Discovery Island

As you emerge into the open space of the village, The Tree of Life looms – this is a massive, 14-story structure that is the signature landmark of the park. It holds sway over a pageant of brightly colored shop fronts and a multitude of pools and gardens, each holding a variety of wildlife. The main shops, baby care, and first aid post all face The Tree of Life.

Embedded in the tree and of endless fascination and delight to visitors are over 325 carvings or other images of various animals. While waiting in line for the shows or character greetings, children in particular spend time trying to identify them all. Under its branches lie the bridges that cross to the other Lands and within the trunk itself is the It’s Tough to be a Bug show.

Held in a stunningly detailed “underground” theater, this 3-D film and sensory experience is one of the finest in the whole of Walt Disney World and not to be missed. Hosted by Flik and featuring many of the characters from Disney and Pixar’s hit film A Bug’s Life the show combines animatronics and sensory enhancement to heighten the realism of the computeranimated 3-D.

The show cleverly plays on our natural fear of insects and the audience is generally kept alternating between laughter and repulsion; the delightfully creepy finale keeps the crowd laughing right out the door.