New Aerial Photos Reveal Site Preparation for Tropical Americas Land at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Oct 14, 2024 in "Tropical Americas"

Gallery / 1 Photo
Tropical Americas Concept Art

Posted: Monday October 14, 2024 10:52am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

New aerial photos from @bioreconstruct reveal significant site preparation underway for the Walt Disney Imagineering trailer compound to support the construction of Disney's Animal Kingdom's upcoming Tropical Americas land.

The photos show extensive land clearing and utility work behind Kali River Rapids, marking the first visible steps in the much-anticipated transformation of the park.

Imagineering Trailer Compound

Walt Disney Imagineering recently filed several Notices of Commencement related to the Tropical Americas expansion. The most recent filing, assigned to Modular Building Systems International, details the installation of trailers at the back of the park. These types of facilities are standard for large-scale construction projects at Disney parks. Similar temporary compounds were used during the Fantasyland redevelopment at Magic Kingdom and the creation of Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

The trailer compound will serve as a hub for the teams working on the redevelopment of DinoLand U.S.A.

Disney's Animal Kingdom WDI Trailer Compound Permit

Encanto and Indiana Jones Transform DinoLand U.S.A.

During the D23 Fan Event in 2023, Disney revealed that the new experiences in this area would draw from Encanto, the Academy Award-winning animated film, and the beloved Indiana Jones franchise. The land will replace the entire DinoLand U.S.A. area, with Indiana Jones taking over the existing DINOSAUR ride, and Encanto set to reimagine the Dino-Rama section.

Tropical Americas Concept Model

Bruce Vaughn, head of Imagineering, shared insights into the vision for this new land:

"Imagine a land filled with authentic experiences from this part of the world. With all of the placemaking and storytelling you'd expect. It's a beautiful region to explore and has been the inspiration for so many magical stories over the years. We're looking forward to bringing all of that to life."

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.

eddie1043 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.