The Year of the Dragon and Chinese New Year celebrations at Shanghai Disney Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort are in full swing with amazing only-at-Disney experiences, including special Dragon-themed fireworks, unique and elegant “Dragon-scale” character outfits, and more.
With the official start of Chinese New Year right around the corner, here is a handy guide to this special annual holiday that marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. So get ready because here are some things to help you know what’s happening in 2024.
Shanghai Disney Resort
At Shanghai Disney Resort, joyful hanging lanterns celebrating the Year of the Dragon can be seen on every corner of the Park now through February 24. Featuring a majestic “Dragon’s Gate,” Chip ‘n’ Dale is depicted as a pair of koi fish “leaping” over the gate, which represents better prospects for the New Year! Over in the Gardens of Imagination, Mickey-eared arches and lanterns form a stunning and photogenic backdrop for heartfelt reunions between friends and family.
Big celebrations also call for food. Since food plays an important role in Chinese New Year celebrations, many are being prepared only during this time of year. At Shanghai Disney Resort, you won’t want to miss the Sweet Potato Crepe served with creamy vanilla ice cream available at CookieAnn Bakery Café or the Disney LinaBell Waffle with Hawthorn & Vanilla Flavored Ice Cream at Il Paperino. If you’re looking for something to enjoy while walking around the Park, you can enjoy some limited-time New Year Donuts in traditional red, pick up a Mushu popcorn bucket, and sip on your favorite drink with the Disney LinaBell Souvenir cup. Over at Donald’s Dine ‘n Delights, you can enjoy a series of limited-edition milkshakes decorated with traditional lanterns and streamers.
Disney characters are also part of the Chinese New Year Celebrations at Shanghai Disney Resort. Mickey and his friends will be sporting new outfits with elegant dragon scales and other symbols of good fortune. Duffy will have his own dragon hat in an eye-catching yellow that matches his jacket embellished with dragon scales. LinaBell, the inquisitive fox, will wear a dragon-patterned top while fans of Winnie the Pooh and Tigger won’t want to miss seeing them in their festive looks either. Find them at various greeting locations at Mickey Avenue and Fantasyland.
if you’re looking for more entertainment, check out the daily Spring Festival Drum Ceremony in Gardens of Imagination, which Mulan and Mushu, from the Walt Disney Animated Studios film “Mulan,” will be part of for the first time! If you’re eager to see Mickey and his friends, they’ll also join the show “Mickey Avenue Shanghai Swing.”
Since it is the Year of the Dragon, the Gardens of the Twelve Friends will receive a dragon-themed makeover making for a magical photo moment. Come see Mushu at Shanghai Disney Resort, for the first time, where he will have an exclusive welcome moment on the stage of the beautiful Enchanted Storybook Castle. Catch Mushu on Mickey Avenue as well as Goofy dressed as the God of Fortune for special photo moments.
If you’re at the Shanghai Disney Resort at night, you won’t want to miss the fireworks — from the eve of February 9 to February 24, there will be a special firework display that will write out the Chinese character for “dragon,” which is sure to be a “wow” moment!
Special merchandise will also be available during the celebration. Shanghai Disney Resort will offer a range of items as part of their 2024 Spring Festival Duffy and Friends Collection and 2024 Spring Festival Mickey and Friends Collection. Want a LinaBell with a dragon’s tail pattern or Duffy with a dragon-shaped hat? They’re here and found across the park and hotels.
Hong Kong Disneyland
Over at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, beautiful decorations will welcome you into the park now through February 25. From Fai Chun, a traditional Chinese New Year decoration, to lanterns, gold ingots, and lucky coins, you’ll be immersed from your first step into the park. The center of Town Square will hold a red Mickey lantern with an image of Sisu, the dragon from the Disney Animation film “Raya and the Last Dragon,” as well as figures of Mickey and Minnie. A brand-new Chinese New Year Wishing Wall awaits you at Fantasy Gardens where you can make heartfelt wishes.
At Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, a whole array of delicious dishes at park and hotel restaurants alike will win you over such as the Chinese New Year set menu at Main Street Corner Café or the Dragon Emperor’s Spring Eight Treasure Cuisine Plate for those staying at Disney Explorers Lodge. For some quick sweet treats, pick up a Duffy & Friends Mandarin Cupcake or a delicious box of Duffy & Friends Festival Éclairs at the park.
There will be plenty of characters to see at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort during the Chinese New Year Celebrations. Mickey and Minnie and more beloved friends in their vibrant and new Chinese New Year outfits at Main Street, U.S.A., and Fantasy Gardens! At Duffy and Friends Play House, Duffy, ShellieMay, StellaLou, Gelatoni, CookieAnn, and ‘Olu Mel will also be sporting brand new outfits themed to the year of the dragon, while LinaBell’s fans can meet her at the Main Street Cinema: My Journeys with Duffy – presented by FUJIFILM.
An all-new “Mickey’s Year of the Dragon Celebration” castle stage show awaits guests at Hong Kong Disney Resort! This joy-filling show features Mickey, Minnie, Donald Duck, Daisy, and Goofy, dressed as the God of Fortune, alongside singers and dancers as they belt out an original Chinese New Year song. Mushu from Disney Animation’s film “Mulan” and Raya from “Raya and the Last Dragon” are also part of the fun, while dragon kites representing Sisu and other magical dragons dance and swirl in mid-air. Additionally, the brand-new original song “Magic is Here” is now available on global music streaming platforms.
Those looking for special merchandise at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort can bet that there will be some adorable merch found throughout the park and hotels will be available during Chinese New Year! There will be an array of festive gifts such as red packets and decorations that are part of the special Mickey and Friends or Duffy and Friends Chinese New Year collection.
So no matter how you choose to celebrate Chinese New Year and the Year of the Dragon, plenty of magic and traditions await you at Shanghai Disney Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort!
