As dawn breaks over Shanghai Disney Resort, a new city skyline emerges on the horizon. But this isn't just any city. On Dec. 20, a new land themed around Disney Animation's much-loved classic film, "Zootopia," is set to open its doors.

Beyond the high-tech attraction and fan-favorite characters, Zootopia at Shanghai Disney Resort presents a high degree of artistry and an extremely immersive environment, while standing as a testament to the talent of its creators. Speaking with the skilled Imagineers who are crafting the upcoming land, it's clear that "attention to detail" is a prerequisite for the job.

Morning light dawns on the city skyline of the upcoming Zootopia-themed land at Shanghai Disney Resort. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

"Zootopia is unquestionably the most colorful land in the park," said Ng Swee Keat, senior field art director at Walt Disney Imagineering Shanghai and an accomplished oil painter, noting the staggering palette of over 5,000 colors. Leading a team of nearly two dozen, he brings 23 years of experience in the theme park industry, having contributed to a multitude of projects, including Shanghai Disneyland's pirates-themed land – Treasure Cove.

He elaborated on the painstaking details, noting that even a simple brick wall might include more than a dozen colors beyond what the average person notices. The ice blocks in Tundratown in the attraction Zootopia: Hot Pursuit also presented a particular challenge, requiring extensive research and innovative techniques, such as the application of silica sand, to achieve a realistic frosted effect.

Even buildings that appeared just a couple of seconds in the "Zootopia" caught Swee Keat's attention. He would pause the movie, record the details and consult with the creative teams on how best to recreate them. The serial number of each color shade is also catalogued and then passed on to the operations team for use during maintenance in the future.

A Disney Imagineer paints the surface of a building in the upcoming Zootopia-themed land of Shanghai Disney Resort. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

The meticulous attention to detail in Zootopia also struck a chord with Felix Feng, field art director for Zootopia, who highlighted his unique endeavor with Jumbeaux's Café. "We've created an entirely new texture code for its walls - a design not seen in our other parks before," he explained. "Crafting it felt akin to inventing a new shade in painting."

Feng hadn't anticipated that the land would be so intricately detailed. "Zootopia is a metropolis inhabited by animals of all sizes," he said. "Our goal is for our guests to sense that the city genuinely caters to animals of all dimensions. We would incorporate claw marks on doors and windows, suggesting traces of the animals' activities, leaving the rest to the guests' imagination."

A Disney Imagineer checks the wall surface of Jumbeaux's Café in the upcoming Zootopia-themed land at Shanghai Disney Resort. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

Zootopia also incorporates Chinese influences, blending humor and creativity with clear nods to local culture, and even Shanghai-inspired touches. For instance, "Mane Street" is a clever play on words, referring to "main street" in English, while the Chinese name used is "Ma Lu," which literally means "horse road." The traffic signs throughout have been designed to accommodate a range of animal sizes, with icons featuring elephants and mice to guide animal traffic. Also, there are other fun signs to look at such as Howl KTV, Beaver Dentist and Hibernation Hotel.

The distinctive blend of Disney magic and Chinese elements, encapsulated as "Authentically Disney, Distinctly Chinese," has underpinned the resort's philosophy since its inception. Xu Chang, a producer at Walt Disney Imagineering Shanghai, said: "We frequently contemplated how to faithfully relay 'Zootopia's' narrative while also deepening its resonance for our Chinese guests. Often, the answer lies in straightforward elements, like our signage, which allows guests to be immersed in Zootopia's diversity, humor and inclusivity."

Street signs featuring special local touches immerse guests in a dynamic city where businesses bear special animal-themed names and a zany sense of humor, capturing the essence of the upcoming Zootopia-themed land at Shanghai Disney Resort. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

Sharon Wang, associate creative designer for design and show quality at Walt Disney Imagineering Shanghai and the graphic designer for Zootopia, explained that her team collaborated on hundreds of signs and graphics, from large screens to billboards, brainstorming and crafting ingenious designs and translations.

"Drawing inspiration from the film's characters, we've integrated many playful elements," Wang said. "For instance, our signs feature humorous nods to Flash, the charming sloth, which we've also celebrated in a hilarious large-screen commercial."

In producing signs of various sizes, materials and shapes for Zootopia, the team often crafted these off-site before being integrated into the building's facade, requiring ongoing coordination and on-site mock-ups. Despite these challenges, Wang remains fascinated by the sophisticated details of the land.

Disney Imagineers inspect a facade in the upcoming Zootopia-themed land of Shanghai Disney Resort. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

"For example, a big donut sign started merely as a design on paper. One might not grasp its scale until seeing the expansive model— it was exciting. As the sign underwent coloring, assembly and received its glossy finish, it transformed into what looked like a delectably oversized donut. I find that experience to be profoundly delightful," she said. 

Reflecting on the project's beginning, Xu Chang recalled their initial consumer insights survey. They discovered that one moment that deeply resonated with Chinese audiences was Officer Judy Hopps's inaugural train ride into the heart of Zootopia. "As she gazed out, the movie presented a 360-degree view where she observed a skyline dotted with towering structures, encapsulating Zootopia's inherent optimism," Xu said. "Numerous Chinese consumers conveyed to us how they were profoundly touched by Judy's moment of hope and vibrancy."

A Disney Imagineer paints on a gate in the upcoming Zootopia-themed land of Shanghai Disney Resort. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

During the design process, the details of the iconic film were meticulously recreated. The new themed land's city center mirrors the film's skyline, punctuated by large billboards and numerous "storefronts" along Mane Street. Imagineers diligently selected colors, recreated shimmering glass reflections and added details to the animals. "We aim to evoke that 'wow' sensation in guests, making them feel as if they've stepped right into the movie when they stroll down Mane Street and enter Savanna Central," she noted.

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