Moana is an animated Disney movie from 2016. Moana is a Disney princess who helps her village by restoring the heart of Te Fiti.
She is brave, strong, and courageous. This movie is popular and very loved by Disney fans.
How much do you know about it though? Read on to learn some interesting Moana facts.
1. The Main Character Was Going To Be Maui
In an early version of the movie, they were going to have Maui be the main character in the movie and the title might have been Mighty Maui.
It was going to be about Moana asking Maui to help her find her lost lover.
We’re glad they didn’t do this because we love the movie just the way it is!
2. Flounder Is In The Movie
Flounder, the blue and yellow fish in The Little Mermaid, makes a quick appearance in the movie.
During the song You’re Welcome there is a part with some fish swimming real quick. One of those fish is Flounder.
The co-directors of Moana, John Musker and Ron Clements, also co-directed The Little Mermaid.
3. Moana Means Ocean
The word “moana” means ocean in many Polynesian languages.
This is a perfect name for Moana because she feels so connected to the ocean and it chose her to restore the heart of Te Fiti.
4. Hawaiian Airlines Celebrated The Movie
Hawaiian Airlines wanted to celebrate Disney having a Polynesian princess, so they did in a very cool way.
They painted 3 of their planes with pictures of Moana and Maui. They also put Moana decals on the overhead bins inside the plane.
Wouldn’t it have been so cool to fly on a Moana airplane?
5. A New Water Animation System Had To Be Built
The animators did the most amazing job on the ocean water in the movie. It looks so realistic!
They didn’t have the rights tools to make it look perfect though, so Disney ended up building a whole new water animation system.
6. Moana’s Necklace Has Meaning
Moana’s necklace is tan on the top part and blue on the bottom.
This is to symbolize her connection to the land and the sea.
7. They Did Not Do Voice Auditions For Maui
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson voices Maui in the film. The team for Moana only wanted him to voice Maui, so they didn’t even hold voice auditions for him.
Luckily, The Rock wanted to do it and we love his voice for Maui.
8. Sven Is Seen For A Second
Sven, the reindeer from the Frozen movies, is quickly in a part of the Moana movie.
When Maui gets his hook back from Tamatoa (the giant crab), he has a hard time shapeshifting at first.
He accidentally turns into a few things he doesn’t intend to, and one of them is Sven.
9. The Fans Wanted To See More Of Pua
Pua is the super cute and lovable pig pet of Moana. You fall in love with him very quickly in the first part of the movie.
Then, Moana goes on her journey without him and we get the chicken, Hei Hei, instead. Fans really wanted more Pua though.
10. The Red On Moana’s Outfit Is Symbolic
Moana’s outfit is red and tan. The red color is to symbolize her royal roots.
11. Maui Wasn’t Going To Have Hair
The very early drawings of Maui have him bald with no hair at all.
The movie’s Polynesian Cultural Advisors said no to this and said he needed to have nice, long hair.
12. The Directors Went On Research Trips
The directors, animators, and producers of the movie went on research trips to the South Pacific.
They learned so much on these trips by talking to the people there, visiting the villages, and sailing.