Disney Files Permit for Contractor Lot to Support Tropical Americas Expansion at Animal Kingdom

12 days ago in "Tropical Americas"

Posted: Monday February 3, 2025 9:45am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has filed a new permit application with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) for the development of a 10 acre contractor lot at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The DAK Contractor Lot is proposed as an infrastructure project to support the ongoing construction of the Tropical Americas expansion, which is replacing Dinoland U.S.A.

The permit details infrastructure improvements in an undeveloped area between Disney's Animal Kingdom and Western Way, near the Walt Disney World Horticulture department. The project includes:

  • Contractor parking
  • Sidewalks
  • Stormwater treatment systems
  • Drainage collection and conveyance systems

This new lot is expected to provide necessary facilities for construction crews working on the large-scale transformation of Animal Kingdom. The Tropical Americas project, which will bring new attractions themed to Encanto and Indiana Jones, recently saw the closure of Dino-Rama as part of its first phase.

With permit activity ramping up, visible progress on Tropical Americas is likely to increase in the coming months. Disney is yet to provide an opening timeline, but we expect to see the project unveiled to guests in 2027.

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ToTBellHop22 hours ago

We do not talk about that scene!

Agent H22 hours ago

With the exception of a Bruno scene it probably won’t be that dark

Mike S22 hours ago

Until they create projectors that can match the natural light around them it would be way too bright for this to work in a ride as dark as something like Haunted Mansion.

Gusey1 day ago

The actual article https://blogmickey.com/2025/02/disney-patent-conceal-other-ride-vehicles/

TheMaxRebo1 day ago

Yeah, just throughout the ride and hopefully just a test out more effective lol

Agent H1 day ago

Kinda reminds me of the little mermaid ride

TheMaxRebo1 day ago

Just saw about this new patent - wonder if it could be used as part of the Encanto ride to make it more immersive and help hide the track and other cars from you

TheMaxRebo1 day ago

I think it will be like trains of cars, so like 4 cars, each that hold up to 6 people that leave the loading area together/connected and then in each show scene can be slowed down or even stopped to let the action/story unfold for those ~24 people at a time Vs the classic dark ride which are just one car and then continuously move through the ride with no pausing for show So in that way more like Figment

Agent H1 day ago

Okay phew

rle4lunch1 day ago

yep.

Agent H1 day ago

You’re talking about the latter 2 right? Right? In any case as @TrainsOfDisney said I was talking ride system not the actual quality of the ride

TrainsOfDisney1 day ago

Ride system. Mermaid and Mansion have the same ride system.

rle4lunch1 day ago

In my minds eye, I can't imagine a ride built in the year 2025 that should even closely resemble the utter failure that JII is.

Ichabod Crane1 day ago

If the ride vehicles don’t end up being connected at all then you’re actually looking more at a classic fantasyland dark ride type deal like Pooh Alice or Pinocchio with Encanto moreso than a Figment.