I Genuinely Can’t Watch “Moana” The Same Way After Learning These Facts
In 2016, Disney’s “Moana” captured audiences worldwide
[https://www.buzzfeed.com/abbyzinman/disney-princess-tap-on-image-trivia-quiz], becoming one of the standout animated films of the decade. With its themes of identity, tradition, and courage, it resonated deeply with fans and amassed over $643 million globally
[https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl4249847297/], setting the stage for a planned $1 billion sequel in 2024. Here are 19 fun facts
[https://www.buzzfeed.com/kellyrissman/random-facts] about “Moana” that will surely make you rewatch it with new eyes:
1. Maui was originally designed to be bald. In the early concept art
[https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2017/02/12/deleted-moana-reveals-bald-maui-six-brothers/97724762/], he appeared as a face tattooed, bald demigod. Polynesian cultural advisors, however, emphasized that Maui’s luxurious hair is essential for his “mana” (spiritual energy) — so Disney kept his voluminous locks. This detail is key—the “People’s Eyebrow” moment would have looked more like an animated Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson without his hair.
2. Moana’s voice is that of Auli’i Cravalho, a 14-year-old Native Hawaiian. She was the last girl cast after an audition process
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pylCYlsjEK0], with director Rachel Sutton confirming her late-stage discovery.
3. There was an almost-“Millennial Moana” concept, where the story featured a modern boy dropped into an ancient Polynesian setting. Director John Musker revealed
[https://ew.com/movies/2017/01/11/moana-10-fun-facts/], “We did not pursue that story,” opting instead for a timeless narrative.
4. Moana was initially imagined to sing “You’re Welcome” when she first meets Maui. According to Musker,
[https://ew.com/movies/2017/01/11/moana-10-fun-facts/], this version showed her idolizing Maui, before transforming the scene into the iconic introduction song for Maui himself, similar to Genie in “Aladdin.”
5. Māori culture contributed a lot to the film. For example, “hei hei” simply means “chicken” in Māori
[https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/news/disneys-moana-15-facts-you-didnt-know-about-hei-hei-the-rooster/ar-BB1lHAkx#:~:text=Hei%20Hei%20Means%20Chicken%20In%20M%C4%81ori&text=The%20name%20Hei%20Hei%20has,father%20of%20Moana, in Moana].
6. The film features real Polynesian seabirds, the frigatebirds, known for their thievery—much like their animated counterparts
[https://latinrootstravel.com/fortheblog/magnificent-frigatebirds/].
7. Lin-Manuel Miranda, famous for “Hamilton,” contributed lyrics to “How Far I’ll Go” and “You’re Welcome,” and worked closely with Opetaia Foa’i and Mark Mancina on the score
[https://www.watchmojo.com/articles/top-10-lin-manuel-miranda-musicals]. Interestingly, Disney’s musical style in “Moana” draws inspiration from “The Lion King,” with each composer bringing a legendary touch—Hans Zimmer, Elton John, and Lebo M. for the former; Miranda, Foa’i, and Mancina for the latter.
8. Initially, Maui was to be the main focus of the story, a concept dubbed “Mighty Maui.” The creators later shifted to Moana herself for relatability, making her the second original Disney princess
[https://ew.com/movies/2017/01/11/moana-10-fun-facts/].
9. The film’s spectacular wave effects were so crucial that about 80% of scenes involved CGI. Director Ron Clements explained, “We knew the ocean would be a major part because it’s central to culture and mythology… We deal in believability, not necessarily reality” [https://www.fandango.com/movie-news/5-fun-facts-behind-the-scenes-of-moana-751282].
10. Pua, Moana’s adorable pig, was initially meant to accompany her on her journey. Due to creative decisions, he was excluded to emphasize her independence, despite many fans lamenting his absence
[https://ew.com/movies/2017/01/11/moana-10-fun-facts/].
11. Dwayne Johnson, who voices Maui, once revealed his character was partly inspired by his late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia of Samoa
[https://x.com/TheRock/status/915077607171002369].
12. Disney Easter eggs abound in “Moana”: Maui transforms into Sven from “Frozen,” and fellow characters like Flounder from “The Little Mermaid” make hidden appearances, proof of Disney’s signature internal nods.
13. Moana’s character is revolutionary because she is an original Disney princess—not based on a fairy tale but crafted from Polynesian myth and culture. She is only the second Disney princess not based on a pre-existing story
[https://celebrationspress.com/2023/04/14/moana/].
14. Cravalho’s involvement with Disney predates her “Moana” role; she also portrayed Ariel in ABC’s “The Little Mermaid Live!” in 2019, making her one of the few to play multiple Disney princesses—all as a teenager
[https://celebrationspress.com/2023/04/14/moana/].
15. The necklace Moana wears symbolizes her connection to land and sea, reflecting her identity and cultural roots
[https://celebrationspress.com/2023/04/14/moana/].
16. The name “Moana” literally means “ocean” in Polynesian languages, including Maori and Hawaiian—highlighting her destined role as a voyager of the sea
[https://celebrationspress.com/2023/04/14/moana/].
17. Her story references “The Long Pause,” a real-life event when Polynesians ceased exploration to settle into island life—a key cultural turning point depicted in the movie
[https://iowastatedaily.com/60876/news/the-truth-behind-disneys-moana-overcoming-the-long-pause/].
These insights deepen the appreciation for Disney’s meticulous cultural representation and storytelling. So, what is your favorite Moana moment? Share your thoughts below!
Watch “Moana” anytime on Disney+ [https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-e8896bfa-1052-41f7-ae2e-00255d77cf05].
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**What is your favorite Moana moment?**
