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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EagleScout61050 minutes ago

I was there for that one. Good times, good times

lazyboy97o1 hour ago

It’s a shame the Tarzan II Treehouse thread was nuked. The position of a trash can was proof of an impeding project. There’s not point in taking some posts seriously.

Agent H1 hour ago

Yeah I read it again and it’s still not a strawman everything you are saying is factually incorrect

TarzanForever1 hour ago

Read it again and then come back to me. Yes No

ParadoxPortals2 hours ago

You're the least effective troll in the entire world. I'm not even annoyed at you, just baffled. I'm not gonna respond to any more of your posts, but just know, everyone sees right through you. You have no "sources"

DarkMetroid5673 hours ago

you can’t just say “straw man” when there isn’t a strawman lol

Agent H3 hours ago

How in the cursed realm is that a strawman?

TarzanForever3 hours ago

Think you are getting away from the original point to make a straw man. You clearly are confused.

WorldExplorer4 hours ago

Not that I believe for a second that it's not leaving, but it would be really funny in a twisted kind of way if Disney went through on all their stupid plans to get rid of great things EXCEPT It's Tough to Be A Bug. No more Splash Mountain, no more Rivers of America, no more Muppet Vision, no more Country Bears, no more Dinoland...but It's Tough to Be a Bug? Immortal. Like cockroaches.

ParadoxPortals4 hours ago

What lmao. The fact you didn't provide any reasons as to why he's "wrong on multiple counts" shows you're just making stuff up. Bug's closing date was literally announced a few days ago, the permits are filed and findable online, and the BugVision glasses just got removed in place of temporary Muppet*Vision ones in preparation for Bug's closure. We all know you're just here to attention-seek and you're failing hard to convince anyone. Nobody here is that gullible. Pack your bags (and attitude) and go home.