Tree of Life—It's Tough to Be a Bug!

Tree of Life—It's Tough to Be a Bug! Review

A monument to all Earth's creatures, the park's centerpiece is an imposing 14 stories high and 50 feet wide at its base. Its 100,000-plus leaves are several shades of green fabric, each carefully placed for a realistic effect. Carved into its thick trunk, gnarled roots, and soaring branches—some of which are supported by joints that allow them to sway in a strong wind—are nearly 350 intricate animal forms that include a baboon, a whale, a horse, the mighty lion, and even an ankylosaurus. Outside, paths tunnel underneath the roots as the fauna-encrusted trunk towers overhead. It's a rich and truly fascinating sight—the more you look, the more you see; perhaps you'll spot ring-tailed lemurs, Galápagos tortoises, and red kangaroos.

The path leads you inside the tree trunk, where you get a bug's-eye view of life. The whimsical 3-D film adventure It's Tough to Be a Bug! is modeled on the animated film A Bug's Life from Disney-Pixar. Special effects spray you with "poison," zap you with a swatter, and even poke you with a stinger. It's all in good fun, though.

Although the show has something for all ages, it's very loud. Some effects frighten children under 8; there's often at least one screaming toddler during the show. For people with disabilities: Wheelchair accessible, but, to fully experience all the special effects, guests using wheelchairs should transfer to a seat. Equipped with reflective captioning and for audio-description and assisted-listening devices. If you have a service animal, check with a host before entering the theater. Get a Fastpass reservation after doing the Kilimanjaro Safari. But if the wait is 40 minutes or less, save your Fastpass for a ride like Expedition Everest, and get into the regular line along the Discovery Island Trails.