Joe Rohde Confirms Disney Will Drop Live Animal Element From Animal Kingdom

Disney is building a new future for Animal Kingdom — but one familiar element won’t make the move.

Walt Disney World is currently transforming a significant portion of Animal Kingdom. DinoLand U.S.A. is making way for Tropical Americas, an 11-acre land officially named Pueblo Esperanza that is expected to open in 2027.

The project will bring Encanto and Indiana Jones to the park, alongside a new carousel, restaurant, play area, and other additions. Disney revealed fresh details at D23 last week, offering a closer look at what guests can expect from the replacement.

One detail, however, came from somebody outside the current Imagineering team.

Disney’s New Land Will Leave Out Live Animals

Disney Legend Joe Rohde has confirmed that Tropical Americas will not add any live animals. DinoLand U.S.A., despite being primarily known for its rides, previously incorporated real animals into the land through an American crocodile habitat.

Rohde addressed the subject while responding to fans on Instagram. He said “live animals are an important part of the park” and acknowledged that Tropical Americas “would be better with live animals.”

Joe Rhode basically confirmed on instagram that there will be no live animals in Tropical Americas. This is disappointing but not surprising. This is a comment on his newest post about Encanto not fitting in with DAK

Joe Rhode basically confirmed on instagram that there will be no live animals in Tropical Americas. This is disappointing but not surprising. This is a comment on his newest post about Encanto not fitting in with DAK pic.twitter.com/7xidZXSz9a

— RockNstardust🎸✨ (@CoasterK24) August 20, 2026

The former Imagineer also explained why they aren’t currently part of the project. Unlike an entirely new expansion, Tropical Americas is redeveloping an existing section of Animal Kingdom, forcing Disney to make decisions about where its budget will have the biggest impact.

For Rohde, rides are the more immediate priority. He said Animal Kingdom “needs rides for young people,” particularly indoor, air-conditioned attractions.

That remains a weak spot for the park. Animal Kingdom has fewer rides than Walt Disney World’s other theme parks, while major attractions – including Expedition Everest, Kali River Rapids, and Avatar Flight of Passage – carry height requirements.

Disney has recently tried to broaden the park’s appeal to younger visitors. Bluey’s Wild World opened at Conservation Station in May, introducing games and character interactions with Bluey and Bingo. Jumping Junction also brought kangaroos and wallabies to the area.

Live animals nevertheless remain fundamental to Animal Kingdom. More than 250 species live across the park, with elephants, lions, giraffes, rhinos, and hippos among the animals encountered on Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Other areas build their identities around wildlife, too. Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail and Maharajah Jungle Trek feature species ranging from gorillas and tigers to birds and Komodo dragons.

Tropical Americas won’t be the first major addition to take a different approach. Pandora – The World of Avatar opened in 2017 without new live-animal exhibits, instead connecting to Animal Kingdom through fictional wildlife, nature, and conservation.

Rohde was closely involved in both Pandora and Animal Kingdom itself. He served as the park’s lead designer ahead of its 1998 opening and remained one of its most influential Imagineers until retiring from Walt Disney Imagineering in 2021.

He also suggested the Tropical Americas decision isn’t necessarily permanent. Rohde said animals “should be included in the future” if Disney can establish a business plan to support their addition.

How Tropical Americas Will Fit Animal Kingdom

Even without live animals, Disney is leaning heavily into wildlife elsewhere in Pueblo Esperanza.

That is particularly apparent in Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto. The family attraction will revisit Antonio’s gift day, rather than retelling the plot of Encanto, with guests exploring Casita alongside characters and animals from the film.

Antonio’s ability to communicate with animals is also central to Disney’s justification for bringing Encanto into Animal Kingdom.

Rohde was explicit about that connection. Without Antonio, he said, “there’s no reason this IP should be at Disney’s Animal Kingdom,” describing the movie as “an interpersonal family drama.”

Instead, Antonio allows Imagineers to connect the franchise to a wider message about humans and the natural world. As Rohde explained, “We are all one family. Animals included. And that is a good moral lesson for Disney’s Animal Kingdom.”

Elsewhere, Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent will replace DINOSAUR. Rather than recreating an existing Indiana Jones movie, the attraction will feature an original story involving a Maya temple, a mythical serpent, and supernatural encounters.

Families will also get El Carrusel de los Animalitos, a carousel featuring carved Disney animals. A Maya-inspired archaeological play area will provide another experience specifically aimed at children.

Pueblo Esperanza’s other additions include a large hacienda replacing Restaurantosaurus. The building will house one of Walt Disney World’s largest quick-service restaurants when Tropical Americas opens.

For all the changes, Tropical Americas will still be noticeably different from the Animal Kingdom lands built around real-world wildlife. For now, its connection to animals will come through attractions, characters, architecture, and storytelling rather than new living residents.

Do you think Tropical Americas should include live animals?