Disney Cast Members Prepare to Immerse Guests in Zootopia
Standing in a room adorned with the essence of Zootopia, Nicky Wang, the manager of operations training at Shanghai Disney Resort, unveiled the secrets behind the resort’s immersive cast training program. At the heart of it, Wang explained, is the idea that to truly bring the magic of Zootopia to life, the operations team must first become inhabitants of this mammalian metropolis.
The training room, part of Zootopia’s animal resources department, is inspired by the elaborate briefing room at the Zootopia Police Department depicted in the Walt Disney Animation Studios film. The space has been designed meticulously to accommodate animals of all sizes, featuring small openings for the tiniest creatures, and miniature desks and chairs for smaller mammals attending vocational training.
Wang emphasized that the inclusive ethos of Zootopia, where anyone can be anything, is deeply embedded in the training program. By immersing themselves in the Zootopia story, cast members can better present the vibrant city to guests, creating an unforgettable experience in the theme park.
Working closely with Disney Imagineers, Wang’s team intends to train over 1,000 cast members since the end of 2022. A new immersive training program has been developed to seamlessly integrate cast members into the story.
To fulfill the spirit of Zootopia, cast members are given new identities as Honorary Animals, who will ultimately become Zootizens. Trainees can choose to embrace one of six animals from the film and craft their individual background stories. This approach allows the cast members to connect with the film on a personal level, drawing from their own experiences. Ultimately, they can share these stories with guests, even in casual conversations, further enhancing the immersive experience.
After their transformation, cast members can adopt immersive Zootopia features and elements into their roles. For example, if they work at the Zootopia Police Department, they can encourage guests to move quickly in line by saying, ‘You rookies, pick up the pace! Chief Bogo doesn’t like us dragging our feet!’ Wang explained.
To identify each cast member’s animal alter ego, they wear decorative pieces above their nametag, signifying their belonging to a specific animal group. Additionally, the cast image and costume development team at Shanghai Disney Resort have created five different costumes to ensure various cast groups working across different roles, such as the Zootopia: Hot Pursuit attraction, food and beverage kiosks, merchandise stores, outdoor vending spots, and character greeting locations, are outfitted appropriately.
The beloved characters of Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde from the Disney Animation film take center stage in the Zootopia land. Judy dons her iconic police uniform, while Nick’s police uniform has been tailored to reflect his mischievous personality with a few buttons undone and a relaxed tie, capturing his charming ruffian look.
Zootopia invites guests to experience the vibrant world of the film on Zootopia Day, the grandest celebration of the year. The highlight of the evening is the Zootopia Concert, headlined by Gazelle, the metropolis’ biggest star known for her hit song Try Everything.
In the land, guests will see merchandise store cast wearing Gazelle concert T-shirts, while the outdoor vending location cast will sport aprons with striking stage spotlight effects featuring a lively image design of a singing Gazelle, shared Susanna Ching, cast image and costume development manager at Shanghai Disney Resort. These designs aim to convey the passion and anticipation of all the residents here for her concert.
The costume development team has taken into account the special requirements of the operations team, ensuring adjustments and additions that enhance breathability and provide sunhats for those who need them.
As the opening day draws closer, the excitement builds. Tommy Ni, the manager of attractions operations at Shanghai Disney Resort, eagerly anticipates the reactions of the first guests on Dec. 20, considering it one of the proudest moments of his career.
I will be very proud when I see the first guests exploring and experiencing the land, expressed Ni. This will be an unforgettable moment. Shanghai Disney Resort’s goal is to bring magic to all guests. We also hope we can help guests unlock their own potential here, as Zootopia reminds us that anyone can be anything.
The preparations for the highly anticipated trackless ride, Zootopia: Hot Pursuit, have been progressing smoothly, with Ni’s team working closely with Disney Imagineers to fine-tune the attraction.
Cast members for the Zootopia land were carefully selected from various teams, allowing them to explore different roles at the resort as part of their career development path. Their passion for Zootopia and strong work ethic were crucial factors in the selection process.
Ni emphasized the resort’s commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that guests with disabilities have access to all attractions and experiences. The Zootopia: Hot Pursuit attraction features a specially designed separate loading and unloading area, as well as transfer vehicles to facilitate a seamless experience for guests with mobility needs.
With the opening day just around the corner, excitement fills the air at Shanghai Disney Resort as cast members prepare to immerse guests in the magic of Zootopia. The meticulous training, attention to detail, and commitment to inclusivity are sure to create an unforgettable experience for visitors, making them feel like honorary citizens in this captivating mammalian metropolis.
