Shanghai Disney Resort has unveiled exciting highlights of the world’s first Zootopia-themed land, which will also become the eighth themed land inside the resort’s Shanghai Disneyland park.
Zootopia Land
Upon entering the land, guests will be immediately immersed in the world of Zootopia as they stroll down Mane Street, the main street lined with “storefronts” in a variety of sizes, big and small, leading to its civic plaza – Savannah Central – where Judy Hopps herself first stepped foot into the optimistic metropolis of Zootopia.
Standing at the center of Savannah Central is a large office building boasting an oversized digital billboard and an assortment of billboards advertising Zootopia’s biggest brands. Fun, colorful and animated advertisements are played on the digital billboard, showcasing the energy and vitality of this modern city. Behind this is the stunning skyline of Zootopia, which was originally inspired by a variety of city skylines in the animated film.
In addition to all the custom-made eye-catching business signs and billboards catered to the diverse animal population of Zootopia, the land is fully activated through a wide variety of innovative new technologies that bring its citizens to life.
For example, at Zootopia Central Station, a large metro train can be seen passing behind an upper-level decorative stained-glass window. The train comes and goes as it picks up and drops off animal commuters, just as it did in the film.
In the second-story windows of the Tiger Dance Club, Gazelle’s famed tiger dancers can be seen celebrating Zootopia Day alongside a wide variety of animals. Powered by advanced media effects, these fun and vivid elements help showcase the diverse residents of Zootopia.
Walt Disney Imagineering’s leading Audio-Animatronics technology is another key feature that further brings the land to life as seen in this Audio-Animatronics figure of Officer Clawhauser that debuted at D23 Expo 2022.
The Zootopia Transit Authority has just completed the new state-of-the-art “hyper-tube” used by Lemmings on their way to and from work at the Lemming Brothers Bank and other businesses.
A series of drop-off points showcase how Zootopia’s smallest citizens deboard the system, just like in the film.
On the other side of the street, a full-sized giraffe can be spotted running on a treadmill in Zootopia Fitness, a modern gym in Zootopia. The treadmill belt itself makes a gym for mice, who are running on the hamster wheel-like gears.
This state-of-the-art Audio-Animatronics technology is also put to full use inside the attraction, where some of the most famous characters from “Zootopia” appear to have stepped right off the movie screen and into the real world.
Hot Pursuit
The name of its main attraction, “Zootopia: Hot Pursuit,” and its storyline were introduced for the first time to the public. Imagineers also disclosed how cutting-edge technology was used to create a fully immersive experience, such as a trackless ride system and Audio-Animatronics figures.
“Zootopia: Hot Pursuit,” will invite guests to become rookie police officers alongside Officer Judy Hopps and her partner Nick Wilde, who is now officially a police officer in the Zootopia Police Department.
Set after the film’s timeline, guests enter the lobby of the Zootopia Police Department for their first-day orientation, greeted by Officer Clawhauser, who cannot stop gushing about Gazelle’s big Zootopia Concert tonight.
The alarm sounds, sending guests to an emergency briefing with Chief Bogo about a jailbreak. The briefing is quickly interrupted by a video message from Bellwether that she and her gang have escaped from jail and kidnapped Gazelle in order to destroy the concert of the year, which is supposed to open tonight!
Reluctantly, Chief Bogo assigns guests as rookies to join Judy and Nick in an action-filled police chase.
They will slide across the ice of Tundra Town, prowl for fugitives through the streets of Sahara Square, have a too-close-for-comfort encounter at Mystic Springs Oasis, and plummet from the canopies of the Rainforest District. Along the way, guests will encounter their favorite Zootopia characters.
While leading the “rookies” on the chase, Judy and Nick will also encourage them to keep trying and never give up their dreams, embodying the spirit of Zootopia.
Live Entertainment
One-of-a-kind live entertainment experiences await, bringing Disney Animation’s “Zootopia” and its residents to life. Catch a glimpse of many of your favorite characters in the Zootopia Park Apartments, including Fru Fru and her father Mr. Big, along with Koslov the polar bear, Flash the sloth, Yax the yak, Duke Weaselton the weasel, and even the Hopps family who appear to interact amongst themselves (and sometimes even with you!) throughout the day from the windows of Zootopia’s beautifully iconic buildings.
Guests will also be able to snap a fun photo with two of their favorite police officers, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, at the Zootopia Recruitment Station, where the beloved characters from the film will help the Zootopia Police Department recruit new officers.
Dining and Shopping
In addition to the major new attraction, Zootopia will also feature unique entertainment, dining, and shopping experiences inspired by the hit film, evoking guest memories of the beloved stories and characters and inviting them to immerse themselves in the cityscape as if they were one of its residents.
The “shops” and “businesses” in Zootopia are run by residents of all different species, and Imagineers designed these “storefronts” to bring this mammalian metropolis and its residents to life.
Some of the characters in the film also have a presence on this street, including Zootopia’s famous fashionista, Fru Fru, the daughter of Mr. Big. She is the owner of “Fashions by Fru Fru,” a fashion boutique nestled at the entrance of Mane Street. The store will offer a comprehensive collection of over 200 different themed products, with many designed exclusively for this land.
Guests can also find a variety of deliciously Zootopified food and beverage offerings at “Jumbeaux’s Cafe” – an ice cream kiosk directly inspired by the film, from its design concept to its food menu.
A visit to Zootopia would not be complete without a Jumbo-pop, which takes the form of a Chocolate Marshmallow, and a fox paw-shaped Disney Zootopia Popsicle refreshingly flavored with sweet-and-tart hawthorn berry, a childhood favorite.
What’s more, the beloved cheetah officer, Clawhauser, will see his favorite – The Big Donut – also come to life, which is sure to become a must-eat treat in this new land.
Guests can also find many other unique Zootopia-themed drinks, sweet treats, snacks and much more, merging storytelling with fun and delicious dining experiences at “Jumbeaux’s Cafe.”
Traffic Signs
Like any other metropolis in the world, Zootopia also designs and installs traffic signs for its residents. Animal-inspired signs in Zootopia give instructions and provide information in a fully Zootopified way.
- The vehicle height clearance signs feature a giraffe in Zootopia, reminding them to be aware of their long necks protruding from their sunroofs as they drive through tunnels and underpasses;
- All roads and streets in Zootopia are for use by vehicles of different sizes. To accommodate all mammals, traffic merge signs are designed featuring a large elephant and a small mouse to provide information about the rules of the road and driving etiquette;
- The “Mind Your Horns” sign features a honking elephant, reminding animals of this important traffic rule when driving in the downtown area;
- The “No Texting While Driving” sign features an animal paw holding a cell phone to remind animal drivers to follow this important road rule;
- The “Cubs at Play” sign gives drivers advance warning when approaching Zootopia Park so they can slow down and know to watch for small cubs;
- “No Grazing” reminds citizens not to graze on the greenbelts, with an image of a horse clearly conveying the message.
The Chinese Influence
Shanghai Disney Resort gathered some of the talent behind the land to share some of its highlights, including the imaginative developments using Disney’s legendary storytelling and creativity that went into this land, along with introducing how the guiding principle behind Shanghai Disneyland of “Authentically Disney, Distinctly Chinese” extends throughout it.
The blend creates a Zootopified guest experience themed to scenes from the film but with distinct local cultural influence, including some Shanghai-inspired surprises.
As a vibrant city made by mammals for mammals, Zootopia has extensive systems for housing, businesses, facilities, and of course, transportation. Guests will find numerous Zootopified city and traffic signs with local touches, creating a recognizable and uniquely Zootopian twist on everyday urban life.
Mane Street: The word “mane” in English shares the same pronunciation with “main,” reflecting a main street of a city in the real world. In Chinese, the street is named as “Ma Lu,” meaning “road,” but also incorporating the Chinese word for “horse.” The creation is perfectly in line with both Chinese and English names.
Nocturnal Alley: Designed as a street for nocturnal animals, the Chinese name “long tang” refers to a traditional Shanghainese-style alleyway, which will rekindle precious memories people have of Shanghai and is an homage to the unique heritage of the city.
Opening Details
The Zootopia-themed land is scheduled to open by at the park the end of this year. It was first announced in 2019, prior to the pandemic.
