Here's what's coming for the first-ever Zootopia theme park land in Shanghai Disneyland
Disney has unveiled the first details of their new Zootopia land in Shanghai Disneyland, which brings the beloved 2016 hit to life. Find out what rides and treats are in store, and can it come to the U.S.?
Released in 2016, Zootopia became one of Disney's best recent hits, focusing on a city filled with animals. Aspiring rabbit cop Judy runs into fox con artist Nick as the two stumble onto a conspiracy to drive animals wild. A box office smash that won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, the film also had a strong message about overcoming bigotries.
The Nick and Judy characters have popped up at Disney parks, with rumors for a while on the Animal Kingdom perhaps using the film more. However, it's Shanghai Disneyland that gets the first Zootopia experience with an entirely new land that brings the city to life.
The big attraction is Zootopia: Hot Pursuit, a trackless dark ride where guests take on the role of rookie police officers, met by Officer Clawhauser. Their orientation is interrupted by news that superstar singer Gazelle (voiced by Shakira) has been kidnapped. Guests board police cars to aid Judy and Nick in a wild chase across the locales of Zootopia.
The ride utilizes the trackless system Shanghai Disneyland has mastered with audio-animatronics of characters like Clawhauser, Chief Bogo, Judy, Nick and others.
"From sliding across the ice of Tundra Town and flying off the track onto the busy streets of Sahara Square to plummeting from the canopies in a gondola in the Rainforest District, guests will enjoy fun-filled turns, spins, slides, and drops in this family-fun attraction on their mission to rescue Gazelle from her kidnapper, Bellwether."
For treats, guests can visit Jumbeaux's Cafe, including a hawthorn berry-flavored Disney Zootopia Popsicle, a raspberry-flavored "Chocolate Marshmallow" pop, a Carrot Shaped Lollipop, two sizes of donuts, and a Disney Zootopia Blueberry Pie.
For shopping, there's Fashions by Fru Fru, the shrew fashionista (with one of her polar bear bodyguards stationed outside). The shop has scores of merchandise exclusive to the area with some themed sections of the store. And, obviously, there's a meet and greet area for characters.
The land is set to open later this year and spark Shanghai Disneyland up more. A question now is if Disney finds a way to move it to the U.S. Maybe this can be a great replacement for the past its prime Dinoland USA section of the Animal Kingdom as Zootopia can fit that park well. If nothing else, it's another reason to be jealous that Shanghai Disneyland gets this exclusive new land, bringing one of Disney's more recent hits to life.