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Credit: Steven Miller, FlickrWhen Disney rolls out a new attraction, Annual Passholders usually rush to grab preview spots the moment they drop. It has become almost a badge of honor to be among the first to experience something new at Walt Disney World. That is why what is happening at Disney’s Animal Kingdom right now is turning heads.
Disney announced preview dates for Zootopia: Better Zoogether! weeks ago, and the surprising part is that… those preview spots are still wide open. We are talking full availability, days and days after they were released. That almost never happens.
This new offering will replace It’s Tough to Be a Bug! inside the Tree of Life Theater, bringing Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and the rest of the Zootopia crew into the spotlight. On paper, this should be a big moment. Instead, we are seeing unusually low urgency from Passholders — a group that normally treats previews like limited-edition collectibles.
So the question floating around right now is simple: is this a sign that the new Zootopia attraction could struggle instead of soar?
Preview Spots Still Wide Open
Let’s set the stage. Annual Passholder previews are scheduled for November 5 and November 6. Disney is running virtual queues at 7 a.m. and 1 p.m., and the system works the same way it did for other preview events — get a park reservation if you want the morning queue, or try for the afternoon window with valid admission.
Normally, those slots evaporate. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure previews? Gone almost instantly. Test Track sneak peeks? Same impact — Passholders flooded the system within hours.
This time, though, no mad dash. No panic scrolling. No “I can’t believe I missed it” posts. Just open availability.
It is baffling to see previews stay unclaimed when this group has proven time and again that they will wake up early, refresh apps like it’s an Olympic sport, and battle virtual queues for anything new. The quiet around these slots feels like a message, even if we do not fully know what it means yet.
What Guests Can Expect Inside the Tree of Life
Disney is positioning Zootopia: Better Zoogether! as a lively 4D experience featuring singing, dancing, humor, and immersive effects. The concept is built around a citywide celebration in Zootopia, and fans will meet familiar friends like Judy, Nick, and Gazelle. Disney is also debuting a brand-new Audio-Animatronic of Officer Clawhauser, which has already gotten attention online thanks to its expressive design.
From a tech standpoint, this show looks polished and modern. The Zootopia franchise is massive for Disney, and this attraction gives the park a fresh family-friendly touch that fits the current IP-driven era of Imagineering.
Yet despite all that, we are still seeing hesitation.
Are Fans Unsure About This Change?
Animal Kingdom has always been a park with a vibe — themed lands full of discovery, animals, and natural storytelling sewn into every element. A show based on Zootopia makes sense on some levels, especially since the movie focuses on animals and coexistence. Still, there are a lot of fans who loved the chaotic and slightly mischievous spirit of It’s Tough to Be a Bug!, and this shift feels like a big creative departure.
Then consider the bigger picture. Animal Kingdom is gearing up for major changes over the next few years. The Tropical Americas project is coming, Dinoland is being reimagined, and new rides and lands are on the horizon. When a park is in transition, smaller additions sometimes get overshadowed — and this might be one of those moments.
Plus, we are heading straight into the holiday travel season. Passholders may be saving their energy (and vacation days) for December fun rather than an early November theater preview.
Still, none of those reasons fully explain why this rollout feels so quiet.
Will This Attraction Struggle Out of the Gate?
Disney is no stranger to launching attractions that spark debate before opening day. Sometimes the result is a runaway hit that wins people over immediately. Other times, crowds prove a little more cautious.
Right now, this feels like one of those cautious moments.
Passholders, more than anyone, love to say they experienced something first. They love to be early testers and early reviewers. So when preview spots sit untouched, it sends a subtle ripple through the fanbase: maybe excitement just is not there yet.
This does not doom the show. When families flood the park in November and beyond, there could be plenty of demand. But the early signs are not screaming blockbuster.
Goodbye Bugs, Hello Bunnies
It still feels surreal that It’s Tough to Be a Bug! is officially gone. Whether you adored it, avoided it, or only remember the screaming children, that attraction was a core part of Animal Kingdom’s identity since opening day.
The move to replace it with Zootopia marks a noticeable creative pivot. This is less about creepy-crawly humor and more about colorful characters and upbeat storytelling. Modern audiences might gravitate toward that, while longtime fans are still adjusting.
Disney clearly believes in this IP. They would not give it such a prominent stage otherwise. Now it is just a matter of seeing whether guests are ready to follow that vision — or whether this is one of those nostalgia battles where the original attraction’s legacy looms large.
If Previews Don’t Sell Out, What Does That Mean?
The fact that these previews are not sold out yet could suggest a muted start. If guests are skipping the chance to see this first, it may reflect lukewarm excitement or a “catch it later” mindset. Neither one builds strong momentum.
There is still time before opening day, and buzz could grow once influencers start filming inside, guests post reactions, and word of mouth spreads. But early impressions matter, and right now, the park might be heading into this debut with a whisper instead of a roar.
For Disney, that means the pressure will fall on the show itself to win people over.
Final Thoughts
Zootopia: Better Zoogether! has the potential to be a fun, lively addition to Animal Kingdom. It brings beloved characters, high-energy music, and modern technology to a space that has needed a refresh.
The odd thing is how quiet the lead-up feels.
Hype can always build later. Families could fall in love with this attraction. Kids might drag their parents in again and again. Social media may explode with cute videos and character interactions. But for now, with preview slots still sitting open and fans not scrambling to get in early, the debut feels unexpectedly under the radar.
Opening week will be the real test. If lines stretch down Discovery Island and guests rave about the experience, this early lull will be forgotten in minutes. If crowds trickle instead of sprint, it might become one of the first attractions in a while where Disney has to earn the excitement instead of riding guaranteed hype.
Either way, the Tree of Life is turning the page on a major chapter. The bugs are gone, the mammals have moved in, and the countdown has begun. Now we wait to see whether this celebration roars… or squeaks by quietly.