Walt Disney Imagineering Files Permit for Tree of Life Theater Demolition and Development

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 close It's Tough to be a Bug! on March 17, 2025, to make way for Zootopia: 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 upcoming Zootopia-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 of A Bug's Life.

The arrival of Zootopia: 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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Gusey21 minutes ago

They're expecting a Winter opening though, likely November/December to tie in with Zootopia 2

Cmdr_Crimson2 hours ago

Unless their gutting the seating area for new seating and patching holes up where spiders jumped I have no clue..Just, wild guessing...

mickEblu7 hours ago

That would be nice but didn’t the permits imply some pretty heavy duty demo/ construction in there?

TheDisneyParksfanC88 hours ago

I've always wondered what happened to that tunnel when they built the patio area on top of it. Hopefully they can return to that level of immersion when they branch out into Simba.

Cmdr_Crimson8 hours ago

They probably will be keeping the caverns and such especially with the Jane Goodall tribute and Plaque by the entry way into the theater queue...This may not take long if they are looking for a summer opening.. The concept art shows it looks like a hollow tree including where Clawhouser / Hopper was..

Streetway Again8 hours ago

ITTBAB was 27 years old when it closed. Time is something isn’t it?

mickEblu8 hours ago

RIP ITTBAB. It’s really missed at DCA. The lobby alone and walking down that path below grade and into the “caves” is better than anything at Avengers Campus. It was the best indoor themed space at DCA and it was transportive. You don’t have a lot of that at DCA.

ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰ11 hours ago

I'm bringing sparklers! 🎇

ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰ11 hours ago

I zoo what you did there.

Fox&Hound12 hours ago

With you- 100%. That ride scares the heck out of me.

EagleScout61012 hours ago

Now that I think about it, you don't suppose Mr. Tarzan is sitting in the theater waiting for the show to begin as they start to disassemble it, do you?

donaldtoo12 hours ago

Zoogather all your zoostuff, and don’t let the zoodoor hit you in the zoohind on your way out…!

MisterPenguin12 hours ago

Noted. You're fired.

Advisable Joseph12 hours ago

Well, there's always the chance there is a skunkworks show that Disney decided is better than Better Zoogether. Oh, @MisterPenguin, see what I did here?