This year, Shanghai Disney Resort welcomes the Year of the Dog with traditional Chinese festivities and a dash of Disney magic, offering a unique Chinese New Year celebration.
Starting on January 22, guests can encounter their favorite characters dressed for the holiday, take part in new year wish activities, and find exclusive themed merchandise, holiday cuisine, and more.
Chinese New Year decorations can be found throughout the resort, with bright red and gold Mickey lanterns, traditional Chinese Couplets, bright flowers and other festive decor.
Mickey Avenue hosts Mickey Mouse and friends as they get decked out in Chinese New Year outfits to snap photos with guests in front of themed backdrops. Pluto plays a special role in the Year of the Dog celebration, wearing his “god of fortune” costume. While walking down the busy avenue, lucky guests are treated to special wishing cards and golden chocolate coins symbolizing good fortune.
A daily drum ceremony, an authentic Chinese New Year tradition, takes place in Gardens of the Imagination. Led by Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto, the ceremony welcomes guests to Shanghai Disneyland with classic rhythms and wishes for prosperity and happiness.
At special times throughout the day, Mickey and pals gather at Celebration Square for Shanghai Swing, a new, high-energy performance. Inspired by Shanghai’s jazz and swing tradition as well as the Lunar New Year, the show features characters and dancers in vintage Shanghai costumes.
Garden of the Twelve Friends is transformed into a Wishing Garden, where guests can write down their new year wishes on special cards. The cards are then hung in the park’s first-ever wishing garden to welcome the wonderful year ahead.
In addition, the Year of the Dog officially kicks off on February 16 with a traditional eye-dotting ceremony at Storyteller Statue.
Dining is an important part of the Chinese New Year celebration. Inside the park, guests can enjoy a traditional banquet at Wandering Moon Restaurant Family Feast. Visitors can also book a special holiday meal at Royal Banquet Hall, with unique dishes like Mickey Shaped Braised Pork Knuckle, Cinderella’s Pumpkin with Braised Pork in Soya Sauce, and more.
Remy’s Patisserie and Il Paperino are also offering new Chinese New Year specialties with decorative mousse cake, sacher cake, ice cream Sundae, waffle and other exclusive delights like collectible Chinese New Year Mickey, Minnie and Duffy popcorn buckets.
At Shanghai Disneyland Hotel, Lumiere’s Kitchen hosts a buffet dinner and weekend brunch during the festival, while Aurora’s menu adds holiday treats like Yunnan infused scampi salad, grouper and Aurora peaches. Toy Story Hotel’s Sunnyside Cafe also hosts a Chinese New Year buffet, while on-the-go holiday options can be found at Sunnyside Market.
Shanghai Disney Resort is releasing more than 40 specially designed Chinese New Year items, which reflect the themes of happiness and prosperity and incorporate bold red and gold colors.
Here’s a peek at some of the merchandise, including the fan-favorite Lucky Bags, which offer the chance to win extra surprises like a roundtrip air ticket to Hong Kong sponsored by China Eastern Airline, PhotoPass One Day Pass sponsored by Pictureworks, and more.
The celebrations continue over at Disneytown, adjacent to Shanghai Disneyland, with more holiday decorations and photo opportunities.
In addition, a Chinese New Year Carnival is held every weekend until February 21 with an assortment of handicrafts, live shows by Chinese folk artists, and interactive activities for guests of all ages.
Chinese New Year celebrations at Shanghai Disney Resort run from January 22 – March 4. For more information, visit the Shanghai Disney Resort website.
