Walt Disney World has filed a new construction permit for Theater in the Wild at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and the name on the paperwork is raising questions about what lies ahead for one of the park’s longest-running stage venues.Credit: Lee (myfrozenlife), FlickrThe permit, filed on October 27, 2026, and shared by WDWNT, covers the theater that currently hosts Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! The listed address is 681 Marina Aly, and the scope of work is described as “General Construction,” with MLC Theming, Inc. listed as the contractor. It has a one-year expiration, ending on October 27, 2027.Disney has not publicly explained the purpose of this work notice, and there has been no announcement of a refurbishment, replacement, or closure of Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! The permit alone does not establish whether the work will touch the production, the theater building, or its surroundings, but showtimes are still taking place at the time of publication. What it does confirm, though, is that some form of change is going to be happening at the location over the next 12 months.The production has deep roots at Theater in the Wild. Finding Nemo – The Musical debuted in 2007, replacing Tarzan Rocks! and bringing Pixar’s ocean adventure to life through large-scale puppetry. Its original songs were written by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, years before the duo found global success with 2013’s Frozen.Credit: DisneyThe musical went dark when Walt Disney World closed in 2020 and did not return in its original form. It was reimagined as Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!, a shorter version that opened in 2022 and kept the show’s signature puppetry and much of its music.The permit arrives as this part of Animal Kingdom takes on a festive new role. Theater in the Wild sits close to Santa’s Holiday Grove, the new location where guests can meet Santa at the park this year, starting in November. That marks a change from previous seasons, when Santa greeted guests in DinoLand U.S.A. With that land now closed, his holiday appearances have moved, putting extra foot traffic near the theater just as construction paperwork lands.Tropical Americas Reshapes the NeighborhoodDinoLand U.S.A. officially closed in February 2026 and is being transformed into Tropical Americas, a new land set to feature attractions inspired by Disney’s Encanto (2021) and the Indiana Jones franchise. Construction is already underway across the former DinoLand footprint.Credit: DisneyGuests planning a visit can still catch Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! on its current schedule. The permit does not confirm that the show is closing or that Theater in the Wild is being replaced, only that general construction work has been approved, with a window lasting until October 2027.For now, the theater, the upcoming Santa’s Holiday Grove, and the Tropical Americas construction zone make this corner of Animal Kingdom one to watch.What are your thoughts on what Disney is planning to do with the Finding Nemo location? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!The post Disney World Files Notice To Change Animal Kingdom’s Finding Nemo Location appeared first on Inside the Magic.