PHOTOS - Permits filed for arrival experience improvements at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Feb 25, 2019 in "Disney's Animal Kingdom"

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Permits for main entrance improvements at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Posted: Monday February 25, 2019 1:19pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

In a recent filing with the South Florida Water Management District, Disney has outlined plans to improve the arrival experience for guests at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Permits for main entrance improvements at Disney's Animal Kingdom

The plans show a rerouting of the tram to drop guests off slightly further back from the entrance, and then building a new security checkpoint area approximately in the location of the current tram drop-off position.

Permits for main entrance improvements at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Over the past year Disney has been embarking on a number of projects to improve guest arrival at the parks, with the most significant being at Disney's Hollywood Studios, which will have an entirely new entrance. Improvements are continuing at the Magic Kingdom, which has already seen its security screening move away from the park entrance to other areas such as the TTC and Resorts. Similar work is expected next at Epcot as parts of its recently unveiled entrance redesign.

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wishiwere@wdwOct 20, 2020

Quick question that I didn’t see posted anywhere. Sorry if I missed.... Any idea what happened to the EV chargers at the TTC? They were in the app a week or so ago but we’re showing offline. As expected, they were not functioning when we arrived; although the CM didn’t seem to know this as we were still directed to park there. Now it seems they aren’t listed at all in the app. My sincere hope is they are adding an entire row (or more!) as this has been becoming increasingly difficult to utilize due to demand at all of the parks. I know Studios received the new ones (still not enough but it’s something!) and I was informed Epcot would be upgrading their location as well but hadn’t heard about the TTC. Curious if anybody knew more?

RteetzOct 15, 2020

I’m not sure when the tram was deemed done since those aren’t operating but the security area was in use on re-opening day.

Mike730Oct 15, 2020

It was 99% complete upon reopening. Watch enough YouTube "reopening Vlogs" and you will see it. edit: Also see July 3rd below

RSoxNo1Oct 15, 2020

So does that include the new tram drop off? Any idea when construction walls came down?

jaklgreenOct 15, 2020

I agree, it is so much faster then the bag checks.

castlecake2.0Oct 15, 2020

I just have to say (as a cast member but not speaking on behalf of TWDC) I bring my family about twice a year to the parks including my sister and her two kids under 6. This new arrival and security experience is a game changer. Walking though the new process reminds me of pre 2001 park arrival and it’s amazing, and makes it a million times easier when I’m trying to be your guide to a party of 8 or more people to get into the park. Well done!

castlecake2.0Oct 15, 2020

I drive by here often and been watching this development. I think the issue with the remaining oaks is that they were growing so close together it wasn’t possible to separate their root systems. Still very sad at the loss.

RteetzOct 15, 2020

Well people have been using the new entrance for a while now so...

RSoxNo1Oct 15, 2020

Bioreconstruct posted an aerial from June. I imagine it's finished but can't find anyone with an article that confirms that.

RteetzOct 15, 2020

Not sure of anything really still going on there.

RSoxNo1Oct 15, 2020

What's the status of the DAK entrance? Is that work complete?

Monorail_Red_77Oct 15, 2020

Also, since we are talking about TTC. All of the oaks that were being boxed up and relocated to the DHS old bridge, berm. I would have thought they would have taken all of the oaks since they were all mature. But apparently, these are not needed. Such a shame.505398505399

Monorail_Red_77Oct 15, 2020

Not sure if his has been posted or not. But today I noticed the tram tunnel at TTC has been freshly painted and a final set of lights installed. It looks really nice. I’m not sure how long this has been completed. Maybe a few months?

Magic FeatherAug 18, 2020

Ok. I’m under the impression that MK will be the last park to get them, and may not get them for a while. The sheer number of checkpoints that MK has, alongside the costlier nature of the machines/backordered nature of them, will make the MK’s 7 (and soon to be 8) security checkpoints the last to get them. I’m also under the partial impression that there may be some other challenges for implementing them at the Monorail stops.