Posted: Wednesday February 5, 2025 11:31am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff
Walt Disney Imagineering has filed a new Notice of Commencement for work at the Tree of Life Theater in Disney's Animal Kingdom. The permit lists "Facility Demo, General Construction, Electrical, and Area Development" as the scope of work, indicating significant changes are planned for the space. Long-time Disney partner Whiting-Turner will carry out the work.
'It's Tough to be a Bug' theater
The filing comes as Disney prepares to closeIt's Tough to be a Bug!on March 17, 2025, to make way forZootopia: Better Zoogether!, a new attraction set to debut in winter 2025. The permit suggests that work will begin soon after the closure, with demolition and construction likely focused on transforming the theater to fit the upcomingZootopia-themed experience.
It's Tough to be a Bug!has been a part of Animal Kingdom since the park opened in 1998, utilizing 3D effects, animatronics, and in-theater sensory elements to bring guests into the world ofA Bug's Life.
The arrival ofZootopia: Better Zoogether!will mark a major update to the Tree of Life Theater, bringing characters from the hit 2016 film into the park. Details on the new show remain limited, but Disney has teased that it will showcase the "various biomes of Zootopia" and feature familiar characters.
Zootopia: Better Zoogether Poster
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TarzanForever6 days ago
Yea but we need to see the results first before we can say things like that. Disney is for sure finalizing plans. Laugh floor will not be what is in discussion.
JackCH6 days ago
Yeah, I would be absolutely shocked if either show was better or even equal to their predecessors. I'm just praying they are at least decent lol.
jmuboy6 days ago
I do not think the Muppet Vision Replacement will be 3D. I know very little info is out in public yet 9and maybe Disney is still finalizing plans themselves). I honestly think the 2nd attraction / show in the Monsters area its going to be some sort of re-tooling of the Laugh Floor concept placed in a theater that looks alot like a Muppet Theater.
Casper Gutman6 days ago
The elephant in the room seems to be that, through a combination of stifling management philosophy and a simple lack of talent, Disney World’s script writing has been absolutely miserable for a long time. GoG is an incoherent embarrassment, Tiana is written at a preschool level, the Bears redo is totally devoid of humor and characterization, FoP preshow is the subject of near-universal mockery, etc. I don’t see any reason to believe WDW is capable of producing not one but two quality 4D shows (one of which is replacing one of the best written attractions in the resort’s history).
TheMaxRebo6 days ago
I think a slight benefit as right now not many people do ITTBAB and often don't even realize they are passing the entranceThis will be more of a destination, at least while it is new .... not saying will have huge waits but at least *some wait*at a minimum it will get more people to check it out and appreciate the detail in the queue area/base (roots) of the Tree of Life
Agent H7 days ago
I don’t suspect it will move the needle much either
The Leader of the Club7 days ago
I feel like it won’t be either. Probably won’t be a WDI masterpiece that you have to do every time you walk into the park, but it’ll probably be a big hit with families and give them a more positive experience than ITTBAB currently does.
JEANYLASER7 days ago
I don't know if the attraction will be good or fail for Disney's Animal Kingdom.
MisterPenguin7 days ago
I really wish people would stop engaging. Of course, I'm talking about how much I hate Valentines Day this Friday. That's all I mean. Those continuing to engage don't come out looking too... shall we say... charming.
TarzanForever7 days ago
Time will tell. Exactly!!!!I don’t know about all that but you are on the right track
AidenRodriguez7317 days ago
You haven't heard? It's all not happening now! Disney has decided to retheme Test Track to Villians Test Track (featuring Cruella De Vil, Little Mermaid to Test Track: The Musical, and the Villians Show to The Little Mermaid: Ursula's Curse.
