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

23 days 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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Nickm20221 day ago

I find the mayan playground area so interesting because 1. That sounds so cool and well positioned I don't know why Disney hasn't released concept art for it and 2. It could be food carts or something else like show. Personally I've been saying move the UP bird show here

Disstevefan11 day ago

Oh good. You had me worried.

lentesta1 day ago

It is. But Disney drew it differently in the two separate SFWMD filings, so I think it's going to be fully covered.

lentesta1 day ago

Upper left corner. :P

Trueblood1 day ago

I'm a little disappointed that there are no featured animals, and "Tropical Americas" ecology will likely only be represented in the attraction queues, if at all. At least you could squint really hard and see the conservation message in Pandora, this... they have some work to do.

Disstevefan11 day ago

Its about time since Primeval Whirl has been closed since 2019....

Gusey1 day ago

I think that the part labelled "New Indy Covered/Indoor Queue" is the Dinosaur extended queue? It just hasn't been used much in the past

MisterPenguin1 day ago

Where's the DVC kiosk?

lentesta1 day ago

I did a blog post that looked at the SFWMD filings for Tropical Americas, and then made some educated guesses about where and what everything is. Here's the end result map:

Starship8241 day ago

They aren't wasting any time with this project I guess.

Fox&Hound1 day ago

Yay!! Let’s get this thing started :)

sedati2 days ago

Exciting, though the sample more resembles the rock-work at Everest than anything we're expecting at Tropical Americas. In fact, the only new rock-work shown so far is some lush mountain backdrops on top of the Encanto show-building. Could this just be for training, or something else entirely? The mock ups done previously were never so large but did accurately reflect what was coming.

gerarar2 days ago

Trailers/offices now on site and a theme test wall in progress. Source and more:

GoofGoof9 days ago

I feel the same. I was at DLR shortly after Galaxy’s Edge opened (without Rise). I was still happy to see the new land and ride MF but it was disappointing that the headliner wasn’t open. I do think that if part of the land is ready by the start of the Summer and the rest won’t be done until Fall it will probably open in phases. If it’s a few months difference in off times maybe all at once. Disney also probably wouldn’t want people delaying a trip to wait for the land to open. That happened some with Star Wars and was a bigger deal for Universal in the year before each Harry Potter land opened. Maybe this is too minor an addition to move the needle. The Potter lands and SW were much more anticipated.