We’re buzzing with excitement! At D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, we just got a ton of fresh details during the “Horizons: A Carousel of Progress” presentation. Get ready for the vibrant new Encanto attraction, a major highlight for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park at Walt Disney World!

This will be one of two headlining attractions in the brand-new land, Tropical Americas. Jared Bush, the brilliant writer and director behind Disney Animation’s Encanto, hopped on stage. He gave us an exclusive sneak peek at how this lively land is shaping up, including brand new story and inspiration details for the Encanto attraction.

Jared touched on the buzz from the Studios showcase, where they’d unveiled an incredible lineup of upcoming films. When actor Skylar Astin asked what it’s like bringing those movies to life in theme park experiences, Jared fondly recalled Walt Disney’s original dream for Disneyland – a place where films could truly leap from the screen into our world. He credits the new Encanto attraction as being a key part of this rich history.

The biggest news? We finally know the attraction’s official name: Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto! Get ready to celebrate Antonio’s brand-new gift, his ability to chat with animals. The heartwarming message of this adventure is that we are all part of the familia of living things, no matter our special gifts or abilities.

And guess what? The original voice actors from Disney Animation’s Encanto are back! Stephanie Beatriz (Mirabel), Jessica Darrow (Luisa), and Diane Guerrero (Isabella) return to Casita to lend their voices. A behind-the-scenes video of them recording was shared with the crowd, with Jessica explaining that “it’s sort of a perfect film to take all these colors and excitement out of and allow audiences to immerse themselves in it.”

Here’s a fantastic little detail: this attraction won’t have a height requirement! So, it’s a fun, family-friendly addition to your Animal Kingdom itinerary.

Jared explained that collaborating with Imagineers on this project has been a blast, especially since they’re expanding the world of Encanto by creating brand new parts of the Madrigal house we’ve never seen in the film. Since the attraction takes place on Antonio’s gift day – a sacred and special occasion for the family – you’re invited into Casita as part of a cheerful celebration!

When you enter the house, you’ll board a ride vehicle meant to represent different pieces of furniture, assembled by the power of Casita to carry you through the rooms. These aren’t just vehicles; they feel alive and dynamic, reacting like characters to everything around you – a perfect nod to the film’s magic.

Jared showed a new rendering that details how you’ll move through the house, eventually ending upstairs in Antonio’s room. This space has transformed into a verdant rainforest, overflowing with animal species of many shapes and sizes. In total, there are over 50 animals represented inside the attraction! We got a first glimpse at some of them in action, including a very cute capybara getting a hair trim, along with a toucan and a donkey.

Imagineer Joan Hartwig had previously shared insights from the team’s research trip to Colombia, where they saw firsthand how certain colors, materials, and structures interact with things like climate, terrain, and the overall culture of the region. This mission of telling authentic stories with extreme care and attention to detail shines throughout the project. We learned today that Walt Disney Imagineering even teamed up with Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment Team to ensure every animal in the attraction is spot-on for Colombia.

New photos from the presentation showed construction is really picking up speed in the Tropical Americas land. Another ride arriving is a gorgeous animal-themed carousel, now officially called El Carrusel de los Animalitos.

This relaxing ride will feature 22 figures of hand-carved animals from beloved Disney and Pixar stories. You might have even spotted some in the Walt Disney Imagineering pavilion this past weekend! El Carrusel de los Animalitos is a uniquely Animal Kingdom-inspired adaptation of a classic Disney attraction, and we can’t wait to see it come to life.

Remember when D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event first revealed Tropical Americas? This new land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates the rainforest’s myths and magic.

Beyond Encanto and the carousel, get ready for a thrilling new Indiana Jones adventure called Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent. It’s going to be a major highlight for all you explorers!

While they’re still cooking up the final food and drink menus, we do know a massive hacienda will be one of Walt Disney World Resort’s largest quick-service restaurants, perfect for a quick bite. Of course, you’ll find plenty of souvenir shops, plus a Maya-inspired play area where young explorers can dig for artifacts through hands-on play.

Keep an eye out for more news as Tropical Americas continues to blossom at Animal Kingdom. We can’t wait to see it all!