What a week for theme-park fans! From immersive new experiences (Zootopia at Animal Kingdom) to holiday-event exclusives (Jollywood merchandise and character meets), to unbelievable ticket deals (Dollywood) and crowd surprises (Jollywood lines), there’s a lot going on in the Disney-park world. Lilly’s got her eye on the merch, R2’s mapping the character meets, and our whole crew might just plan a side-trip to Dollywood if the timing works. Stay tuned next week for more Tiny Ears updates and if anything catches your eye for a family trip, give me a shout and we’ll dig in deeper!
1. Big 4D premiere at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!”
This week, Disney unveiled the new 4-D show Zootopia: Better Zoogether! at the Tree of Life Theater in Animal Kingdom. The show replaces the former “It’s Tough to Be a Bug!” attraction and features characters Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde from the upcoming “Zootopia 2”. The experience blends animation with real-world effects such as wind, water, smoke, and a standout animatronic of Officer Clawhauser.
The update is part of a broader expansion at Animal Kingdom which will see the DinoLand U.S.A. area replaced with an 11-acre “Tropical Americas” land, including an Indiana Jones-themed revamp of the DINOSAUR ride and an upcoming Encanto attraction.
R2’s take: “That animatronic of Clawhauser looks so real. I want to go see it on our next park trip!”
2. Exclusive merch revealed for Disney Jollywood Nights 2025 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The holiday event Jollywood Nights (select nights Nov 8–Dec 22) has dropped a full list of exclusive souvenirs for 2025—including a spirit jersey, ear headband with detachable bow, Loungefly convertible bag, ornament, mug, and more. Notably, the merchandise features the event mascot “Ollie” the gingerbread man in several designs.
Lilly’s take: “I need that Loungefly bag with Ollie on it—it’s so cute! We could take family pics with it at Hollywood Studios.”
3. Meet & Greet surprise: Bing Bong at Jollywood Nights
In an unexpected twist, the beloved “Inside Out” character Bing Bong is making his first appearance at the Florida parks—in Grand Avenue at Hollywood Studios—during Jollywood Nights. Guests meeting him receive a special Jollywood Nights autograph card (even though Bing Bong himself doesn’t sign). The card features his signature and candy-cane striped frame.
Lilly’s take: “Bing Bong in Florida?! That’s amazing—he was only at Disneyland before. I wish we could get a photo with him!”
4. Crowds higher than expected at Jollywood Nights opening night
R2’s take: “I thought after-hours meant tiny lines, but maybe we should hit our must-do rides early and then shop the merch.”
5. Big ticket-cut surprise at Dollywood
A coup for east-Tennessee locals: Dollywood’s Sevier County Days are offering admission for just a $5 donation for county residents or employees (Nov 1–Nov 9), with proceeds to local nonprofits. At the same time, the park has recently cracked into the top 20 most-visited theme parks in North America—an impressive achievement given its regional scale.
Kids’s take: “Wow—$5 admission?! That’s incredible. If we ever do a Smoky Mountains trip, Dollywood just shot up the must-visit list.”
Tiny Ears Tip of the Week
If you’re visiting during a seasonal event, arrive 30 minutes before official start time. You’ll get early access to merch stands and character meet-and-greets before lines form. Bring a small fold-up tote for snacks and souvenirs, especially if you score those limited-edition Jollywood Nights items!
Don’t forget to use our planner for the best time to visit Disney, best Disney Snacks, and our Disney height guide!