A First Look at Zootopia: Better Zoogether! at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

I had the absolute joy of attending a special preview of Zootopia: Better Zoogether! at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and I can honestly say—it was magical from start to finish! If you’re a Disney fan, or planning a visit soon, this is one experience you won’t want to miss.

Our day started early at Animal Kingdom with check-in for the event, where we picked up our event badges and a QR code to a fun animal search guide:

https://disneyexperiences.com/app/uploads/sites/8/2025/11/Zootopia_AnimalSearch_Only.pdf

This little adventure let us explore the park’s “biomes” and find real-life counterparts to some of our favorite Zootopia characters. Of course, we also enjoyed Kilimanjaro Safaris—one of my favorite Animal Kingdom experiences—before the park officially closed to day guests.

As evening approached, we walked under the stunning Tree of Life to the newly updated Tree of Life Theater lobby. The space itself was familiar, having hosted the previous A Bug’s Life show, but every detail had been updated to match the Zootopia theme. From tiny elevators and hamster-tube pathways for small animals to lamps featuring silhouettes of animals holding hands, Disney’s attention to detail was absolutely delightful.

The lobby has been redesigned to prepare guests for what to expect during "Zoogether Day," the city-wide celebration featured in the show. There’s so much to explore! My favorite was the Pawdora display, a playful jewelry collection with pieces for animals of every size—from tiny charms for rodents to larger pieces for giraffes. As a jewelry and Pandora girlie myself, I loved this display! Another highlight is the community bulletin board, filled with flyers, ads, and newspaper clippings packed with fun Easter eggs and jokes—perfect for spotting little nods to Zootopia and Disney fans.

Before the show, we received “CarrotVision” 3D glasses, and the experience did not disappoint. The new Benjamin Clawhauser animatronic steals the spotlight with incredibly smooth, realistic movements, and the 4D effects—wind, water, and seat vibrations—add playful surprises throughout the story. Fans of the previous show might remember the “creepy crawler” moments that made some adults and kids uneasy—but don’t worry! Zootopia: Better Zoogether! keeps the excitement and seat surprises while leaving the bugs behind, making it a fun and comfortable experience for everyone.

The show itself celebrates teamwork and unity, emphasizing how different characters can come together to overcome challenges, making it perfect for families and Disney fans of all ages.

We had the privilege of seeing the show twice and enjoying a lovely reception afterward in the Harambe Theater District, where we also had the pleasure of seeing Nick and Judy!

Attending with my colleague Heather made the experience even more special. As a fellow Disney lover, she shares my excitement for the parks, and watching how she navigates Disney with celiac and gluten allergies gave me a firsthand look at how thoughtfully Disney handles special requests, ensuring every guest is cared for—even during exclusive events.

For anyone planning to see Zootopia: Better Zoogether!, my tip is to aim for the middle rows for the best view of Clawhauser and the action. And don’t forget to take a little extra time in the lobby to spot all the fun details—it’s worth it!

Extra Fun: Guests can now meet Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde at a new, permanent meet-and-greet spot on Discovery Island, decked out in their new outfits from the upcoming movie. And speaking of which, soon we’ll all be able to see these beloved characters again on the big screen when Zootopia 2 hits theaters on November 26!

More Ways to Experience Zootopia Fun:

You can now draw your favorite Zootopia characters at The Animation Experience at Animal Kingdom.

Enjoy new Zootopia: Better Zoogether!–themed treats, including macarons, themed drinks, and paw-inspired desserts.

Don’t forget the exclusive Zootopia: Better Zoogether popcorn bucket! and check the My Disney Experience app for the latest updates.