PHOTOS - Latest look at the Discovery Island construction at Disney's Animal Kingdom

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Discovery Island expansion

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Posted: Friday August 29, 2014 12:31p EDT by WDWMAGIC Staff

Today we have an updated look at the construction progress taking place on Discovery Island at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Construction walls surround much of the Tree of Life area, and work is continuing on the new animal exhibit near the Outfitters store. Expect to see a lot more walls up next week as work begins on the seating areas in Asia and DinoLand for the upcoming Rivers of Light show.

Click the gallery for more photos.

Discovery Island construction walls

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mikehDec 20, 2016

I remember only encountering ropes for the Garden until recently. That said, you're spot on about the path next to the river. That's been open for some time now.

Next Big ThingDec 20, 2016

I thought it was the ToL Garden as well, but I guess now that I think about it I can't fully confirm that and I may be misremembering.

mikehDec 20, 2016

Even the Tree of Life Garden? I believe it was just the trails that ran around the back side of the tree closest to the river, not the front.

Next Big ThingDec 20, 2016

It's worth noting this has been open since before Thanksgiving. But it still took forever.

EPCOTCenterLoverDec 19, 2016

DAK is such a beautiful park!

Cesar R MDec 19, 2016

I wonder the same.. This means they finally finished fixing the "leaves"and "branches" of the tree.. right?

RSoxNo1Dec 19, 2016

Great to see. I know the entrance by Africa recently opened, was this area not open yet?

EPCOTCenterLoverDec 19, 2016

Looks like no more wooden structures with netting. Is that right?

WDWtravelerDec 19, 2016

Photo update as of Sunday, Dec 18. The Discovery Island Trail around the front side of the Tree of Life has reopened. The trail begins behind the Tree of Life Garden sign and ends behind the character kiosk near the entrance to It's Tough to be a Bug. Closed for a LONG time, this is the trail that winds above the It's Tough to be a Bug queue, past the kangaroo exhibit (as reported earlier, they are back), and under the waterfall seen from the Discovery Island plaza. The wooden supports and netting over portions of the It's Tough to be a Bug queue are still in place.

RSoxNo1Oct 30, 2016

Closest I can find for closures of the Discovery Islands trails was December 19th. It would seem the Tree of Life Exhibits also closed on or around the same day. Can anyone else confirm? http://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/avatar-continues-going-up-more-seating-arrives-at-rivers-of-light-and-netting-around-the-tree-of-life-comes-down-as-discovery-island-trails-temporarily-close/

djkidkazOct 30, 2016

Anyone know what was actually done? It was under refurb for quite a long time. Also, did they open that new path behind the tree of life yet? I think it's an alternate exit when the bugs life lets out so you can go towards Africa if you want.