I saw Zootopia: Better Zoogether and wrote a review so that you don’t have to sit through this. And, yes, there will be spoilers.
Zootopia: Better Zoogether opens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to the general public this Friday, November 7, 2025, but I was able to nab a preview today.
The Tree of Life in Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World – Photo Credit M. Montanaro
READ: Disney Scraps Supplier Diversity Program After Years of Prioritizing Identity-Based Contractors
Occupying the former home of “It’s Tough To Be A Bug” in “The Tree of Life Theater” underneath and inside of the famous Animal Kingdom icon, Zootopia: Better Zoogether takes the audience on a wild, 3D romp through several biomes in the world of Zootopia.
The Celebration of “Zoogether Day” – Sabotaged!
The city of Zootopia is celebrating “Zoogether Day,” a celebration of unity among the many animals of all of its diverse biomes.
Guests are given special “CarrotVision 3D” glasses to watch it in the Tree of Life Theater at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. (A word of caution: be careful not to poke your eye while putting on said 3D glasses.) Heidi Howler the wolf hosts the event, but makes a quick and suspicious exit; turning the emcee duties over to Officer Clawhauser, whom we see to the right of the stage as an animatronic.
The Better Zoogether Clawhauser Animatronic at Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World – Photo Credit: Follow The Bradleys’ Fun
We first see an ice skating show from Tundratown (the arctic biome) that almost immediately gets interrupted by flames that melt a hole in the ice, and send cracks through the rest plunging the polar bear and animal skaters in to freezing waters.
The action goes at break neck pace when Officer Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde arrive on scene to investigate. The show moves from biome to biome – event to event, all sabotaged in different ways until we finally discover the not-so-surprise reveal that Bellwether the sheep disguised as Heidi Howler (a sheep in wolf’s clothing – get it?) was the culprit behind the sabotage.
3D Effects, Gags, and Spit In Your Face
One specific scene “got me in the feels”, and not in a good way.
The scene involves a beaver conversing with a walrus, with them spitting out every word. A sprinkler effect shoots water in the face of all audience members for the 4D special effect, and it goes on for far too long.
While I am sure some found this hilarious, I found it both annoying and kind of gross. Audiences were divided by similar gags in the previous theater occupant “It’s Tough To Be A Bug.”
The theater in Better Zoogether at Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World – Photo Credit: Follow The Bradleys’ Fun
READ: Epic Universe Replaced its Best Dark Ride With Cornhole Boards For One Day
Other 4D elements include movement in the seat underneath guests, simulated falling snow, bubbles, and air blown in your face.
Gazelle makes a couple of brief appearances, but very little is heard of the signature song, “Try Everything.”
A poster in Better Zoogether at Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World – Photo Credit: Follow The Bradleys’ Fun
The audience I previewed this with was made up of cast members and their guests, but even with that, the response wasn’t overwhelmingly great. The comments I heard varied from “meh” to “it’s cute,” but not much beyond that.
Not one single “Wow!” No one around me seemed overly excited.
The queue for Better Zoogether at Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World – Photo Credit: Follow The Bradleys’ Fun
For me, it fell flat. The story moved way too fast to understand what was going on, and while It’s Tough To Be A Bug made thematic sense, as bugs do live under trees, there is no thematic reason for Zootopia to exist in this space.
Disney Makes Due
Some audiences will certainly find humor and entertainment in this new 4D movie experience, and Zootopia is currently a more relevant IP than A Bug’s Life (particularly with Zootopia 2 releasing right around the corner).
An art display in Better Zoogether at Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World – Photo Credit: Follow The Bradleys’ Fun
READ: Greenville Spider-Man: Hero or Menace?
Elements in the queue have been themed to Zootopia, including the “Pawdora” jewelry swapped in for real life “Pandora” jewelry. And they couldn’t forget to include the giant “dung ball – reclaimed for peace” displayed prominently just outside the theater doors.
Leading up to the theater are a number of themed posters retelling the history of Zootopia.
Queue artwork in Better Zoogether at Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World – Photo Credit: Follow The Bradleys’ Fun
This show will likely divide audiences, just as It’s Tough To Be a Bug did before, but without the better thematic elements.
If your little one is sensitive to strobe effects, water splashed in their face, creepy movement under their seat, loud sounds, or any sensory effects I’d recommend skipping this one. Of the two, I’d have preferred It’s Tough To Be A Bug to remain.
A map of Zootopia at Better Zoogether at Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World – Photo Credit: Follow The Bradleys’ Fun
I’ll end this Zootopia: Better Zoogether review by pointing out that the show isn’t necessarily a downgrade, but it’s certainly not an upgrade either. It comes across as “change for change’s sake,” with nothing particularly creative or innovative added to the mix.
The Tree of Life Theater sign in Better Zoogether at Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World – Photo Credit: Follow The Bradleys’ Fun
Under current leadership Disney seems to have lost the magical, creative flare that once was their signature.
Now – they just make due.
What’s your review of Zootopia: Better Zoogether? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
[…] READ: Zootopia: Better Zoogether Review: Disney’s New 3D Show Misses the Magic Mark […]