The 2024 Lunar New Year Celebration is in full swing at Disneyland Resort, and for the first time ever, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is getting in on the fun with new lobby decor — including a giant red dragon.
Lunar New Year Decor at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
One display in the lobby features three dolls dressed in traditional Lunar New Year outfits. Above is a Chinese doll, who wears a qipao. The qipao is traditionally worn for Chinese New Year and other special occasions and is red, which is a color that symbolizes good luck.
The Vietnamese doll is shown wearing a traditional ao dai with a matching headpiece. Ao dai are worn by both men and women for special occasions — including Tet, also known as Vietnamese New Year.
The Korean doll in the display is depicted as wearing a hanbok, which is traditional attire worn for special occasions and Seollal, Korean New Year. The doll holds a bokjumeoni, which is a traditional Korean lucky bag that holds gifts of money.
A red and gold divider is also set up in the lobby, roped off with stanchions. Guests can utilize this space for a photo op, though Cast Members told us this could potentially be space for performers.
Next to the photo op are signs detailing how Lunar New Year is celebrated in Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese cultures. The sign next to the one in English details the same information, but in their respective languages.
The Grand Californian Great Hall Cart also has some Lunar New Year Treats available. We spotted this Year of the Dragon cookie featuring Mushu, as well as some icing-covered pretzel sticks.
Guests can see Mushu as one of the stars of the show in Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession at Disney California Adventure.
A limited edition tea set was also available for purchase for $85. Here, the set is paired with a box of red and yellow macarons.
Even more Lunar New Year merchandise for Year of the Dragon can be found in Disney California Adventure.
The ultimate display piece is, of course, the giant red and gold dragon hanging overhead.
The dragon fully extends the length of the lobby, towering overhead as guests relax beneath.
The dragon’s face features red and gold fuzzy accents, white teeth, and a long golden beard.
His body is made up of many circular pieces with gold filigree art, connected with a rope material.
Each circular piece is accented with gold and red feathers, leading up to the dragon’s tail, which resembles a red flame.
The 2024 Lunar New Year Celebration is taking place at Disneyland Resort through February 18, 2024. In addition to enjoying delicious eats from festival marketplaces, guests can also meet Meilin and Ming Lee from “Turning Red,” see the “Hurry Home” pre-show for “World of Color – ONE,” and more.
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