Changes

When Disney Imagineers created the Tree of Life, they originally wanted a high scale restuaruant named the Root Restaurant to be built inside of the icon <ref name= "jack"> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/walt_disney_world/theme_parks/animal_kingdom/its_tough_to_be_a_bug/ </ref> <ref nmaename= "korkis"> http://allears.net/ae/issue841.htm </ref>. Early on however, Disney decided that they would be better served housing a show inside the tree <ref name= "jack"/>. Since the Tree of Life was going to be the symbol of Disney's Animal Kingdom, Imagineers wanted the show to have themes of nature and conservation. One idea that was pitched for the attraction was a film that would have shown guests the "Wonders of Nature" and concept work for this attraction was done by Imagineer Bryan Jowers <ref name="jack"/> <ref name= "Korkis"/>. A film featuring characters from the Lion King was also considered, however Disney Imagineers felt that this concept was too similar to the [[Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable]] attraction at [[Epcot]] <ref name="jack"/>.

Eventually, Disney CEO Michael Eisner suggested that the show could be about insects, due to the fact that they were also a part of the Animal Kingdom, and they often lived under trees<ref name="jack"/>. Eisner went on to say that the film could tie in with the Pixar movie "A Bug's Life" which was set to be released seven months after the park opened <ref name= "Korkis"/>. Imagineers liked the idea an they began to develop a show around the Bugs Life characters. UnfortunetlyUnfortunately, Pixar Studios was unable to help create the film for Imagineering as they were busy finishing A Bug's Life <ref name= Korkis"/>. Instead, Disney turned to Rhythm & Hues- a special effects studio that specializes in CG <ref name= "Korkis"/>. Finally, on April 22, 1998 "It's Tough to be a Bug!" opened with the rest of Disney's Animal Kingdom. Since its opening the attraction has not seen any major changes.