Shanghai Disney Resort has officially launched its celebrations for the Lunar New Year, marking the beginning of the Year of the Horse with a series of events and displays running through . The festivities coincide with preparations for the resort’s year-long tenth anniversary celebration, slated to officially begin in March.
A Traditional Start to the Year of the Horse
The celebrations commenced this morning with a traditional lion eye-dotting ceremony at Shanghai Disneyland. Mickey and Minnie Mouse, adorned in specially designed festive outfits, were joined by Bullseye, Woody’s horse companion from the Toy Story franchise, for the ceremony. Andrew Bolstein, President and General Manager of Shanghai Disney Resort, participated in the event, further emphasizing the importance of the Lunar New Year to the resort.
The lion eye-dotting ceremony is a traditional custom intended to bring good luck and cheer to guests visiting the park. The presence of Disney characters in traditional attire underscores the resort’s commitment to blending cultural traditions with Disney storytelling.
Character Appearances and Festive Entertainment
Bullseye’s debut at Shanghai Disney Resort marks a significant addition to the Lunar New Year celebrations. He will appear during a special welcome moment at the Pepsi E-Stage and will also be featured in Disney Pixar Toy Story Land throughout the Spring Festival period. Here’s part of a wider rollout of the character, having recently appeared at Disney cruise ships and parks in the United States, Paris, and Tokyo.
Mickey, Minnie, and other beloved Disney characters will sport new outfits inspired by the Year of the Horse, incorporating horse motifs, gold ingots, and embroidered patterns symbolizing prosperity. Duffy and his friends from Hundred Acre Wood will also be dressed in pastel clothing with Year of the Horse detailing and floral designs.
Each evening, the park will host Spring Festival Celebration: “Our Families,” a nighttime spectacular featuring projections of Disney families and the Chinese character for “horse” illuminating Enchanted Storybook Castle. The show will run through the Lantern Festival on .
Culinary Delights and Themed Experiences
The Lunar New Year celebrations extend to the resort’s dining options. The Royal Banquet Hall, Barbossa’s Bounty, and Pinocchio Village Kitchen will offer new menu items featuring dishes containing fish and other festive offerings traditionally associated with prosperity. A range of new desserts, including mandarin sorbets, kumquat ice cream, and orange and hawthorn crepes, will also be available.
Fans of the Zootopia franchise will find themed treats such as Winddancer-themed cotton candy and hot chocolate. The Zootopia area of the park will also feature decorations centered around the character Brian Winddancer and other playful window stickers.
The Gardens of the Twelve Friends have been transformed into a New Year Wishing Garden, providing guests with a space to share their hopes and wishes for the coming year.
A Milestone Year for Shanghai Disney Resort
The Lunar New Year celebrations are taking place as Shanghai Disney Resort approaches its tenth anniversary. The resort is preparing for a year-long “10th Birthday” celebration, which will officially launch in March. The current festivities serve as a prelude to the larger anniversary events, highlighting the resort’s continued commitment to providing culturally relevant and immersive experiences for its guests.
The Year of the Horse, in Chinese tradition, symbolizes strength, vitality, and freedom, representing speed, perseverance, success, and progress. Those born under this sign are believed to be energetic, optimistic, and adventurous. The resort’s embrace of these themes through its decorations, entertainment, and character appearances aims to resonate with visitors and create a memorable Lunar New Year experience.
