A new permit filing at Disney’s Animal Kingdom has confirmed playground construction inside the Tropical Americas expansion area — and the contractor named in the filing tells us exactly what’s being built. Here’s what the new permit reveals about the Tropical Americas playground at Animal Kingdom.
Quick Summary
- Walt Disney Imagineering filed a Notice of Commencement for a Tropical Americas address naming Landscape Structures, Inc. as the contractor
- Landscape Structures is one of the largest commercial playground manufacturers in the industry, confirming a playground is under construction
- The same contractor appeared in a 2021 DinoLand U.S.A. permit — the area now being transformed into Tropical Americas
- The playground sits on the former Cretaceous Trail site, between the future Indiana Jones ride and the former Chester and Hester’s store
- The location suggests a possible Indiana Jones theme for the playground
- Tropical Americas opens in 2027; Disney has not made any announcement about the playground
What the Permit Shows
Walt Disney Imagineering filed a new Notice of Commencement for an address within the Tropical Americas section of Animal Kingdom. The contractor named is Landscape Structures, Inc. — a Minnesota-based, employee-owned commercial playground manufacturer that’s been in business since 1971 and is one of the largest in the industry.
That contractor name removes any ambiguity about what’s being built. Landscape Structures doesn’t build anything except playgrounds.
This Contractor Has Appeared at Animal Kingdom Before
Landscape Structures was also the listed contractor on a 2021 permit for playground work in DinoLand U.S.A. — the same area now being transformed into Tropical Americas. So Disney has a working relationship with this company specifically for Animal Kingdom playground builds.
Where the Playground Is Being Built
Earlier permit filings have already shown a playground footprint on the site of the former Cretaceous Trail — located between the Dinosaur attraction (being reimagined as an Indiana Jones ride) and the former Chester and Hester’s store. That positioning within the land is significant: it places the playground directly adjacent to what will be the Indiana Jones attraction in Tropical Americas.
The location strongly suggests the playground could carry an Indiana Jones theme — a natural fit given its placement and the overall theming of the surrounding area.
What We Don’t Know Yet
The Notice of Commencement doesn’t include specifics about the scope of work, the design, or what the playground will look like. Disney has made no announcement about the playground and hasn’t confirmed any theming details. Everything connecting the location to Indiana Jones is inferred from the permit’s address and the broader Tropical Americas construction context — not from official Disney communications.
Tropical Americas Timeline
Tropical Americas is Disney’s major Animal Kingdom expansion, targeting a 2027 opening. It replaces DinoLand U.S.A. with a new land featuring an Indiana Jones-themed ride (in the former Dinosaur building), a new roller coaster, and additional experiences. A playground in the mix makes sense for a land designed to appeal to families across age ranges.
Final Thoughts
A playground inside Tropical Americas isn’t the headline attraction, but it matters for families with younger kids. The location next to the Indiana Jones ride makes thematic sense, and if Disney themes it to match the land, it could be a genuinely well-integrated space rather than a generic play area dropped into a corner. The 2027 opening for Tropical Americas keeps the timeline moving — expect more permit filings and construction milestones as the buildout continues.
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