Disney Files 3 New Permits for Tropical Americas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Permit Party in Paradise: Tropical Americas Takes a Major Step Forward at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Looks like things are heating up in the jungle—and not just because it’s summer in Florida! Walt Disney Imagineering has filed three new construction permits tied to the ambitious transformation of DinoLand U.S.A. into the all-new Tropical Americas land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. With work accelerating behind the construction walls, this is one more exciting step toward the land’s grand debut in 2027.

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What’s In the Permits?

The newly filed permits, stamped with the classic “General Construction and Area Improvement” label, come with a 12-month expiration timeline. They’re all assigned to Whiting-Turner Contracting Company—Disney’s go-to firm for big builds like this.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what these permits cover:

• Two permits apply to previously backstage areas of Animal Kingdom, now being pulled into the footprint of Tropical Americas.
• One permit is for the former Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures retail space, which officially closed in January 2025.

The Dino-Rama area has already bitten the dust (RIP Primeval Whirl, gone but not forgotten), and now those behind-the-scenes spaces are getting ready for their moment in the sun.

What’s Still Open (For Now)?

While construction continues, you can still catch a few last roars in DinoLand U.S.A. through the rest of 2025:

• DINOSAUR is still operating
• Restaurantosaurus is still serving up those theme park burgers
• The Boneyard will remain open until September 2, 2025, so let your little paleontologists dig in while they can

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What’s Coming to Tropical Americas?

Once complete, this tropical transformation will span 11 lush acres and bring two headliner attractions to the park:

• A ride-through adventure inspired by Encanto, giving fans the chance to step into the magical world of the Madrigal family
• A brand-new Indiana Jones experience that promises thrills worthy of the Temple of Doom

Disney has yet to reveal the full scope of these rides, but with two big IPs anchoring the land and construction shifting into high gear, it’s clear the park is set for one of its most immersive expansions yet.

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