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Credit: DisneyDid you know that Shanghai Disneyland incorporated a drag performer into one of its newest rides?
Shanghai Disney Resort premiered its Zootopia Land in December 2023. The all-new Disney park area offers an immersive walk into the world of Zootopia (2016), including themed snacks, souvenirs, and a meet-and-greet with Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps. Unlike many Disney Park areas with multiple attractions, Zootopia Land only has one.
In Zootopia: Hot Pursuit, guests join Nick and Judy on a police chase through the city. During the trackless dark ride, guests journey through Tundra Town, Sahara Square, and the Rainforest District in a wild experience only Zootopia could provide!
The Disney Park attraction features nods to various Zootopia characters, including the pop star Gazelle (voiced by Shakira in the film). But some Disney Parks fans may not know that the ride includes an animatronic “Gurlzelle”–a drag performer impersonating Gazelle, voiced by iconic drag queen Ginger Minj.
TikToker @patrickadougall recently visited China and shared this video of the animatronic for fans who can’t make it to Shanghai Disneyland. “We LOVE her,” the Disney Park guest wrote.
@patrickadougall Gurlzelle is an ICONIC drag queen impersonator of Gazelle in the Zootopia Ride at Shanghai Disneyland #disneyparks #zootopia #disney
The video amassed more than 30,000 likes and comments from Disney Parks fans.
“This has been my favorite thing to come from this ride,” said @chr111stian.
“SLAY mama,” @josuea119 wrote.
Zootopia Around the World
Zootopia is on its way to the United States Disney parks, too. Next winter, Zootopia: Better Zoogether! will replace It’s Tough To Be A Bug in the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. This marks the first permanent Zootopia attraction (besides character meet-and-greets) at Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort.
A Zootopia area has also been proposed in concept art for DisneylandForward, the planned expansion of Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.
More Fun at Shanghai Disneyland
Besides Zootopia Land, Shanghai Disneyland has seven other themed lands: Fantasyland, Gardens of Imagination, Tomorrowland, Disneytown, Toy Story Land, Treasure Cove, and Adventure Isle. Unlike most Disneyland Parks, it has no “Main Street, U.S.A.” (Zootopia Land has a “Mane Street!”)
Have you visited Shanghai Disney Resort or another international Disney theme park? In the comments, share your favorite part of the experience with Inside the Magic.