Disney Imagineering Files Notice of Commencement for Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom

Dec 13, 2024 in "Tropical Americas"

Gallery / 1 Photo
Tropical Americas Concept Art

Posted: Friday December 13, 2024 1:20pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) has taken another step toward the transformation of Dinoland U.S.A. at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Today, WDI filed a Notice of Commencement for the site previously occupied by Primeval Whirl, signaling progress in the park's highly anticipated Tropical Americas expansion.

Tropical Americas Concept Art

Key Details from the Filing

Location: Former Primeval Whirl site
Contractor: Whiting-Turner, a firm known for managing large-scale construction projects for Disney
Expiration Date: December 30, 2025
Description: "Area Development"

The filing suggests work will soon begin on preparing the area for redevelopment, aligning with Disney's plans to reimagine Dinoland U.S.A. into a land inspired by Central and South American cultures and ecosystems.

The former Primeval Whirl area in DinoLand U.S.A.

What Does "Area Development" Mean?

While Disney has not provided specifics about this filing, "Area Development" typically encompasses site preparation, infrastructure work, and landscaping to support future attractions. This could include clearing land, installing utilities, and creating the thematic groundwork for the new land's immersive experiences.

The former Primeval Whirl site has remained inactive since the ride's permanent closure in 2020. The Tropical Americas expansion will feature attractions themed to Disney's Encanto and Indiana Jones franchises.

Tropical Americas Concept Model

Timeline for the Expansion

The expiration date of December 30, 2025, provides a clear timeframe for this phase of the project, though construction on individual attractions and experiences is likely to extend beyond that. The Tropical Americas land is expected to open in phases, with a full debut anticipated around 2027.

Find out more about the Tropical Americas expansion and the land's attractions.

Discuss on the Forums

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Sorcerer Mickey33 minutes ago

Good, because Encanto is the one that will actually happen.

meggo8192 hours ago

Except for “and” instead of “an” (an easy typo or autocorrect), it was fine. I followed 🤷‍♀️

Agent H5 hours ago

Thank you for clarifying I think there may have been a bit of a word jumble in your original post no offense of course I wasn’t trying to say Indiana Jones will be bad merely that I’m looking forward to the encanto ride more

TheCoasterNerd5 hours ago

I will give Indy credit in that it's a new story. Sure, it's based on the exsting DLR ride, but it's an original story not seen in any other rides/movies/tv shows/games

TheMaxRebo5 hours ago

I can try :) The ride system for Dinosaur will be reused for Indy and is the same as the Indy ride at Disneyland - which I found superior to Dinosaur and I am optimistic the Indy ride version at AK will be at least as good as the Disneyland version - meaning this will be an upgrade and a very good attraction ... but something that has been done before and similar to another existing ride Encanto will/should/could be something very unique and cool and of a very large scale and really stand out ... plus just the "unknown" of what it will actually be brings some more excitement to it. Guess the unknown is more exciting to me than a known quantity but both will be positive additions to the park

Agent H5 hours ago

I’m a little confused about what you’re saying mind clarifying?

TheMaxRebo5 hours ago

I am too - though I do think the existing Indy is a better version that what Dinosaur was so do view that as (potentially) and upgrade as well. But the Encanto ride could be really unique and "special" vs just a very good attraction

EagleScout6106 hours ago

New photos. More of the queue for Triceratop Spin has been demolished -

JackCH7 hours ago

I am too mainly because we really already know what the basic experience of Indy will be, Encanto will be completely new and therefore has a lot more "potential."

Agent H11 hours ago

I’m more excited for the encanto ride than the Indiana jones one

Stripes11 hours ago

Based on the plans, I estimated that the Encanto show building will be about 74,000 square feet. For context, the Haunted Mansion show building, another omnimover ride, is about 45,000 square feet. I’m sure Encanto will have a larger indoor queue than Haunted Mansion, but even with that in mind, this will be a fantastic addition to DAK.