Massive new "Tropical Americas" project featuring Encanto & Indiana Jones greenlit at Animal Kingdom?

Could the reimagining of Dinoland be about to start? This massive project that would see the area reimagined into a new land inspired by the “tropical Americas."

Walt Disney World could finally be about to push the button on a major expansion of Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World, and with Universal Orlando set to open its new Epic Universe Theme Park next year, many Disney fans will be relieved to see Disney finally respond to the threat from their Orlando neighbors.

Last September it was announced at Destination D23 that Walt Disney Imagineering is planning to reimagine Dinoland U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom into a new land – inspired by a region sometimes referred to as “tropical Americas." and while Disney have not announced that the project is commencing, permits suggest this major construction project and possibly more could be about to get underway!

Permits have officially been filed for back-of-house improvements in a compound that was previously been used by construction crews during the building of Pandora – The World of Avatar.

The laydown yard is located north of Kali River Rapids along a perimeter road that runs past DinoLand USA and Expedition Everest, with the permits showing that the area would be used for four WDI trailers and a third-party contractor trailer.

While the permit signals a large-scale project is about to start at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, it sadly gives no indication what the project will be.

In addition to the planned DinoLand USA reimagining, a retheme of the “It’s Tough to Be A Bug” show into a Zootopia-themed show has also been announced.

Plus, rumors are persisting that a major refurbishment is in the works for Rafiki’s Planet Watch and Conservation Station.

We are expecting an announcement from Walt Disney World soon, and this could come at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on April 3rd or the D23 Expo this August.

We will be watching this exciting development closely, and will keep you updated!

As part of their research into the mew project, Imagineers have been looking at some of the most biodiverse areas on the planet in the regions just north and south of the equator here in the Western Hemisphere – the northern part of South America, stretching up into Central America.

This exciting location has been the inspiration for many magical stories over the years at Disney, and new experiences inspired by “Encanto” and the fan-favorite adventurer Indiana Jones are being planned for the reimagined land.

In concept art of the new land, Indiana Jones will be replacing the existing Dinosaur ride.

You can also see rendering from Encanto! Bruce Vaughn, head of Walt Disney Imagineering says there’s a long way to go and a lot more to discover but Imagineering teams in Florida are up for the challenge."

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