It’s Tough To Be A Bug
Opened: April 22, 1998
Location: Discovery Island, inside the root system of the Tree of Life. If you’re looking at the front of the Tree of Life, the entrance to It’s Tough To Be A Bug will be to your right across from Flame Tree Barbecue. Leaving DinoLand USA along the path that connects it with Discovery Island, the entrance will be right in front of you.
Extra Magic Hours: Morning
FASTPASS: No. It’s set up to accept FASTPASS, but the machines have not been turned on in years.
Type: 3D Show
Similar To: Muppet Vision 3-D
Requirements: None
Scary Factor: This section does include “spoilers.” Low to moderate for most people 12 and older, but it may frighten kids younger than that. Spiders, termites, beetles, hornets, and more make appearances and there are several effects that add to the terror including smoke that fills the room, a sting that comes from the back of the seat, insects dropping from the ceiling, and the sensation that bugs are running under your feet. If you’re scared of bugs, this show may not be for you. At the same time, all of the bugs are “cartoony” like in the movie, not particularly realistic. If you want to avoid the slight “sting,” sit with your back away from the seat when the bees show up and Hopper (the mean grasshopper) tells the bees to “Arm your stingers.” You can also ask to sit in the back near the exit if you’re nervous about the show.
When To Go: This is an attraction you can safely save for the late morning or afternoon. The theater and much of the queue area are well air-conditioned which makes It’s Tough a nice break from long lines and the heat, if all the bugginess doesn’t bother you. The theater is also large enough that just about any waiting crowd can file in with room to spare. Because of the way Animal Kingdom is set up, you’ll probably be passing by Discovery Island a few times throughout the day, so you can check to see if the wait is short. I wouldn’t rush here early in the morning because Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safari will have much longer lines in the afternoon.
Expect to Wait: Before noon, it’s rare that you’ll need to wait longer than it takes for the next show to start. In the afternoon or during busy seasons, you may need to wait until a second show begins. In other words, waits are between five and fifteen minutes.
Length: 8 minutes
What to Expect: It’s Tough To Be A Bug is more intense than you might imagine. The theater is dark, loud, and there are a number of effects that “add” to the experience (explained in the ‘Scary Factor’ section above). Otherwise, It’s Tough To Be A Bug is a fun 3D show that most guests enjoy.
Where to Sit: Upon entering the theater, you’ll be instructed to file down to the end of any given row. Let people enter the row in front of you until it’s about half full. This way, you’ll have seats in the center. If you’re nervous about whether someone in your group will be scared during the show and need to leave early, plan to head into a row in the back as soon as possible. The exit is at the opposite side of where you originally enter the theater. The best seats are in the back few rows where the 3D effects are slightly more “in your face” so to speak.
Early Release: It’s Tough To Be A Bug debuted at Disney’s Animal Kingdom seven months before the movie was released in theaters.
Rating: 7/10
Commentary: Not much else to say. It’s Tough To Be A Bug is a unique 4D experience with a number of interesting effects. This is a better show for teenagers and adults than it is for younger kids, but at the same time some kids love it while some adults can’t handle it. The great majority of people do enjoy the show – just be careful if you have kids who got scared during other attractions.