Zootopia: Better Zoogether! has officially opened at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The new 4D show that replaces It’s Tough to Be a Bug brings the world of Zootopia into Walt Disney World for the first time. Is the new Zootopia show a good replacement? And, perhaps more importantly, does it make sense in Animal Kingdom?
So far, Zootopia: Better Zoogether has seen mixed reviews. Even some of the more positive reviews have pointed out the show’s flaws, which are many. We’ll offer our own reaction before taking a look at the rest of the Disney blogosphere.
Ignoring where the attraction lives and what came before it, Zootopia: Better Zoogether suffers from some big mistakes. The show doesn’t try anything new that guests haven’t seen before. Its story bounces around at a frantic pace, and lacks any big or memorable surprises. The message and substance of the show is so light and high level that it’s easily forgettable. We think very young guests will love it, but the show is a one-and-done for the majority of visitors.
But, we have to look at the new Zootopia attraction from a wider lens. We can’t ignore where it’s at or what came before it. The show does a lot of what It’s Tough to Be a Bug did, but it doesn’t do it as well. It somehow feels like a step back. Adding in that the inclusion of Zootopia content feels wedged into a spot it doesn’t belong, we think this show is a miss. Imagineering may have been mandated to make Zootopia fit, but they could’ve designed a show that was more creative, surprising, and had more for adults.
We’re not alone with our opinion that Zootopia: Better Zoogether is lacking. Blog Mickey perfectly points out that while the show might be fine for casual guests, it’s disappointing for those who expect more from Walt Disney Imagineering. WDW Magic, and others, discuss how the show is more kid-friendly than its predecessor, but it falls short of standards set by other Disney 3D (or 4D) attractions. Disney Tourist Blog laments that this show feels built entirely for small children and abandons a wider appeal for all ages.
While the Zootopia: Better Zoogether attraction is tucked away and not as glaring as other plans that called for building an entire Zootopia city in Animal Kingdom, its location under the park’s icon adds another layer of scrutiny. The attraction at the heart of Animal Kingdom should fit the parks theme and message. Zootopia doesn’t. Unfortunately, as we’ve seen in EPCOT, modern Disney’s isn’t as concerned with a cohesive theme.
We’re hoping for better when it comes to the Tropical Americas land at Animal Kingdom. That project seems to be on a better trajectory, but we’ll be honest that the debut of Zootopia: Better Zoogether has made us nervous for the park’s other upcoming additions.
