A NEW LAND inspired by the Tropical Americas is coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom park in 2027. Say goodbye to Dinoland U.S.A. and hello to Pueblo Esperanza! 

Get ready for a lush, vibrant new land in Disney World filled with music, characters, and adventures. We’re still waiting on a few key details, like the opening date, but we do know that Dinoland (the land that Pueblo Esperanza will replace) will close in phases. Speaking of Dinoland, though, I have some questions about the logistics of this expansion project.

OK, so for context, I should preface this by saying that I am a former Disney World Cast Member, and I still keep in touch with several coworkers from the parks. After Disney confirmed that Dinoland U.S.A. would be transformed into Pueblo Esperanza, people (including Disney Cast Members) started asking a LOT of questions. For starters — how’s this gonna work?!

Pueblo Esperanza will be a new 11-acre section of the park. For comparison, Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is about the same size. The new land will highlight the Tropical Americas through the stories of Encanto and Indiana Jones. Pueblo Esperanza will become home to two signature attractions — an Encanto ride featuring the Madrigal family and a new Indiana Jones adventure ride! Disney is also adding a carousel ride as an option for people of all ages.

The updated land will feature classic Spanish-style architecture and a large hacienda, which will also serve as one of the largest quick-service restaurants at Disney World. We have a feeling that this new restaurant will take over Restaurantosaurus, but Disney hasn’t confirmed the location yet.

Take a DEEP DIVE into the Pueblo Esperanza Carousel concept art HERE!

The retheming of this section of the park is part of Disney’s $60 billion project to update and expand the Disney parks. TL;DR? Disney is about to spend a bunch of money on a bunch of big projects. 

If everything goes according to plan, Pueblo Esperanza should open in 2027. As part of the phased closure of the land, the last day to ride TriceraTop Spin, visit Fossil Fun Games, and see Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures is January 12th, 2025. Construction walls will go up around these areas on January 13th. We’re still waiting for closing dates for DINOSAUR, the Boneyard, Restaurantosaurus, Dino-Bite Snacks, and Trilo-Bites.

Now, back to the logistics of it all. While this major project is being called an “expansion,” it’s worth noting that there isn’t actually much room to expand. Here’s a look at Dinoland via Google Maps. That big white building in the center of the photo is the Dinosaur attraction, and directly behind it is a big lake.

Here’s a closer look at the area we’re working with here. Disney Cast Members (especially those who work at Disney’s Animal Kingdom) have a lot of questions about how Disney plans to fit all its new attractions in this relatively small area. Unless Disney plans to tap into the lake area (which seems highly unlikely), it seems like Pueblo Esperanza will use pretty much the same footprint as Dinoland — there’s simply nowhere to expand!

Additionally, we spotted some permits for Buena Vista Construction Company — a construction company that Disney itself owns and operates from Disney World property. The permits were vague, simply stating, “Provide labor, material and/or electrical for construction.” What’s interesting, though, is that the addresses listed on the permits match up with three separate buildings in an area that is currently backstage at Dinoland. Could these permits be related to new construction, or are they just preparing the area for construction? It’s hard to say!

If Disney really does want to expand this land, it seems like some backstage buildings might be in jeopardy. For now, we’ll have to wait and see! In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.

The Tropical Americas — An Encanto Transformation in Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom

What do you think about this expansion? Let us know in the comments!

The post I’m a Former Disney World Cast Member, and I Am CONFUSED by This Expansion Announcement first appeared on the disney food blog.