Construction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom keeps moving forward, and one of the most photographed structures in the new Tropical Americas land is starting to look complete. The carousel at the heart of the project reached a notable milestone this week as crews placed a major piece of its roof into position. Here is a look at the latest progress and what else is on the way for this part of the park.
The Top of the Carousel Is in Place
During a recent visit to the Tropical Americas construction site, crews were seen using a boom lift to lower the center framing for the top of the carousel into position. Workers stationed on top of the structure guided the prefabricated section, aligned it, and secured it in place.
This center framing sits above the outer roof work that came before it, giving the carousel much more of its finished silhouette. Seeing the top installed helps you picture how the attraction will look once the theming and detail work follow.
Recent Roof and Framework Progress
The center framing did not go up on its own. The week prior, crews installed the beams for the outer section of the carousel roof, setting the foundation for the layered look the finished ride will have.
Along with those beams, workers put in a boxy framework surrounded by short steel posts. That structure serves as the support system and the starting point for a second, smaller central roof. Based on the concept art, this stacked roofline is a defining feature of the carousel’s design, so this framework is an important step toward matching the original renderings.
What the Carousel Will Feature
The carousel will move away from the traditional horse lineup and instead feature wood-carved Disney animals. One of the confirmed characters is Kevin, the colorful bird from Up, which fits the tropical setting of the land.
The hand-carved approach ties the attraction to the theming of Pueblo Esperanza, the fictional village that anchors Tropical Americas. It is the kind of detail that gives the ride a sense of place rather than feeling like a standard park addition.
The Bigger Picture for Tropical Americas
The carousel is one piece of a larger plan. Tropical Americas is set to open in 2027 and will center on Pueblo Esperanza, a village setting built to house several new experiences.
Alongside the carousel, the land will include an Encanto ride, giving fans of the film a new attraction to look forward to. The former DINOSAUR attraction is being reimagined into an Indiana Jones ride, and a new playground is also planned for the area. Together, these additions represent a full transformation of this section of Animal Kingdom.
Final Thoughts
With the top of the carousel now in position and the surrounding roof framework taking shape, Tropical Americas is entering a stage where its structures are becoming easier to recognize. There is still plenty of theming, carving, and detail work ahead before the 2027 opening, but each step brings the land closer to reality. Keep checking back for future construction updates as Pueblo Esperanza and its attractions continue to come together.
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
