Written in collaboration with Disneyland. All opinions are my own.
LUNAR NEW YEAR is one of the most celebrated holidays among Asian cultures. Each country will observe it slightly different, but they all commemorate with loved ones to wish each other good fortune and prosperity for the new year. I love that Disneyland Resort designates an area of Disney California Adventure Park for about three weeks (Jan. 17 through Feb. 9, 2020) so everyone who’s in the park can join in on the festivities with their family and friends. For Year of the Mouse this year, guests can experience Asian culture through carefully selected food, music, and entertainment. I love what Disneyland did this year to highlight the different cultures!
ENTERTAINMENT
The LUNAR celebration extends all the way down to Paradise Gardens Grill with beautiful decorations and banners, characters dressed in beautiful costumes, live performances, complimentary face painting, lantern making, and lucky wishing wall. Please refer to the Entertainment Guide at the gate or via your Disneyland app for the most updated information and locations.
- Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession (Best viewing location is the Performance Corridor): Mulan and her dragon friend, Mushu, welcomes the Year of the Mouse with a colorful and exciting procession of beautiful Chinese umbrella dancers and other delightful performers. The procession and performance can be enjoyed multiple times throughout the day
- Melody of China (Paradise Gardens): Trio of artists that play the yangqin (Chinese dulcimer), pipa (Chinese lute) and Erhu (Chinese fiddle). They will perform Chinese classical, folk, and contemporary music.
- Meet Disney Friends (Paradise Gardens Park): Daily 11 am to 5 pm. Encounters with beloved characters in their Lunar New Year attire – Mickey, Minnie, Mulan, Mushu, Pluto, and The Three Little Pigs.
- Lucky Wishing Wall (Paradise Gardens): Guests of all ages are welcomed to add their own special message of hope, health and happiness for the upcoming year.
- Hurry Home Lunar New Year (Paradise Gardens Park): A nighttime water show that celebrates family, friends and new beginnings.
DINING OPTIONS!
Featuring cuisines from China, Vietnam, and Korea. I thought that they did an excellent job offering the traditional dishes important to each culture. The Executive Chef said that the cast members played a huge part in coming up with the menu, and they do a lot of research to pick dishes that will appeal to everyone. Here is where you will find them all. Look for four Asian marketplaces from each country between The Little Mermaid and Goofy’s Sky School. The celebration extends all the way down to Paradise Garden Grill!
TIME SAVING TIP! Don’t get in the wrong line! There are three lines at each marketplace (Ordering, Mobile Pick-up, and Pick-up). You’ll be able to order all of your selections at one location. Look for the shortest “ordering line”, then look for the pick up lines at each marketplace. To view a menu, pick one up where they are selling Sip and Savor passes or view them from the Disneyland App.
- Longevity Noodle Co.
- Chicken Meatballs and Lo Mein Noodles, Cabbage Salad with Apple-Ginger Sauce
- Vegetable Egg Roll and Chilled Sesame-Garlic Noodles with Cilantro-Cashew Sauce and Toasted Peanuts
- Black Sesame Mochi Donut
- Vietnamese Cold Brew with Coconut Milk
- Lucky 8 Lantern
- Shrimp Fried Rice with Garlic-Bacon Edamame
- Smoked Beef Bulgogi Short Rib on Rice Cake and Green Onion Salad
- Mandarin Orange-Green Tea Tart
- Peach Sojito
- Prosperity Bao & Buns
- Char Siu Pork Bao, Chinese BBQ Pork with Pickled Red Onions and Jalapeno
- Mickey Chinese Hot Dog Bun
- Mango-Pineapple Pastry
- Lychee-Grapefruit Gin Spritzer
- Red Dragon Spice Traders
- Firecracker Three Cup Chicken Wings
- Shrimp & Ginger Dumplings with Soy Reduction and Sriracha Mayo
- Purple Yam Macaron with Creme Fraiche
- Honey-Lime Green Tea
Sip and Savor Passes
This year they are offering new Sip and Savor passes so that you can get better value if you are using them like tasting cards. It includes six coupons redeemable for food and beverage (excluding alcohol and souvenir items) at select Festival Marketplace locations. Note: Coupons must be attached at time of redemption. Additional LUNAR NEW YEAR offerings can be found at Paradise Gardens Grill like Whole Deep-Fried Tilapia, Plant-Based Orange Tempeh, Korean Grilled Chicken, Banh Mi with grilled pork belly, and Mango Mousse. It’s yummy!
Commemorative Items:
Looking for keepsakes? They have brought special items all the way from Shanghai Disney Resort including traditional red envelopes for gift giving, Minnie Mouse ear headbands, and lantern glow wands and more! For more information or to check the schedule, please visit their website here: www.Disneyland.com/LunarNewYear.
Preserving Traditions
Celebrating Lunar New Year has always been a big deal in my family, and we celebrate it every year. Although my parents and most of our relatives are out of state, we don’t have to go very far to celebrate it locally here in Orange County. Visiting Disneyland is a great way to experience it without feeling homesick, because Disney added their own magic to it making it a special treat. Whether you are familiar with the cultures or willing to experience for the first time, they have chosen only the best of the best. My favorites are Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession, trying all the different dishes and desserts, listening to authentic live music during dinner in Paradise Gardens, and meeting the characters in their ornate outfits. If you plan to check it out, the last day is February 9th at Disney California Adventure.
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