Zootopia: Higher Zoogether is now taking part in at Animal Kingdom, and we’ve had a few possibilities to take a look at Walt Disney World’s latest attraction. This overview covers the great, unhealthy & ugly of the 4D present, the way it compares to what it changed in addition to different related points of interest, thematic integrity with the larger image of DAK, and extra.
In case you’re unfamiliar with it, Zootopia: Higher Zoogether is an all-new 4D present contained in the Tree of Life Theater, changing It’s Robust to Be a Bug. That was an authentic Animal Kingdom attraction that closed earlier this yr to make approach for work on this.
The idea for Zootopia: Higher Zoogether has company visiting the completely different biomes you solely glimpse within the movie, touring together with Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde and different characters. Zootopia: Higher Collectively attracts a few of its inspiration from Zootopia 2, which is Disney’s blockbuster vacation movie.
Once you migrate over to the Tree of Life Theater, you’ll discover you arrived simply in time to the principle stage for the “Zoogether Day” festivities with acquainted furry faces and new associates, like Heidi Howler – a slick-talking wolf who hosts the Zoogether Day LIVE! broadcast with pleasure, power, and fairly a little bit of howling.
Zoogether Day, a celebration of unity amongst the various biomes throughout the town, options particular performances corresponding to ice-skating spectaculars from the center of Tundratown, synchronized swimming direct from Marsh Market, and tiny mouse drone reveals hovering over Little Rodentia. The whole lot culminates in a musical finale by celebrity Gazelle, which we’ll see from the livestream watch celebration.
What Zootopia: Higher Zoogether Changed
Zootopia: Higher Zoogether replaces It’s Robust to Be a Bug, which invited company to turn out to be honorary bugs and don a pair of “bug eye” glasses. The present was hosted by Flik from A Bug’s Life, and was an ‘edutainment’ attraction that mixed the Pixar movie with information about how bugs survive within the wild.
Through the present, dodge flying quills from a tarantula, really feel a innocent spray from a soldier termite and sniff the putrid “protection stench” from a stink bug. It’s Robust to Be a Bug culminated in Hopper, the grasshopper villain, interrupting the demonstration with a aim of exterminating the viewers.
It’s Robust to Be a Bug was a robust present. It broke the fourth wall, contained intelligent puns and sharp writing, engaged on a number of ranges. It additionally was a combined media presentation, with 3D film results, Audio-Animatronics figures, and in-theater 4D surprises. Suffice to say, there was a purpose why It’s Robust to Be a Bug–a gap day Animal Kingdom attraction that had been carried out since April 1998–wasn’t retired till 2025.
On the similar time, it’s honest to say that It’s Robust to Be a Bug had a improbable run by 3D present requirements.
It’s time to be exterminated had come, despite the fact that it held up shockingly nicely for a movie from 1998. Like MuppetVision, it hadn’t aged all that a lot. On the similar time, it additionally wasn’t a traditional. Positive, there have been some company who mourned its loss, but it surely simply wasn’t the identical. It’s most likely honest to say that the Walt Disney World fan consensus could be that these reveals ought to be rotated out extra typically.
It’s additionally honest to say that there have been parts of It’s Robust to Be a Bug that had been off-putting for a lot of company. I’m not fairly certain whether or not I ought to admit this, however seeing the terrified faces and listening to the screams places a smile on my face. Grown adults cowering in concern on the in-theater particular results is a delight. (Okay, that sounds a bit of loopy.) It was just like the legacy of Alien Encounter dwelling on!
It’s additionally price noting that many repeat guests skip It’s Robust to Be a Bug because of entomophobia. I might hazard a guess that many first-timers don’t benefit from the expertise all that a lot, both. Then there are the dad and mom of babies who went in anticipating a family-friendly movie and left with terrified youngsters due to the startling results and darkish section with Hopper.
In my youthful and extra carefree childless Disney Grownup days, I’d’ve supplied some flippant response to that, quoting Calvin’s dad and saying being scared by bugs “builds character.”
As a father or mother who by chance scared his toddler with a experience that put an lovely monkey into darkish and precarious conditions (oops), I now know higher. Restoration from these experiences is usually a problem, to say the least!
Does Zootopia: Higher Zoogether Match Animal Kingdom’s Theme?
The above begins to the touch on why I’m a sympathetic viewers to this present. However I’ll take that one additional as we swap gears and handle Zootopia’s thematic appropriateness for Animal Kingdom.
That is vital to a whole lot of Walt Disney World followers as a result of Animal Kingdom is arguably the final thematically pure park at Walt Disney World. EPCOT has fallen. Who even is aware of what’s up with Disney’s Hollywood “Studios.” Magic Kingdom remains to be nice, but it surely’s extra malleable within the first place; even so, loads of compromises have been made.
There have been a few shut calls, however legendary Imagineer and “guardian” of Animal Kingdom, Joe Rohde, at all times managed to work his magic and make alien additions really feel like excellent matches.
Joe Rohde beforehand pushed again in opposition to fan requests for Zootopia land in Animal Kingdom. In line with Rohde, Zootopia’s “animals are proxies for people and human points quite than animals in their very own proper dealing with animal-related points. We attempt to implement the ‘no pants’ rule. Basic characters excepted.”
I’m not one to query Joe Rohde, because the Disney Legend is a genius who’s liable for among the greatest cases of creating lemonade out of lemons. However I’d hazard a guess in the event you requested him about Avatar in Animal Kingdom again in August 2011, he would’ve laughed.
And in the event you requested him about Zootopia as we speak, he’d possible change his tune. As outspoken as Rohde is, he’s additionally very diplomatic. When he had the political capital to maintain Zootopia out of DAK, he used it. However that day handed when he retired.
In any case, we wrote that Animal Kingdom is “arguably” thematically pure as a result of the flip aspect is that it arguably is just not.
When Pandora – World of Avatar was first introduced, the fan response was completely scathing. Animal Kingdom purists had been furious that an inconsequential blockbuster film about blue alien intercourse cats could be added to their beloved zoological theme park.
It’s exhausting to imagine this as we speak for the reason that clear consensus on Pandora is resoundingly constructive. However belief me on this, as somebody who deep within the fan discussion board trenches within the early 2010s. It was a sizzling matter for like 5 years, and never even a controversial one; consensus then was the precise reverse of as we speak.
For our half, we had been by no means within the vehemently anti-Avatar camp. It is best to by no means guess in opposition to James Cameron or Joe Rohde. By and enormous, Rohde labored his magic and made Pandora work. The world-building is improbable, as are the framing units and storytelling to weave it into Animal Kingdom.
Followers have largely quieted down about Pandora not becoming Animal Kingdom, simply as they’ve Cosmic Rewind not becoming EPCOT. That is arguably much less about Imagineering doing an important job with storytelling and extra about Imagineering doing an important job on the substance.
Constructing world-class points of interest or wow-inducing lands has a approach of quieting the criticism. I don’t personally imagine that Pandora is an ideal match for Animal Kingdom, however truthfully, I don’t care that a lot as a result of I like the land and the worth it provides to the park as an entire. Views may change if Pandora had been a carnival of spinners (Dino-Rama: Avatar Version), however with a superb backstory.
However, I might hazard a guess that in the event you polled informal first-timers after their visits to Animal Kingdom about which land stood out as having the least to do with the spirit of the park, it might be Pandora. If you happen to zoom out and ignore all that work to make lemonade out of lemons, and simply do a primary ‘odor take a look at’ evaluation, it’s a tougher promote.
Zootopia is principally the precise reverse. Diehard Walt Disney World followers know that Animal Kingdom revolves across the stability and concord between the human world and the animal kingdom. On that foundation, Zootopia truly isn’t excellent for the park. However first-timers and much more informal company simply see animals. Zootopia is a film that includes a whole lot of completely different animals, Animal Kingdom is the animal park at Walt Disney World. Superficial because it is likely to be, it’s a match for many company.
I’m roughly on the similar level with Zootopia as I used to be with Avatar, or different properties for that matter. Actually, a part of that’s Animal Kingdom by no means resonating as a lot for me as did EPCOT Heart.
One other half is accepting that instances change, as have priorities and client preferences. Simply as there’s no going again to the unique ‘edutainment’ EPCOT Heart, so too is there no going again to Beastly Kingdom or different authentic DAK growth plans. And Animal Kingdom badly wants growth. Letting good be the enemy of excellent is considerably foolish 35+ years later. Compromises are so as.
A kind of compromises is recognizing that Zootopia is a marquee IP, and it was going to go someplace at Walt Disney World. Underneath the unique model of the 10-year plan from 2022, the land that was constructed at Shanghai Disneyland was slated for Animal Kingdom (together with Moana).
With the return of Bruce Vaughn to Imagineering, and maybe some consulting with Joe Rohde, we as a substitute ended up with the plan for Tropical Americas that includes Encanto and Indiana Jones Journey. Additionally not thematically excellent, however two extra ‘shut sufficient’ matches for me that may work with the correct storytelling.
In different phrases, to the extent that Imagineering tried to make lemonade out of lemons with Zootopia, they did so by tucking the IP away contained in the Tree of Life versus with the substance of the present. I used to be optimistic {that a} deal with the various biomes, which was a part of the unique announcement, meant there’d be a nominal effort to tie Higher Zoogether into the theme of Animal Kingdom.
No such luck. Zootopia: Higher Zoogether may simply as simply be in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In actual fact, in the event you advised me that this was initially slated for Animation Courtyard or actually another theater on property, I wouldn’t be shocked. This present may go actually anyplace.
Higher Zoogether is a suboptimal match for Animal Kingdom and there’s no two methods about that, but it surely’s nonetheless shut sufficient for me. Not in an absolute or idealistic sense, however as somebody who lives in the true world the place this was an inevitability. I’d a lot quite have Zootopia hidden in Tree of Life than its personal land in Animal Kingdom.
That metropolis of anthropomorphic animals would’ve been extra at odds with the larger image of the park, and it might’ve been jarring going from the luxurious environments and symbiosis of people and nature to the concrete jungle of the artifical world…however constructed by animals, I suppose.
In a nutshell, what I’m saying is that Zootopia: Higher Zoogether strikes me as an excellent compromise resolution to giving an enormous IP a presence in Animal Kingdom with out basically sacrifices to the park’s identification. It’s not excellent, but it surely’s tucked away and can cross the odor take a look at for many company. I’ll take that as a win.
Zootopia: Higher Zoogether Present Assessment
We spent a lot time specializing in thematic integrity as a result of that’s the extra attention-grabbing dialog than the substance of the present. To the extent that there’s a narrative in Zootopia: Higher Zoogether, it’s principally that somebody has sabotaged Zoogether Day, with Nick and Judy attempting to resolve who did it.
Really, the plot is threadbare. The story actually solely exists as an excuse to advance the motion, which there’s a whole lot of! You’d be forgiven in the event you had no thought why something that’s taking place is occurring, and even in the event you missed the large reveal that the [spoiler redacted] is definitely [spoiler redacted]. (Not even certain that’s a spoiler, however quite, a blink and also you’ll miss it second.)
You’re watching this all unfold by way of satellite tv for pc, however you’re additionally sorta a part of the motion. It’s framed as a passive expertise, however in execution, it’s very a lot an lively one. There’s no level in attempting to make any sense of this, reconciling the plot with the presentation or untangling what’s taking place; I’m not within the temper for a headache, so I gained’t hassle.
For probably the most half, Zootopia: Higher Zoogether is simply an attraction that has a whole lot of stuff taking place, in every single place, abruptly. Zoogether Day is a celebration, and that’s principally what this present is. You see a whole lot of places and race previous a wide-variety of characters within the span of ~9 minutes.
The present may be very chaotic and frenetic, with quick cuts and surroundings modifications for no discernible purpose.
On this sense, Zootopia: Higher Zoogether jogged my memory of [articles I’ve read about] widespread YouTube movies geared toward children. How they’re principally nonstop dopamine hits. I’ll spare you my rant about brief kind content material and fashionable consideration spans, my views on that are most likely apparent to anybody studying this 3,000 phrase overview versus watching it in 23-second TikTok kind.
The motion in Zootopia: Higher Zoogether is unrelenting and downright disorienting. It’s clear I’m not the target market, and that this present is aimed squarely at youngsters. That is not like Zootopia, the film, which appeals to each youngsters and adults, engaged on completely different ranges.
This saddens me a bit of. It’s lengthy been the case that many Hollywood creatives felt that theme parks had been beneath them. I might say an “inferior” artwork kind, however truthfully, I don’t suppose they seen theme parks as artwork within the first place.
Fortunately, the parks had the primary technology of Imagineers, after which the following technology with of us like Rohde, who did take them very severely. Even when there was a ‘lemonade out of lemon’ mission dictated by some IP mandate from on excessive, the Rohdes of Walt Disney Imagineering may very well be trusted to do their easiest to make it work.
Zootopia: Higher Zoogether, just like the Magnificence and the Beast Sing-Alongside earlier than it, seems like an abandonment of that. As an alternative of crafting a present that would work for teenagers and adults on completely different ranges (Frozen Sing-Alongside is an effective recent-ish instance of this performed nicely), this present was made solely for babies.
This isn’t to say that adults gained’t be capable of take pleasure in Zootopia: Higher Zoogether.
On the contrary, it’s senseless enjoyable. ole usual assault on the senses. I may see doing this noon after a protracted morning in Animal Kingdom, proper as fatigue is beginning to set in. This can jolt you proper awake–most likely a greater pick-me-up than Starbucks!
The present packs a punch, and one which hits exhausting due to crisp, fashionable visuals. There’s additionally one thing to be mentioned for the 4D results, that are admittedly a hoot. They add some delicate thrills and enjoyable, giving the viewers an excellent snort on a few events. The reveals stoops to a whole lot of blatant “low cost 3D methods,” as one other far superior present as soon as put it, however hey, it really works.
I additionally like the unique music, and admire each that and (a portion of) “Strive The whole lot.” The finale end with simply the latter would’ve been the safer route, and whereas it might’ve been good to have the complete rendition of that, I’m a fan of theme park originals.
The utilization of the Clawhauser Audio Animatronics determine all through, versus throughout particular segments, can be attention-grabbing. Affordable minds could differ on this, however I like how he’s kind of at all times there, reacting. It provides a little bit of stability to the in any other case hectic presentation.
Actually, I believe this may’ve been much more enjoyable with a Flash the Sloth Audio Animatronics determine shifting his arms round slowly in delayed response to what was taking place. By the tip of the present, he’d be performed with the primary scene. Perhaps.
In the long run, I didn’t actively dislike Zootopia: Higher Zoogether, so there’s that (one thing that I can’t say about another current reveals). It’s vapid, but it surely’s additionally cute. It’s enjoyable. It checks some containers with beloved characters and music.
On the similar time, it’s fully forgettable and jogs my memory extra of a Netflix blockbuster (which I swear are engineered to be memoryholed sooner or later after viewing) or than it does Zootopia. It may additionally simply as simply be 4D movie at Common–in the event you swap out the Zootopia characters for Shrek or the Minions, this simply passes as one in every of their “excessive octane” productions.
It’s unlucky that Higher Zoogether doesn’t seize the center or greatest qualities of Zootopia, or that anybody over the age of 12 might want to flip their mind off to take pleasure in this, but it surely is fulfilling when you try this. Zootopia: Higher Zoogether is okay. Satisfactory.
How Zootopia: Higher Zoogether Compares to Different Exhibits
We haven’t up to date our Rankings of All 87 Points of interest at Walt Disney World for the reason that starting of the yr and, suffice to say, loads has modified since. Regardless, listed here are a couple of rankings from that:
- 87. Magnificence and the Beast Sing-Alongside (Worst Attraction at Walt Disney World)
- 85. Disney & Pixar Brief Movie Competition
- 54. Kali River Rapids (Weakest Trip at Animal Kingdom submit Dino-Rama)
- 53. It’s Robust To Be A Bug
- 48. Turtle Speak with Crush
- 47. Mickey’s PhilharMagic (Fashionable Masterpiece)
- 36. MuppetVision 3D (Highest Rated 4D/3D Present)
Notice that these rankings try and be as goal as potential, however that’s unattainable–and probably an train in futility. There’s a 100% likelihood you’ll not agree with each single one in every of our rankings–however there’s additionally a 100% likelihood that nobody would agree with each single one in every of your rankings.
You don’t must agree with my particular rankings above, anyway. They’re extra for contextualizing how I really feel, extra typically, about 3D/4D movies. I’ve written repeatedly that these are ‘low ceiling’ points of interest, which is to say that even at their easiest, they’re among the many weakest class of points of interest at Walt Disney World.
That ought to be evidenced by the truth that MuppetVision 3D–one in every of my all-time favourite points of interest the lack of which I’ve lamented in numerous posts–couldn’t crack the highest 30. Similar goes for Mickey’s PhilharMagic and Turtle Speak. Each of these are, for my part, distinctive points of interest. That they barely slip into the highest 50 speaks extra to this class and the competitors than their high quality.
In any case, if I had been to rank Zootopia: Higher Zoogether on that checklist (and I’ll quickly because it was the final new 2025 opening), it’d be round #73. That’s one spot behind Frozen Sing-Alongside, two behind Journey into Creativeness, and different only-okay darkish rides.
Zootopia: Higher Zoogether ranks forward of Alien Swirling Saucers and–essential to this overview–all the movies that debuted close-together at Walt Disney World in late 2019 and early 2020. Of their protection, these had been principally filler not supposed to be on par with a extra formidable 4D movie.
The issue is that every one three different parks at Walt Disney World can get away with–and even want extra filler. Animal Kingdom is changing into extra skippable till Tropical Americas, and Higher Zoogether doesn’t repair that downside. Animal Kingdom is a park badly needing meat, not sweets.
If you happen to’re in search of the silver lining right here, Zootopia: Higher Zoogether is gentle years higher than Magnificence and the Beast Sing-Alongside. That movie is like unhealthy fanfic that’s actively terrible–it makes my blood boil simply enthusiastic about it. Zootopia: Higher Zoogether can be higher than Quick & Livid Supercharged or CommuniCore Corridor & Plaza, and didn’t require enduring 5 years of a large filth pit to get! Typically, you’ve gotta savor the small victories.
Zootopia: Higher Zoogether is probably not good, however at the least “zoorst” on this case is just not actively offensive or downright unhealthy. It’s simply inferior to Walt Disney World’s greatest 4D movies from a special period, not the hit that Animal Kingdom wanted, and fully forgettable.
That’s disappointing, as we actually take pleasure in Zootopia, had been roughly okay with its tucked-away inclusion in Animal Kingdom, and looking out ahead to a much-needed addition to the park. However on the plus aspect, maybe that provides to its repeatability–doubt I’ll bear in mind something that occurred the subsequent time I’m dragged to see the present.
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Your Ideas
Have you ever seen this present? What do you consider Zootopia: Higher Zoogether? How would you fee/rank it relative to different reveals at Walt Disney World? Excited to expertise this throughout your Christmas-time journey to Walt Disney World? Do you agree or disagree with our overview? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
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