If you’ve been a reader of Chip and Company for a while, you’ll know that I wrote a piece about the show “It’s Tough To Be a Bug!” about 9 months ago. So why I am writing another about it so soon, you ask? Because instead of just upgrading it, I’d prefer that we talk about refurbishing the whole space, and get rid of it completely! That’s how much I don’t like this ride!
BBC America is coming out with a new show, called “Would You Rather…” which is a spin on the fun child’s game that my daughter has. To that end, here is my own personal Would You Rather moment. I would rather ride “its a small world” 75 times in a row without stopping than see “It’s Tough To Be a Bug!” once. It’s that bad for me…
However, what should I replace it with? It’s a great venue, there’s no doubt about that. Located inside the Tree of Life at Discovery Island, it could easily become another show in very short order, I think. I’m not privy to attendance numbers, but I don’t think that “Bug’s Life”, as I call it, is always busy. I might be wrong, though, so please correct me in the comments if I am. The more I think about it, the more I come to the conclusion that the Imagineers could create an awesome show attraction in this very spot dedicated to the classic Disney movie, “The Jungle Book.” That is a movie that is very under-represented at Walt Disney World, and it would be great to include that in an attraction, and what better place than Disney’s Animal Kingdom?
So tell me, what do you think? Would an attraction based on “The Jungle Book” be a good replacement for the “It’s Tough To Be a Bug!” show? If not, why not?
Heck, they could show the press release talking about “Avatarland” on that screen, and it would be an improvement over what’s currently there!
But you tell me, am I on the right track, or way off base?
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My son is 10 and he still will not go into any 3D show because of this ride. He absolutely HATED it when we first saw it in 2007. As others have said, it ruined all the other shows for him because now he thinks they will all have bad smells, things crawling under his legs, and scary monsters popping out at him. We’re going to DL for the first time this summer and we will be skipping this one- again.
I’m with you, Mike. I can’t stand this attraction either. I’m surprised at all the folks who do like it. My experience is from California Adventure. The theatre is outside of Bugs Land and the whole lead in to the land has been changed so they could easily change the theme. (It used to have the Bugs Life character in a garden theme before you entered Bugs Land. Now with the addition of Cars Land, the garden theme is gone.) The first time I sat through the show, the stinger hit me right in the spine and I was in pain for quite awhile. (I don’t have back problems either.) I would have to say this is the only attraction at DLR that I avoid. Sorry to those of you who like it.
We also LOVE it. The special effects are so good that even when you know it is coming it is still surprises you. We go every trip but it is just DH and me.
i love it’s tough to be a bug! no matter how many times i’ve watched the show, it’s still so much fun to anticipate the stingers in the back and the creepy crawlies under your seat as you ready to exit the show! i can think of soooo many other attractions that should be updated before this one!
Wouldn’t exactly call it a “Ride.” It’s still more modern than Figment.
NEVER MIND, I just found out Honey I Shrunk the Audience HAS been retired, LOL.
Have to chime in and say that I LOVE It’s Tough To Be a Bug!! I’m as squeamish about creepy crawly things as anyone, but I love the way the show plays with perspective. The theming is great, too, from the movie posters in the lobby to the bug-eyed 3D glasses you wear. My oldest child was pretty freaked out when we first visited (she was 5 at the time), but on the next visit a couple of years later she braved it and enjoyed it much more. When we went last, she was 10 and she loved it just as much as the rest of us.
If there’s a show that needs to be retired, it’s Honey I Shrunk the Audience. Puh-leese.
I totally agree. It’s old and out-dated. To me, it’s just a place to escape the heat on any hot & crowded day. Although I do not have kids, it seems to me that inevitably most younger kids get completely freaked out by it anyway and moms take them out screaming & crying. If I were little and felt creepy crawlies over me without expecting it, I’d get freaked out too! haha Some sort of Jungle Book stage show or updated 3D experience would be awesome!
So, on our first trip, four years ago, we took our 4 year old twins on it. AK was the first park we did that trip, and this was the second or third attraction. We totally spoiled their WHOLE vacation by doing this. They had at total meltdown, we had no idea what to expect, and it was terrible! Even now, at 9 years old and heading into our 4th trip, they refuse to ride it. I have to admit, I’m not a fan, either.
i don’t care for the its tough to be a bug and when we were there the kids where 6 and 7 and it scared them so we don’t go back to that one they now 7 and 8.
I like the idea of the jungle book
Love “Bug’s Life” show!!! But I’d rather be beaten with a stick than to have to ever, ever ride “It’s a Small Small World” again…hate that ride. The music is deplorable and there is nothing to the ride. The “dancers” are all the same…just different outfits. I know that wasn’t your question, but you threw me when you said you would much rather see Small world than Bug’s Life…no comparison. Bugs win, hands down!!!
I LOVE It’s Tough To Be A Bug! The posters decorating the line to the show are cute and going through the line gives you a nice chance to admire the carvings on the Tree of Life up close. I also enjoy the bug versions of songs before the show, especially Beauty and the Bees. It’s so fun to watch the reactions of people who have never seen the show before, plus I think the show itself is pretty entertaining. However, it would be nice to have a Jungle Book attraction somewhere…just not in the Tree of Life.
I love the show! I think it’s funny, and I enjoy it every time I go (which is about once a year). The only negative thing I could see about it is that I can see it being a bit scary for kids. I would be alright with them turning it into something new, but I certainly enjoy it right now. It always seems as busy as any of the other 3D shows in the other parks, that is to say the only real wait is for the next show to start, but the place is pretty much full each time.
Please explain what about the show you dislike. I think the show is great, surprising, funny, and well suited for AK. It is one of only two Pixar attraction in AK. While I love the Jungle Book, I don’t feel it’s under represented at all as the characters play a part in the parade. Just my two cents.
Can’t agree. I first saw the show before “a Bug’s Life” came out and I liked it then. That’s not to say it couldn’t be improved, but I wouldn’t want it replaced.
We all really enjoy “It’s Tough To Be A Bug” so I don’t feel like it needs replaced however I am not so attached to it that I don’t think something cool could take its place. To me, the biggest need for change is at the Studios. I can’t believe that a stupid show like Sounds Dangerous with Drew Carrey is still running. Also, I am a HUGE Indiana Jones fan but I would love to see an upgrade or some sort of change to the show. It has been the same since I was a child.
I LOVE “It’s Tough To Be A Bug”! We were just there this weekend and it was so much fun for my kids and the adults loved it, too! I am sure, if you visit over and over, it would get boring, but for those who don’t get to experience it often, it is a lot of fun. And when we were there, it was a full house, although there wasn’t a huge wait. I think it is a great spot to sit and get out of the heat, yet have some fun. I can’t see the space as much more than a movie-type attraction, and I don’t know what they could do with “Jungle Book” in that manner.
We like the show. Everytime we have been in the theater it has been pretty full, even when attendance seems low. But I would be up for a change too! I love “the Jungle Book” idea, they could do something really cool with it!