New Permit Reveals Demolition Plans for DinoLand USA Transformation Into Tropical Americas Expansion

Walt Disney Imagineering has filed a new permit for Pueblo Esperanza, the Tropical Americas expansion coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This new filing includes a site demolition plan.

New Permit Filed for Tropical Americas Expansion

Engineering blueprint displaying detailed site plans with annotations, symbols, and a highlighted boundary line in pink, crucial for obtaining the necessary permit within the tropical Americas.

Filed with the South Florida Water Management District, this new permit largely goes over “infrastructure modifications to support the re-theming” of DinoLand U.S.A. into Pueblo Esperanza.

Named Project Ro in these filings, the Tropical Americas expansion will include new attractions themed to Indiana Jones and “Encanto,” as well as a Disney animals-themed wood-carved carousel. The land will open with its two signature attractions in 2027.

Portions of the full documentation also include details regarding stormwater management and other environmental impacts.

Aerial view of a park with a "Project Area" label pointing to a section. Surrounding greenery, roads, and water bodies are visible.

As previously announced, the transformation of the land will be done in phases, with portions closing on January 12, 2025. These include TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures. DINOSAUR, The Boneyard, Restaurantosaurus, Dino-Bite Snacks, and Trilo-Bites will remain open, for now.

A detailed comparison layout map of the tropical Americas, showing pre-development and post-development areas, with buildings in blue, roads in brown, and green spaces. Includes a chart with area calculations and permit details for construction.

Comparing the plans above to the Google Earth project area graphic, the blue color represents existing structures. From left to right demonstrates the proposed demolition changes, making way for the land’s new experiences. This includes the demolition of TriceraTop Spin, which does not make it to the post-development graphic above.

The Indiana Jones attraction will replace DINOSAUR, seen at the bottom of the two images above. It appears that the “Encanto” attraction will be on the upper right-hand side. Restaurantosaurus is located on the far left side of the map. The former area of Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama is just off-center in the left image and is taken over by the proposed “Encanto” footprint on the right.

Disney filed its first notice of commencement for construction in the area in May 2024. More permits were filed in July.

What do you think of the plans to transform DinoLand U.S.A. into Pueblo Esperanza? Will you miss Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama? Let us know in the comments and on social media.

Source: WDWMagic, South Florida Water Management District

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