Ava McDonnell
Disney’s Animal Kingdom said goodbye to one of its opening-day attractions and welcomed a new adventure inspired by one of Disney’s modern classics. The long-running It’s Tough to Be a Bug! show inside the park’s Tree of Life Theater has officially closed to make way for Zootopia: Better Zoogether!, debuting November 7, 2025.
Originally opening with the park in 1998, It’s Tough to Be a Bug! entertained guests for over 25 years with its 3D effects and playful “bug’s-eye view” of the natural world. The attraction closed permanently on March 17, 2025, as construction began on its replacement.
Disney has revealed that Zootopia: Better Zoogether! will transport guests to the vibrant city of Zootopia for a new 3D/4D show experience celebrating “Zoogether Day,” a holiday uniting the city’s diverse biomes. The show will feature beloved characters like Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, alongside a new host, Heidi Howler.
Imagineers are re-imagining the Tree of Life Theater’s interior with new sets, lighting, and special effects, though the iconic exterior will remain unchanged. The attraction is part of Disney’s broader effort to refresh Animal Kingdom with stories that resonate with today’s audiences, coinciding with the release of Zootopia 2.
With this update, Disney continues to maintain storytelling rooted in community and connection, reminding guests that, as the film says, “Anyone can be anything.”
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