With the Chinese New Year fast approaching, Shanghai Disney Resort is inviting guests to hop into the Year of the Rabbit by hosting a resort-wide celebration from January 13 through February 10, 2023.

During the spring festival event, guests will be treated to traditional festive décor with a Disney twist, delightful limited-time character greetings, Year of the Rabbit-themed food and drink, and a tonne of new merchandise.

Check out the details and pictures below. Planning your trip to Shanghai Disneyland? Be sure to check out our Ultimate Shanghai Disneyland Trip Planning Guide.

Characters

2022 is the Year of the Rabbit, so it is only fitting that Judy Hopps from Zootopia will feature prominently in the festival, especially with Shanghai Disneyland’s Zootopia expansion opening later this year. Judy will receive her own mosaic amongst the twelve zodiac signs in the Garden of the Twelve Friends to celebrate the occasion.

Guests will also be able to see their favourite Disney characters as they celebrate the New Year wearing new stylish looks that incorporate rabbit designs and traditional Chinese culture. Each morning Mickey, Minnie, and Judy Hopps will host the “Spring Festival Drum Ceremony.” Guests will also be able to meet Judy at selfie spots on Mickey Avenue to commemorate the occasion.

Decorations

For the spring festival, The Garden of the Twelve Friends will transform into the annual New Year’s Wishing Garden, featuring beautiful Chinese lanterns in shades of red and gold, lights and floral garlands. Guest will have the opportunity to receive a special rabbit-shaped card with pictures of Judy or StellaLou on which they can write down New Year wishes to usher in a year of good fortune and luck.

Entertainment

The resort offers several unique shows and entertainment throughout the day during the festival period.

• “Mickey Avenue Drum Ceremony”
  • Occurs every morning during the festival
  • Features Mickey and Minnie Mouse and Judy Hopps
• “Lion Dance”
  • Presented from January 23 through February 5
  • A colourful traditional dance presented in the Gardens of Imagination
• Disney Winter Magic Cavalcade
  • Mickey and Friends and Duffy and Friends will don fresh Spring Festival looks
• “Illumination! A Nighttime Celebration“
  • Features a special presentation of “Our Families” following the main show
  • Features fireworks that will write the Chinese character for “Rabbit” in the night sky

Food and Drink

Shanghai Disneyland always goes all out regarding limited-time themed food and drink. Guests can indulge in New Year-themed desserts, afternoon tea and dinner packages. The resort’s hotels also join in on the celebrations, with both Lumiere’s Kitchen at Shanghai Disneyland Hotel and Sunnyside Café at Toy Story Hotel presenting a Spring Festival Buffet.

A cute new popcorn bucket will be released featuring StellaLou riding in a train, along with a delicious StellaLou waffle and ice cream set.

Additionally, guests visiting during the event will have the chance to be among the first to dine at Donald’s Dine ‘n Delights in Disneytown, scheduled to open in mid-January 2023. The first Disney-themed restaurant in Disneytown will serve seasonally inspired Western cuisine with an Asian touch.

Merchandise

It wouldn’t be a Disney celebration without merchandise! This year’s Luna New Year collection consists of cute plush toys, including a newly-designed Judy Hopps plush, accessories and apparel for children and adults that incorporate rabbit motifs. Lucky gift bags will be available, filled with exclusive merchandise and red packets containing prizes to bring luck, happiness and prosperity.

Source: Shanghai Disney Resort