Lunar New Year returns to Disney California Adventure with new Sip and Savor Passes and character meet & greets
The Lunar New Year celebration is now running at Disney California Adventure. Sip and Savor Passes have returned, but there’s a new way of using them. Plus, Mei and Ming Lee are greeting guests for the first time at Disneyland Resort.
This year marks the Year of the Dragon, so Mushu from “Mulan” is taking center stage for the celebration. Mushu and Mulan are available for meet & greet opportunities, plus you can catch them both in Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession on the parade route multiple times a day. Other characters available for meet & greet opportunities are Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy in their Lunar New Year outfits, as well as Raya in a special photo op at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.
Disney/Pixar’s “Turning Red” is joining the celebration for the very first time as Mei and Ming Lee take part in the festivities. This mother/daughter duo will share stories with you about what Lunar New Year means to them as you stop for a photo.
Over in Paradise Gardens, guests can swing by for complimentary crafts including Chinese calligraphy keepsakes. While there, be sure to jot down a message of hope, health, and happiness for the upcoming year. Then add your wish to the Lunar New Year Wishing Wall display.
The park is adorned in red and gold accents throughout, frequently featuring favorite Disney characters. The Paradise Garden Bandstand features rotating musical acts, depending on the day, including Luna Lee, Melody of China, and New Tradition, while Vocal Seoul performs at Sonoma Terrace. Be sure and check the performance schedule as not all groups perform on all days.
One of the highlights of the Lunar New Year celebration is the plethora of food options throughout the marketplace and dining locations. If you want to enjoy lots of different options, the Sip and Savor Pass includes six coupons redeemable for select food or nonalcoholic beverages from participating marketplaces and dining locations. There’s a lot to take in in regard to the Sip and Savor Pass, so here’s a breakdown for you.
In the past, the Sip and Savor Pass came with tabs that you would tear off to hand in for your purchase. The tabs are no longer. Instead, each Sip and Savor Pass has a unique barcode and pin number on the back used to redeem your food and drink coupons. The new process worked smoothly.
Be sure and grab yourself a free 2024 Tasting Passport as it lists all the different food and drink options and locations. This passport also allows you to collect stamps at different locations throughout the day for an added free activity. You don’t need to make a purchase to collect a stamp. Simply pick up a free passport and start your festival hopping.
If you do purchase a Sip and Savor Pass, there are several important things to note.
- Not all Lunar New Year food options are included in the Sip and Savor Pass. You can see which options are included by looking for the fork & knife icon in the Tasting Passport.
- Each marketplace stand has two lines. One to place an order, and one to pick up your food or drink.
- You can order marketplace food and drinks at any marketplace stand. It does not need to correspond with the location where you’ll pick up your food.
- I suggest ordering several food options when you place an order to avoid waiting in lines all day. You can then pick up your selections at a later time. Each item on your receipt will say something like “MP1” next to your item selection. This stands for “Marketplace 1” notating where to go to pick up your food or drink. There are six marketplace stands total.
- Keep in mind that some food and drink options can run out. I suggest picking up your selections at least one hour before the marketplaces close.
- Sip and Savor Pass options are available at Disney California Adventure dining locations including Paradise Garden Grill, Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta, and more. You cannot place orders for these locations at one of the temporary marketplace stands even though foods there are part of the Sip and Savor Pass options.
If it’s Lunar New Year merchandise you’re looking for, you can find spirit jerseys, mouse ears, plush toys, and more along the festival marketplace. Plus, third party vendors sell goods along the route as well from their little red carts.
Once the sun sets, catch “Hurry Home – A Lunar New Year Celebration” immediately before performances of “World of Color – ONE.” Join Mulan and friends for a dazzling nighttime water show celebrating family and friendship.
Lunar New Year is now open at Disney California Adventure through February 18, 2024. Visit Disneyland.com to learn more.
