Disney Files Permit for Contractor Lot to Support Tropical Americas Expansion at Animal Kingdom

Feb 03, 2025 in "Tropical Americas"

Gallery / 2 Photos
Tropical Americas Contractor Lot Permit

Posted: Monday February 3, 2025 9:45am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has filed a new permit application with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) for the development of a 10 acre contractor lot at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The DAK Contractor Lot is proposed as an infrastructure project to support the ongoing construction of the Tropical Americas expansion, which is replacing Dinoland U.S.A.

Tropical Americas Contractor Lot Permit

The permit details infrastructure improvements in an undeveloped area between Disney's Animal Kingdom and Western Way, near the Walt Disney World Horticulture department. The project includes:

Contractor parking
Sidewalks
Stormwater treatment systems
Drainage collection and conveyance systems

Tropical Americas Contractor Lot Permit

This new lot is expected to provide necessary facilities for construction crews working on the large-scale transformation of Animal Kingdom. The Tropical Americas project, which will bring new attractions themed to Encanto and Indiana Jones, recently saw the closure of Dino-Rama as part of its first phase.

Triceratop Spin and Dinosaur Treasures Removal - January 30, 2025

With permit activity ramping up, visible progress on Tropical Americas is likely to increase in the coming months. Disney is yet to provide an opening timeline, but we expect to see the project unveiled to guests in 2027.

Tropical Americas Concept Art

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monothingie1 day ago

In just mere months we may have a functional temporary contractor parking lot. Take that Epic Universe!!!

wdwmagic1 day ago

Tropical Americas Progress: New Contractor Lot Approved at Disney's Animal Kingdom https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/tropical-americas/news/13may2025-tropical-americas-progress-new-contractor-lot-approved-at-disneys-animal-kingdom.htm

Disstevefan12 days ago

While I agree with most of this post, what Disney did to Future world, specifically trading the fountain of nations for that ugly planter with broken ground lighting and the stupid rust finish all over the place is the worst in my opinion.

Gremlin Gus2 days ago

Not really, there isn't too much space there to make it a mini-land of sorts. Though I can see Disney maybe considering the Northern Expansion plot as an Oceania land as there is the space to do it and there is three big IP's that do fit Oceania well enough (Moana, Lilo and Stitch, and Finding Nemo)

threvester2 days ago

you hear the songs on the attraction and then again in a show.......no thanks...1 encanto thing is more than enough

RosR92 days ago

I’m surprised they haven’t torn down Nemo and put the Moana ride there. One random ocean experience traded for another. Is there room behind Nemo for an expansion for the Moana ride and they could make a mini Oceana land?

Mr. Sullivan2 days ago

USF isn’t horrible not but I do think it’s comfortably last place of the 7 Disney/Uni parks. It’s a in a bad state at the moment. Not even the attractions only, the park itself is not in good shape.

eddie1042 days ago

Because there a lot of things to like about the park’s current design that don’t necessarily need a full overhaul but maybe a few touch ups here and there. I can go into extreme detail about what I do to “improve” the main campus but rather not. Anyways this is not the USO thread I won’t be replying further concerning that topic. I actually agree with you but we all know F&F is a horrible attraction. Fallon and Minion are popular and get good guest scores. Not saying they don’t need replacements but I don’t think they are leaving anytime soon.

UNCgolf3 days ago

The park was better then in reasons beyond just the attraction lineup (although the attraction lineup was significantly better, the current attraction lineup at USF is lackluster at best). It's easily the worst park out any of the Universal or Disney parks in Orlando, even though Diagon Alley is fantastic. Most of what's good about the park today (again, Diagon Alley aside) are the underlying bones from when it actually was a good park. You honestly might be the first person I've heard suggest that the current version of USF doesn't need a major overhaul. And no, it has nothing to do with nostalgia. That's a cop out argument -- basically boils down to "I don't want to accept that someone could think differently than I do for legitimate reasons, so I'll just dismiss their opinion out of hand".

Disney Analyst3 days ago

The parks bones are still good, but the lineup inside is pretty … lacklustre. If Fallon, F&F, Minions (both of them) all closed tomorrow, I don’t think any tears would be shed.

MrHappy3 days ago

Just got back from 2 days USF, 3 days IoA. Flew in from CT. We chose not to give Disney our money this year, rather, take advantage of pre-Epic deals. There are definitely some pros and cons comparing to Disney. But as an admitted pixie duster, I was impressed. USF’s front was a little wonky, but Minion “land” is a nice strip. Dreamwork land was nice too. Whatever they do to Rip Ride, I’m sure will further add cohesion and energy. Disney better stop with the silly summertime discounts and get a clue.

TheMaxRebo3 days ago

Probably never happen but maybe they could do a stage show of Raya and the Last Dragon. While in a fictional land it is inspired by Southeast Asia so could connect it to the Asia part of AK and then could finally have Dragons represented like on the park logo

Gremlin Gus3 days ago

I was talking about the Tokyo Disneyland rumor of the ride, not the Disneyland Paris one. Though I agree with what you said with it being a moving theatre ride.

Fox&Hound3 days ago

Yes but the Up ride is literally a swings ride from a local amusement park or state fair. It is nothing special. Up should have a moving theatre ride that makes you feel like you are lifting up in the air and moving back and forth. Edit- I do think parks need more rides and A/B tickets at that but it is disappointing that Up’s first ride is so basic. Maybe with a little more theming it would seem better but the theming in the concept art is pretty bare.