At a Glance
Duration: 8 minutes, 45 seconds
Look Out For: major sensory overload, scary narrative/theming, animatronics, smoke effects, loud noises, flashing lights, and even a “poke” from your seat
Opening on April 22, 1998, It’s Tough to be a Bug gives you an up-close-and-personal perspective on, well, a bug’s life. But how scary is It’s Tough to be a Bug? Let’s take a look at the ratings:
1. Ride Length
It’s Tough to be a Bug has a ride duration of 8 minutes and 45 seconds.
2. Height Requirement and Warnings
It’s Tough to be a Bug has no height requirement, but this attraction is NOT suitable for many young children. Disney does have warning signs alluding to its frightening nature, but they are easy to miss. In my opinion, this attraction could do a much better job of letting guests know what they’re in for beforehand. It’s certainly marketed as a fun, family-friendly experience – but be prepared for some major sensory overload!
3. Ride Vehicles and Restraints
The It’s Tough to be a Bug theater seats 430 guests and involves many 4D effects like smoke, smells, sounds, and “pokes” – many of which coming from the seats themselves. There are no ride restraints, and while it may be difficult to get around other guests, it is possible to exit the theater once the show has begun. Just see a cast member for assistance.
4. How Does It’s Tough to be a Bug Work?
It’s Tough to be a Bug works like a standard 4D stage show – using a large screen, 3D visuals, and interactive seats, as well as piped-in smells, sounds, and smoke effects.
5. Is It’s Tough to be a Bug Scary?
It’s Tough to be a Bug is very scary. While Disney certainly markets this attraction as campy, family-friendly fun, it’s a genuinely scary experience that I can’t recommend to young or sensitive riders at all. While it’s definitely an Animal Kingdom classic, I feel that it has a somewhat dated unabashed intensity that you won’t find on most modern Disney rides.
Be prepared for intentionally scary visuals (mostly creepy crawlies, some of which are menacing and villainous) as well as significant moments of peril. You will be blasted with loud noises, flashing lights, massive smoke effects, sprays of water, descended upon by huge spiders hanging from the ceiling, and even poked and prodded by your own seat a couple of times. This attraction is NOT for sensory sensitive guests, and I, personally, wish Disney did a better job of advertising that.
Aside from the basic practical and visual effects, the premise and narrative of this attraction are also scary. Throughout the show, you’ll be “accidently” shot at by “poison quills,” and finally sprayed by “acid” and then a stink bug.
The lighthearted fun is quickly over, however, when Hopper arrives to give you “a taste of your own medicine.” In the second half of the show you’ll be “swatted” by a huge fly swatter, “sprayed” by bug poison, “stung” by hornets, and “jumped” on by black widow spiders. A giant chameleon shows up to chase Hopper away (thankfully) but the show has one more trick up its sleave. Before getting up to leave, you’ll feel the “beetles, maggots, and cockroaches” crawling under you as they leave the theater first (another practical seat effect).
6. How High is It’s Tough to be a Bug?
It’s Tough to be a Bug does not involve heights of any kind. As a standard 4D stage show, you will remain in your stationary seats throughout the attraction.
7. How Fast is It’s Tough to be a Bug?
It’s Tough to be a Bug does not go fast. While this attraction does employ some immersive 4D effects, your seats do not actually move forward or backward at any time.
8. Does It’s Tough to be a Bug Have Drops?
It’s Tough to be a Bug does not have drops of any kind. As a stage show, there is no track or coaster elements whatsoever.
9. Does It’s Tough to be a Bug Cause Motion Sickness?
It’s Tough to be a Bug may cause motion sickness to some guests. This 4D stage show involves a huge screen with sometimes rushing visuals and 3D effects. Those sensitive to this type of attraction may want to take a moment to consider this one.
10. Is It’s Tough to be a Bug Claustrophobic?
It’s Tough to be a Bug will definitely feel claustrophobic to many guests. Aside from the “underground” and often cramped queue, the theater seats you very close together and employs many 4D effects that can make the whole area feel very stuffy and confining.
The entire setting may feel claustrophobic – as you’re meant to be a tiny bug under a tree – but it’s important to note that you can leave the theater if you need to. Unlike Carousel of Progress with its moving theater, this attraction has accessible exits available throughout the ride. It may be difficult to get around the other guests packed in around you, but be sure to see a cast member if you need assistance leaving the theater.
11. Are There Animatronics on It’s Tough to be a Bug?
There are several creepy animatronics on It’s Tough to be a Bug. While some are friendly, well-known characters, they are all creepy-crawlies and could definitely be frightening to anyone averse to animatronics. They are all located at the front of the theater – with the exception of the black widow spiders that descend towards you from the ceiling.
It’s Tough to be a Bug Queue Walkthrough
The queue entrance is located outside in the Discovery Island section of Animal Kingdom. The theater is actually located inside/under the Tree of Life, so the line takes you around and progressively deeper into the massive tree. Most of the queue takes place outside, but when you reach the theater, you’ll be ushered inside a sprawling “underground” lobby area and told to move “all the way forward” to make room for as many guests as possible. Your waiting time here could range from very short to much longer as you wait for the show – or shows – to finish up before being allowed in the theater.
Personally, I found this section of the queue extremely claustrophobic, especially as you’re often crammed into the tight and windowless area with hundreds of other guests for a significant amount of time. When the doors swing open, you’ll be led into the theater to find a seat. It should also be noted that because this is often a full show, you’re asked to fill in every available seat and could find yourself in the center of the theater with no easy way around the guests on either side of you. If you would feel more comfortable sitting on the end of a row, be sure to ask a cast member and they may be able to accommodate you.
It’s Tough to be a Bug Ride Walkthrough
As the show begins, you’ll be greeted by Flik (in animatronic form, peeking down from the ceiling) as he invites you to put on your “bug eyes” or 3D glasses. The moth curtain rises and Flik begins (on screen this time) with a few demonstrations of survival instincts that insects have picked up over the years. We start with a huge, furry tarantula that shoots “poison quills” over the audience and then move on to a soldier termite who “sprays acid” at you. The next act is a stink bug that – you guessed it – demonstrates his talents on the audience as well.
The show is quickly derailed when the villainous Hopper (another animatronic) appears to the right of the stage. He whisks Flik away and takes over the presentation, showing the audience some black and white film clips proving that we’ve always viewed bugs as pests or even monsters. He says its time that we all “get a taste of our own medicine” before a massive fly swatter (on screen) smacks at us. Hopper then resorts to “spraying” the audience with “poison.” Smoke effects fill the room as Hopper sends out his hornets – “stinging” you sharply in the back. This effect is really just your seat “poking you” but many riders agree – it can be painful and definitely startling.
The theater remains dark as huge animatronics of black widow spiders descend from the ceiling. This entire segment of the show is loud, scary, and very overwhelming. I can’t emphasize enough that I would not recommend it to anyone prone to sensory sensitivity. Hopper finally calls off his spiders before declaring to the audience: “they’re mine.” He gives one final villainous monologue as a giant chameleon comes creeping out from behind him. With a flick of its tongue, Hopper is gone and Flik reappears frantically trying to save the show by queueing the finale.
We get one quick musical number reminding us that humans couldn’t exist without insects and that “it’s tough to be a bug.” The moth curtain returns and Flik bids us goodbye, but not before the “beetles, maggots, and cockroaches” crawl quickly under you as they leave the theater (another practical seat effect).
That’s it! Remember, everyone’s riding experience is a little bit different and only you can decide whether to hop on that ride vehicle or not. I just hope this guide helps you be prepared and enjoy every second of your Disney experience!
So what do you think? How scary is It’s Tough to be a Bug? Leave a comment to help keep this guide up to date!
For a full visual of the ride and queue, be sure to check out this video from Pete McDevitt Show:
