Photo courtesy of the Disneyland Resort
As a Vietnamese-American, I am always thrilled to see The Disneyland Resort expand upon its annual Lunar New Year celebration at Disney California Adventure, happening this year from January 17 – February 9, 2020.
This holiday has special meaning for me and my family, so I’m thrilled to write about all of the festivities happening for 2020, The Year of the Mouse (or, alternately, the Year of the Rat).
What is the Lunar New Year?
The Lunar New Year is the observance of a new year in a lunar calendar that coincides with cycles of the moon. The celebration usually falls around January/February depending on the calendar, and is celebrated by Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese people worldwide. Similar to the monthly astrological zodiac that we are familiar with (Scorpio, anyone?), there are 12 lunar zodiac animals that represent different years, repeating in a 12-year cycle. It is a time of family, celebration, tradition, and honoring your elders as well. Much like any celebration of a “new year”, the Lunar New Year marks another opportunity for prosperity, good fortune, and good health.
So, the Year of the Mouse is celebrated in 2020. This zodiac sign was last celebrated in 2008, and we will celebrate it again in 2032.
This year, the Lunar New Year is Saturday, January 25, 2020.
What’s happening at The Disneyland Resort?
The 24-day celebration is chock full of live entertainment and musical performances, specialty food offerings, as well as exclusive merchandise. Here’s a list of everything happening!
Photo courtesy of the Disneyland Resort
- “Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession” is a celebratory parade led by Mulan that honors Lunar New Year and dedicates the new year’s blessings to family and friendship. This year, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will also join the procession in new celebration attire to represent “The Year of the Mouse”, and you’ll find Goofy in his “god of Good Fortune” attire and Chip ‘n’ Dale in their red vests once again. They will be surrounded by a Cast of talented performers who merge dance, martial arts and drumming to this colorful procession. “Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession” will run several times, daily so check the app to make sure of performance times!
Entertainment
- “Hurry Home – Lunar New Year Celebration,” is a heartwarming nighttime water show at Paradise Bay prior to “World of Color” which tells the tale of a little lantern’s quest to reunite with family for the annual celebration of good luck and fortune. Guests will be delighted to see Mulan as a part of the little lantern’s journey.
- Beloved characters Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will don new festive Lunar New Year attire this year as they greet guests at Paradise Gardens. Other characters guests may find in this area include Mulan, Pluto, and the Three Little Pigs who also join in the Lunar New Year celebration.
- Live, daily performances by authentic Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese dancers and musicians will take place throughout Paradise Gardens Park.
Activities for the Whole Family
A photo of the festive crafts area from 2018
- There will be plenty of areas for complimentary arts and crafts. One area features a complimentary dragon’s pearl coloring craft, and another features Chinese calligraphy with local artisans. Plus, new face painting opportunities have been added to the Lunar New Year celebration, available for purchase.
- One of my favorites is the Lucky Wishing Wall, located in Paradise Gardens, where guests may write down new year wishes and attach them to the wall in hopes of prosperity and good luck.
- The educational art walls provide guests with information about the festival, including fun details such as “What Year Are You?” as well as the unique story of Lunar New Year in each culture that celebrates this occasion.
- Lunar New Year décor around the Resort will symbolize good luck, fortune and happiness in bold red and brilliant gold. Guests will see ornamental lanterns and banners wishing guests a Happy Lunar New Year in English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese.
Food
The Lunar New Year is bringing back festive marketplaces to experience delightful food and beverages inspired by Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures, with many different options, including the new smoked beef bulgogi short rib and the peach sojito, as well as many other new and returning favorites.
The popular Sip and Savor pass* is available for any guest to purchase if they wish to get the best value as they taste their way through the festive Asian marketplaces.
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- Longevity Noodle Co.
- Lucky 8 Lantern
- Prosperity Bao & Buns
- Red Dragon Spice Traders
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Paradise Garden Grill will offer special Lunar New Year menu items inspired by traditional Asian fare, plus a Festival Cart inside Paradise Gardens and special food options at Lucky Fortune Cookery in Pacific Wharf
Merchandise
This Lunar New Year Minnie Mouse Ears headband (Photo courtesy of the Disneyland Resort)
New Lunar New Year merchandise will be available for purchase, including all-new spirit jerseys, fun bobble-head figures with Chip and Dale, a traditional red envelope set, themed Minnie Mouse ear headbands and more.
So much fun is in store at the Disneyland Resort! I am glad to see Disneyland continue to expand upon this celebration and hope they continue to for many years to come!
