Joe Rohde Points to 2015 Tiffins Carving That Foreshadowed Animal Kingdom's Tropical Americas
Rohde's post spotlights in-park evidence of yearslong planning behind Animal Kingdom's Tropical Americas project.
Overview
- Rohde shared video from Tiffins showing a 2015 Balinese-carved map that features a Maya temple in the Tropical Americas region.
- He said the permanent artwork required Imagineers to "bet on some futures," aligning with his roughly 15-year push for a Tropical Americas concept.
- Disney announced Tropical Americas at D23 in 2024, and DinoLand, U.S.A. closed in early February 2026 as the site transitions to the new land.
- Plans call for an Indiana Jones attraction set within a Maya temple, with the temple design resembling the structure depicted on the Tiffins map.
- Construction activity is underway, including visible vertical work for the Encanto attraction, with Disney targeting a 2027 debut for the land.