Animal Kingdom is getting a very different kind of adventure.
Disney has revealed major new details about the future Tropical Americas land, including two attractions that are bringing Indiana Jones and Encanto to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
So apparently we’re going from dinosaurs and giant rodents to ancient temples and magical Colombian family drama.
Honestly, we’re intrigued.
Indiana Jones Is Coming to Animal Kingdom
The new attraction will be called Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent.
And yes, it sounds exactly like the kind of trouble Indiana Jones would get himself into.
The attraction will take guests on an adventure involving an ancient temple and a legendary jade serpent.
Disney has also confirmed that Harrison Ford will be involved in the project, lending his likeness and voice to the attraction.
Because if you’re going to bring Indiana Jones to Animal Kingdom, you might as well bring Indiana Jones.
This Isn’t Dinosaur 2.0
The new Indiana Jones attraction will occupy the area formerly home to DINOSAUR in DinoLand U.S.A.
That makes this another major change for Animal Kingdom.
DINOSAUR was one of the park’s original attractions, opening with Animal Kingdom in 1998.
Now the space is being transformed into something completely different.
And while longtime fans may miss the old attraction, the new Indiana Jones experience gives Disney an opportunity to create an entirely different kind of adventure.
Then There’s Encanto
Indiana Jones isn’t the only major attraction coming to Tropical Americas.
Disney is also building an Encanto-themed ride-through attraction based on the Madrigal family.
The attraction will take guests into the world of the film and explore the family’s magical home and surrounding environment.
And yes, that means we’re getting another Disney attraction where the house is arguably one of the characters.
Casita deserves the recognition.
Tropical Americas Is Changing Animal Kingdom
The new land is replacing DinoLand U.S.A. and will completely change the eastern side of Animal Kingdom.
The area is being designed around the cultures, landscapes and wildlife of Central and South America.
That gives Disney an opportunity to create an environment that feels very different from the rest of the park.
And that’s exactly what Animal Kingdom needs.
The park has always worked best when its lands feel like actual places rather than collections of attractions.
There’s More Than Two Rides
Tropical Americas will also feature a new carousel inspired by animals from Disney stories.
Disney has previously shown concepts featuring characters such as José Carioca, Pua and Eeyore.
So yes, Eeyore is apparently going on vacation to the tropics.
Good for him.
Indiana Jones Is the Wild Card
Of the two major attractions, Indiana Jones may be the one that changes the feel of Animal Kingdom the most.
Disney has always used adventure as part of the park’s identity, but Indiana Jones brings a very different flavor to the park.
It’s archaeological adventure rather than wildlife exploration.
And if Disney gets the atmosphere right, an ancient temple filled with Indiana Jones-style danger could fit surprisingly well.
Animal Kingdom Is Getting a Whole New Chapter
There’s no question that Animal Kingdom is going through one of the biggest transformations in its history.
DinoLand U.S.A. is gone.
Tropical Americas is taking its place.
And now we have a much clearer picture of what that means.
Indiana Jones.
Encanto.
A new carousel.
New environments.
And a completely different visual identity for this part of the park.
It’s a big change.
But if Disney can pull it off, Animal Kingdom could end up feeling like an entirely new park.
