Disney Files Key Permit for Tropical Americas Expansion at Animal Kingdom, Detailing Site Demolition Plan

2 hours ago in "Tropical Americas"

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Tropical Americas Permit and Site Demolition Plan - October 2024

Posted: Monday October 28, 2024 12:45pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has taken a significant step forward in transforming Dinoland U.S.A. at Animal Kingdom, filing a key permit with the South Florida Water Management District for the first phase of the Tropical Americas expansion, also known as Project Ro.

The permit includes a detailed site demolition plan, outlining which areas of Dinoland U.S.A. will be removed to make way for the new land's first attractions.

Site Demolition Plan

Demolition Details in Phase One

The permit's site demolition plan reveals the first areas set for removal, focusing on Chester & Hester's Dino-Rama, including its carnival-style Fossil Fun Games, the TriceraTop Spin ride, and the Chester & Hester's Dinosaur Treasures gift shop. The removal of these attractions is a first step in preparing for Tropical Americas, which will introduce new themed areas inspired by the vibrant cultures and rich ecosystems of Central and South America.

Pre and Post Development - Pervious and Impervious Areas

Preparing for Tropical Americas

Project Ro's filing marks a key milestone towards the start of work on Tropical Americas, a land that will bring all-new new experiences, including the first-ever "Encanto"-themed attraction, and an entirely new Indiana Jones adventure. This new attraction will take guests on an archaeological journey through a recently uncovered Maya temple, with Indiana Jones leading the way as they search for a mysterious creature rumored to inhabit the temple's depths.

The permit also addresses environmental impacts and measures to protect surrounding areas during the project, which aligns with Disney's commitment to maintaining Animal Kingdom's focus on conservation.

Tropical Americas Concept Model

The first wave of closures will take place in January 2025, with the final day for guests to experience TriceraTop Spin, the Fossil Fun Games, and the charming shop Chester & Hester's Dinosaur Treasures set for January 12, 2025.

While much of the Dino-Rama area will be closing, several DinoLand attractions will remain open, at least for now. DINOSAUR, The Boneyard, Restaurantosaurus, Dino-Bite Snacks, and Trilo-Bites will still be available to visitors until later in 2025.

The entire Tropical Americas land slated to open in 2027.

Tropical Americas Concept Art

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J45464 minutes ago

the lion king land in DAW looksl ike it will be all indoors. maybe something kinda like TLM land in Tokyo with a bunch of smaller rides and 1 large one

PizzaPlanet16 minutes ago

One of the reasons it’s better that Moana didn’t happen here. Even if we get a version of Lion King down the road, I wouldn’t be shocked if it was adapted to be fully indoors. Too much of the park has to close for storms!

J454620 minutes ago

well, a playground is cool too, I do think all the parks should have playgrounds in them

ToTBellHop29 minutes ago

I don’t think it’s happening, unfortunately. Play scape instead.

JD8030 minutes ago

Meet and greet if I had to guess.

J454633 minutes ago

i hope theres an animal exhibit

Disnutz31136 minutes ago

After studying the permit set, I am going with the following...

doctornick44 minutes ago

What is this building which I circled in red? It is there now and has a path still leading to it in the "after" drawing. Is it just a backstage building of some sort?

doctornick48 minutes ago

There's still the wide central pathway. Is that not going to be a way to approach the building and you would have to go to the right (when facing the ride) to go to the queue?

ToTBellHop1 hour ago

The move to having two more covered rides (1 climate controlled) will certainly be appreciated. Remember when we were excited when they opened Everest with one air-conditioned room in the queue?

JD801 hour ago

I did a thing.

JD801 hour ago

Oh wow. The comparison shot is extremely detailed.

Starship8241 hour ago

If I'm not mistaken that big blue box to the right in the second image will be Encanto show building correct? Cause that's very big.

Coaster Lover1 hour ago

Agreed! Lots of interesting details. Just some I noted: Looks like the covered outdoor walk way for Dinosaurs/Indy may be fully enclosed (temple like entrance like DL?) Someone better at overlays than I could accurately measure out the Encanto show building (appears to be roughly similar in size to eth Indy/Dinosaurs show building) I assume that the blue square next to the Encanto show building is the Casita facade, but it's interesting that it seems to not be directly connected to the Encanto Show building... possibly keeping it separated as a meet-n-greet space? (due to issues with multiple attractions housed in a single show building like they have had with Fop and NRJ?) Given how minimal outdoor queue there is for Encanto, and the fact that it looks like the Lightning Lane enters the building at a different place than the Stand-By, seems there may be a decent amount of indoor (themed?) queue for Encanto (hopefully on at least the level of Ratatouille). Likely that whole triangle shaped wedge at the top of the building is queue/load?