It's Tough to be a Bug! Now Closed at Disney's Animal Kingdom

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Zootopia Better Zoogether construction - March 17 2025

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Posted: Monday March 17, 2025 9:00am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

It’s Tough to be a Bug! has now permanently closed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom following its final performances on March 17, 2025. As work begins to prepare the Tree of Life Theater for its upcoming Zootopia: Better Zoogether! attraction, several noticeable changes have already taken place.

Tree of Life Theater Updates

The entrance marquee for It’s Tough to be a Bug! has been removed.

The former Tough to be a Bug entrance

The It's Tough To Be A Bug entrance marquee pictured last week

While the former entrance remains accessible, guests can now only use it to explore the Tree of Life Gardens — entry into the theater queue is blocked by a small construction wall.

The entrance to the theater is now blocked

A look down into the queue area

Zootopia Better Zoogether construction - March 17 2025

References to It’s Tough to be a Bug! have been removed from wayfinder signage throughout the park.

Tough to be a Bug signage has been removed from way finder signs

A new in-park map was released today reflecting these changes. The map no longer lists It’s Tough to be a Bug! and does not yet mention the upcoming Zootopia attraction.

What’s Next for the Tree of Life Theater?

Disney has confirmed that Zootopia: Better Zoogether! will debut in winter 2025, but no additional construction timeline details have been shared. Recent permits suggest infrastructure changes and set installation will begin very soon as part of the theater’s transformation.

Zootopia: Better Zoogether Poster

For now, guests can still enjoy the Tree of Life Gardens, offering scenic views of the park’s iconic centerpiece and opportunities to spot detailed animal carvings along the paths.

Zootopia Better Zoogether construction - March 17 2025

Discuss on the Forums

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Agent H12 minutes ago

This sounds like a mousetrap news article.

mickEblu1 hour ago

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

TheDisneyParksfanC82 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_Crimson2 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 Again2 hours ago

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

mickEblu2 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 ֊ᗩζᗩᗰ5 hours ago

I'm bringing sparklers! 🎇

ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰ5 hours ago

I zoo what you did there.

Fox&Hound6 hours ago

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

EagleScout6106 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?

donaldtoo6 hours ago

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

MisterPenguin6 hours ago

Noted. You're fired.

Advisable Joseph6 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?