GET READY FOLKS. If you love Zootopia or just love new Disney rides and lands, we’ve got some exciting news!
A Zootopia-themed land has been in the works for a while over at Shanghai Disney Resort. We’ve seen a glimpse of the state-of-the-art technology and animatronics coming to this spot in the past, and Disney has indicated that the land will open in late 2023. But now we’ve got some MAJOR NEWS!
Disney has just shared NEW details, concept art, and first looks at what we’ll be able to expect when the Zootopia land opens soon in Shanghai Disneyland!
Let’s go through some of the new things you need to know!
Zootopia: Hot Pursuit Attraction
The brand NEW attraction in this land will be called Zootopia: Hot Pursuit. We got a peek at the attraction vehicle before, but now we’ve got more news.
In this ride, be prepared to become a “rookie police officer at the Zootopia Police Department (ZPD)!” The ride is set chronologically after the timeline of the Zootopia film. All of the residents of Zootopia are getting ready for a big concert that celebrates Zootopia Day featuring Gazelle (of course).
Zootopia Day is meant to be “the day where predator and prey unite to celebrate the harmony of their beloved city.”
You’ll walk into the ZPD for orientation and be greeted by Officer Clawhauser.
Then, an alarm suddenly sounds! Time for you to head to an emergency briefing by Chief Bogo about a jailbreak.
The briefing will be interrupted by a video message from “Bellwether that she and her gang have escaped from jail and kidnapped Gazelle in order to destroy the concert of the year.”
You’ll be assigned to back up Officer Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde (who is now officially a police officer!) in a police chase full of action.
According to Disney, you’ll “traverse across Zootopia’s iconic terrains…
…sliding across the ice of Tundra Town, prowling for fugitives through the streets of Sahara Square, sharing a too-close-for-comfort encounter at Mystic Springs Oasis, and plummeting from the canopies of the Rainforest District all in pursuit of Bellwether and her gang to track down Gazelle.”
It sounds like this will be quite an exciting adventure!
Meet and Interact with Characters
On top of the new ride, there will be “one-of-a-kind live entertainment experiences” meant to bring Zootopia’s residents to life.
You might just catch a glimpse of Fru Fru and her father Mr. Big, Koslov the polar bear, Flash the sloth, Yax the yak…
…Duke Weaselton the weasel, and the Hopps family. Disney says they will “appear to interact amongst themselves (and sometimes even with you!) throughout the day from the windows of Zootopia’s beautifully iconic buildings.”
And you’ll definitely want to stop by the Zootopia Recruitment Station because that’s where you’ll be able to take a selfie with Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde.
SNACKS!
Next up, let’s talk SNACKS. There will be lots of “Zootopified” eats and drinks available at Jumbeaux’s Cafe, which dedicated fans will recognize from the film.
Some of the things you’ll find include the ICONIC paw-shaped popsicle…
…a Chocolate Marshmallow, Officer Clawhauser’s favorite donuts…
…and more!
We can’t wait to see everything this spot will offer.
Which of the snacks do you most want to try?
Shopping
But wait…there’s MORE! Once you’re done being a rookie cop and snacking, you can do some shopping at Fashions by Fru Fru, owned by the one and only Fru Fru!
The store is located right by the entrance of Mane Street. This is a street lined with “‘storefronts’ in a variety of sizes, big and small, leading to its civic plaza – Savannah Central – where Judy Hopps herself first stepped foot into the optimistic metropolis of Zootopia.”
Step inside to find “hundreds of different themed products including the Zootopia Cute collection as well as fun new headwear, apparel, accessories and more.”
There will also be 2 special areas in the store themed after Yax and Duke Weaselton.
More!
If you stand at the center of Savannah Central, you’ll find a “large office building boasting an oversized digital billboard and an assortment of billboards advertising Zootopia’s biggest brands. Fun, colorful and animated advertisements are played on the digital billboard, showcasing the energy and vitality of this modern city. Behind this is the stunning skyline of Zootopia, which was originally inspired by a variety of city skylines in the animated film.”
Disney has indicated that at Zootopia Central Station, “a large metro train can be seen passing behind an upper-level decorative stained-glass window. The train comes and goes as it picks up and drops off animal commuters, just as it did in the film.” You’ll also want to look in the second-story windows of the Tiger Dance Club, where”Gazelle’s famed tiger dancers can be seen celebrating Zootopia Day alongside a wide variety of animals.”
Disney also notes that “The Zootopia Transit Authority has just completed the new state-of-the-art ‘hyper-tube’ used by Lemmings on their way to and from work at the Lemming Brothers Bank and other businesses. A series of drop-off points showcase how Zootopia’s smallest citizens deboard the system – just like in the film! On the other side of the street, a full-sized giraffe can be spotted running on a treadmill in Zootopia Fitness, a modern gym in Zootopia.”
Disney goes on to note, “The treadmill belt itself makes a gym for mice, who are running on the hamster wheel-like gears.”
And you’ll find details everywhere that incorporate “animal motifs such as patterns, zebra stripes, cheetah spots and sloth claw shapes.” Plus, there are “city fixtures and facilities that are scaled to accommodate animals large and small, such as the drinking fountains of different heights and benches of various sizes.”
Opening Date
An official opening date has not yet been announced, but Disney has indicated that the new land will open “by the end of this year in Shanghai Disney Resort.”
We can’t wait to see this land once it is fully finalized! Destination D23 — the biggest Disney fan event of the year — is set to take place soon (from September 8th-10th) and could bring us even more details about this exciting new space so stay tuned for our full coverage of that.
We will be bringing you updates all throughout that event with the latest news so be sure to follow us on social media to get all the big info.
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What do you think about this new land? Tell us in the comments!
Pris says
Why is it Disney is putting in all these areas, rides, and restaurants in parks abroad and hardly anything here in the US where their client base is? Guess Disney has never heard the expression, “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it!” There’s a lot broken in Disneyworld that needs “fixin”!!