On Wednesday morning at Shanghai Disneyland, a group of reporters from media outlets including China.org.cn, entered the world's first and only Zootopia-themed land to take a first look at the long-anticipated mammalian metropolis.

An inside look at the city hall and skyline of Zootopia at Shanghai Disneyland, Nov. 29, 2023. [Photo/China.org.cn]

Scheduled to open to the public on Dec. 20 at Shanghai Disney Resort, the land brings to life the animated blockbuster of the same name produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. The resort announced it will begin trial operations on Dec. 1, with media and VIP previews on Wednesday and Thursday.

Construction of the Zootopia land began in December 2019 and incorporates many cutting-edge design concepts and advanced technologies, including Audio-Animatronics, trackless rides, and Building Information Modeling. These innovations were contributed by a wide range of international creatives, particularly the Disney Imagineering team.

Flash, a beloved character from "Zootopia," performs through a window during an atmosphere show at Zootopia land, Shanghai Disney Resort, Nov. 29, 2023. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

Guided by Xu Chang, a producer at Walt Disney Imagineering Shanghai, the tour of Zootopia land stunned the first batch of visitors with its faithful replica of the skyline and various delightful, vivid and colorful details. These include specially designed signs and billboards, immersive architecture, and gates and benches fitting for animal residents of various sizes. Additionally, the land features interactive shows, visual projections, meme creations, Disney character meet-and-greets, a variety of food and drinks, and over 200 themed products.

The distinctive blend of Disney magic and Chinese elements, described as "Authentically Disney, Distinctly Chinese," is a prominent feature of the new land. This is seen in amusing street sign translations and the inclusion of Chinese favorite local flavors at its food stalls, including hawthorn berries, ginger, and osmanthus.

A Disneyland executive sits on an oversized bench designed for large animals at Zootopia land, Shanghai Disney Resort, Nov. 29, 2023. [Photo/China.org.cn]

However, the highlight of the land is undoubtedly Zootopia: Hot Pursuit, a trackless ride — the first of its kind on the Chinese mainland. It combines spectacular visual projections, beautiful music, and an exciting storyline that continues from the animated film's ending. This attraction, focusing on the pursuit of a jailbreaking villain, features beloved officers Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde taking visitors — who become rookie officers — on a thrilling adventure through various districts of Zootopia. There is also a specially designed boarding zone for guests with disabilities.

Before boarding the police car for the ride, visitors are taken on a tour while queuing — a deeply immersive and fun tour of the police department and its prison. Here, visitors can see Judy and Nick's office desks, learn how officers live and work, and discover how prisoners are detained in Zootopia before learning about a jailbreak. Then, they are taken to Chief Bogo to receive their assignment for the chase.

Shanghai Disney Resort, which opened with six themed lands on June 16, 2016, introduced its seventh land, Disney Pixar Toy Story Land, in 2018, making Shanghai Disneyland the fastest-expanding Disneyland globally. Zootopia will become the eighth themed land in Shanghai Disneyland. Also, in August of this year, the resort commenced construction on its third hotel.

A staff member holds cotton ball candy, one of the delicious treats available at Zootopia land, Shanghai Disney Resort, Nov. 29, 2023. [Photo/China.org.cn]

According to Xu, various operational preparations for the new land are in full swing. Cast and crew members are continuously testing, adjusting, and refining experiences, aiming to maintain Disney's high standards of guest service in the new land. As part of these preparations, Disney cast members and other invited guests will participate in designated experiences on specific dates over the next three weeks to help fine-tune park operations during the trial phase.

This preparation is aimed at ensuring every visitor to the Zootopia land enjoys a magical experience after the grand opening, she added. She cautioned that there might be occasional pauses in operations during this period if any issues or warnings arise in the testing of new equipment, triggered by the complex and sensitive security system. After the trial run, operations are expected to run more smoothly leading up to the grand opening.

A thrilling scene from the trackless ride, Zootopia: Hot Pursuit. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

At the end of the media preview tour, guests excitedly and anxiously boarded the vehicles of Zootopia: Hot Pursuit for their first experience. After the ride, as they exited, Tommy Ni, manager of attractions operations at Shanghai Disney Resort, asked a guest for comments. "Awesome!" the guest responded. "I like that answer!" Ni laughed.

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