More hot gossip off the Disney production line! The latest addition to the the Shanghai Disney Resort, based on the smash-hit furtastic fantasy romp Zootopia, has begun construction. The eighth themed land in the park is the park's second expansion, after Toy Story was added last year. Hard facts are light, but they did send us a press release and some artist renditions. After the jump!

*** We've always said that the Disneyland PR team do their best work when they have solid news to announce. It's been sort of a tough year for them, having to send out dry press releases like "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Shanghai Disney Resort Launches New Shanghai Disneyland Annual Pass for Year-Round Magic." Only occasionally do we get heartwarming nuggets like "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Shanghai Disney Resort Opens the Latest Disney Fun House at Wenzhou Women and Children’s Hospital". Unfortunately, "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Site Preparation Completed for Shanghai Disneyland’s Zootopia-themed Expansion, Main Construction Has Commenced" is scant on actual details (like when Zootopia is opening, where it'll be located in the park or what it'll include). Mostly it's stuff like...

"This expansion demonstrates Shanghai Disney Resort’s commitment to bringing new and unique experiences to our guests, offering more reasons for them to come visit us again and again.”

... but they decided to throw us a bone and include some artist renderings, which are exactly the sort of treat you need to pep up your Monday. Stunning. Breath-taking. Feels like I'm there already. The Zootopia characters have had to make do with appearances at the Adventure Isle character meet-up, or waving to the crowds from a choo-choo train towards the back of the Disney Parade, like refugees. It's nice they're getting their own home, as well as an attraction (singular). For now, though, we'll have to make do with artwork on the fence cordoning off the construction site. How long until it's open? Dunno, but Toy Story took about a year and a half to complete. Looking forward to another "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE" in my inbox sometime around early 2021, Disney. Can't wait to update the monster Guide to Shanghai Disney Resort.