Amidst the hustle and bustle of Shanghai Disney Resort, guests gathered in Jumbeaux's Cafe and Fashions by Fru Fru at
The Big Donut, a must-taste at Zootopia in Shanghai Disneyland. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]
The Food & Beverage and Merchandise teams at Shanghai Disney Resort have been working hard behind the scenes to create new, tantalizing culinary delights and eye-catching merchandise for Zootopia, which is set to open at Shanghai Disneyland on Dec. 20.
Bob Qi, manager of outdoor vending, food and beverage at Shanghai Disney Resort, expressed his confidence in their newly developed treats. The menu includes Zootopia-themed desserts, snacks, popcorn and drinks, showcasing Disney's distinctive approach to storytelling through culinary creations .
The journey will begin at Jumbeaux's Cafe, the famous elephant-run ice cream shop. Adapted to accommodate animals of all sizes, the cafe includes features like a lower take-out window for smaller customers, cleverly integrated into the building's original elephant-sized door.
A photo captures Jumbeaux's Cafe at Zootopia in Shanghai Disneyland. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]
The take-out windows of Jumbeaux's Cafe and food trucks are well-equipped to provide a wide range of food and drinks. Guests can even place orders for the cafe online before going to the window to collect them, creating a seamless guest experience.
The eagerly awaited paw-shaped popsicle from the film is a prime example of the Zootopian transformation of the dining experience. The resort crafted the Disney Zootopia Pawpsicle, a faithful replica of the frozen treat much-loved by the small rodents working at Lemming Brothers Bank, infused with the flavor of hawthorn berries.
"We tested almost every red-colored fruit to find the right flavor. We tried watermelon, strawberry, dragon fruit and others, but eventually we settled on hawthorn berries for their unique and tasty flavor. Plus, it will evoke nostalgia, as many Chinese ate candied hawthorns when they were younger!" Qi explained.
Another standout is the Chocolate Marshmallow, a raspberry-flavored marshmallow with a thick layer of chocolate, inspired by the giant jumbo-pop ice popsicle enjoyed by elephants in the film. The Food & Beverage team anticipates that people will be particularly impressed by this shareable treat.
"We drew so much inspiration from the film, and the resort chefs and creative teams watched the film repeatedly, putting a lot of thought into the food designs and conducting numerous experiments," he said. "Additionally, other partners and teams provided suggestions on shapes, colors and flavors. We all collaborated to figure it out and make it happen."
A variety of delectable treats are ready for guests to enjoy at Zootopia in Shanghai Disneyland. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]
There is more to come: Officer Clawhauser's favorite snack, donuts, will be available in two sizes, meeting the needs of various animals and appetites. Even more film-inspired treats, including a blueberry pie made by Gideon Grey the fox and a carrot-shaped lollipop reminiscent of Bunnyburrow, will be available.
Here, "Authentically Disney and Distinctly Chinese" is woven into the fabric of the food and drinks, with ingredients like ginger-flavored ice cream and osmanthus in hot drinks, providing a comforting and unique experience for local Chinese guests.
Creative experiences tailored for the land through corporate alliances can also be found, including Skechers debuting their all-new Zootopia-inspired brand logo —"Shi-Kechers." "Shi" means "lion" in Chinese, and the logo features a lion's tail and mane, present in the land in various immersive experiences such as oversized billboards. PepsiCo, the primary beverage sponsor, will bring three well-known soft drinks — Pepsi, 7UP and Mirinda — with brand new animal-inspired names that echo the Chinese words for deer, rhino and sheep.
Qi added that some food and beverage treats will also be available outside the land and resort, in hopes of allowing more people to enjoy them.
A photo captures Fashions by Fru Fru, the boutique and merchandise shop at Zootopia in Shanghai Disneyland. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]
In Shanghai Disneyland, guests often look for memorable items they can bring home with them to cherish forever. "We've already developed more than 200 merchandise products," said Molly Jin, senior manager of merchandise product development at Shanghai Disney Resort. Jin is very proud of her team, which has been deeply involved in developing beloved Disney characters merchandise such as LinaBell — the inquisitive fox that has become iconic among millions of fans in China.
Merchandise and food offerings have always been a key part of Disney's theme park experience. A glimpse into the significance of their offerings was provided during Shanghai Disney Resort's 5th anniversary celebrations in 2021. By June that year, 17,673 different merchandise items had been crafted since the park's Grand Opening, with a total of 5.77 million plush toys sold. The park and the resort's two hotels featured over 6,000 food and beverage items, with 5 million classic Mickey and Minnie ice creams, 10 million portions of rice, 4.4 million burgers and 2.5 million children's meal sets being sold in the park.
The resort's Merchandise team began designing products inspired by Disney Animation's Zootopia more than two years ago, embracing the film's theme of "try everything" as their creative philosophy. Based on beloved characters like Judy, Nick, Flash, Clawhauser and Gazelle, the merchandise lineup caters to all guests.
"We're working closely with the design team and Imagineers to ensure our products implement the guiding principle of 'Authentically Disney and Distinctly Chinese'," Jin said. She highlighted the fun aspect of their products, citing examples like a special Flash backpack in the shape of a sloth and a Flash hat with interactive features. "For example, when you push a button on his claws and say something like 'hello I am Flash,' your voice will come out sounding like him, 'Heeeelllloooo, I — am — Flash.' It's very funny!"
A photo shows Zootopia-themed accessories, inviting guests to dress up from head to paw. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]
Jin revealed her personal favorite — a set of plushes featuring three cute rabbits: Judy Hopps' siblings. Additionally, an interactive game pack has been developed, allowing guests to immerse themselves as a certain animal in Zootopia's world by wearing a badge and playing appointed games inside the land with a map, and eventually fulfilling the vision of "anyone can be anything.”
The extensive product range includes blankets, toy blocks, clothes, headwear, accessories and plushes, with items showcasing animals in various sizes, from enormously oversized to adorably miniature. Limited edition merchandise, such as souvenir coins, badges and ornaments, will also be available.
As the Grand Opening nears, the teams led by Qi and Jin are busy making the final preparations. They are confident that their hard work will add to this living and breathing city, and help deliver unique experiences for all Zootizens. The immersive experience in Zootopia will be unparalleled, as guests can only find so many details from the film right here.
"While I handle numerous products every year, I still feel a great sense of accomplishment when these products wow customers," Jin said. "I'd like to thank Disney for providing me with the opportunity to connect with our characters and guests so closely. I am very, very happy and look forward to creating more exceptional products — each one is like my baby!"
