While many are getting ready for Valentine’s Day on February 15th, asians are preparing for February 17th, or the Lunar New Year. California’s Disneyland in particular is highly regarded for its Lunar New Year festivities and decorations. This year, the celebration runs from January 23rd to February 22nd.
Both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure are decorated with banners that have different Disney characters dressed in traditional attire. The San Fransokyo area in California Adventure is particularly festive; paper lanterns line the bridge, the arches are adorned with red lights and a sign that says “Lunar New Year, Year of the Horse,” and fake hanging firecrackers. Since 2026 marks the Year of the Horse, the 2026 celebration features the horse mascot Horace Horsecollar in Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession and meets guests in San Fransokyo between The Little Mermaid ride and the Grizzly River Run water wheel in Disney’s California Adventure. The “Hurry Home” Water Show is also a highly anticipated event that happens for six minutes before World of Color in California Adventure.
Seventh-grader Marcus Hsu enjoys celebrating Lunar New Year and was especially looking forward to seeing the different festivities. However, after his trip to Disneyland, he concluded that “Disney represented the Chinese New Year, just not well. There were ice decorations scattered across Disney, but for such a big festivity [he thinks] it was not quite enough.” Cast Member Jacy Yu also thought there would be more decorations, as the Grand Californian Hotel “had a giant dragon in the middle of the hall last year, but this year it didn’t change.” Eighth grader Emerson Betz, on the other hand, thought that “the Lunar New Year decorations…were very cultured and enjoyable to look at.”
Aside from decorations, Disney also came out with new dishes, including Bulgogi Fries at Smokejumper’s Grill, Strawberry Green Tea Bread Pudding at Aunt Cass Café, and Lemongrass Pork Skewers at Paradise Garden Grill. Exclusively for the Year of the Horse, Boudin and Aunt Cass Café also offer the plant-based Horse-Shaped Boudin Sourdough Bread. Numerous booths scattered around both Disneyland and California Adventure feature Lunar New Year-inspired dishes and drinks, so it’s important to keep eyes peeled!
The Lunar New Year additions to California’s Disneyland are enjoyable and serve as an incentive to pay a visit for some. Although underwhelming at times, the food, special events, and merchandise could be worth the trip.
