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Last year when we went to Disneyland for Zac’s birthday, it happened to fall during the Lunar New Year celebrations at Disneyland. Lunar New Year is a holiday celebrated in many Asian countries {though often also referred to as Chinese New Year} that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional Chinese calendar.
When we were there last year, it was the dawn of the Year of the Pig. They had lots of things to celebrate the new year’s animal, including decorations and the Three Little Pigs coming out during the procession {more on that below}. This year is the Year of the Rat- though at Disneyland, they’re calling it the Year of the Mouse. This is of course because of Mickey and Minnie, who will be dressed for the occasion!
We love the cultural celebrations that Disney California Adventure holds throughout the year {such as Plaza de la Familia in the fall}- it’s a fun and interactive way for kids and adults alike to learn more about other cultures.
Just like most cultural celebrations held at the parks, there are lots of different ways to celebrate Lunar New Year at Disneyland! This includes fun {free!} activities for kids, special entertainment, and of course- delicious food!
We enjoyed the celebration so much last year that we were thrilled to find that our next Disneyland vacation happens to take place during the Lunar New Year celebrations again! I’ll be sharing more about it when I’m there but since that won’t be until the final weekend of the event, I thought I’d share a bit more here in case you find yourself headed to the parks during Lunar New Year at Disneyland.
{Scroll to the bottom to find out how you can save money on your trip!}
When does Disneyland celebrate Lunar New Year?
While the actual Lunar New Year is Saturday, January 25, 2020, you can celebrate the holiday at the parks for much longer than that! The celebrations begin on January 17, 2020 and end on February 9, 2020, which means there are 24 days to soak it all in.
Where is Lunar New Year celebrated at Disneyland Resort?
You can find the festivities happening at Disney California Adventure. There are a few different elements to the event, so there are a few places to keep an eye out:
The set-up I shared above, with lots of information about the holiday and beautiful decorations, is located in Paradise Gardens. {Located by that group of restaurants near Goofy’s Sky School.}
The “Hurry Home- Lunar New Year Celebration” water show taking place prior to World of Color will be on Paradise Bay.
Live daily musical performances will take place throughout Paradise Gardens Park.
Food will be available at festival booth locations throughout the park {last year they were around The Little Mermaid ride} as well as at Paradise Garden Grill, Lucky Fortune Cookery in Pacific Wharf, and a food cart inside Paradise Gardens.
What activities are offered for Lunar New Year at Disneyland?
There are lots of activities being offered to let kids and adults alike really celebrate! You will be able to:
- Meet characters including Mickey and Minnie in special festive Lunar New Year attire, Mulan, Pluto, and the Three Little Pigs.
- Enjoy complimentary arts and crafts, including a dragon’s pearl coloring craft and an activity featuring Chinese calligraphy with local artisans.
- Write down your wishes for the year and tie them to the Lucky Wishing Wall in hopes for a prosperous future.
- Get face painting done- however, this particular activity does cost money.
What are the special Lunar New Year foods being offered at Disneyland?
Paradise Garden Grill will have a special Lunar New Year menu inspired by traditional Asian fare, and there will be a festival cart in Paradise Gardens as well. Lucky Fortune Cookery in Pacific Wharf always has Asian inspired dishes, but will have special menu items to celebrate the Lunar New Year. You can read more about these options here.
There will also be four festival food booths available, including:
Longevity Noodle Co.
- Chicken Meatballs and Lo Mein Noodles with Cabbage Salad and 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
- Tsingtao (bottled alcoholic beverage)
Lucky 8 Lantern
- Shrimp Fried Rice with Garlic Bacon Edamame
- Smoked Beef Bulgogi Shortrib on Rice Cake
- Manadarin Orange and Green Tea Tart
- Peach Sojito (alcoholic beverage)
- Hitachino Nest Beer (bottled alcoholic beverage)
Prosperity Bao & Buns
- Char Siu Pork Bao – Chinese BBQ Pork with Pickled Red Onions and Jalapeño
- Mickey Chinese Hot Dog Bun
- Lychee-Grapefruit Gin Spritzer (alcoholic beverage)
- Kloud Original Gravity Lager (canned alcoholic beverage)
Red Dragon Spice Traders
- Firecracker Three Cup Chicken Wings
- Shrimp & Ginger Dumplings with Soy Reduction and Sriracha Mayo
- Purple Yam Macaron with Crème Fraîche
- Honey-Lime Green Tea
- Honey-Lime Green Tea with Bourbon (alcoholic beverage)
- Bottle Logic Hanamacahi (draft alcoholic beverage)
You can purchase a Sip and Savor pass to make the most of these booths! Learn more about Sip and Savor Passes below under ways to save!
Is there special Lunar New Year entertainment at Disneyland?
YES! There are lots of entertainment options during Lunar New Year celebrations.
Several times a day, “Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession” takes place. It’s a parade led by Mulan that also includes Goofy in his “god of Good Fortune” attire, Chip ‘n’ Dale in their red vests, and new this year, Mickey and Minnie in their new Lunar New Year attire! During this procession last year we saw a beautiful Chinese Dragon and other talented performers including dancers, martial artists, and drummers.
“Hurry Home- Lunar New Year Celebration” is a water show that will take place just before World of Color each night during the celebrations. It tells the tale of a little lantern’s quest to reunite with family. Mulan is even part of the lantern’s journey!
As I mentioned earlier, you can meet and greet characters including Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Mulan, and The Three Little Pigs.
Some tips for saving money during the Lunar New Year celebrations at Disneyland
One of the best things about the Lunar New Year celebration at Disneyland is that other than the food and the face painting, all of the festivities are included in your park admission. Special entertainment, crafts, activities, and meet and greets are all open to everyone- which means even more people can learn about this traditional celebration! But just because the activities are free, that doesn’t mean I can’t help you save money!
Sip and Savor Pass
As I mentioned earlier, the Sip and Savor pass is your best bet to help save on your food costs if you planning on eating your way through the special offerings. The pass costs $42 and includes six tabs that can be redeemed for food or beverages {excluding alcohol- so I don’t recommend using the pass on beverages as you waste money that way}. An annual passholder discount IS available and even comes with a special lanyard!
As long as you use your pass for items that cost $7 or more, you’ll save money by using the pass over buying everything outright. {You can totally split up your pass between people too, just make sure you don’t remove any of the tabs yourself- you’ll need them to make your purchase.}
The Sip and Savor Pass can be redeemed at the festival booths or for tasting-sized portions at Lucky Fortune Cookery and Paradise Garden Grill.
You can purchase your Sip and Savor Pass at various locations throughout the park, including the Sip and Savor Cart, Seaside Souvenirs, Kingswell, Elias & Co., and Festival Marketplaces.
Save on your tickets and hotel
When you book your tickets through my partner Get Away Today, you’re getting the best price on Disneyland tickets. Need a hotel too? Book a package deal with Get Away Today {they often have specials that include a free night or a big discount!} and use code NQSH for $10 off your package!
Have you ever celebrated Lunar New Year- in the parks or at home? What are your favorite ways to celebrate?
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