Zootopia Better Zoogether Adds Pre-Show: Good News for a Bad Attraction!
Zootopia: Better Zoogether is the newest attraction at Animal Kingdom, debuting less than a year ago to, ahem, mixed reviews. Already, Imagineering is going in and adding to the show in an attempt to improve it by adding a new pre-show featuring Elaine’s boyfriend Puddy…errr…Chief Flight Attendant Patrick…errr…Brian Winddancer, the horse mayor inspired by Fabio. This features behind-the-scenes video of the addition, along with our commentary about why this is a positive change.
In case you’re unfamiliar with it, Zootopia: Better Zoogether is an all-new 4D show inside the Tree of Life Theater, that replaced the vastly superior It’s Tough to Be a Bug. That was an original Animal Kingdom attraction that closed last year after a lengthy run. Even though It’s Tough to Be a Bug was better, it had a long run and its time had come.
The concept for Zootopia: Better Zoogether has guests visiting the different biomes from the metropolis, traveling along with Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde and other characters. Zootopia: Better Zoogether draws some of its inspiration from Zootopia 2, which is one of Disney’s recent blockbusters.
When you migrate over to the Tree of Life Theater, you’ll arrive just in time to the main stage of the “Zoogether Day” festivities with familiar furry faces and new friends, like Heidi Howler, a slick-talking wolf who hosts the Zoogether Day LIVE! broadcast with excitement, energy, and quite a bit of howling.
Zoogether Day, a celebration of unity amongst the diverse biomes across the city, features special performances such as ice-skating spectaculars from the heart of Tundratown, synchronized swimming direct from Marsh Market, and tiny mouse drone shows soaring over Little Rodentia. Everything culminates in a musical finale by superstar Gazelle, which guests view from the livestream watch party.
Zootopia: Better Zoogether also features an all-new Audio Animatronics figure of Clawhauser, and updated audio/visual equipment. It’s a good ole-fashioned assault on the senses that’ll jolt you awake during the hot midday stretch after a long morning in Animal Kingdom, right as fatigue is starting to set in. Give it a watch the next time you’re in Animal Kingdom to form your own opinion, if you haven’t already seen the show.
Or, revisit Zootopia: Better Zoogether to check out the all-new pre-show featuring Mayor Winddancer…
New Zootopia: Better Zoogether Pre-Show
Walt Disney Imagineering has been working graveyard shifts at Animal Kingdom (which really means starting around sunset given park closing times) to test and adjust a brand-new pre-show for Zootopia: Better Zoogether!
The new pre-show adds a segment featuring Brian Winddancer, the horse mayor from “Zootopia 2.” The segment sets up the story once guests head inside the Tree of Life Theater. The new pre-show brings Mayor Winddancer into the celebration, welcoming guests and setting up the story conceit before the main 4D presentation begins.
Mayor Winddancer was a major character in “Zootopia 2,” and the Imagineering team wanted to bring him into the attraction due to that significance. Patrick Warburton reprises his role, voicing Mayor Winddancer for the pre-show. Animators and filmmakers from Walt Disney Animation Studios worked alongside the Imagineering teams to bring him to life in the new Zootopia: Better Zoogether pre-show.
These teams have been working on the update during overnight test & adjust rehearsals inside the theater, ahead of going live for guests. Audio, lighting, special effects, animation, and other teams went through the new sequence together to ensure proper timing and make sure every element syncs up correctly. In the video below, Imagineering indicates that this was their last overnight on the project; the new pre-show is live as of today.
Here’s the video via Walt Disney Imagineering:
View this post on Instagram
Why Add Mayor Winddancer to Zootopia: Better Zoogether?
The reasons for Imagineering adding Mayor Winddancer are likely multifaceted.
Fan-favorite Patrick Warburton just recorded a new pre-pre-show (pre-show addendum?) for Soarin’ Across America. While Imagineering had him in the studio, it’s possible–if not probable–that they took the opportunity to have him record more dialogue for Zootopia: Better Zoogether. Given that, this addition is likely a matter of opportunity and convenience.
However, it’s not as if Patrick Warburton recording new dialogue alone makes a new pre-show happen. The recording is the easy part. The animation and everything that’s been done during the graveyard shifts is more time-consuming, labor intensive, and costly.
Adding a pre-show also adds to the runtime of the show, meaning a slower turnaround and potentially fewer performances per day. Walt Disney World has been big on shortening, not lengthening, entertainment productions like this over the last decade.
Meaning there also had to be an appetite in Imagineering for updates to Zootopia: Better Zoogether already. Without having seen the pre-show in full, one thing that stuck out to me during the brief clip shared by WDI is that Mayor Winddancer speaks slower and more clearly than the main Zootopia: Better Zoogether show.
It’s possible that Imagineering has found via audience surveys that the show’s story is incomprehensible to many guests. Having the pre-show set-up could help fix that, reframing the non-stop action that’s to come so it makes more sense. That could help in making the main show more coherent and create the perception of better pacing.
I’m not going to complain about more Patrick Warburton in any attraction. He’s great as Chief Flight Attendant and I’m sure he’ll add some humor to Zootopia: Better Zoogether. If you ask me, Puddy should be doing even more pre-shows. He’s now in EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and now Animal Kingdom. Let Kronk pull the lever in Villains Land and we’re all the way there!
Accordingly, I’m not going to knock this. I’m also heartened to see Imagineering eager to revisit Zootopia: Better Zoogether. This suggests that they realize there’s an issue with the show, and want to do what’s in their power to improve it. That’s great to see!
This is the type of incremental improvement that, in the past, would’ve been difficult to get greenlit. That’s because, even though fan reactions towards Zootopia: Better Zoogether have been brutal (see our Zootopia Better Zoogether Review: Disney World’s Zoorst New Attraction of 2020s), this is one of those cases where there’s a sharp divide between the diehards and casual audiences.
This is something we covered recently in Walt Disney World Raises Guest Satisfaction by 15-20% with Ride & Resort Reinvestments, and there’s perhaps no better example than Zootopia: Better Zoogether.
Against my better judgment, I recently attended the show with a large group of first-timers. First of all, it was playing to an absolutely packed house on a random summer day on which Animal Kingdom was otherwise uncrowded. We just barely squeezed into a showing in which every single seat was taken, and we were in a rear ‘overflow’ area I’ve never seen used before.
After the show, I asked my group what they all thought of Zootopia: Better Zoogether, eager to have more people to dunk on the show with. I regret to inform you that most of them loved it (probably a 70/30 split in favor). Without pushing back (because what’s the point?), I asked what they enjoyed about the show. It was pretty much all of the things that I dislike. The high-octane nature, that it covers a lot of ground and features a lot of characters, etc.
My concern with Zootopia: Better Zoogether is that Imagineering would learn the wrong lessons.
That, despite how scathing the reviews might be from diehards, it would play to packed houses and casual audiences would give it favorable guest satisfaction scores. That, for most average guests, seeing beloved characters and locations from a hugely popular new movie and beloved franchise would win out. That “it’s not that deep.”
This shouldn’t come as a surprise to fans, as the classic attractions we love are often perceived differently by casual guests, and the character-driven stuff they enjoy sometimes misses the mark for us. It’s kind of like a lot of movies and audience versus critic reviews. (As an example, there are two very different types of Adam Sandler movies. Most people will love one or the other, but definitely not both.)
Point being, Zootopia: Better Zoogether seems pretty popular with average guests and there was no clear incentive for Imagineering to invest the time and money to do this.
It’s also possible that Zootopia: Better Zoogether is so bad that even its association with the fan-favorite Zootopia 2 isn’t enough to save it. The show might be underperforming expectations even among the general public. From Disney’s perspective, something like a 70/30 audience split would not be construed favorably for a brand-new attraction based on a beloved brand.
Regardless of the reason, that Imagineering was able to get this pre-show approved, in and of itself, suggests that they did not learn the wrong lesson. For whatever reason, leadership at Imagineering or Walt Disney World or Walt Disney Animation Studios (or all three) wasn’t satisfied with the creative quality of the show and wanted to go back to fix it to the greatest extent possible. That’s a very good thing!
At the same time, it strikes me (again, without having seen the new pre-show) as largely a symbolic victory.
It’s good for what it represents and Imagineering’s willingness or power to revisit attractions that don’t quite work. That’s a positive going forward, for other projects. The problem is that a new pre-show can help add context so the show is more coherent, but it cannot fix the sugar rush nature of Zootopia: Better Zoogether itself.
The show is very chaotic and frenetic, with fast cuts and scenery changes for no discernible reason. It’s basically entertainment for the TikTok generation, with nonstop dopamine hits for short attention spans.
Zootopia: Better Zoogether is vapid and nonsensical, with unrelenting action that’s downright disorienting. There are fast cuts and scenery changes for no discernible reason. The plot is an afterthought, and the show is really just “about” a bunch of stuff just happening…and quickly.
Zootopia: Better Zoogether doesn’t capture the heart or cleverness of the films, and anyone over the age of 12 needs to turn their brain off to enjoy this. This is unlike Zootopia, the movie, which appeals to both children and adults, working on different levels. A new pre-show cannot change these qualities about the main show. Maybe it can add a new layer and help make sense of the pretense of a plot, but there’s only so much it can accomplish.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
Have you seen this show? What do you think of Zootopia: Better Zoogether? How would you rate/rank it relative to other shows at Walt Disney World? Excited to experience this during your Christmas-time trip to Walt Disney World? Do you agree or disagree with our review? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
There are rumors online that the mayor’s speech isn’t the only change. They apparently tinkered with the sound mix to make dialogue more audible and added some lines that help make the story more comprehensible. One person online reported new fog effects, but I’m rather dubious they would go that far (vs say fixing an existing but broken effect).
Brain fog, maybe?
I propose that there are actually three types of Adam Sandler movies:
1. Dark/Serious/Adult
2. Warm, silly rom-com
3. Goofy premise with juvenile humor
I’m an outlier in that I have enjoyed some entries from all three categories — and despite that, I still feel like I’m going to hate Zootopia: Better Zoogether
The movies really surprised me, because they’re like The Wire for kids. Better Zoogether looks more like what I was expecting the first movie to be. I’ll still check it out, but I’m not getting my hopes up…
Is the pre-show shown in the theater or on screens when you are waiting at the door. Having something for the latter, so audience members who miss getting into the show have something extra to distract them before the main show will make that less of a waste of time, and not a big loss if you don’t see it – like the above door video for star tours
Have you done the shanghai zootopia ride? Its also a lot of crazy fast action. Is it like that or even worse?
A few thoughts:
1) Patrick Warburton should have a window on Main Street. Okay, maybe that’s a bit much, but the man is great.
2) Patrick should do the Monorail announcements—assuming Disney ever replaces them during both his lifetime and mine.
3) Your Animal Kingdom touring group is completely wrong. The Zootopia show stinks.
Warburton’s most important role was Brock Sampson, the Swedish Murder Machine.
I’m an old man and I think this attraction is great. Sure it lacks sophistication and internal logic, but there’s no question that the target audience (young kids) loves it — packed houses and uproarious laughter every single time. Sometimes it’s OK to sacrifice thematic integrity to be spit on by a slobbery manatee.
I enjoy all of WDW and the current Zootopia show (fantasy/amusement). I’m heading down to WDW in just 2 weeks again. I’m wondering what you would consider an “average” or “casual” visitor? Must every change/update be just to please “diehard” fans (and that’s not the Bruce Willis movies)? I have been a visitor to WDW yearly for most of this century and thoroughly enjoy almost everything “Disney”. What would that make me? I am more upset/saddened at the changing of the time eras in COP (factual), due to my thoughts that I think the history of the 1900’s to 1960’s was more transformational than the 1960’s on forward – there would be no modern computers if not for electricity. I agree that the animatronics needs updating. Yet that will not stop me from seeing the updated COP. Why not just let Disney “amuse” ( to divert us, preferably from our work-life) us. Thanks for listening to my rambling.
Copilot said:
It’s Tough to Be a Bug was an every-time attraction for us whenever we visited Animal Kingdom (which happens to be my second favorite park!) While I understand it was definitely long in the tooth, and many younger guests may have no idea who Flik and Hopper even are these days, it still delivered a fun, entertaining experience for both kids and adults.
We saw Zootopia: Better Zoogether shortly after it opened, and immediately decided it was a one-and-done for us… and for many of the same reasons you mentioned, especially the chaotic, frenetic TikTok pace. It just didn’t have the same charm or rewatchability that It’s Tough to Be a Bug had.
I’m not sure the new intro is going to move the needle much for us, but I’m definitely willing to give it the ol’ college try. Who knows… maybe it’ll win me over on a second viewing.
PUDDY FOR LIFE!
I enjoyed the show more on a second viewing, and didn’t find the pacing to be quite as bad once I sorta knew what was going on. I think a preshow will help here, and I also think more content in a theme park attraction is a good thing! Also, there’s a lot of idle and downtime in that area, and people are damaging the props they added there a little bit – and I think it will help with that as well.
I was also shocked on a day when I walked onto Flight of Passage and Safaris, that Zootopia was full. Like completely full, every seat. Kinda wild (pun intended) to see that theater that full show after show.
It’s a fun show, the whole ‘bub’ gag gets the whole audience laughing and soaked, and people seem to really enjoy it. It’ll probably taper off over the next couple of years like other 4D shows, especially after Tropical Americas opens, but it’s a fine use of that theater and I’m glad they didn’t just gut the theater.
Awoo!
patrick warburton for disney legend!
Ugh, I am dreading seeing this attraction for the first time in November. I was a big fan of its predecessor and really hate the snappy, jump-cut-for-the-sake-of-jump-cut style that I have come to associate with screen-based experiences at Universal Studios. There is no skipping it, however, and I will probably have to be polite about any dislikes – my college roommate and travelmate works at Disney Animation now and is very excited to see her team’s work on this attraction! lol -help!
After your review, I was fully prepared to hate the Zootopia show. Thankfully, I didn’t. I agree that Tough to Be a Bug was superior and fit the park’s mission better, but this was at least okay. I hope the pre-show improves it. On a side note, Elle DeGeneres had the distinction for many years as being the only actor in 2 WDW shows. Does SC5 Patrick Warburton now have that spot?
Patrick Warburton is in THREE attractions at Walt Disney World!
Is Patrick the voice of the “Keep it movin” droid on Star Tours at DHS?
I think so, Josh, based on what I’ve just read. Though Google/Gemini only thinks he’s in two attractions! Now we just need Kronk somewhere in Villains land…
What about Bill Nye? I remember him from both Ellen’s Energy Adventure and the Dinosaur pre-pre show.
I think the pre-show is probably getting added for the exact purpose of making the show take longer. This show is the only “new” thing at Animal Kingdom. If it takes longer, that fills up guest time and make AK feel closer to a full day park for more guests. Having it take longer will also increase the wait time which benefits Disney in a bunch of ways.
1) a longer wait makes it seem more popular and thus more worthwhile.
2) a longer wait uses even more guest time, increasing the time it takes to “finish” AK (ie closer to a full day park).
3) it makes it a potentially useful lightning lane, of which there are currently very few at AK – I’m sure it’s the least purchased park even with the lowest prices. That might drive some incremental mult-pass sales
They would’ve known all of that going in, though. Lightning Lanes existed during development, as did the Tropical Americas project and Dinoland closure, and DAK having trouble getting guests to stick around. If those were relevant considerations, they would’ve been incorporated into the original runtime. Surely there’s a decent amount that was left on the cutting room floor here because they wanted the runtime to not exceed X minutes.
This pre-show has gotta be the result of a new development.
Not a fan of the show. It is a one and done for me. Had no idea what was going on! I don’t think a pre show will do much. It’s a place to sit down and cool off for a few minutes, so there’s that… I would have preferred a non IP show. Maybe leaning into some of the creatures carved into the Tree of Life.
Completely agree that Puddy should be in more pre shows. They should let him take a run at every one of them and release them just to see how funny they are. Ghost Host Puddy, anyone?
“Vapid and nonsensical” is absolutely right. I really don’t see how the show is salvageable with a pre-show. It is so terrible and contradictory (are we supposed to be in a theater or watching a telecast?). They should just re-write the script from scratch and do better.
I don’t doubt that kids get a dopamine hit from watching the pablum. But people come to WDW for edifying and interesting experiences, not Cocomelon.
I was able to walk into the tree of life in early July. I agree with the nonsensical nature of the show and its rapid movements being an issue.
While adding a preshow is helpful, the preshow takes place in the theatre. I really think Disney needs to continue up’ing irs queue lines. The waiting area inside the tree of life could easily house screens that could play the same preshow a La muppets 3d or the laugh floor.
I truly believe adding layers to existing attractions in the queue is an easy win and has been done countless times before.
MV3D and Laugh Floor are definitely a good template for the pre-show/holding areas.
This one is fine–there’s plenty to see if you walk around and look at the displays. The problem is that the show is often so packed you can’t really move in here.
Love it! Huge Zootopia fan . Fun to see characters and 3D. Saw it with friends who thought it was okay. Saw it with my 6 yr old granddaughter and we had an absolute blast, hey bubba hey!
Looking forward to the day this attraction is scrapped and something with better storytelling is here. I watched it once and that is all that is needed. It reminds me of having to watch YouTube shorts videos back to back, which the kids/teens are used to but my brain can’t handle it.
Totally agree that younger generations are the target audience. Sadly, I think we can expect to see this stick around for at least 10-15 years.
Even as someone who strongly dislikes Better Zoogether, I also think there are far bigger fish to fry at WDW.
Tom says this will stick around for another 10 – 15 years. At last a reason to live into my 90’s.