Bold claim: Disney’s Encanto project is moving from blueprint to backstage reality, as new interior details are being fitted inside the Animal Kingdom attraction. And this is where the story gets truly interesting... Walt Disney Imagineering has filed a fresh Notice of Commencement for set-element installation at the Encanto ride currently under construction in Disney’s Tropical Americas area. The permit identifies Scenario as the contractor and outlines work to install large-scale set pieces, props, and other atmospheric details inside the attraction’s building.
Although Scenario isn’t a frequent go-to for Disney Imagineering, the firm has previously contributed to the latest version of Test Track at EPCOT and specializes in show sets, animated and static figures, rockwork, architectural ornamentation, and scenic painting. This filing signals that the project has moved beyond structural work and into interior fit-out, where the decorative elements and storytelling assets are added to bring the experience to life.
What this means for guests: expect inside-the-ride elements that evoke Casita and the Madrigal family home, with environment details that immerse visitors in the Encanto universe as they journey to celebrate Antonio’s gift—the ability to talk to animals.
Progress on the main show building is already evident. The steel framework is in place, the roof is on, and teams are now focusing on the queue area at the front of the structure.
Tropical Americas represents Disney’s 11-acre expansion at Animal Kingdom, which also features a new Indiana Jones adventure set within a Mayan temple and a family-themed carousel. This land centers on Pueblo Esperanza, a Latin American-inspired town with an open-air market and a sizable quick-service restaurant.
The full land is slated to open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2027.
What are your thoughts on Encanto’s interior-set direction and how it might shape guest immersion? Do you think this approach could spark debate about how closely theme-park storytelling should mirror specific film worlds, or is it a welcome level of fidelity that enhances the experience? Share your views in the comments.
