Pixar Putt, It’s Tough to Be a Bug Closure & More

Disney is making waves with some exciting new developments across its theme parks. From permanent closures to long-awaited character debuts, here are the latest updates at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

It’s Tough to Be a Bug Closing for Good

A longtime favorite at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, It’s Tough to Be a Bug will close permanently on March 16, 2025 to make way for the highly anticipated Zootopia: Better Zoogether. This new attraction, set to debut in winter 2025, promises to immerse guests in the world of Zootopia, featuring beloved characters and interactive experiences.

The closure of It’s Tough to Be a Bug marks the end of an era, as the 3D show has been a staple of the park since its opening in 1998. The show was hosted by Flik, the friendly ant from A Bug’s Life, who welcomed the audience as “honorary bugs” and introduced different insect species while highlighting their unique abilities. However, the show took a dramatic turn when Hopper, the film’s villainous grasshopper, interrupted and declared humans to be a long-standing enemy of bugs. This led to an intense “bug attack” sequence, where guests felt mist from bug defenses, air blasts simulating insects flying past, and an unpleasant odor from a stink bug. One of the most startling effects involved seat pokes, mimicking the feeling of bugs crawling underneath the audience. Eventually, Flik returned to reassure guests and remind them of the important role insects play in the ecosystem, ending the show on a positive and educational note.

Despite its closure, It’s Tough to Be a Bug remains a nostalgic favorite among Disney fans. It stood out as one of the few A Bug’s Life attractions in Disney Parks and became known for its quirky and unexpected thrills. The mix of humor, interactive effects, and an environmental message made it a memorable part of Disney’s Animal Kingdom for more than two decades.

Pixar Putt Opens at Disneyland

Pixar Putt, the immersive pop-up mini golf experience, is making its Disneyland debut, though fans will have to wait a little longer to play. Originally set to open on February 7, the attraction has been delayed until February 11 as Disney fine-tunes the experience. Guests who had reservations for February 7–10 have been notified via email and given the option to reschedule. As a gesture of goodwill, Disney is offering a $15 dining voucher for use at Pixar Place Hotel dining or quick-service locations to those affected by the delay.

Pixar Putt is a fun-filled, interactive mini golf course featuring holes inspired by some of Pixar’s most beloved films, including Inside Out 2, Toy Story, Cars, Monsters, Inc., Soul, The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, A Bug’s Life, Wall-E, Luca, and Turning Red. Previously touring major U.S. cities like New York and Washington D.C., Pixar Putt will remain at Pixar Place Hotel through June 1, 2025. Tee times, available every 30 minutes, can be booked at PixarPutt.com.

Luke Skywalker Joins Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

In an announcement that thrilled Star Wars fans, Disney confirmed that Luke Skywalker will make his debut at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland later this year. The reveal came via a social media teaser featuring Luke alongside R2-D2 in front of the iconic Millennium Falcon. While full details remain under wraps, Disney has hinted that more information will be released on February 10, 2025. The hashtags #SeasonOfTheForce and #Disneyland suggest this new character meet-and-greet will be exclusive to Disneyland and part of the annual Season of the Force event, running from March 28 to May 11, 2025.

While R2-D2 and BD droids have been seen roaming Galaxy’s Edge in the past, Luke Skywalker has never appeared as a regular meet-and-greet character in Galaxy’s Edge, making this an exciting addition for fans. The teaser video suggests he will be presented as his younger self from The Mandalorian era, donning his classic black Jedi outfit and signature black glove on his right hand.

First Look at Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary Costumes

Disneyland is preparing to celebrate its 70th anniversary with special events, entertainment, and unique character outfits. An early look at one of these costumes debuted today, as Clarabelle Cow sported a vibrant new outfit while greeting guests on Main Street, U.S.A. Clarabelle’s ensemble includes a predominantly pink bow accented with blue and orange stripes, a blouse featuring layered gold, purple, blue, and red over a salmon base, and a blue skirt accented with gold. Her traditional silver cowbell has also been replaced with a gold one in honor of the milestone celebration.

Disneyland opened to the public on July 17, 1955, following just one year of construction. The 70th anniversary festivities will kick off on May 16, 2025, with a variety of special events, including the debut of “Celebrate Happy,” which will serve as the theme of Disneyland’s 70th-anniversary celebration. Additionally, characters will be dressed in anniversary-themed costumes throughout the summer. Disney also shared images of the Fab Five, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto, in their anniversary outfits on social media, hinting at even more surprises to come.

With so many exciting changes coming to Disney parks, 2025 is shaping up to be a significant year for guests. More updates will be revealed as Disney continues to announce new experiences.

Disney

Disney is a conglomerate and media company that owns a variety of television stations like ABC, Disney Channel, and Disney XD. They are also owners of the Marvel and Star Wars franchises and own the ever-popular Disney theme parks found all around the world.