Disney World Plans Major Change to Beloved Theme Park Attraction
Disney World is planning a mysterious change to a beloved theme park attraction.
According to a permit document filed with Orange County government, Disney World is seeking permission for "facility demo" and "general construction." What does Disney want to change? The permit is for the "beloved Tree of Life landmark at Walt Disney World in Florida," reports The New York Post. The permit was sought on December 22.
The Scope of the Changes to the 'Tree of Life' Remains Mysterious
It's not unusual for permits to be filed at Disney World, Inside the Magic reports, but the fact the theme park is asking for “facility demolition" was deemed "interesting."
- The site noted that the permit "taps Whiting-Turner, a contractor Disney uses for large-scale projects. The permit lists both electrical work and general construction."
- It's not fully clear what the resort wants to change, and Fantasyland News reported that it's highly unlikely that the entire Tree of Life would be demolished as it's considered a symbol at the Florida theme park. Rather, the site believes that a technical or structural update is what's in store.
(Photo by Joseph Prezioso/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
According to Inside the Magic, the "scope" of the demolition project is not clear. The resort recently opened "ts new 4D theater show, Zootopia: Better Zoogether," which replaced another attraction located "The new attraction, which replaced It’s Tough to Be a Bug, is located "in the same space inside the Tree of Life."
What Is Disney World's Tree of Life?
Disney's website still lists the Tree of Life among its attractions. "The Tree of Life honors animals and the place they all share in the great Circle of Life," the website says. "At 145 feet tall, the massive tree towers over the land. Marvel at its gnarled roots and outstretched branches, then step closer to see the shapes of over 300 animals carved into the tree."
"It’s an epic visual symbol of the diversity, beauty and interconnected nature of Earth’s creatures," adds the website.
"You may even discover a famous mouse hiding among its branches!" Disney World explains. "Nestled amid the burrowing roots at the base of the Tree of Life is a serene landscape of pools, meadows and trees—home to a variety of live animals, including lemurs, flamingos, kangaroos and tortoises."
According to Fantasyland News, the permit was originally supposed to expire on December 30, 2025, but it's now been extended through December 2026. "We already know the Tree of Life is due for a major refurbishment in 2026," that site reported, adding, "If you’ve visited lately, you might have noticed safety nets in the queue area under the tree."
Blog Mickey also noted that there is "no way" that Disney World is going to fully demolish the Tree of Life. Rather, the site reported, it's likely "that the Tree of Life itself will be undergoing a refurbishment in 2026"