At a press preview event at Shanghai Disney Resort in early September, the beloved "Zootopia" character Fru Fru came to life in front of an excited audience. "Da-ga-ho!" the Arctic shrew said in greeting, using the local Shanghai dialect, "I'm Fru Fru of Fashions by Fru Fru."

"Zootopia" character Fru Fru greets the audience at a press preview event held at Shanghai Disney Resort in Shanghai, Sept. 5, 2023. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

This is just one of the characters that will be featured as part of a groundbreaking new show to be presented at Zootopia Park Apartments. During the show, "Disney Zootopia Comes Alive," the characters are not confined to a traditional stage. Instead, they'll lean out of the windows of their homes or workplaces, chatting with each other and guests.

"We've never done anything quite like this before, so this is brand new, a first-time operation," Jeff Conover, creative director of Disney Live Entertainment, told China.org.cn. "Our ultimate goal is to immerse guests in what Zootopia must feel like when you see the film, and we want to give guests that firsthand emotional experience."

With the immersive atmosphere supported by stage, audio and lighting design, the show will bring Zootopia and its residents to life. "This is a huge production, and it runs multiple times per day," Conover said. "In previous experiences and shows, they've been shorter and only during a certain part of the day; this show appears to happen spontaneously... because they live there."

The ambitious project will interweave multiple stories, allowing the show to go on from time to time throughout the day. Conover, who has been working on the show for around four and a half years, explained that there are many stories with recognizable characters from the film. "Our guests will be able to see characters throughout the day, and each time they show up, it will be a bit of a different story. But, for the most part, the idea is that as we walk into the land, we may come across the characters from the film living their daily lives. So, it's not just one show per se, but a lot of separate shows that go on all day long."

Residents from "Zootopia" come to life and interact through windows during an atmosphere show at Zootopia Park Apartments in Shanghai Disney Resort's Zootopia. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

Michelle Tritt, the production manager of Disney Live Entertainment, who worked with Walt Disney Imagineering to develop the space for the show, said that she believes what brings a new perspective to the show in the land is that it isn't necessarily a show; it's a living embodiment of the land.

She noted that they have brought together various disciplines and a diverse group of people to work on the project, integrating the show into the land and creating a highly natural feel for the characters there. "We have audio designers, lighting designers, creative specialists, production people — a lot of different people working on this project to bring it to life. We are coordinating across the globe to make sure that we represent both Chinese culture and Zootopia culture."

Hu Xiaoqing, resident director of Shanghai Disney Resort emphasized, the team endeavored to tell stories that will resonate with guests and fans in China through the show. This goal led to continuous discussions and collaborative explorations such as conducting table reads in both Chinese and English. 

"We'd test again and again to ensure we can deliver the punchlines perfectly for the audience," said Hu. "If not, we would go back to revisit and refine the lines, try out different endings, and perfect the delivery."

Being a great exemplification of Shanghai Disney Resort's guiding principle, "Authentically Disney, Distinctly Chinese," the show will resonate with guests and fans in China while embodying the spirit of Walt Disney Animation Studios' original film.

Mr. Big (right) and one of his Polar Bear henchmen from "Zootopia" talk from a balcony during an atmosphere show at Zootopia Park Apartments in Shanghai Disney Resort's Zootopia. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

Hu added that it's essential to convey the impression that the characters genuinely inhabit Zootopia. They took care to collaborate closely with Disney Animation, ensuring that their portrayals remain authentic and that the characters' stories are appropriately aligned. It was also revealed that they are developing new characters specifically for this show, exploring their stories and creating unique narratives. 

For Hu, who has been working on the project for over a year and is currently rehearsing with the teams daily, the atmosphere show is unexpected and intimate. After the press preview, she took her team to the Zootopia Park Apartments, and upon seeing the animal characters emerge, commented that it felt like a dream come true.

"Suddenly, one animal will pop out and ask you, 'Hello, do you want to buy something? I have something for you!' You feel like you are transported into Zootopia," Hu said. "I don't recall anywhere having a show like this before, and guests will have the opportunity to feel and explore the novelty and fun of it. It's like a game and I believe this show will change the concept people have about what a show is like. People will anticipate who will pop out next and what will happen next. They will be eager to participate."

Bunnies from the Hopps family in "Zootopia" perform from a window during an atmosphere show at Zootopia Park Apartments in Shanghai Disney Resort's Zootopia. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

In addition, Tritt mentioned that one particular advantage of the show is that the setting allows them to plan more seasonal and special events. They will also collect guests' feedback in order to make further adjustments down the line.

"We had four years to put this together because it's a huge undertaking," Conover said. "There are so many little surprises. I mean, you could probably spend four hours in that land just walking around and looking at all the little details. If you're really familiar with the film, there's so much referenced in the land, and that's, I think, what we do best — it's all in the details."

Back on the stage where Fru Fru addressed the audience from the window of Zootopia Park Apartments, the Arctic shrew checked a list of questions she claimed to have collected from those in attendance. One question was about whether it was possible to visit her at her fashion boutique. "Good question! Let me think. Of course, see you there!" Fru Fru said, triggering laughter among the spectators.

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