Why did it have to be snakes?
Disney used its Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase presentation at D23 to confirm official attraction names and expanded story details for the three rides planned for Tropical Americas, the land under construction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to replace DinoLand U.S.A. The land was first announced at D23 2024, with the Encanto and Indiana Jones franchises long rumored as its anchor attractions.
Attraction Names Confirmed
The three confirmed attractions are Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto, Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, and El Carrusel de los Animalitos. Disney has positioned the Encanto and Indiana Jones attractions as the land’s two headlining experiences.
Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto Details
The Encanto attraction will place guests inside Casita during the celebration of Antonio Madrigal’s gift ceremony, in which he receives the ability to communicate with animals. Ride vehicles are constructed to resemble oversized furniture and are designed to react to the surrounding story elements.
The attraction concludes in a reimagined version of Antonio’s room, redesigned as a rainforest environment featuring more than 50 animals developed in consultation with Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment team. Disney has confirmed the attraction will carry no minimum height requirement. Stephanie Beatriz, Jessica Darrow, and Diane Guerrero will reprise their film roles as Mirabel, Luisa, and Isabela, respectively.
Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent
The attraction replacing DINOSAUR has been officially named Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent.
According to the released story details, Indiana Jones discovers a concealed passage within an ancient temple, said by local legend to lead toward the Mayan underworld and to be guarded by a mythological creature. Indy proceeds into the temple, where the legendary guardian — a creature referred to as Tsukán — is confirmed to be real.
The attraction’s narrative then shifts into an escape sequence, with guests pulled through a portal into the underworld and confronted with bats, scorpions, fire, and snakes, culminating in a direct encounter with Tsukán.
Disney Parks Blog published the following statement regarding the creature’s role in the attraction: “You may be asking, ‘why’d it have to be snakes?’ and Imagineers have a great answer to that. Chris divulged that you’ll encounter the Tsukán throughout the attraction, including a final confrontation that will probably solidify your fear of snakes for the rest of time.”
Disney additionally confirmed that the attraction’s Indiana Jones Audio-Animatronic figure will be modeled on Harrison Ford’s likeness, marking the first time an Indiana Jones animatronic has been built using his features.
Construction Update
Parks photographer, @bioreconstruct, has published a new aerial photograph showing the temple facade under construction at the Indiana Jones attraction site. The colorful facade sections were sculpted and painted over several months at Imagineering’s backstage offices at Animal Kingdom, and have recently been placed above rockwork forms via crane.
Looking Ahead
With the Encanto and Indiana Jones attractions now confirmed by name and story, and animatronic and ride vehicle production already underway, additional construction details and opening timeline updates are expected as work on Tropical Americas continues toward its targeted opening.
What are your thoughts on the new attractions coming to the Animal Kingdom theme park? Let us know in the comments down below!
