A Look Inside “Moana 2”: An Immersive Experience at Disney Animation Studios

Ledoux Miller spoke about how personal the film has become for her: “I've always dreamed of being able to truly represent my people and tell stories that are meaningful to us. This is my first animated film, but I was a big fan of the first one. I still remember sitting in the theater and realizing that this film would forever change the way people view Pacific Islanders. For us, there’s really nothing bigger than Moana right now.”

During our stay at Disney Animation Studios, it quickly became clear that the approach to authentic representation was a true collaborative effort by people deeply connected to the culture and passionate about sharing the region's beauty, heritage and pride . Rather than telling an established story, the film weaves a rich tapestry of Polynesian folklore, combining real cultural elements with the creativity of Disney storytelling to allow the film to celebrate a broader range of Pacific Islander cultures.

“This collaborative process is crucial, especially on a large film like this where over 750 people are involved,” explained Derrick Jr. “We support each other and remain focused on Moana's journey and the relationships within this film is what drives us all.”

An important part of this was the guidance of those who know it best. The Oceanic Cultural Trust is a group of cultural consultants from the Pacific Islands who helped shape the details of the film. The group included anthropologists, historians, linguists, choreographers and cultural figures from the Pacific Islands. They were involved in the film from the beginning, shaping the initial discussions about expanding Moana's story and remaining involved throughout the process, providing input on artwork, storyboards, names, character design, song lyrics and more.

During my time in the studio, we had the opportunity to watch the first 30 minutes of the new film, in which Moana embarks on an exciting new quest. The story follows her as she receives an unexpected call from her pioneering ancestors, prompting her to set sail across uncharted waters. A journey that sees her face new villains and reunite with familiar faces (beaks and snouts) as Maui overcomes its own challenges. It became clear that exploration continues to be a key theme for Moana as she aims to be the chieftain her island needs.

Accompanying Moana on her journey is her adorable little sister Simea (voiced by: Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda) and a motley crew helping her: an engineer named Loto (Rose Matafeo), the storyteller Moni (Hualālai Chung) and the moody farmer Kele (David Fane). Hei-Hei, the not-so-smart chicken, the fans' favorite buddies (Alan Tudyk) and her pig friend Pua.

“This is a film about Moana growing up and learning that you never stop choosing yourself,” shared Ledoux Miller. “We say that in the film, but we really believe it. She has embarked on this journey and is now looking to the future. We all grow up, we think we know exactly who we are, and then something changes.” Moana learns that her actions have consequences and that her decisions actually impact other people.

As Moana discovers new islands, she is also on a journey of self-discovery with the goal of becoming the chieftain her island of Motunui deserves. The film beautifully balances the past and the future, with Moana singing “We're Back,” a song that celebrates her community's return to direction as she navigates the water toward home. The sequence shows how the island has developed over the past three years, families growing and new ships being built for exploration.

“I love that we're able to continue Moana's story,” said Derrick Jr. “At the end of the first film, she wasn't socializing, so there was more to explore.” This film is about her personal growth and about discovering more about yourself, which energizes storytelling. It will be exciting to see how her journey unfolds, especially in the context of her relationship with Maui.”

Music continues to be a central part of Moana's journey. The directors promise eight new songs from returning composers for the film Opetaia Foa'i and Mark Mancinaand also by the Grammy Award-winning duo Abigail Barlow & Emily Bearwho are new to this film. This includes “We’re Back,” which celebrates the people of Montouni’s return to wayfinding.

“The music in this film speaks the language of the music in the first film,” explained Ledoux Miller. “It's a really immersive experience when you watch the first film. We wanted to make sure we weren’t reinventing the wheel, we were expanding it.”
We were treated to a wonderful live performance from the duo. Although I can't share it, you can get a sample from the film below.