Construction on the Encanto attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is entering a new stage, and fresh aerial photos give fans a clear look at the progress. The signature Casita, the magical home of the Madrigal family, is starting to rise at the front of the ride. Here is a breakdown of what the latest images reveal and how the pieces fit into the larger Tropical Americas project.
Steel Framing Rises for the Casita
New aerial photos taken in September 2026 by Bioreconstruct show the silver steel skeleton of the Casita standing at the front of the attraction. This is the best look yet at the bones of the structure, and while the frame is still bare, the outline is already clear enough to make out the shape of the house.
There is no exterior sheathing or stucco on the frame yet, so this marks an early point in building out the facade. Even so, seeing the metal frame in place helps guests picture where the finished home will eventually sit as they approach the ride.
How the Facade Fits With the Show Building
The Casita frame stands in front of a large warehouse-style show building. That building holds both the queue and the ride itself, and it makes up the bulk of the attraction footprint.
This layout follows a familiar Disney approach. It works much like the Haunted Mansion, where a detailed facade greets guests while a much larger show building sits behind it to house the actual experience. Crews built the big show building first, and they have now moved on to adding the smaller, more detailed Casita structure at the front.
Faux Rockwork Adds Scale
One of the more interesting details in the new photos is the faux rockwork rising on top of the show building. Wrapped in scaffolding, wood forms, and wire mesh, the rockwork mound sits just behind the Casita’s steel frame.
This element serves two purposes. It hides the plain warehouse-style buildings from guest sightlines, and it creates the impression that the Casita rests on a much larger hillside than it actually does. The wire mesh and wood forms seen now will later be coated in sculpted concrete, then painted to resemble natural stone.
The technique is common across Disney parks, where forced-perspective rockwork and landscaping help smaller buildings feel like part of a larger natural setting. Here, the rockwork appears designed to frame the Casita the way jungle-covered mountains might surround a hillside home in Colombia, the country that inspired the film.
Signs of Mechanical Work Underway
The photos also show a rooftop packed with HVAC units, ductwork, and conduit across the show building. That level of equipment is a clear sign that the mechanical and electrical phase of construction is well underway for this part of the attraction.
Scaffolding remains visible along sections of the roofline, especially where crews continue work on the show building’s exterior. Green-paneled walls from earlier construction phases are still in place along portions of the structure as the faux mountains build out around them. Together, these details point to steady work on both the systems inside and the theming outside.
What We Know About the Attraction
Disney revealed the attraction’s official name, Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto, at the D23 Expo in 2026, along with new concept art. The ride is one of the anchor experiences coming to the new Tropical Americas land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Tropical Americas is currently targeting a 2027 opening. With the show building’s systems in progress and the Casita facade now going vertical, the project appears to be moving through its major construction stages ahead of that target.
Conclusion
The rising steel frame of the Casita is a milestone worth noting, giving fans a tangible sense of how Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto will come together. Between the facade taking shape, the faux rockwork adding depth, and the mechanical work advancing behind the scenes, there is plenty to follow in the months ahead. With a 2027 target for Tropical Americas, the coming updates should show the Casita transforming from bare steel into the colorful home Encanto fans know.
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.
