PHOTOS: Construction Work Begins in Former ‘It’s Tough to Be a Bug’ Queue at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Lauren Shahan

A pathway under construction is surrounded by plants and marked with pink chalk and red tape in a tropical setting.

PHOTOS: Construction Work Begins in Former ‘It’s Tough to Be a Bug’ Queue at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Construction work has begun in the queue of the former “It’s Tough to Be a Bug” show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, preparing the area for the upcoming “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!”

“It’s Tough to Be a Bug” Construction

Green construction barriers around a large, artificial tree structure with carved animals, featuring a small waterfall. Surrounded by lush vegetation and lamp posts.

The final day of operation for”It’s Tough to Be a Bug” was March 16, 2025. Since then, the entrance sign was torn down and several directional signs for the attraction have been removed.

Pathway surrounded by lush green vegetation and wooden fences, leading through a tropical setting.

Construction work has now started in the queue of the former attraction. Behind the construction walls, we noticed staged cinder blocks with wood slats lying across them.

A concrete pathway under construction, partially obscured by green foliage. Red construction tape marks the path's edges.

Patches of pavement in some areas of the walkway have been torn up and marked off with red tape.

Sidewalk under construction with wooden board and spray-painted markings, surrounded by green leaves and plants.

Other areas of the walkway are covered in plywood with the words “open hole” spray-painted on it as pavement work is done.

A pathway under construction is surrounded by plants and marked with pink chalk and red tape in a tropical setting.

Behind the area of the walkway covered with plywood is a pile of dirt, likely from the hole dug up in the pavement.

Pathway in a lush garden with a decorative wooden post lamp in the foreground and maintenance vehicles in the background.

Other parts of the queue have construction equipment, including a green Power Buggy.

A paved path in a garden setting leads to a closed gate blocking the way. Lush greenery and a wooden fence line the path, with a rocky backdrop.

A blue cart on wheels sits in another part of the queue.

A large mound covered in camouflage netting, surrounded by a wooden fence and lush greenery.

Tarps covering a structure in the queue have been sitting in the same area, nearly untouched for several weeks.

In a vibrant animated concept art, anthropomorphic animals like a fox and rabbit energetically greet viewers in a colorful forest, reminiscent of the enchanting magic one might experience at Disney Parks. Could this be a hint at new attractions unveiling in 2025?.

“It’s Tough to Be a Bug” is now permanently closed to make way for the new show “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” The show will feature characters from “Zootopia,” including Judy Hopps, Nicke Wilde, and more. Concept art shows an audio-animatronic Clawhauser, which may be similar to the one that debuted in the Zootopia expansion at Shanghai Disneyland. A new original song performed by Ginnifer Goodwin, the voice of Judy Hopps from the films, will debut with the show.

During a media event last month, Disney confirmed with WDWNT that “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” will use some of the theater’s existing effects left over from “It’s Tough to Be a Bug.” Permits recently filed by Disney for work on the Tree of Life Theater may suggest which of the effects will be kept.

An opening date for the show has not yet been announced, but it is set to debut this winter, which coincides with the release of “Zootopia 2.”

Watch the final show of “It’s Tough to Be a Bug”:

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