Encanto Ride Original Cast Confirmed as Attraction’s Audio Recording Nears Completion

Hey Disney Vacationers! Work on the Encanto ride for Disney’s Animal Kingdom is moving along, and we just got a big behind-the-scenes update straight from the film’s director. Even better, it directly confirms what many fans were hoping to hear about the Encanto ride original cast.

Quick Summary

• What’s happening: Audio recording for the Encanto ride is almost complete
• Who shared it: Encanto director and co-writer Jared Bush
• Big takeaway: The attraction will feature newly recorded dialogue from the original voice cast
• Where: Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Tropical Americas expansion
• Opening timeframe: 2027

Almost done recording our entire original cast. Being back in the booth with everyone is the absolute best!

— Jared Bush (@thejaredbush) December 13, 2025

Original Encanto Cast Recording New Audio

Work on the Encanto ride for Disney’s Animal Kingdom continues to move forward, and this week we got an important confirmation straight from the source.

Jared Bush, director and co-writer of Encanto, shared an update on X confirming the attraction is in the final stretch of audio recording.

“Almost done recording our entire original cast. Being back in the booth with everyone is the absolute best!”

That short post confirms two huge things. First, the Encanto ride will feature newly recorded dialogue, not reused lines from the film. Second, Disney brought back the full original voice cast specifically for the attraction.

For anyone wondering whether the Encanto ride original cast would return, this answers that question loud and clear.

Full List of Returning Encanto Cast Members

Disney has confirmed that the following actors are recording new audio for the attraction:

• Stephanie Beatriz as Mirabel
• María Cecilia Botero as Abuela Alma
• John Leguizamo as Bruno
• Diane Guerrero as Isabela
• Jessica Darrow as Luisa
• Angie Cepeda as Julieta
• Carolina Gaitán as Pepa
• Mauro Castillo as Félix
• Adassa as Dolores
• Rhenzy Feliz as Camilo
• Wilmer Valderrama as Agustín

That’s essentially the entire Madrigal family returning, which is not something Disney does casually.

What New Audio Means for the Encanto Ride

Newly recorded dialogue usually points to more than just familiar voices. It strongly suggests a new story written specifically for the attraction.

Most signs already pointed to the Encanto ride being a unique experience rather than a scene-by-scene retelling of the movie. This update reinforces that idea. Disney wouldn’t bring back this many actors just to repeat lines fans already know by heart.

Instead, guests should expect an original storyline that expands on the Encanto world in a way that only works as a theme park attraction.

Construction Progress at Tropical Americas

This audio update lines up with visible progress at Animal Kingdom.

At the Tropical Americas expansion site, the Encanto ride show building has officially started vertical construction. The project is clearly moving beyond early groundwork and into major structural development.

The Encanto attraction will open alongside a second major ride themed to Indiana Jones. Both attractions are currently scheduled to debut in 2027 as part of the largest expansion Animal Kingdom has seen in years.

My Thoughts

At the time of writing, Disney has not officially announced an Encanto sequel. That’s what makes this update even more interesting.

Typically, Disney only brings original casts back for new attraction audio when a sequel is also in production. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is a great example, with ride audio recorded around the start of work on the third film.

That doesn’t appear to be the case here, which tells me Disney is placing a lot of importance on this attraction.

Bringing together a cast this large to record new dialogue is not easy. Doing so shows a clear desire to stay true to the movie while also delivering something fresh. New audio also means a new storyline, which confirms this won’t just be a retelling of Encanto.

Personally, I’ll take a new story over a recycled one every time. Familiar characters in a brand-new experience is always a win, and it feels like Disney understands how important this ride will be for Animal Kingdom’s future.

As construction continues and more details are revealed, this Encanto attraction is shaping up to be one of the most story-driven additions Disney has announced in years. With the original cast back in the booth and progress happening on-site, 2027 can’t come soon enough.

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Meet the Author: Nate Bishop

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