Project Ro Approved: Disney's Animal Kingdom Tropical Americas Expansion Clears Key Regulatory Hurdle

Feb 07, 2025 in "Tropical Americas"

Posted: Friday February 7, 2025 12:45pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) has officially approved an Individual Environmental Resource Permit for Project Ro, Disney's Tropical Americas expansion at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

The permit, issued on February 6, 2025, authorizes modifications to existing infrastructure, including stormwater management enhancements, to support the redevelopment of Dinoland U.S.A. The project is set to encompass 12.87 acres.

Tropical Americas Concept Art

Permit Details and Project Scope

The approved permit (No. 48-111978-P) allows Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US, Inc. to proceed with infrastructure updates necessary for the transformation of Dinoland U.S.A. into a Tropical Americas-themed area.

Modifications include:

Relocation of parking, sidewalks, and utilities.
Updates to the stormwater drainage system to integrate with the existing wet detention system.
Compliance with state water quality standards under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act.

Operational and Environmental Considerations

No new land use changes: The project strictly involves renovations to existing infrastructure without additional land development.
Wetland protections: No wetlands are impacted, and the permit aligns with existing Disney Wilderness Preserve conservation efforts.
Wildlife safeguards: The area has been reviewed for potential impacts on protected species, with mitigation measures in place should any be discovered.
Water and wastewater: Reedy Creek Energy Services will supply water and wastewater services, while reclaimed public water will be used for irrigation.

Next Steps for Disney

With the permit now in place, Disney can move forward with construction and drainage modifications for the Tropical Americas expansion. The permit remains valid through February 6, 2030, unless modified or challenged through a public hearing request.

What to Expect from Tropical Americas

The Tropical Americas expansion promises to be a significant addition to Disney's Animal Kingdom, featuring:

An Encanto-themed attraction: Guests will step inside the magical casita to celebrate Antonio's gift of communicating with animals, exploring the Madrigal family's extraordinary world
An Indiana Jones adventure: Set to replace the DINOSAUR attraction after it closes in early 2026, this thrilling ride will take guests on an archaeological journey through a newly discovered Maya temple.

The new land will also include themed dining, entertainment, and lush environments inspired by the natural beauty and cultural richness of the region.

Tropical Americas Concept Model

Discuss on the Forums

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HauntedPirate4 days ago

"Coming Soon! Cowboy Josh's - A Dinosaur Saloon, featuring mechanical dinosaurs!!!"

danlb_20004 days ago

Dino-rama is now the home to mechanical dinosaurs!

wdwmagic4 days ago

Tropical Americas Update: Dino-Rama Demolished, Concrete Removal Underway at Disney's Animal Kingdom https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/tropical-americas/news/19mar2025-tropical-americas-update-dino-rama-demolished,-concrete-removal-underway-at-animal-kingdom.htm More photos at https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/tropical-americas/gallery/19mar2025-dino-rama-demolition---march-18,-2025.htm

SamusAranX6 days ago

After today, I will say that Disney needs to step up their animatronic game Rode Monsters Unchained today at EU. The animatronics and effects were game changing. There is no reason Disney shouldn’t be able to do the same with Indy. And they no longer have excuses (not that they really did before) for TBA already having the failures it does with its “new” animatronics

EagleScout6106 days ago

https://www.wdwmagic.com/other/maps/news/17mar2025-disneys-animal-kingdom-guide-map-updated-with-closure-of-its-tough-to-be-a-bug-and-dinoland-u.s.a.s-final-year.htm

Gremlin Gus7 days ago

I know this has been seen before on Bioresconstruct, but it looks like there's progress being done to remove the trees behind the former Primeval Whirl ride for the Encanto show building.

ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰ7 days ago

Best we can do is rock back and forth. But we can add a strobe!

Bleed0range7 days ago

That would be cool. Like the body slithering in and out of an opening in the wall and then you turn the corner and it strikes at you. Later you see it try to eat you as you dive down instead of the boulder scene. Or maybe the boulder scene happens and lands on top of it!

Disgruntled Walt7 days ago

I’d like multiple versions of the serpent animatronic, chasing you all around the temple, like the carnotaurus did.

DisneyHead1237 days ago

I think something like a serpent - especially a mythical one - would be a great use of animatronic technology because of all the funky ways they move about. I think the thing that's tricky about that advanced technology with human characters is that you can look around the park and see fifty billion other human beings nearby, who are not imitating humans but are in fact the real live thing. I think it's harder to build in a "wow" factor with a human animatronics for that reason. But a winged mythological creature that could sidewind, swoop, coil, slither, undulate, etc. - they could do a lot with that.

DisneyHead1237 days ago

I haven't been on the Tiana ride but one of the common complaints seems to be that they took a ride full of animatronics and replaced it with a few sparse animatronics. What I was saying is that Indiana Jones would actually be a good spot for just a few well placed, elaborate animatronics. Because of the setting - an ancient temple in the middle of the jungle - there's not an expectation that you'll see tons of characters or scenes full of animatronics.

Gusey7 days ago

I'm thinking it will close a year after Dino Rama closed, as that's when the crowds die down a little, enough to remove park capacity (and Zootopia will be open by then to help with that capacity removal)

TheMaxRebo8 days ago

Definitely will be snakes and also a lot of hints leaning towards the Mayan winged serpent god which could make for a cool animatronic As to your date - my guess is it will be open for your trip but close very shortly after - like the following week. I think they keep it open through the end of holiday season and marathon weekend and then close shortly after

Moth8 days ago

Cool animatronics? Wonder what that could be.... 🐍 🪽 Anyway, over and under that Dinosaur is open for a January 4th to 9th window??? Planning a vacation with three other friends and we need to say goodbye to our beloved Dinosaur before we go crazy at EU.