New Tree of Life Attraction Appears Overnight at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Animal Kingdom guests will be pleasantly surprised to discover a new piece of history has appeared at the Walt Disney World Resort theme park, just ahead of the premiere of the “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” attraction. While the new show is still months away from opening, a piece of the Tree of Life Theater attraction has already made its unexpected debut.
The original 3-D show inside the Tree of Life, It’s Tough To Be A Bug!, permanently closed in March 2025. The opening-day attraction had delighted (and terrified!) guests for nearly 27 years before making way for “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!”, which will feature a brand-new song performed by Ginnifer Goodwin (the original voice of Judy Hopps).
However, even though the Zootopia show won’t officially debut until late 2025, Disney has already begun incorporating elements of the new Tree of Life show into Animal Kingdom Theme Park. On July 28, WDWNT discovered limited-edition collectible medallions featuring characters from Zootopia, available for purchase from a vending machine outside the Riverside Depot shop on Discovery Island.
The medallions come in four designs: Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, Clawhauser, and a “Zoogether Day” logo featuring silhouettes of multiple Zootopia characters. YouTuber davidscointravels showcased the bronze brushed coins in a recent video:
The medallions are priced at $6 each or four for $20, with guests needing to buy all four designs to use a credit card for payment. These collectible pieces are part of a limited edition “preview series” and are dated for 2025, though it’s uncertain how long they will be available. Walt Disney World Resort guests can purchase special folding booklets and binders to store their treasures safely.
The release of these medallions marks the latest in a long line of similar collectible coins at the Central Florida Disney parks. Similar medallions are available across Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs, and the Disney Resort hotels. Previous collections have celebrated Disney100 and the Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th anniversary.
Is “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” a worthy replacement for It’s Tough To Be A Bug!? Share your opinion with Disney Dining in the comments!
