Credit: Joe Schlabotnik, FlickrNext month, guests visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom will discover an all-new experience inside one of the park’s most recognizable icons. Beginning November 7, 2025, the Tree of Life Theater will unveil Zootopia: Better Zoogether!, a 4D adventure inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia (2016) and its upcoming sequel, Zootopia 2 (2025).
This marks the official replacement for It’s Tough to Be a Bug, introducing an entirely fresh story that celebrates community and connection through the world of Zootopia.
Step Into Zoogether Day
Inside the transformed Tree of Life Theater, guests are invited to join the citywide festivities of Zoogether Day—the biggest celebration on the Zootopian calendar. The show is hosted by Heidi Howler, a fast-talking wolf who leads an energetic “watch party” of the day’s events, inviting every animal (and park guest) to clap, dance, and cheer along.
Using “Carrot Vision” glasses, audiences will experience characters from the films as they leap from the screen in a vivid 4D presentation. Disney describes the attraction as a multi-sensory adventure that engages sight, sound, smell, and touch—immersing guests in a celebration that embodies the spirit of Animal Kingdom’s storytelling.
Meet a Familiar Face in a New Way
No Zootopia story would be complete without the cheerful Officer Clawhauser. For the first time ever, the donut-loving cheetah appears as an Audio-Animatronics figure inside the theater. Dressed for the festival in his Gazelle T-shirt and glow accessories, Clawhauser dreams of becoming the “V.I.Z.”—the Very Important Zootopian—during the big event. When his plans don’t go quite as expected, his determination sets the story in motion for a heartwarming and humorous adventure.
New Entrance Marquee Revealed at Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Animal Kingdom guests are finally getting a peek at the marquee for the upcoming Zootopia: Better Zoogether show. Previously hidden behind a solid black scrim, the new covering is semi‑transparent green, per WDWNT, giving visitors their first real look at the design beneath.
At the top, the familiar “Tree of Life Theater” lettering remains, while a stylized “Z” hints at the Zootopia branding. The marquee itself appears to feature wooden elements—or at least a wood-like finish—and sports an arch with flaring lines, though the final color scheme is still under wraps. This small but telling reveal marks another step toward the park’s highly anticipated transformation of the Tree of Life Theater.
Special Previews Before Opening Day
Select groups will get an early chance to explore Zootopia’s world before the attraction’s official debut. Cast member previews will take place October 31–November 3, 2025, with registration opening October 14 at 7:00 a.m. ET.
Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Members can experience the attraction from November 1–3, 2025. Registration opens October 23, and participants must have a qualifying Walt Disney World Resort reservation made before October 19, linked to their DVC membership.
Annual Passholder previews will follow on November 5–6, with two virtual queue opportunities each day: 7:00 a.m. for those holding a Disney’s Animal Kingdom park reservation, and 1:00 p.m. for all Passholders, regardless of reservation status. This schedule offers more flexibility than ever for fans eager to visit before the public opening.
The Virtual Queue Returns
To manage opening-day excitement, Disney will bring back the virtual queue system for Zootopia: Better Zoogether!. Guests can secure access through the My Disney Experience app rather than waiting in traditional standby lines—a method last used earlier this year for Test Track previews. The feature is expected to remain active through the attraction’s launch period to help streamline the guest experience.
A New Chapter for Animal Kingdom
The debut of Zootopia: Better Zoogether! continues Disney’s ongoing evolution of Animal Kingdom, blending humor and heart while staying true to the park’s message of harmony among all living things. The immersive technology, the return of an advanced digital queue system, and the introduction of an original Audio-Animatronics figure make this one of the park’s most exciting new offerings in years.
This new addition marks the beginning of a broader transformation. Following Zootopia’s debut, Animal Kingdom will continue to grow with the upcoming Tropical Americas land, which will replace DinoLand U.S.A. in 2027. The new area will feature two major attractions inspired by Encanto (2021) and the Indiana Jones franchise.
As the park looks to the future, Zootopia: Better Zoogether! stands as a symbol of connection, celebration, and the magic that happens when every creature—large or small—comes together.
How do you feel about this replacement at the Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!