It feels like it’s been forever since Disney first announced that a new Zootopia-themed land would be getting built at the Shanghai Disneyland Resort. Zootopia (or Zootropolis as it’s known in the UK) was a huge hit when it hit theaters in 2016 (which happens to be the same year Shanghai Disneyland Resort opened).
In fact, it even went on to become the highest-grossing animated film of all time in China (it has since been overtaken). But that’s enough about the movie (although we do love it heaps!) – let’s talk about the new land that’s coming to life at Shanghai Disneyland Resort. Here’s everything we know about the ‘real’ Zootopia…
5. Size & Location
The new themed land will be located behind Shanghai Disneyland Resort’s Fantasyland, near Hundred Acre Goods and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. As for its size, we don’t know the exact dimensions, but we do know that it’s the second biggest expansion at Shanghai Disneyland Resort since it first opened its doors in 2016.
However, last year, aerial views of the themed land were shared on social media (see above). It’s clear from the image that the area is pretty huge, which is pretty standard for a themed land, as the likes of Toy Story Land (also at Shanghai Disneyland Resort) aren’t exactly small! It also dwarfs the Enchanted Storybook Castle!
4. Restaurants
Very little is known about what kind of eateries we can expect at Zootopia, but a concept art image that was previously released by Disney does include Jumbeaux’s Cafe, as seen in the 2016 film. Let’s just hope those elephants have gloved trunks when they make us ice cream!
Other eateries are unknown, but as for entertainment venues, whether they’re indoors or outdoors, it sounds like a lot is happening. At this week’s Disney D23 event, an image of yet another one of Zootopia’s audio-animatronic was revealed in the form of ‘Mystic Springs’ owner Yax. Whether or not these models form part of entertainment venues or attractions is unknown, but they look incredible either way.
3. Characters
Since the pandemic changed Character Greetings at Disney Parks, it’s difficult to gauge how such experiences will take shape at Zootopia. But seeing the likes of Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde definitely shouldn’t be ruled out, especially in a themed land. For the time being, at least you can still see the pair at Adventure Isle.
Meanwhile, in June, Walt Disney Imagineering shared a picture on their official Twitter account of a three-meter-tall Tundratown polar bear audio-animatronic in mid-construction, so we’ll definitely be getting our fair share of the city’s mammalian inhabitants in some shape or form!
2. Attractions
You might be surprised to learn that Disney has revealed some information about what guests can expect in terms of attractions. In a social media post in late 2020 that showed aerial shots of the themed land in construction, they said the following:
Guests will be invited to experience the mammalian metropolis of Zootopia “where anyone can be anything,” with a new major attraction that will seamlessly blend Disney storytelling and state-of-the-art technology to bring this fan-favorite movie and its characters to life – including Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. Entertainment, merchandise, and food and beverage offerings will invite guests to fully immerse themselves in the Academy-Award-winning animated movie.
It sounds like Shanghai Disneyland Resort is certainly taking inspiration from other themed lands, such as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land, with deep immersion being the goal. Exactly what the attraction they’re alluding to is, though, remains to be seen, but we’re keeping our paws crossed that it will be the Zootropolis train!
1. Opening Date
While no specific opening date has been confirmed yet, we do know that the themed land will be opening its big doors to the public sometime in 2022. This might sound like a long time, but seeing as we’re already pretty much at the end of 2021, it’s not that long! Let’s just hope it’s already up and running by this time next year.
If you can’t wait for the new themed land, then at least you’ll have the upcoming TV series to satisfy your needs for all things Zootopia in the meantime. Zootopia+ will take us back to the vibrant city of Zootropolis, for an anthology series that will follow on a number of already-introduced characters!
