After a little bit of forwards and backwards, the South Florida Water Administration District has formally permitted Walt Disney World’s allow for “Undertaking Ro,” which is the interior codename for the Tropical Americas. This particulars the approval, together with one other main allow filed just lately by Imagineering that pertains to bigger-picture Animal Kingdom growth plans.
The allow was issued by the South Florida Water Administration District (SFWMD) on February 6, 2025, and expires in 5-years if not in any other case prolonged. This implies Imagineering has till February 6, 2030 to redevelop the Dinoland USA space and make modifications to present utilities, updates to the drainage system, and stormwater administration enhancements.
This shouldn’t be an issue, as Tropical Americas is at the moment slated to open in 2027, though it may very well be delayed, as mentioned in our newest version of Walt Disney World’s 5-Yr Building Plan. Regardless, the aforementioned infrastructure work ought to be carried out lengthy earlier than then–hopefully by the primary half of 2026 for essentially the most half. Whereas this isn’t the ultimate allow within the Tropical Americas undertaking as an entire, it ought to be the final one poses any diploma of problem–the remainder ought to be rubber-stamped.
This follows just a few months of back-and-forth, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts filed purposes for permits with the SFWMD final October, and the district responded with a request for added details about one month later, in late November. (Direct hyperlinks to SFWMD permits aren’t potential, so search for “Undertaking RO” in the event you’d wish to evaluation for your self.)
The unique 26-page allow Imagineering filed with the SFWMD itself is fairly pedestrian. The undertaking consists of enhancing and re-theming of the present space with no change to land use. The SFWMD is primarily involved with–you guessed it–water administration, and this doesn’t actually alter the established order in that regard: “The present stormwater assortment and conveyance technique will stay the identical with just a few realignments to permit for the development of the proposed amenities.”
Disney asserted that the proposal ought to be grandfathered in, because the undertaking includes the modification of the present Dinoland, USA. Tropical Americas will primarily encompass re-theming of the present space with no growth past its present limits. The “growth” undertaking solely proposes a web enhance of 0.68 acres (5.3%) of impervious space.
The underside line is that this allow software is nothing just like the “407 Basin Stormwater Modifications” undertaking–often known as changing the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island for Vehicles and Villains lands in Magic Kingdom. Talking of which, Walt Disney World filed its response to the SFWMD’s request for added info on that undertaking again in late December, indicating it’s nonetheless full steam forward on that.
It wouldn’t be in the slightest degree shocking if there’s extra forwards and backwards on the Magic Kingdom growth undertaking between Florida and Disney. In studying all of those correspondence, the distinction in scale and scope is instantly apparent, as is SFWMD’s better scrutiny of the MK proposal.
This isn’t to say we predict the Rivers of America alternative allow will probably be denied (we don’t!), however we additionally wouldn’t be shocked if the subsequent step isn’t a ultimate approval. Which may not come till later this spring. Greatest case state of affairs, if the appliance course of follows related timelines, can be approval in early March 2025. Not like with Dino-Rama, which closed previous to this allow being issued, nothing can occur on the Vehicles and Villains initiatives till there’s approval from SFWMD. The undertaking is in improvement purgatory till then.
Turning again to the Animal Kingdom undertaking, right here’s a have a look at the earlier than (left–Dinoland USA) and after (proper–Tropical Americas):
Within the above plan, the pre-development is on the left and the post-development is on the fitting. Buildings are blue, with pervious areas (greenspace) in inexperienced, and beige exhibiting impervious areas (walkways).
To orient you, DINOSAUR is on the backside, Restaurantosaurus is on the left, and Dino-Rama is on the fitting. You need to capable of get a fairly good sense for that, as there’s not a lot of a earlier than/after distinction with the DINOSAUR present constructing or Restaurantosaurus. Little adjustments, however nothing main. The entire massive variations are on the fitting aspect, with Dino-Rama turning into a part of Pueblo Esperanza and Encanto.
Right here’s a more in-depth have a look at post-development plans for Tropical Americas:
There are some adjustments on what’s at the moment the DINOSAUR aspect, similar to totally lined overflow queue and altered pathways between Indiana Jones Journey, the present store, and Encanto space. My hope is that that is an animal exhibit, however it’s most likely only a relaxation space for company who skip Indiana Jones Journey.
The larger distinction comes with the critter carousel changing the Dig Web site play space, TriceraTops Spin being demolished, and many of the present Dino-Rama area being redeveloped into a big outside queue for the Encanto Madrigal Casita attraction. We already knew from the idea artwork that the home would have a big entrance garden, however this additional reinforces that. It additionally exhibits the big present constructing for Encanto–we already knew it was going to be massive primarily based on the mannequin, however it’s good to have affirmation.
There are additionally a variety of smaller buildings which have popped up round Tropical Americas, more likely to be snack stands, merchandise kiosks, or meet & greet spots. It’s type of enjoyable to pore over these aerials, making an attempt to make sense of the granular particulars and guess as to what every small spot may very well be. You are able to do the identical with the queues (Lightning Lane vs. standby), little pathways, and extra.
The allowing get together doesn’t finish there!
Earlier this week, Disney filed one other software with the SFWMD for a brand new contractor parking zone simply north of Animal Kingdom. The brand new lot will probably be utilized by third get together contractors to help development initiatives at Animal Kingdom, the most important of which is at the moment Tropical Americas.
Observe that this software is separate from the primary substantive allow for Tropical Americas (Undertaking Ro), and likewise from the previously-approved development compound behind Kali River Rapids (Undertaking Ro Trailer Compound/ROTC). If you wish to look it up, that is “Dak Contractor Lot.” (I promise, there’s nothing thrilling or value your time on this allow package deal. However you most likely may’ve guessed as a lot on condition that it’s a parking zone and all.)
The allow particulars infrastructure enhancements in an undeveloped space between Animal Kingdom and Western Manner, close to the Walt Disney World Horticulture division, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Conservation Station. Western Manner is the connector between Flamingo Crossings and Walt Disney World property, and there are numerous again of home amenities on this in any other case quiet stretch.
We used to drive Western Manner each day; you see Expedition Everest nearly 10 minutes earlier than arriving at Animal Kingdom. I point out this as a result of the brand new parking zone ought to present simpler entry for the contractors coming from this path than driving all the way in which round.
The brand new lot will present tons of of extra parking areas on its 10.5 acre footprint. The undertaking encompasses roadways, contractor parking, sidewalks, stormwater therapy methods, drainage assortment and conveyances.
That is for a floor lot, so there’s not likely a lot to debate until you’re a parking or pavement fanatic, and I’m neither. What I do discover attention-grabbing, although, is simply how a lot backstage infrastructure Walt Disney World is getting ready. Tropical Americas is an enormous undertaking, however it looks like all of that is barely disproportionate to what’s being constructed, and is with a watch for the long run.
Needless to say along with the trailer compound for subject workplaces and this parking zone, Imagineering is getting extra workplaces in Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser.
Finally, this is smart. Tropical Americas goes to open in 2027 or 2028 as a part of Walt Disney World’s 5-year plan. However the $17 billion in funding is over the subsequent decade, and backloaded (in line with Bob Iger). This implies there’s much more spending within the early 2030s than within the late 2020s. It’s most likely honest to say Animal Kingdom is the park that wants essentially the most assist, and that sentiment will stay true even after Tropical Americas.
By the point Villains Land opens in ~2030, it ought to be time for much more funding in Animal Kingdom in 2031 or 2032. To not get forward of ourselves since so much may change with the corporate, financial system, and many others., however I strongly suspect these backstage infrastructure adjustments are being made with a watch in direction of not simply Tropical Americas, however the Lion King attraction, Pandora growth, or no matter else is on the horizon at Animal Kingdom. Must be a enjoyable saga to look at unfold as we develop previous!
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Your Ideas
Optimistic that the infrastructure permits counsel extra growth is within the pipeline for Animal Kingdom within the 2030s? Excited for Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom? Hoping it’s not simply going to be an Encanto and Indiana Jones IP land however can even provide critters and cultural authenticity? Different ideas on the Tropical Americas undertaking? Excited or underwhelmed? Or, are you in wait and see mode with this? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions—even whenever you disagree with us—is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
