We have new photos from the Tropical Americas construction site at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Crews are now installing wood roof trusses atop the woodcarver carousel building, using a crane to lift the carved, dark-stained beams into place. Workers then bolt each truss to a ring of steel columns radiating out from a central support post, giving us our best look yet at the finished roofline’s shape. In the background, Encanto’s mountain range facade is also taking shape. Here’s a look around from our recent visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom!
Tropical Americas Carousel Roof Trusses Now Being Installed at Animal Kingdom
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- Wood roof trusses are being installed atop the carousel building’s steel frame
- The carved beam ends and radiating layout match previously released concept art
- Encanto’s mountain range facade is visible taking shape in the background
Woodcarver Carousel Roof Trusses Take Shape
On a recent visit to the Tropical Americas construction site, we watched crews use a crane to lift long, dark-stained wood trusses into position. Each truss has a carved, scalloped end. The beams radiate outward from a central steel support column. A smaller vertical post caps that column, likely intended for a finial or roof ornament once the structure is complete.
The trusses rest atop painted steel beams that form the underlying ring structure. Red safety tags and temporary wood shims still mark several connection points as crews continue fastening the trusses into place. We can see multiple rows of trusses at different stages of installation.
Matching the Concept Art
The radiating wood beam layout lines up with official Disney concept art for the carousel. That art depicts a pagoda-style roof with ornately carved wood columns and hanging lanterns. The scale model of Tropical Americas on display at Disney’s Hollywood Studios also shows the carousel as an octagonal building with a similar peaked roof. It sits where the Boneyard playground used to be, near the main entrance of the land.
We first saw the carousel’s steel frame go vertical back in April. That came a month after crews poured the concrete for the ride’s base. The installation of wood trusses marks the next visible step toward the finished roofline shown in concept art.
In the distance beyond the carousel, we can also see continued progress on the Encanto attraction’s exterior mountain range facade. Crews have wrapped wire mesh “chips” over structural steel framing along the top of the show building, forming the undulating silhouette that rockwork and greenery will eventually cover. Scaffolding remains in place around most of the visible mountain sections as that work continues.
Story So Far
- Disney officially broke ground on the Tropical Americas project in January 2025
- The carousel’s concrete base was poured in March 2026
- The carousel’s steel frame went vertical in April 2026
- We got a detailed look at one of the carousel’s carved ride vehicles at the 2024 D23 Expo
The wood roof trusses are one of the most visually significant milestones yet for the carousel building, and we’ll continue to update you as construction on the roof and the rest of Tropical Americas continues. Tropical Americas is set to open in 2027 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, replacing the former DinoLand USA.
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!