Legendary former Walt Disney Imagineer and Disney Legend Joe Rohde, known as the primary creative force behind Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World, has revealed that he spent more than a decade attempting to bring a Tropical Americas-themed land to the park, including multiple proposals that would have dramatically transformed DinoLand U.S.A.
In a new social media post, Rohde shared that he and his team worked for 15 years to introduce the concept, with efforts continuing up until his retirement from Imagineering. According to Rohde, many of those design proposals involved gutting DinoLand U.S.A. to make room for the new land.
“For all my posting about the late great DinoLand, I do want to make something clear,” Rohde wrote. “Up until the day of my retirement, my team and I tried for fifteen years to get a Tropical America land into this park and many such design attempts involved gutting DinoLand to do it.”
Rohde explained that while the current version of the Tropical Americas project reflects some of the original motivations behind his earlier concepts, it was finalized after his retirement. He noted that he has only been able to view the new development periodically as a consultant and attributed the project’s eventual approval to shifting business priorities.
“This particular version continues certain of those motivations, but post-dates my career,” Rohde said. “The underlying business has changed in all those years so this version is a response to those new realities.”
Rohde emphasized that he would not reveal specific design details, saying it was the responsibility of the current Imagineering team to share information when appropriate. He also praised the team’s dedication, research, and attention to cultural detail.
“The level of research involved is excellent. The sophistication of the detail is excellent. Their commitment to the vision of the park is unwavering,” he wrote.
Addressing longtime fans of DinoLand U.S.A., Rohde reflected on the emotional connection guests have formed with the land over the years. He noted that while physical spaces may change, the memories created there endure.
“Parks exist to create memories. Dinoland created memories,” Rohde wrote. “Those memories still exist and they are the true product, not the property itself.”
Rohde also hinted at the depth of cultural storytelling in the upcoming land, pointing to concept art featuring a Maya pyramid. He suggested that fans of pre-Columbian cultures would find much to appreciate.
Looking ahead, the Tropical Americas land will bring several major additions to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Plans include an Encanto-themed attraction, an Indiana Jones-themed ride that will replace the now-closed DINOSAUR attraction, a carousel, and additional themed experiences and offerings.
For all my posting about the late great DinoLand, I do want to make something clear.
Up until the day of my retirement, my team and I tried for fifteen years to get a Tropical America land into this park and many such design attempts involved gutting DinoLand to do it.
This particular version continues certain of those motivations, but post-dates my career, and I’ve only been able to see it as a consultant now and again, but I congratulate the team on finally being able to lock a deal, which I was not. The underlying business has changed in all those years so this version is a response to those new realities, just as the previous versions were responding to theirs.
It is not my place to steal the thunder from the team by leaking, hinting or otherwise giving away what that design is. It is theirs to reveal as they choose.
But I can vouch for the team itself, some of whom I have known for decades as veterans of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and others whom I’ve come to know more recently. They are excellent. The level of research involved is excellent. The sophistication of the detail is excellent. Their commitment to the vision of the park is unwavering. And just as it always is…the work is hard. The path to excellence is neither smooth nor straight nor level. But these Imagineers are devoted to the task.
Parks exist to create memories. Dinoland created memories. Those memories still exist and they are the true product, not the property itself. The new land will create more memories and they too will be treasured. It may have to find its own audience and that audience may be distinct from Dino-aficionados. But, as for depth and quality…it is there…for example, if you take one look at even the impressionistic early representation of the Maya pyramid on the D23 model or the marketing rendering, and you are a fan of precolumbian cultures…well…if ya know, ya know.
– Joe Rohde, Disney Legend and former Imagineer
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