Credit: Erica Lauren Inside the Magic
The Disney theme parks are constantly evolving, often in ways that guests overlook. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, known for its adventurous exploration, updates reflect significant changes. The Adventurers Outpost, located on Discovery Island, features Mickey and Minnie Mouse in safari attire, embodying the park’s spirit.
Credit: Erica Lauren Inside the Magic
Recently, the backdrop previously showcasing DinoLand U.S.A. with a skeletal brachiosaurus has been updated to depict Tropical Americas, the new land set to open in 2027. This change signals the end of DinoLand U.S.A., which will officially close when DINOSAUR operates its last day on February 1, 2026, marking a new chapter for the park.
DinoLand U.S.A. Disappears From the Map
The tapestry-like backdrop at Adventurers Outpost previously featured a skeletal brachiosaurus representing DinoLand U.S.A. among the visual references to Animal Kingdom’s various lands. That dinosaur imagery has been removed and replaced with a representation of Tropical Americas, specifically featuring an image of Casita from Encanto, referencing the attraction currently under construction as part of the new land.
This change transforms the Adventurers Outpost backdrop from a map reflecting Animal Kingdom’s current configuration into one anticipating its imminent future, officially acknowledging Tropical Americas as the park’s next chapter before the land has even opened its gates to guests.
What the Disney Map Now Shows
The updated backdrop continues referencing Discovery Island, Africa, and Asia while adding Tropical Americas to replace the DinoLand U.S.A. representation. The Encanto Casita imagery serves as the visual anchor for the new land, connecting the backdrop to the signature attraction under construction that will become Tropical Americas’ centerpiece experience.
Guests meeting Mickey and Minnie at Adventurers Outpost will now encounter this updated visual landscape behind the characters, creating a subtle introduction to what Animal Kingdom is becoming rather than what it currently represents in its transitional state, with construction walls and closed attractions occupying significant portions of the park.
The Adventurers Outpost Experience
Adventurers Outpost remains one of the few locations across Walt Disney World where guests can meet Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse together simultaneously. The meet-and-greet area features safari-themed character costumes that reflect Animal Kingdom’s adventure and exploration identity, rather than the standard character outfits guests encounter at other Disney parks.
While waiting in line, guests can view photographs displayed along the queue showcasing Mickey and Minnie’s various adventures, building anticipation for the character interaction and keeping them entertained during wait times. The actual meet-and-greet space features a tapestry backdrop that now references Tropical Americas, creating visual continuity between the adventure narrative and Animal Kingdom’s evolving geographic identity.
Tropical Americas Details
Tropical Americas will replace DinoLand U.S.A. and celebrate the landscapes and stories of Central and South America when it opens in 2027. The land will feature multiple new experiences, including an Encanto attraction serving as the signature ride, an Indiana Jones attraction reimagining DINOSAUR’s ride system with completely new theming and storyline, a wood-carved animal carousel inspired by classic Disney films, and the village of Pueblo Esperanza with a central fountain plaza.
Credit: Disney
Construction has progressed visibly, with the Encanto show building reaching the vertical phase, steel framing forming the structure that will house the attraction. Disney has filed permits revealing details of the playground and additional land components, demonstrating tangible progress toward the 2027 opening.
The Significance of Disney Removing DinoLand U.S.A.
Replacing DinoLand U.S.A. on the Adventurers Outpost backdrop represents more than cosmetic updating. The change acknowledges that DinoLand U.S.A. no longer exists as a functioning part of Animal Kingdom’s identity, even while some might argue the land technically still operates until its final attractions close.
Credit: Erica Lauren Inside the Magic
Disney updating park-wide references to reflect Tropical Americas before the new land opens demonstrates confidence in the transformation timeline and commitment to establishing Tropical Americas as Animal Kingdom’s next major identity component.
DINOSAUR’s Final Day
February 1, 2026, represents DINOSAUR’s final operating day, with the attraction closing permanently on February 2 to begin the Indiana Jones transformation. Restaurantosaurus also closes permanently after February 1, completing the end of DinoLand U.S.A. as a functioning theme park land.
The Adventurers Outpost backdrop change coincides with these final closures, creating visual acknowledgment of the transition happening in real time as guests experience Animal Kingdom during this historic period between eras.
Disney Guest Experience During Transition
Guests visiting Animal Kingdom during early 2026 will encounter a park caught between identities, with construction walls occupying DinoLand U.S.A.’s former space while references throughout the park gradually shift toward acknowledging Tropical Americas. The Adventurers Outpost backdrop change represents the kind of subtle environmental storytelling Disney employs throughout its parks, updating details that collectively communicate the park’s direction without requiring formal announcements.
For observant guests, the Tropical Americas reference on the meet-and-greet backdrop offers a small but meaningful glimpse of what Animal Kingdom is becoming, transforming a routine character meet-and-greet into an unexpected preview of the park’s future identity.