Shanghai Disney Resort is gearing up to celebrate Chinese New Year with seasonal festivities, decorations and experiences from Jan. 15 to Feb. 14. The park will also feature Gary, the snake from the upcoming "Zootopia 2," as its icon for the Year of the Snake.

Gary the Snake from the upcoming "Zootopia 2" is featured in the Year of the Snake decorations at Shanghai Disneyland. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

"This year's celebration carries even greater significance as the Spring Festival was recently recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, highlighting the profound importance of this cherished holiday and making our shared celebration here even more meaningful," said Joe Schott, president and general manager of Shanghai Disney Resort, at a New Year press event on Jan. 8.

To celebrate the Year of the Snake, Gary was promoted at the event and will soon be prominently featured in Spring Festival decorations and shows at Shanghai Disneyland, home to the world's only Zootopia-themed land. "Continuing our tradition of having a Disney character represent the year's zodiac animal, we are thrilled to introduce Gary the Snake. He's a new character from the highly anticipated 'Zootopia 2,' which will debut 10 months ahead of the film's global release," Schott said.

From left: Wesley Wong, Joe Schott, Angie Chiu, Ni Xialian and Ding Yuxi pose for a group photo with Disney characters delivering New Year greetings at Shanghai Disney Resort, Shanghai, Jan. 8, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

"Zootopia 2" is set to release in worldwide theaters this November. Its predecessor was a huge box office success, especially in China, where it became the highest-grossing foreign animated film ever, inspiring the new themed land built at the Shanghai resort.

According to the resort, guests will see traces of this enigmatic reptile across Disneyland throughout the Spring Festival. When visiting the iconic centerpiece in the Gardens of Imagination, they can enjoy a special photo opportunity with Gary, featured in the main lantern decoration. The Garden of the Twelve Friends will be transformed into a New Year Wishing Garden, showcasing celebratory decorations and a Year of the Snake mosaic centered on Gary. Mickey Avenue will also feature unique Gary-themed decorations and Spring Festival elements. Additionally, the "Our Families" nighttime show will illuminate Enchanted Storybook Castle each evening from Chinese New Year's Eve on Jan. 28 through to Lantern Festival on Feb. 12, with projections of Disney characters and special fireworks effect of the Chinese character for "snake." Gary will appear in the projections, wishing visitors a prosperous Year of the Snake.

The Wednesday event also saw another iconic "snake," actor Angie Chiu, renowned for portraying the White Snake spirit in the early 1990s TV hit "New Legend of Madame White Snake." She attended along with her son, actor Wesley Wong, young actor Ding Yuxi, and 61-year-old Olympic table tennis athlete Ni Xialian, to deliver New Year greetings.

Judy and Nick, wearing newly designed neckerchiefs and accessories with Chinese elements, wave to guests at the Zootopia-themed land in Shanghai Disney Resort, Shanghai, Jan. 8, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

Disney executives then presented various new experiences and offerings for Spring Festival. These included new merchandise, food and beverage selections, the daily Spring Festival Drum Ceremony, Goofy dressed as the God of Fortune, the Zootopia Lucky Year, and the limited return of the much-loved indoor live stage show "The Adventure of Rhythm" to the Storyhouse Stage from Jan. 20 to Feb. 16. Disney characters will be dressed in special outfits for the Chinese New Year, many featuring Chinese elements and patterns, reflecting the extensive research and engagement of Disney designers with Chinese culture.

Additionally, the resort announced that Shanghai Disneyland guests can visit the newly transformed Duffy and Friends Celebration Hall in Adventure Isle starting Jan. 13. Formerly known as Tribal Table, this revamped venue combines themed dining, shopping and entertainment, celebrating companionship and friendship in one festive destination.

The newly transformed Duffy and Friends Celebration Hall in Adventure Isle is set to open on Jan. 13, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

Shanghai Disney Resort has other exciting new expansions in the pipeline, including a Spider-Man-themed attraction with a high-energy thrill coaster and a third Disney-themed hotel currently under construction. The resort aims to further its efforts to help build Shanghai into a world-famous tourist city. According to the 2023 Global Theme Park and Museum Index, Shanghai Disneyland ranked fifth globally with 14 million annual visitors, making it China's most popular theme park.

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