Disney Shares New Details on the Animal Kingdom Expansion

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Animal Kingdom Expansion

Disney Shares New Details on the Animal Kingdom Expansion

At the D23 Expo this year, Disney announced a possible Animal Kingdom Expansion. Dinoland U.S.A. will be getting a significant retheming. Some possibilities were teased but nothing specific was shared. While Walt Disney Imagineering creates and prepares whatever is coming to that area, animal caretakers prepare the animals at the park for the expansion.

Related – New Merry Menagerie Polar Bear And Penguin Plush Puppets Available At Animal Kingdom!

CinemaBlend recently spoke with Disney’s Director of Animal and Science Operations, Dr. Scott Terrell. A theme park that houses both loud rides, as well as animals, can be complex to run. While Terrell wouldn’t share any specifics regarding the changes coming to Dinoland U.S.A., he explained that his team is involved in all new plans for the park.

“I will very much avoid that topic, but anything that happens in this park, and [The Dinoland Plans] would be no exception, my animal and science team is involved from day one, with the Imagineers, with the entertainment team… We’re just automatically at the table. It’s not like I have to even ask, my partners reach out to me and say ‘Hey, we’re starting something new, can somebody from your team be there?’”


Disney has a strong “animals first” mentality. Any time a significant change is planned, someone from the Animal and Science team is present. That helps prevent any major changes needing to be made to new attractions or entertainment after they are installed. The team already knows what will or won’t be a problem for the animals.

Disney Shares New Details on the Animal Kingdom Expansion

When Pandora – The World of Avatar was under construction, some animals were temporarily relocated. Not because of the attractions, but because of the sounds and vibrations caused by the construction.

Terrell explained, “I actually have scientists on my team that study sound levels and light levels and even, when we were building Pandora The World of Avatar, we studied seismic activity during the construction and actually moved animals away from the construction for certain periods of time to make sure they were able to thrive through that period.”

The only thing we know for sure about the Dinoland U.S.A. retheming is that the animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be well-cared for both during construction and after. One attraction in the area is already gone but there is no timetable for when other work might begin.

Walt Disney Imagineering shared multiple concepts at D23 Expo including a Zootopia-themed land or possibly one geared toward Moana.

What do you hope will take the place of Dinoland U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom?

If you’d like to visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom, contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are complimentary, and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation!


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Sara is a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, a Disney Earmarked agency. She lives in Alaska with her husband and 3 kids. Due to her extreme dislike of winter, she travels often to warmer destinations during the colder months. She visits the Disney parks and resorts frequently with her family and loves helping other families plan magical vacations. Contact her here for help with your vacation!
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