Today, Shanghai Disney Resort announced the second major expansion of Shanghai Disneyland since its June 2016 opening, a new land that will bring to life the characters and stories from Disney’s popular animated film Zootopia. The new expansion will become the theme park’s eighth land, and its announcement comes less than a year after the opening of its first major expansion, Disney•Pixar Toy Story Land, in a sign of the resort’s early success and the confidence in the growing consumer demand for themed entertainment in China.
“We are thrilled to announce that Shanghai Disneyland will be home to the world’s first Zootopia-themed land,” said Bob Chapek, chairman of Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products, The Walt Disney Company. “The rapid rate of expansion at Shanghai Disney Resort demonstrates our confidence and commitment to the Company’s future development in China.”
When Zootopia opens, guests will experience a new major attraction that seamlessly blends Disney’s storytelling and state-of-the-art technologies, as well as new entertainment, merchandise and food and beverage offerings that provide them with more to experience at Shanghai Disneyland than ever before.
“Since the resort’s Grand Opening in 2016, Shanghai Disneyland has gone from strength to strength—continuing to expand and enjoying ever-rising attendance rates while also providing a safe and enjoyable experience for our guests,” said Yang Jinsong, chairman of Disney’s Chinese joint venture partner for Shanghai Disney Resort—Shanghai Shendi Group. “Shanghai Disneyland has rapidly become one of the fastest growing Disney parks and has been key to the development of the Shanghai International Resort as one of the most visited leisure destinations in the country. This new expansion will provide our guests with an even richer selection of offerings, and will further boost our market competitiveness.”
The first-ever Zootopia-themed land will immerse guests in the world of the Academy Award®-winning film, “where anyone can be anything.” The film was a global success that broke box office records in China to become the country’s No. 1 all-time highest grossing animated feature film. The film’s characters and stories have resonated strongly with Chinese guests, which has led to the success of Zootopia-themed merchandise, digital interactive games and more throughout the Chinese market.
The film’s beloved characters Judy and Nick currently greet guests in Disney parks around the world and they will be joined by other favorites from the film in Shanghai Disneyland when the new land opens. Construction is targeted to begin later in 2019, and the new land will continue to be a key driver of multiple local industries across the construction, design and tourism sectors. The expansion will help to create even more direct and indirect job opportunities in the local community, adding to the 12,000+ cast members already employed by Shanghai Disney Resort.
Since Shanghai Disney Resort began welcoming guests on June 16, 2016, it has continued to deliver new experiences for its guests in China, such as the Mandarin production of the Beauty and the Beast Broadway musical at Walt Disney Grand Theatre, which premiered on June 14, 2018, following the successful run of the Mandarin production of THE LION KING. Shanghai Disney Resort became the fastest expanding Disney resort ever with the April 26, 2018 opening of Disney•Pixar Toy Story Land, and the new expansion will provide new magic for guests to discover as they visit the resort time and time again.