Walt Disney Imagineering has filed a Notice of Commencement construction permit for Zootopia: Better Zoogether!, the upcoming attraction set to replace It's Tough to be a Bug! at Disney's Animal Kingdom.
The permit, assigned to longtime collaborator Icarus Exhibits, is titled "Install Set Elements," indicating that early work on the new show's staging and themed environments will begin very soon.
Announced as part of Disney's ongoing refresh of Animal Kingdom, Zootopia: Better Zoogether! will bring guests into the diverse biomes of the city of Zootopia, introducing characters from the 2016 animated film. The attraction will utilize the existing Tree of Life Theater, though significant modifications are anticipated to accommodate the new show.
While Disney has not revealed full details, the show is expected to blend 3D projection technology, immersive effects, and animatronic elements to create a dynamic, multi-sensory experience. It will mark the first permanent Zootopia-themed attraction at Walt Disney World.
Closure of It's Tough to be a Bug! and Upcoming Changes
To make way for Zootopia: Better Zoogether!, It's Tough to be a Bug! will close permanently on March 17, 2025. The attraction, which debuted with Animal Kingdom in 1998, blends 3D visuals, in-theater effects, and animatronics featuring characters from Pixar's A Bug's Life.
With the latest permit filing, construction appears set to begin soon after the closure of Tough To Be a Bug. A separate Notice of Commencement was recently filed for "Facility Demo, General Construction, Electrical, and Area Development" at the Tree of Life Theater, suggesting that the theater will undergo a significant transformation before the new show debuts in winter 2025.
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