Cast Members Celebrate the Chinese New Year in Classic Disney Fashion
Cast members and guests alike have been celebrating the Chinese New Year at Shanghai Disney Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland in amazing ways.
As it turns out, however, the Disneyfied celebration is continuing outside the walls of Disney’s theme park.
A Communal Meal in Shanghai
At Shanghai Disney Resort, night shift Cast Members gathered backstage for a meal together in celebration of the Laba Festival. The time together has become a tradition at the resort, taking place over each of the last three years.
The Laba Festival celebrates the end of the year and is typically celebrated three weeks prior to the Chinese New Year.
During this time, families come together to eat Eight Treasure Congee, which is made of eight ingredients- rice, millet, red dates, lotus seeds, nuts, dried fruits, and beans. Together, they wish for good health, luck, and prosperity in the upcoming year.
A Way to Thank Cast Members
The Cast Member meal was not only a way to celebrate the special occasion together but also a way for Disney to thank overnight Cast Members for their hard work. The meal included Laba porridge and chicken rolls, and there were even special appreciation gifts.
“I was so surprised to receive warm Laba congee at work on the night of Laba Festival! I was able to eat with my fellow cast members and get to know each other better, sharing Spring Festival plans and wishes for the new year,” said Dai, a Food and Beverage cast member.
As it turns out, the celebration didn’t stop there. More than 50 VoluntEARS from Shanghai Disney Resort continued to spread the holiday spirit by delivering more than 6,000 gift bags to children’s hospitals and participating in Spring Festival traditions at nursing homes.
The Celebration Continued in Hong Kong
Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, Cast Members celebrated the Chinese New Year in the heart of the city. Here, there were only 40 spots for Cast Members to join the festivities.
“If I am fortunate enough to join the parade, it would also mean that I am destined for good luck throughout the year,” shared Addy – F&B Business and Operation Integration Manager.
For Disney’s float in the Hong Kong parade, Cast Members created the Momentous Year of the Dragon Celebration float. Taking inspiration from Hong Kong Disneyland’s new nighttime spectacular, Momentous, and the reimagined Castle of Magical Dreams, this float was the perfect way to celebrate.
The float took about three months to complete and even featured a Chinese New Year version of the show’s signature song, “Love the Memory.”
“We have integrated all the essential elements into the floats, symbolizing the spirit of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and captivating our guests with the allure of Disneyland,” said Entertainment Show Director, RM. “Even those who have never visited the park before will undoubtedly feel the Disney magic when they encounter our float and witness our performance.”
Whether backstage or in the heart of downtown Hong Kong, it’s great to see Cast Members celebrating the Chinese New Year in pure Disney style!