Unmissable Highlights of the Free Zootopia Exhibition in Shanghai
Amazing Free Zootopia Exhibition in Shanghai You Can't Miss
Last night around eight, I walked out of the Long Museum with an iced Americano and turned a corner, bam! There was this shiny “Zootopia” right in front of me. Totally free, no reservations needed, and hardly any queues—that’s like hitting the jackpot on a weekend in Shanghai. I was first stunned by the giant 8-meter tall paw-shaped ice pop, and then took a couple of steps forward to see Judy’s bunny burrow all lit up, like a cartoon just popped up by the Huangpu River.
Overview of Shanghai's Zootopia
This pop-up exhibition has two parts:
- Part One (opened on 8.16): Bunny Burrow, Central Station, Small Rodent Area, Giant Paw Ice Pop, Lightning Fast Racing Photo Spot
- Part Two (launching on 9.6): Glacier Town, Sahara Square, Rainforest Zone, Wetland Market
The whole area stretches along the river, it only takes about ten minutes to walk from the orange construction crane to the back door of the Long Museum, perfect for snapping photos along the way. Even if you walk slowly, you can finish in half an hour. The night view is way better than during the day; when the lights turn on and the breeze rolls in from the river, it feels totally healing.
Location and Opening Hours
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | East Side of Longteng Avenue 3398 (next to the orange construction crane) |
| Navigation Keywords | Long Museum (West Bank Branch) |
| Opening Dates | 2024.8.16-10.31 |
| Opening Hours | Open 24 hours, come whenever you want |
| Admission Fee | Free entry, no scanning required |
I arrived at nine, and there were still parking spots available. Street parking is 6 yuan/hour, and if you take the subway, just walk for 10 minutes from Yunjin Road Station on Line 11, and you're there.
The Joy of Free Entry
Nothing beats the fun of free stuff. There are no turnstiles, no staff rushing you—take as long as you want for selfies. I loved the Small Rodent Area, where the lemming brothers' mini elevator goes up and down on a schedule, I must’ve taken 200 photos for my sticker collection. Lightning’s “Speedy Racing” is really just a super slow convertible that automatically snaps photos when you get in; you can download them by scanning a QR code, and it’s free too.
A Zootopia Journey in Shanghai
Right now, there are three places to check out Zootopia in Shanghai:
- Disney Official Version: Lots of attractions, long queues, expensive tickets—great for hardcore fans
- Zhangyuan Pop-up: Indoors, has good air conditioning, but super crowded
- West Bank Pop-up: Outdoor, free, fantastic night views, perfect for walking kids and dogs at the same time
I’ve been to all three, and West Bank is the best for spontaneous plans—you can easily drop by after work. Zhangyuan is best for rainy days, and reserve Disney for your holidays.
Healing Summer Nights
After seven is the golden hour. The sun just sets, the lights come on, and the temperature drops from 35°C to 28°C, with the river breeze feeling way better than air conditioning. After wandering through the exhibition, I didn’t rush to leave; I sat on the steps under the paw ice pop, watching the lights across in Pudong slowly coming on, listening to “Try Everything” in my headphones, and it felt like the whole summer was forgiven.
Quick Practical Guide
| Need | My Tips |
|---|---|
| Best Photo Spots | Front steps by the giant paw ice pop, rooftop of Central Station, blue light wall in Glacier Town |
| Pitfall Tips | Going during the day can be a bit brutal with the sun, so I recommend arriving after 19:00 |
| Equipment Suggestions | Phone + power bank + mosquito repellent, no power bank rental on site |
| Dining | There’s a café on the first floor of the Long Museum, and just 50 meters outside the exhibition area is a mobile ice cream truck with normal prices |
| Bringing Kids | The ground is flat for strollers; there are no restrooms, so use the ones in the Long Museum |
| Pets | You can bring your dog, just remember to keep it leashed since the riverside can get windy |
In a nutshell: If you have some free time tonight, why not head out now, feel the riverside breeze, and take a pic with Judy? It’s totally free, after all!
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