Tropical Americas Expansion Ramps Up Ahead of D23 Expo

Tropical Americas, a major expansion project at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom, is making rapid progress. With the 2026 D23 Expo just around the corner, fans are eagerly anticipating new details and potentially even opening dates.

The latest photos show significant construction milestones, including the removal of the tower crane that has been dominating the site since September 2025. This marks a major step forward in the project's vertical construction phase.

The Madrigal Casita, inspired by Disney's Encanto, is taking shape and appears to be larger than initially thought. The structure, which will be a freestanding element rather than a facade on a show building, is expected to be fully framed within the next couple of weeks.

The addition of themed rockwork above the construction walls is an encouraging sign that work is progressing as planned. This detail-oriented aspect of the project underscores that the village area of Tropical Americas is further along than the Encanto portion.