Good morning from Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where the Tropical Americas project has hit two new milestones. As you’ll see in our photos below, the main entrance archway into Pueblo Esperanza is now taking shape. In addition, it looks like the magical Encanto Casita is now vertical after new steel has been installed. Here’s a look around!
Encanto Casita Goes Vertical at Tropical Americas
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- The main Pueblo Esperanza entrance archway is being assembled
- New vertical steel has been installed at the Encanto Casita site
- Hand-carved rockwork is also taking shape at a side entrance near Expedition Everest
Entrance Archway Takes Shape
We walked up from the bridge that connects Discovery Island to Tropical Americas. From there, we got a clear view of the galvanized steel archway rising above the construction wall. The A-frame structure marks the main entrance corridor into Pueblo Esperanza, as we reported when the clock tower and surrounding buildings began construction.
A crane and telehandler were actively at work on the archway during our visit. One steel beam was still hanging mid-lift from a cable as crews guided it into position. Behind the archway, we could see block walls and a wood-framed gable structure. A second crane worked further back on the site.
The archway sits directly in line with the path guests currently see from the Discovery Island bridge. A green wall bearing the “Tropical Americas” sign has stood at that spot for a while. Once complete, the frame should support the themed facade that greets guests as they walk in from the former DinoLand USA main entrance.
Away from the main entrance, artisans are hand-sculpting textured rockwork columns near a side entrance to Tropical Americas. That entrance sits closer to the Finding Nemo and Expedition Everest side of the park. The columns show the layered, chiseled texture typical of Disney’s faux-rock work.
Casita Steel Goes Vertical
Another notable milestone is that new vertical steel has gone up at the Encanto Casita site. We first reported vertical construction beginning on the Casita in May. At that point, we couldn’t tell whether the early steel and concrete forms were the base of the Casita itself or a retaining wall for the hill it will sit on. As it turns out, it was very likely the retaining wall for the hill. Crews just mounted the new steel columns on top of or over the retaining wall.
The steel rises near the large green show building that will house the Encanto attraction. It’s still very early in this construction phase, but we expect the Castia to become more recognizable over the next few months.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!