It's Tough to Be a Bug

It's Tough To Be a Bug brings you face to face, smell to...well, you'll see.... with the next generation of 3D movie technology! Located inside the base of the Tree of Life, the story of FLIK, Princess Atta and Hopper (Bug's Life) comes alive by Disney Audio-Animatronics.

The attention to detail is vintage Disney as an announcer even reminds you "to refrain from buzzing, chirping and stinging throughout the presentation. Oh, and by the way, no pollinating, either! "

ATTRACTION

Special 3D Glasses In the dark caverns of the roots of the Tree of Life is a 430 seat theatre designed to of special effects.

You will receive a special pair of 3D "bug" glasses to wear while you view the show. (see photo on right)

Without going into detail, a variety of bugs, spiders and other insects will entertain you...scare you...and get your attention!

There are scenes that may frighten children.

Seating is wooden bench seats with backs. Seats have bumps in them.

TOURING TIPS

To reach the movie theatre, wind your way around the Tree of Life base and roots. Once inside the waiting area, it is very tight and dimly light.

Please read the important "Kids Tips" in the next section!

Take your time wandering through the Tree of Life roots -- there are many carvings to discover. Also take time to look up at the Tree of Life itself, again, you will discover many new carvings.

Don't miss the creative movie posters in the waiting area: "A Stinkbug Named Desire," "Web Side Story," "Beauty and the Bee" and "My Fair Lady Bug."

This 3D movie has warning signs outside. HOWEVER, please use caution when bringing your children (and perhaps yourself) to see this movie. There are hairy bugs, spiders, and it is loud and dark with some intense scenes. That being said, folks LOVE it. Please use some caution when deciding who in your group should watch this. If you have any hesitation, wait till someone you know has seen it.

A number of folks also report the 3D special effects very hard to see clearly -- so don't be surprised if you have a hard time.

By the way, I enjoyed/understood this attraction much better once I saw the movie A Bug's Life.

Sammantha finished a six-month tour working at Disney's Animal Kingdom and offers some "insider tips":

-- You might not need to bother with a FastPass. The way the line is designed your wait will never be more than 30 minutes.

-- Cast Members will park your strollers for you, so be prepared to take all your belongings with you. (Remember, they just park them, they don't watch them.)

-- Each pair of 3D glasses is the same, so there's no need to switch them. Cast Members immediately remove those that you've put back and take them to be cleaned.

Assistive Listening Devices from Guest Services Can Be Used Here.

Reflective Captioning Available

KIDS AND CHARACTERS

If you have small children who might be scared, sit in the back of the theater. When the show grows intense, the special effects are less harsh in the back. Yes, Hopper can be mean and scary, but he's really a nice guy. Sometimes he just forgets to have his morning coffee. ;) (Sammantha)

I have had folks write to tell me how intense it is for some kids and others write wondering why I have this warning at all. To lessen your child's experience, try sitting them on your lap. By doing so, they will miss a couple of the potential scary effects. Of course your mileage will certainly vary!!!

I do agree with other families who have commented that the effects are a bit too realistic for some of the younger children. While my 2 year old was unfazed, my 4 year old who loves to pretend he's an entomologist panicked about halfway through. (Belcher Family)

Please heed the warings about It's Tough to Be a Bug show being very intense for children. In the show that I was at about 5 kids had to leave because they were really scared! IF you have the SLIGHTEST doubt about your child viewing this show, watch it yourself frist, then decide if your child can handle it. (Trevor Paquette )

I saw you already had several warnings about the intensity of It's Tough to Be a Bug. I'm glad, because poor Maddy (at 4) was one of the little ones who just couldn't handle it. She did love all the carvings on the tree on the way in, so I'd suggest parents spend some time walking around there with their bug-hating offspring. (Donna S)

Last but not least and VERY important as one Reader wrote: "You cannot stress enough how absolutely terrifying "It's Tough to be a Bug" is. The 3D is bad enough for most small children, but that "plus" factor (tactile + things jumping out of the walls and from the ceiling) was the deciding factor in sending my child into hysteria. I know, I know, your site stressed it was scary, but then I read a book geared towards children, and they said it was fine if you took the glasses off and had the child sit on your lap. They lied. I felt like the world's cruelest mother coming out of there. Luckily my son bounced back quickly, but still--it was pretty bad. (Chrissie Robert)

Animal Kingdom Characters At A Glance
Character Meet and Greet FAQ!

DINING

The Flame Tree BBQ and Pizzafari are both located in the vicinity of It's Tough to be a Bug.

Animal Kingdom Restaurants At A Glance
Menus From Around the World
Vegetarian and Other Special Diets

SHOPPING

Several shops are in the Discovery Island area including Beastly Bazaar, Disney Outfitters (was Wonders of the Wild) and Island Mercantile.

INTERESTING FACTS

Termite-ator Sign from Tough to be a Bug As the curtain closes, an announcer reminds the audience that ". . . honorary bugs remain seated while all the lice, bed bugs, maggots and cockroaches exit first."

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