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

Oct 28, 2024 in "Tropical Americas"

Gallery / 3 Photos
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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ToTBellHop2 hours ago

Do it for the yeti!

cjkeating3 hours ago

The blurry pics make it seem even more dramaitc!

gerarar19 hours ago

Just to follow up on this, and looks like I was just beat by BlogMickey...but the alioramus AA is back as of today 12/20 and is looking better than ever! AK was my first stop of the day during this short weekend trip, especially to get a couple rides on Dinosaur, but this was a pleasant surprise. As previously stated, it now bobs up and down again, as if it's eating the smaller dino, restoring near to its original intended motion. Besides that, I can visually confirm the 2nd carnotaurus is chasing again as previously reported, and man it looks good. Actually the entire ride is looking well now...the best in years (maybe dating back to 2019 or earlier). The meteor shower has a few new red lights which adds to the ambiance. So glad (one of) my favorite ride isn't going down without a fight before its final extinction. Kudos to the maintenance & other teams involved with restoring these aged AAs and other effects throughout the ride. And now here's a blurry capture from my ride earlier. #SaveDinosaur....plz

mickEblu20 hours ago

Ah yes Henry Mystic, the insideriest insider to ever inside.

EagleScout61020 hours ago

https://blogmickey.com/2024/12/alioramus-fixed-dinosaur-ride/ On a positive note...

dennis-in-ct21 hours ago

Hopper seemed ok

cjkeating23 hours ago

Was Hopper working?

dennis-in-ct1 day ago

I would like to mention “tough to be a bug” as this attraction is part of the upcoming planned Animal Kingdom changes (along with Encanto, and Indiana Jones). We visited last week so we could enjoy the Christmas holidays and say goodbye to attractions that are to be revamped. Tough to be a bug was in bad shape. The effects were not working - no air jets, stinger, bugs exiting the theater under your butt, spiders only partially worked. Extra fog used to cover up the broken effects. As a fan of the show, I now wish I did not have this as my last experience. Same feeling I had when we rode Splash before it closed. Splash was a shell of its former self. Riding the new Tiana’s was better than I expected. There is a real lack of show scenes but the new figures are impressive. I hope the new Zootopia overlay comes out a winner.

Brer Panther2 days ago

From my understanding, they swapped out the game in 2010 because Bo Peep wasn't in Toy Story 3.

ToTBellHop2 days ago

I recall Disney talking about the option for overlays when the ride opened. I guess they got lazy?

dennis-in-ct2 days ago

What happened to seasonal overlays for Toy Story? There was talk (probably just on the boards-not official) that switching out the graphics for Halloween, Christmas, etc could easily add to the experience. We rode it last week at Hollywood Studios and the film seemed dim. It felt like it could use a little love.

lentesta2 days ago

My guess is Encanto is much farther along in planning than Indy. We might know more by end of March-ish?

Blobbles2 days ago

before the closure was announced, I always thought a Muppet*Vision Christmas special could've been really fun, especially with the rise of jollywood nights.