolding. The irregular shapes will help the structures resemble weathered ruins incorporated into the surrounding landscape.
El Carrusel de los Animalitos
Most of the broad roof over El Carrusel de los Animalitos is now covered with plywood. An opening remains around the center, where the carousel’s raised central roof element will eventually be completed.
Additional structures surround the carousel, including its covered queue and several adjoining village buildings. Roof decking has been installed over some of these structures, while wood studs remain exposed along their exterior walls.
The attraction will feature hand-carved wooden animals inspired by characters throughout the history of Disney’s animated films.
Pueblo Esperanza Plaza
A large circular concrete form is under construction in the open area between the carousel and the former Restaurantosaurus. Reinforcing steel rises from the center of the excavated structure, while a newly poured concrete ring surrounds it.
The placement corresponds with the central gathering space and fountain depicted in the Tropical Americas scale model and concept art.
Crews are also grading the surrounding pathways and installing underground infrastructure throughout the plaza. Orange safety fencing separates several active work zones, while construction vehicles and building materials are staged across the site.
Former Restaurantosaurus and Dinosaur Treasures
The former Restaurantosaurus structure remains in place but is being extensively reworked into a new dining location. Several roof sections are covered with new green sheathing, while others have received brown roofing material. Crews have also added new framing and rebuilt portions of the exterior.
A new steel structure extends across the main entrance area of the restaurant complex, indicating that the transformation will expand beyond changes to the existing roof and façade. Disney has not yet announced the restaurant’s new name or menu.
The former Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures will also be repurposed as a gift shop for Tropical Americas. The aerial views show continued construction around this section of the land, with new pathways and infrastructure connecting the reused buildings to the rest of Pueblo Esperanza.
Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent
The former DINOSAUR attraction is becoming Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent. Large upper sections of the attraction’s Maya pyramid façade were recently installed, finally giving the attraction a much more distinct profile. Be sure to check out our separate aerial update for a closer look at the temple’s latest progress.
You can get a better idea of how all these projects are interconnected thanks to this sweeping aerial overview from bioreconstruct, linked below:
Tropical Americas
Tropical Americas is scheduled to open in 2027, transforming the former DinoLand U.S.A. into Pueblo Esperanza, a fictional community inspired by the landscapes, architecture, and cultures of Central and South America.
The land will feature Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto, which will take guests inside the magical Casita; Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, replacing DINOSAUR with an original adventure through a Maya temple; and El Carrusel de los Animalitos, a carousel featuring hand-carved Disney animal figures. The area will also include a new playground, shops, and dining locations housed within the village.
Imagineers also recently shared how years of research and material testing are helping them create the architecture, textures, and aged appearance of Pueblo Esperanza.
Are you looking forward to exploring Tropical Americas when it opens in 2027? Share your thoughts with us on social media.
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The post Aerial Photos Reveal Casita Framing, Carousel, and Plaza Fountain for Tropical Americas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom appeared first on WDW News Today.
