“Major Animal Kingdom Project” Underway at the Walt Disney World Resort

A brand-new permit has been filed for work at the Walt Disney World Resort, pointing to an exciting new project in the works at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Related: Just Revealed: Disney World to Close One of EPCOT’s Most Iconic & Popular Attractions

Credit: Disney Parks

A Real-Life Countdown to Extinction . . . of DinoLand, U.S.A.

In September 2023, during the Destination D23 event held at the Walt Disney World Resort, Disney execs hinted at the news that many fans of Disney’s Animal Kingdom had worried would one day be announced: DinoLand U.S.A. will close, making way for the development of a completely new land called The Tropical Americas.

Artist concept drawing of new land to replace Dinoland, USA, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom/Credit: Disney

The news generated a variety of responses. Some diehard fans of the park couldn’t believe their ears, while those who were less enamored with the park and with Chester and Hester’s old stomping grounds happily welcomed the news, saying that the land has long been in need of an overhaul.

Then came the news of an Indiana Jones-inspired attraction replacing the current DINOSAUR attraction that anchors the prehistoric-themed land.

Credit: Disney

A New SFWMD Permit Filed

But despite the slow trickle of “news” and announcements that seemed a bit noncommittal, Disney World has reportedly filed a new South Florida Water Management District permit for work to be carried out north of the Kali River Rapids attraction area at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday evening, BehindTheThrills shared information about the new permit:

Looks like work on a MAJOR Animal Kingdom project will be starting soon. A new SFWMD permit was filed for a five-acre trailer compound just north of Kali River Rapids with infrastructure improvements along the BOH roadway leading directly to Dinoland.

Kali River Rapids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom/Credit: Becky Burkett

The plan consists of four new WDI trailers (two 4-wide and two 16-wide) as well as a 12-wide contractor trailer, and 363 parking spaces as well as a new sidewalk and crosswalks across the entire stretch of roadway from the trailer compound to behind the Dinoland area.

The overall project name appears to be Project RO, and these documents are for Project ROTC (TC = Trailer Compound). This definitely seems to be the beginning of a major project – likely the long-rumored makeover of Dinoland, U.S.A.

Only time will tell what Disney’s exact plans are for a new land to replace Dinoland, U.S.A., but what is clear is that many of Disney World’s fans are already mourning the loss of the themed land inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

The now-removed Primeval Whirl attraction at Dinoland, U.S.A./Credit: Becky Burkett

Here’s hoping that whatever Disney Parks ultimately develops in its place will be equally as engaging and exciting as the prehistoric-themed dinosaur land has been since it first opened in April 1998.