Zootopia: Better Zoogether! opened at Disney’s Animal Kingdom last year. This year, it is getting a new character as part of a new preshow sequence. That new character is Mayor Winddancer, who continues to be voiced by Patrick Warburton. Mayor Brian Winddancer now sets up the story as part of the preshow before everything gets going.

As this new preshow sequence gets added to the attraction, Walt Disney Imagineering released a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into updating the attraction. Take a look at the video from Imagineering here:

The new preshow provides more context for the show. It sets up the story before the main show begins. It also allows for Mayor Winddancer to be a part of the experience after appearing in Zootopia 2.

During the preshow, Mayor Winddancer is hosting a press conference to kick off the Zoogether Day celebration. While he is giving this kick-off speech, he is notified that someone is trying to ruin the celebration. He assures the audience that everything is fine but then quickly requests that they “get the bunny and fox on this!”

Patrick Warburton returns to voice Mayor Winddancer for Zootopia: Better Zoogether! after voicing Mayor Windjammer in the film. For Disney theme park fans, the addition of Warburton in another preshow has added meaning. Warburton is also the preshow host for Soarin’ Across America. He recently re-recorded an updated version of this preshow for this new version of the attraction.

To be sure these updates were perfect for their first day, Imagineers from many different disciplines worked in the theater in the nights before. During these overnight work sessions, they made sure that the lighting, special effects, audio effects, and the new figure all lined up when guests watched the additions.

Zootopia: Better Zoogether! is just one attraction that Disney has developed based on the world of Zootopia. In Shanghai Disneyland, there is a land based on this film franchise. It has the incredibly popular Zootopia: Hot Pursuit. It also sees some of the residents creating moments as they peek out of their apartments. Jumbeaux’s Sweets ice cream parlor aboard the Disney Treasure also brings this world to guests. There are also Zootopia-inspired spaces found aboard the Disney Treasure. With the success of both Zootopia and Zootopia 2, it is very possible that more experiences and attractions could come to Disney parks

What do you think of this show getting a new preshow? Are you excited to see it in person? What do you think of the use of Mayor Winddancer for the preshow? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!