Beginning this Friday, January 21 through Sunday, February 13, the festive Lunar New Year celebration returns to Disney California Adventure Park at The Disneyland Resort and this year is, The Year of the Tiger!
The limited-time event is a fantastic tribute to Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean cultures, heightened with some Disney magic. You’ll find Asian-inspired food and drinks, beautiful décor, celebratory merchandise, and exciting entertainment.
Lunar New Year is a special time for families and friends to share wishes for good health, luck and prosperity throughout the year ahead. As a Vietnamese-American, this celebration has extreme importance to me and my family as we maintain many cultural traditions that are similarly reflected in what the Disneyland Resort has to offer (more on that soon).
Highlights of the Lunar New Year celebration at Disney California Adventure include:
- All-new float for “Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession”: For the Year of the Tiger, Tigger will join this festive parade honoring family and the beautiful traditions of Chinese heritage. This year’s procession also introduces a gorgeous new float for Mulan and Mushu to arrive upon, accompanied by traditional Chinese drummers performing powerful rhythms.
- Special appearances by Disney characters: At the Paradise Gardens Gazebo, guests may spot Tigger, Mulan and Mushu, Mickey and Minnie, and the Three Little Pigs – all dressed in festive attire. Under the forest canopy in Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, guests get the chance to meet Raya, from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ film “Raya and the Last Dragon,” as she makes her debut at the Disneyland Resort.
- Four festive Lunar New Year Marketplaces return to offer an array of Asian-inspired dishes, prepared with a Disney twist, and like years past, Guests may purchase the popular Sip and Savor pass*, which provides six coupons, redeemable for select food and nonalcoholic beverages at participating Lunar New Year Marketplace kiosks and dining locations:
- Longevity Noodle Co.
- Lucky 8 Lantern
- Prosperity Bao & Buns
- Red Dragon Spice Traders
- Festival Food and Beverage Cart
- Paradise Garden Grill
- Lucky Fortune Cookery
- Cappuccino Cart
- A limited-time, multicultural menu at the Paradise Garden Grill which brings back a few fan favorites and new dishes, including:
- Pork Banh Mi; grilled pork belly with pickled daikon, carrots, cucumber, jalapeno, cilantro and seasoned mayonnaise on a crispy baguette
- Plant-based spicy Kung Pao tofu with zucchini, yellow squash, broccoli, red peppers, peanuts and fried rice, garnished with garlic chips
- Tiger milk tea (non-alcoholic) with brown sugar boba
- Special Lunar New Year merchandise will be available for purchase while supplies last, including a commemorative Spirit Jersey and tumbler.
- The Paradise Garden Bandstand will present daily live performances that feature enchanting traditional musical instruments, along with Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese folk dancers. Returning this year, San Francisco-based musical group Melody of China will perform a fusion of Chinese folk, classical and contemporary instrumentals. Check the daily Entertainment Schedule on Disneyland.com (or the Disneyland app!) provides details on upcoming performances.
- The Lucky Wishes Wall – Guests of all ages are invited to add their own special messages of hope, health and happiness for the Year of the Tiger.
- Complimentary arts and crafts, such as a dragon’s pearl coloring craft and Chinese calligraphy with local artisans.
- Educational art walls provide guests with information about the festival, including fun details such as “What Year Are You?” and the unique story of Lunar New Year in each culture.
