Disney Parks Boss Josh D'Amaro talks more about Disney's plans for Indiana Jones at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Nov 20, 2023 in "Disney's Animal Kingdom"

Gallery / 6 Photos
Tropical Americas Encanto land concept art at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Posted: Monday November 20, 2023 3:20pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

In a new interview with EW, Disney Parks Chairman Josh D'Amaro discusses Disney's early plans to bring Indiana Jones to Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

D'Amaro first revealed early plans for Indiana Jones to come to Disney's Animal Kingdom during a D23 fan event this past September.

The new land themed to the tropical Americas would replace the entire Dino-Land U.S.A. area, with Indiana Jones replacing the existing Dinosaur ride, and Encanto replacing Dino-Rama.

Dinosaur is replaced in this concept art with Indiana Jones

Fans were surprised by D'Amaro revealing blue-sky concepts still in the early planning stages and not green-lit. D'Amaro told EW, "We've got so many stories to tell, we have so many things we want to make even better in the theme parks. My plan is to continue to share that with the guests. I know people are like, 'My gosh, I can't believe he's saying this. Is he serious, is he not?' The answer is, we are absolutely serious."

Imagineering Boss Bruce Vaughn said at Destination D23, "Imagine a land filled with authentic experiences from this part of the world. With all of the placemaking and storytelling you'd expect. Look, it's a beautiful region to explore and has been the inspiration for so many magical stories over the years. We're looking forward to bringing all of that to life."

Tropical Americas Encanto land concept art at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Vaughn continued, "Imagineering has been talking about stories from this part of the world; Encanto with Indiana Jones just rose to the top. They give us so much to play with. We have a long way to go now and a lot more to discover. But our team here in Florida is all over it."

New experiences inspired by “Encanto” – the Academy Award winning Walt Disney Animation Studios film – and the fan-favorite adventurer Indiana Jones are being considered for the reimagined land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

D'Amaro's latest comments to EW today suggest that Indiana Jones remains at the forefront of Disney's plans in Florida, and the parks chairman is talking up Disney's ambitions.

"We know what this business is capable of, we know what our fans expect of us, and we're going all in. You're going to see more and more of that. As we make our way through some of these ideas, some of them will become real, and we'll say that's specifically what we're going to do, but I want our guests to be on the journey with us."

D'Amaro also addressed how Indiana Jones may fit into Disney's Animal Kingdom thematically. Much like when Avatar was announced for the park, fans are skeptical about its suitability for a part centered around nature and conservation.

"Animal Kingdom is about exploration and adventure," he says. "I was fortunate enough to have run that theme park, so I know how special it is, and I think there are a lot of stories that we can stay true to Animal Kingdom and express new properties in there, and that's what you see us starting to do."

You can read the full interview at EW.

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monothingie11 days ago

In just mere months we may have a functional temporary contractor parking lot. Take that Epic Universe!!!

wdwmagic11 days ago

Tropical Americas Progress: New Contractor Lot Approved at Disney's Animal Kingdom https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/tropical-americas/news/13may2025-tropical-americas-progress-new-contractor-lot-approved-at-disneys-animal-kingdom.htm

Disstevefan112 days ago

While I agree with most of this post, what Disney did to Future world, specifically trading the fountain of nations for that ugly planter with broken ground lighting and the stupid rust finish all over the place is the worst in my opinion.

Gremlin Gus12 days ago

Not really, there isn't too much space there to make it a mini-land of sorts. Though I can see Disney maybe considering the Northern Expansion plot as an Oceania land as there is the space to do it and there is three big IP's that do fit Oceania well enough (Moana, Lilo and Stitch, and Finding Nemo)

threvester12 days ago

you hear the songs on the attraction and then again in a show.......no thanks...1 encanto thing is more than enough

RosR912 days ago

I’m surprised they haven’t torn down Nemo and put the Moana ride there. One random ocean experience traded for another. Is there room behind Nemo for an expansion for the Moana ride and they could make a mini Oceana land?

Mr. Sullivan12 days ago

USF isn’t horrible not but I do think it’s comfortably last place of the 7 Disney/Uni parks. It’s a in a bad state at the moment. Not even the attractions only, the park itself is not in good shape.

eddie10412 days ago

Because there a lot of things to like about the park’s current design that don’t necessarily need a full overhaul but maybe a few touch ups here and there. I can go into extreme detail about what I do to “improve” the main campus but rather not. Anyways this is not the USO thread I won’t be replying further concerning that topic. I actually agree with you but we all know F&F is a horrible attraction. Fallon and Minion are popular and get good guest scores. Not saying they don’t need replacements but I don’t think they are leaving anytime soon.

UNCgolf12 days ago

The park was better then in reasons beyond just the attraction lineup (although the attraction lineup was significantly better, the current attraction lineup at USF is lackluster at best). It's easily the worst park out any of the Universal or Disney parks in Orlando, even though Diagon Alley is fantastic. Most of what's good about the park today (again, Diagon Alley aside) are the underlying bones from when it actually was a good park. You honestly might be the first person I've heard suggest that the current version of USF doesn't need a major overhaul. And no, it has nothing to do with nostalgia. That's a cop out argument -- basically boils down to "I don't want to accept that someone could think differently than I do for legitimate reasons, so I'll just dismiss their opinion out of hand".

Disney Analyst12 days ago

The parks bones are still good, but the lineup inside is pretty … lacklustre. If Fallon, F&F, Minions (both of them) all closed tomorrow, I don’t think any tears would be shed.

MrHappy12 days ago

Just got back from 2 days USF, 3 days IoA. Flew in from CT. We chose not to give Disney our money this year, rather, take advantage of pre-Epic deals. There are definitely some pros and cons comparing to Disney. But as an admitted pixie duster, I was impressed. USF’s front was a little wonky, but Minion “land” is a nice strip. Dreamwork land was nice too. Whatever they do to Rip Ride, I’m sure will further add cohesion and energy. Disney better stop with the silly summertime discounts and get a clue.

TheMaxRebo12 days ago

Probably never happen but maybe they could do a stage show of Raya and the Last Dragon. While in a fictional land it is inspired by Southeast Asia so could connect it to the Asia part of AK and then could finally have Dragons represented like on the park logo

Gremlin Gus12 days ago

I was talking about the Tokyo Disneyland rumor of the ride, not the Disneyland Paris one. Though I agree with what you said with it being a moving theatre ride.

Fox&Hound12 days ago

Yes but the Up ride is literally a swings ride from a local amusement park or state fair. It is nothing special. Up should have a moving theatre ride that makes you feel like you are lifting up in the air and moving back and forth. Edit- I do think parks need more rides and A/B tickets at that but it is disappointing that Up’s first ride is so basic. Maybe with a little more theming it would seem better but the theming in the concept art is pretty bare.