Former Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde has revealed a carved wooden map at Tiffins Restaurant in Disney's Animal Kingdom that has hinted at the upcoming Tropical Americas land for nearly 10 years. Created in 2015 and installed in 2016, the map depicts a Maya temple resembling the one planned for a new Indiana Jones attraction opening in 2027. This detail underscores the long-term planning behind Disney's theme park developments.
The revelation came during Rohde's recent visit to Walt Disney World, where he shared a video of the map, which shows locations visited by imaginary Disney scientists. The artwork, crafted by Balinese artisans, includes a Maya temple in the Tropical Americas region that matches concept art for the Indiana Jones ride, set to repurpose the former DINOSAUR track in a Maya temple setting. Rohde noted that such permanent installations require 'betting on some futures,' as carved wood cannot be easily updated.
Rohde has advocated for Tropical Americas for 15 years, predating the map's creation. The land, announced in 2024 as a replacement for DinoLand U.S.A.—which opened in 1998—began construction soon after. Key closures included the Boneyard playground on September 1, 2025, and DINOSAUR on February 1, 2026. The new area, opening in 2027, will feature lush rainforests, attractions, dining, and environments inspired by Central and South American settings.
Major attractions include the Indiana Jones ride, transforming the dinosaur adventure into an archaeological journey, and an Encanto-themed ride with original story content by filmmaker Jared Bush, extending interactions with the Madrigal family. A large-scale model in the Walt Disney Presents gallery previews curved paths, vegetation, a Pueblo Esperanza plaza with a fountain, and a carousel with hand-carved Disney animal figures.
Construction progress shows vertical work on the Encanto attraction, with steel beams and excavation visible in October aerial photos. Guests at Animal Kingdom can observe walls and equipment in the former DinoLand area, building on the success of Pandora: The World of Avatar to emphasize conservation and storytelling. This Easter egg highlights Imagineers' multi-year timelines, where ideas percolate for over a decade before realization.
