New aerial photos offer a fresh look at construction on Tropical Americas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Scaffolding now surrounds the base of the Maya pyramid for Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, and crews are adding waterproofing around the Encanto Casita.
Themed walls are also appearing throughout Pueblo Esperanza. The images show steady change across the former DinoLand U.S.A. area. Here is what each part of the land looks like right now and what the work means for the finished area.
Scaffolding Rises Around the Indiana Jones Pyramid
The Maya pyramid stands in front of the former DINOSAUR building, which is being transformed into Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent. Its turquoise carvings stand out against reddish walls, and weathered rockwork lines the upper tiers.
Crews have added scaffolding around the base of the pyramid. This gives workers access to sculpt excavation-style theming into the lower rockwork. Workers can be seen on several platforms, and green boom lifts are parked nearby. More scaffolding components are stacked beside the attraction, and the scaffolding is expected to eventually wrap the entire pyramid.
That extra coverage serves a purpose. The upper sections were sculpted and painted before they were lifted into place, but the gaps between the tiers still need waterproofing. The unfinished back side of the pyramid needs the same treatment. A rear view shows sculpted rockwork sitting above exposed steel supports, which gives a sense of how the structure was assembled.
This work follows the installation of the pyramid’s upper sections in early September, with the central section in place later that month. Tall shrubs and small trees are also being planted in a garden behind the pyramid, which begins to build out the jungle setting around the attraction.
Encanto Casita Framework Rises With a Future Hillside
The steel framework of the Casita stands in front of the show building for Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto. Roof peaks, projecting sections, and a tall tower already outline the shape of the Madrigal family home.
Crews are applying dark waterproofing to the concrete walls around the structure. The height of this barrier points to where the soil level will eventually sit. Once the ground is built up, the Casita will appear to rest on a hillside, similar to the way The Haunted Mansion sits on its raised setting at Magic Kingdom.
The area around the house is still an active dirt work zone. Construction vehicles and stacks of material fill the site. Forms for more wall foundations are visible to the right of the Casita. Next to the house, mesh-covered framework and scaffolding mark where artificial landscape will take shape.
Pueblo Esperanza Village Gains Its Weathered Look
Pueblo Esperanza is starting to look like an aged village. Work continues around El Carrusel de los Animalitos, where the broad carousel roof stands beside village structures that are partly enclosed.
Near the carousel, crews have set up wall theming models. These samples show jagged stone edges, faded reddish and orange surfaces, and green weathering. A nearby base structure is being shaped to look like a broken wall, and another exterior has recently been painted.
Behind the carousel, more walls are being sculpted to resemble deteriorating masonry. Uneven upper edges and patches of exposed stone texture give them a ruined appearance. Scaffolding remains around the neighboring sections.
Broken-wall theming also lines a future walkway elsewhere in the land. These freestanding pieces vary in height and feature irregular stonework with dark weathering. They are designed to look like the remaining fragments of larger walls. For now, orange safety fencing surrounds the work zones, and the walkway between them has not been paved.
Former DinoLand Buildings Take on New Colors
Several structures from the old DinoLand U.S.A. are moving closer to their new look. The former Restaurantosaurus complex, which will become a quick-service restaurant, now has warm mustard yellow paint on some of its exterior walls. The color appears on several gabled facades and beneath covered walkways. Other sections nearby remain wrapped or unfinished.
The former Chester and Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures gift shop shows a mix of pale green roof sheathing, dark roofing material, and white protective wrap. Scaffolding surrounds parts of the exterior, and a crane extends overhead as work continues.
A Large Clearing Marks a Future Play Area
The latest aerial angles also show a large cleared area between the former Restaurantosaurus complex and the former Chester and Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures. Based on a Disney filing from earlier this year, this space is expected to become a play area.
Disney has not yet shown this play area in concept art or physical models for Tropical Americas. The open lot is the clearest sign so far of where it will be located. Families with young children may want to watch for more details as construction moves forward.
Concrete Forms Shape the Central Fountain
Closer to the center of the land, concrete forms are taking shape around a central fountain. This feature will help define the guest walkways that lead to the other venues in Tropical Americas.
Once finished, the fountain area should act as a hub for the land. It will connect guests to the attractions, dining, and shops around the village. Seeing the forms in place gives a first look at how foot traffic may flow through the space.
Conclusion
Tropical Americas continues to move from bare structures toward themed spaces. The Indiana Jones pyramid now has scaffolding for sculpting and waterproofing, the Casita is getting ready for its hillside setting, and Pueblo Esperanza is gaining weathered walls and fresh color. A cleared lot for a future play area and new concrete forms around the central fountain round out this update. If you are visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the months ahead, keep an eye on these areas, since each stage of work brings the land closer to its finished look.
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.
