Disney sure knows how to keep us on our toes.
Between new attractions, dining updates, hotel changes, and more — it’s a lot to keep up with. This is especially true when they make huge announcements… but don’t really share any details, leaving us to go digging for clues on our own. So, let’s check out some hints about what might be coming to the potential Encanto land at Animal Kingdom!
At Destination D23, Disney confirmed that DinoLand, U.S.A. will be going away to be replaced by a new land. Bruce Vaughn, Chief Creative Officer at Walt Disney Imagineering, joined Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, on stage to discuss where else Imagineering has thought about taking guests when they visit Animal Kingdom — and it sounds like it’ll be the Tropical Americas!
Imagineers are focusing on “The Tropical Americas” part of the world, which is the northern part of South America and Central America. This area is one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. Not only that, but Disney has now said that it’s considering the world of Encanto for the area. So, what are the chances this will actually happen, and what hints do we have so far? We’re glad you asked.
‘Encanto’ Takes Place in Colombia
First, let’s be clear — DinoLand, U.S.A. will be rethemed. Disney has officially confirmed that the area will be replaced and that Imagineers are specifically focusing on The Tropical Americas, or parts of South and Central America.
If you’re not familiar with Encanto, it’s set in Colombia, which is located in the northwestern part of South America. That sounds like a pretty big hint right there!
Disney Mentioned Work Being Done on La Casita
As part of the Destination D23 announcement, Disney executives even shared that work is being done on the Casita from Encanto. This is the Madrigal family’s magical homestead that is integral to the story — so it would only make sense for Disney to bring the Casita to this potential new land.
Bringing Encanto to Animal Kingdom may still be up in the air and not officially confirmed yet by Disney, but why else would they be working on the Casita if they weren’t planning on bringing it to the new land in some form?!
What We Know from Concept Art
Disney even went so far as to share concept art for the new Encanto land (and the potential Indiana Jones land to the right of it, but we’ll talk about that on a different day!). This is something they’ve done before, though, so just because concept art exists doesn’t mean plans are set in stone — but we can speculate wildly about what’s actually in the art.
On the left, we can see a lush tropical forest surrounding a clearing that holds the Casita from Encanto.
It looks like there’s some sort of magical, pink river with multiple bridges going over it. Not only that, but it appears to go inside the Casita — we don’t see any boats in the water, but could this be a boat ride?!
The entrance of the land appears as though it would look like a town square-type area or central plaza you might find in Colombia, and to the right we think we spy a carrousel.
There’s a large fountain surrounded by purple and pink flowers that have become synonymous with Encanto in the center of the land in the concept art, too. Plus, there’s a huge structure to the right that looks like it could be home to restaurants, shops, and more.
Of course, Disney hasn’t really confirmed much of anything other than a new land is coming to Animal Kingdom and that Encanto is being considered as one of the themes, so for now, we’ll just have to wait and see. Be sure to stay tuned to AllEars for the latest Disney World news and updates!
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What do you think Disney should include in this potential Encanto-themed land? Tell us in the comments.
I don’t believe it’s a carousel I suspect Alebrije from coco reskinning of triceratops skin under a covered structure