Retired Walt Disney Imagineer Jim Shull stirred online discussion this weekend after questioning whether video from the Zootopia: Better Zoogether preview in Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World carries what he described as a “woke vibe.” The show, housed in the Tree of Life theater, recently started cast member previews and videos quickly hit the internet.
Shull, who worked for the company for more than three decades, posted footage of the show on X in a now deleted post and asked followers for their impressions.
Former Disney Imagineer Jim Shull asks if Zootopia: Better Zoogether is woke – X, @JimShull
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“The videos of the #Zootopia show in the #TreeofLife give off a ‘woke’ vibe and a show aimed squarely at children,” he said. “Am I wrong?”
The post about the Zootopia preview quickly gained traction, with many park-goers and Disney watchers jumping in to debate both the tone of the attraction and the larger conversation surrounding Disney’s creative direction.
After the initial reaction, Shull followed up, noting that the topic struck a chord.
Former Disney imagineer Jim Shull attempts to clarify what he said when he called Zootopia: Better Zoogether “woke” – X, @JimShull
“Yikes. Seems I touched a nerve,” he said. A short time later, he clarified that he had not experienced the show firsthand and intended his remarks as a question for those who had.
“The comments I’ve received point to readers missing my question, which was if people who have seen the show (which I haven’t) give their opinion if the story was ‘Woke’. I was just asking a question, not giving an opinion.”
Online Reactions Were Split
The replies ranged from fans agreeing that Disney’s parks content feels increasingly driven by modern cultural messaging, to others arguing the show is simply a family-friendly production designed for young children. Some commenters focused on the ongoing use of major film IP in park attractions, questioning whether the company is leaning too heavily on movie tie-ins rather than original park-born storytelling.
Jenny Slate as Bellwether in Zootopia (2016), Walt Disney Animation Studios
One user referencing the tone of the show commented that it felt like “a soulless IP thrown into a ride,” while another responded sarcastically that it was unsurprising Disney would create a show targeted primarily at kids.
A Familiar Flashpoint
The exchange highlights a recurring tension in Disney discourse. Over the past several years, the company has become the central example cited by cultural critics when discussing entertainment studios embracing modern ideological themes in films, streaming content, and theme-park programming. Whether fans see that shift as refreshing inclusion or soulless corporate messaging pushing an ideological political agenda on kids, Disney remains at the center of this national debate more than nearly any other brand.
A Tiana animatronic figure in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Walt Disney World – Photo Credit: M. Montanaro
Shull’s question — and the strong reaction it drew — illustrates the reality that conversations about tone and storytelling at the parks are no longer just about animatronics, music cues, or show pacing. They now frequently intersect with broader questions about direction, guest demographics, and the balance between classic escapism and contemporary messaging.
The Show Itself
Zootopia: Better Zoogether replaces It’s Tough to Be a Bug, marking another step in Disney’s larger strategy of aligning park offerings with familiar film and streaming franchises. The new presentation features characters from the Zootopia universe and is positioned as a lighthearted experience suitable for families.
The Tree of Life in Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World – Photo Credit M. Montanaro
Shull did not issue any further comment at the time of this writing, and reactions continue to accumulate on the original thread.
How do you feel about Jim Shull and his question about the new Zootopia show preview at Walt Disney World? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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If you’re real:
Pam was one Kramer’s favorite names on “Seinfeld”.
Seems to me zootopia is the new perversion for the same ilk of Charlie Kirk’s assassin and his boyfriend:
Everyone’s favorite dress up dolls:
The Furby’s!!!!
Anthropomorphic freakos.