27 Years Later, Disney Announces Animal Kingdom Theme Park Replacement
After 27 years, things are changing at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Ahead of the debut of “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” later this year, Walt Disney World Resort has filed another construction permit for the Tree of Life on Discovery Island.
Since Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park opened in 1998, the Tree of Life Theater has been home to the It’s Tough to Be a Bug! 3-D show. The attraction, which educated (and sometimes horrified) guests about the wonders of insects, officially closed in March 2025.
Walt Disney World Resort had already announced that a Zootopia (2016) themed show, titled “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!”, would replace It’s Tough to Be a Bug!. This new attraction is scheduled to open in late 2025, most likely aligning with the release of Zootopia 2 (2025). The 3-D show will feature a brand-new song performed by the original voice of Judy Hopps, Ginnifer Goodwin. It will likely include an advanced Clawhauser audio-animatronic, similar to the one in the Zootopia: Hot Pursuit attraction at Shanghai Disneyland.
A construction permit filed on July 30, 2025, has added a layer of mystery to the ongoing renovation. The Notice of Commencement lists the construction address as 745 W Savannah Circle, which happens to be the location of the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. However, the permit provides few details beyond its purpose to “install signage.” The timing of the permit raises the question of whether the Zootopia show is the focal point of the renovations.
The construction permit lists Jon Richards Company as the contractor for the job. The firm is known for its work on several Disney Park attractions around the world, including the recent Test Track 3.0 update at EPCOT and the renovation of the Country Bear Musical Jamboree at Magic Kingdom Park.
Though Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t confirmed the official grand opening date for “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!”, the signs are clear: after 27 years, the Tree of Life Theater is set for a big transformation.
Do you agree with Walt Disney World Resort’s decision to replace It’s Tough To Be A Bug! with “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!”? Share your opinion with Disney Dining in the comments!
