D23 Expo reveals new details of Shanghai Disneyland's Zootopia

By Zhang Rui
0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, September 17, 2022
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New details of the world's only Zootopia-themed land, and the eighth themed land at Shanghai Disneyland, were unveiled on Sept. 11, the last day of this year's D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, giving Disney fans and attendees from across the world a closer look at the new land inspired by the Academy Award-winning film.

Rendering and model images shown at the D23 Expo in Anaheim in California, U.S., on Sept. 11, 2022, offering guests a sneak peek of the heavy focus on details and immersive experience of the Shanghai Disneyland's Zootopia-themed land. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

Josh D'Amaro, chairman of parks, experiences and products at Disney, shared updates during a presentation to preview what's to come at the company's global parks. At Shanghai Disneyland, where the Zootopia-themed land is being constructed, the project continues to mark new development milestones, bringing Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps' new home in Shanghai closer to coming to life.

The themed land will allow guests to immerse themselves in the mammalian metropolis of Zootopia, which will be filled with entertainment, merchandise, food and beverage offerings and a major new attraction. From building facades inspired by various mammals and their habitats to the famous Zootopia Transit Authority train, with doors designed for animals of all sizes, renderings and model images recently shared at the D23 Expo invite guests to explore the forthcoming Zootopia-themed land filled with immersive details.

Designers work on an animatronic of Clawhauser, the fan-favorite Zootopia Police Department dispatcher, which will greet guests as they arrive at the new Zootopia-themed land. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

At Shanghai Disney Resort's show production center, solid progress has been made on creating the animatronic figures of Koslov, the polar bear, and Yax, the yak, with more of their animal friends set to appear at the new Zootopia-themed land to greet visitors. The mammalian city is further taking shape as construction continues smoothly on site.

Following the topping out of the tallest building in Zootopia this summer, more super high-rise buildings are being installed, forming the city's distinctive skyline. The opening date for the Zootopia-themed land has yet to be announced, though there is speculation for a 2023 opening.

The animated movie "Zootopia" proved a big hit with audiences of all ages worldwide when it debuted in 2016. It also proved to be a sensation in China, where it broke box office records to become the country's No. 1 foreign animated feature film of all time and grossed 1.52 billion yuan ($235.59 million).

Zootopia's distinctive skyline takes shape in Shanghai. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

Besides Zootopia, at D23, D'Amaro shared a dazzling look into the future for Disney theme parks and beyond with an enthusiastic audience of fans. Highlights include the expansion of the Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure Park with a never-before-seen third attraction; a first look at the Disney Treasure, the next ship joining the Disney Cruise Line fleet; and a closer look at Frozen-themed lands coming to three parks around the world: Particularly, Hong Kong Disneyland will open the World of Frozen in the second half of 2023, which will be the first of three Frozen-themed areas coming to international Disney parks.

"There's no limits to where we are going," D'Amaro said. "When I look back over our first 100 years, what jumps out at me is how we are just constantly reinventing ourselves, telling new stories for brand-new generations. You all know this: We need those stories more than ever. And that's a lesson we take straight from Walt. He believed in the power of storytelling."

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