Credit: Inside The MagicDisney often builds excitement through subtle teases rather than direct announcements, particularly for Annual Passholders at Walt Disney World. These hints often come in the form of quiet updates in the My Disney Experience app, like a recent teaser video featuring colorful animal silhouettes suggesting a Zootopia-themed magnet.
The video sparked speculation among Passholders about which characters would appear without providing any specifics. Fans debated everything from Clawhauser to Gazelle, keeping the anticipation high. Recently, Disney confirmed the details about the magnet, validating the rumors and adding relevance given recent additions to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Nick and Judy Take Center Stage at Disney
The new Annual Passholder magnet features Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, the main characters from Zootopia, rather than secondary characters or a pop star, as some fans predicted. This choice makes perfect sense given that Judy and Nick are currently meeting guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom right next door to the new Zootopia: Better Zoogether attraction.
Walt Disney World Annual Passholders can pick up the Nick and Judy magnet starting February 5 through March 15, 2026, at the Discovery Trading Company on Discovery Island during regular park operating hours. The distribution location at Animal Kingdom represents a shift from the traditional EPCOT-centric magnet releases, though it aligns perfectly with the park’s recent Zootopia additions.
The Animal Kingdom Connection
The decision to feature Judy and Nick and distribute the magnet at Animal Kingdom ties directly to the park’s growing Zootopia presence. Zootopia: Better Zoogether opened in November 2025 at the Tree of Life Theater, bringing the world of Zootopia to Animal Kingdom through a 3D experience celebrating Zoogether Day.
The attraction follows Heidi Howler hosting a livestream viewing event, checking in with different biomes of Zootopia as residents prepare for a live performance by Gazelle. When things go awry, Judy and Nick investigate suspected sabotage, creating an adventure that welcomes fans back into the Zootopia universe and features characters from both films in the franchise.
Having Judy and Nick available for character meet-and-greets adjacent to Better Zoogether creates a cohesive Zootopia experience at Animal Kingdom. The Annual Passholder magnet featuring these same characters extends that theming into the collectible merchandise program, rewarding Passholders with exclusive items tied to current park offerings.
Why the Quiet Rollout Matters
Disney’s approach to revealing this magnet through app teases rather than traditional announcements reflects an intentional strategy for engaging Annual Passholders. Instead of treating the magnet as just another piece of merchandise, Disney created anticipation through mystery and rewarded attention with information delivered directly to Passholders through their dedicated app section.
This approach makes Passholders feel like insiders participating in a slow reveal rather than passive recipients of announcements. The teaser video with dancing animal silhouettes generated speculation and conversation, keeping engagement high even before official confirmation arrived. That sustained attention matters more to Disney than a single announcement spike that fades quickly.
The Passholder Buzz section of the My Disney Experience app has become Disney’s preferred channel for these kinds of targeted communications. It’s not front and center where casual park guests would stumble across it. You have to intentionally navigate to that section, which means the people finding these teasers are exactly the audience Disney wants engaging with them: loyal Passholders who check the app regularly and pay attention to exclusive perks.
The Broader Disney Passholder Experience
Annual Passholder magnets represent one small piece of the overall value proposition Disney offers to convince guests that annual passes justify their high cost. These collectibles provide tangible proof of participation in specific moments, turning abstract membership into physical items you display at home.
For Passholders, these magnets become markers of their ongoing relationship with Disney parks. Each new release commemorates a particular period, ties to specific attractions or events, and creates a collection that grows over time. The magnets aren’t valuable in monetary terms, but they carry symbolic weight as acknowledgments of loyalty and continued engagement.
Disney’s investment in these perks, even small ones like magnets, signals that the company still sees value in recognizing and rewarding Passholders beyond just taking their money. The careful reveals, the exclusive distribution windows, and the thematic connections to park experiences all contribute to making the Annual Pass feel like more than just unlimited admission.
Zootopia’s Growing Disney Parks Presence
Featuring Zootopia characters on the Annual Passholder magnet reflects the franchise’s expanding footprint across Disney parks. Beyond Better Zoogether at Animal Kingdom, Disney has announced plans for Zootopia-themed lands at other parks globally, demonstrating the company’s confidence in the intellectual property’s long-term appeal.
The original Zootopia film became one of Disney’s most beloved modern animated movies, resonating with audiences who appreciated its humor, world-building, and surprisingly sophisticated handling of themes around prejudice and assumptions. The sequel continued building that universe, giving Disney even more material to draw from for park experiences.
By connecting the Annual Passholder magnet to these Zootopia expansions, Disney creates synergy between its collectible merchandise program and its broader parks strategy. Passholders become ambassadors for new attractions, taking home physical reminders that potentially spark conversations and generate interest among non-Passholder friends and family.
Getting Your Disney Magnet
Walt Disney World Annual Passholders planning to collect the Nick and Judy magnet should mark their calendars for the February 5 through March 15 distribution window. Head to Discovery Trading Company on Discovery Island at Disney’s Animal Kingdom during regular park hours with your valid Annual Pass.
While there, consider experiencing Zootopia: Better Zoogether at the nearby Tree of Life Theater and meeting Judy and Nick in person. The combination of the attraction, character experience, and exclusive magnet creates a complete Zootopia day at Animal Kingdom that celebrates both the franchise and your status as an Annual Passholder.