Here’s How I Experienced Asian American Culture at Disney

While some kids grow up hearing fairy tales about faraway lands, I grew up with stories about a magical place that’s about a five-hour drive from my California hometown of San José: Disneyland. We had a children’s book about the “It’s a Small World” ride and my mom always likes to muse on how the attraction is “just so peaceful,” like “heaven on earth.”

As the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, I often felt like I was jumping rope between the two sides of my Asian American identity. But our visits to Disney always felt like the prototypical all-American experience. We may not have been outwardly cognizant of it at the time, but perhaps we felt a connection since it was the one place where we saw characters that looked like us being represented. 

Decades later, we embarked on a multigenerational family trip to the park in 2017 with my parents and two young nieces. This trip just happened to take place days before Lunar New Year, and I was shocked to see an archway reading “Lunar New Year” near Disney California Adventure decked out in traditional red-and-gold lanterns and tassels under an Asian-inspired, Mickey-shaped logo.

Turns out, it was part of the park’s annual Lunar New Year festivities, which initially started in 2012 as a week-long event, but has since expanded into a nearly month-long celebration. We saw menu items from Korean, Vietnamese, and Chinese cuisines, and there were even Mickey and Minnie characters dressed in traditional outfits. To see a park that felt so “American” embrace Asian traditions went beyond just feeling seen, but like really being embraced and understood. It felt especially poignant during my nieces’ first visit—knowing they’ll grow up in a more inclusive society. 

It wasn’t until last month that I was lured back to a Disney again, visiting Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, to participate in the Run Disney Springtime Surprise Weekend’s 5K run. And I I began spotting Asian American influences all over the park: first a mahjong table in the lobby of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and I later saw collectible pins of characters on Asian-style fans and boba drinks. 

Early this month, I visited Disneyland for its 70th Anniversary Celebration. And instead of hunting for hidden Mickeys, I went on a hunt for Asian American influences at the park.

I began my search in Disney California Adventure in San Fransokyo Square, a hybrid of San Francisco and Tokyo inspired by the movie “Big Hero 6.” This section used to be known as Pacific Wharf, and I was immediately blown away by the redressing. There were signs written with Japanese and Chinese characters, and tons of traditional Asian motifs, like gold coins, dragons, lucky cats, and lanterns. It was all definitive proof that Disneyland is making a meaningful investment in diversity. It especially makes sense in California, where 7.1 million people (that’s about 18 percent) identify as Asian, according to data from the Pew Research Center.

But nothing impressed me more than the menus. Lucky Fortune Cookery served up honey walnut shrimp wraps, potstickers, karaage-inspired chicken sandwiches, yaki udon, and its buzzed-about beef birria ramen. Aunt Cass Café had soba noodle salad, California roll sandwich, and—my obsession—San Fransokyo Clam Chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. Flavored with white miso, it was all a far cry from the burgers and hot dogs I had expected as theme park fare.

But the Asian American-inspired offerings weren’t limited to San Fransokyo Square. While watching the Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration parade (which is returning to Disney California Adventure through next summer), I was surprised that the opening float featured Red Panda Mei, along with other characters from “Turning Red.”

Later, I stood with a honey lemonade with popping bubbles from Aunt Cass’ at the Disneyland Celebrate Happy Cavalcade, bemused by the fact I was watching a Disney parade with a boba drink in hand, something I never could have imagined during my childhood visits. 

Wandering down Disneyland’s Main Street U.S.A., I noticed that one of the window displays at Emporium, was dedicated to Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. But that wasn’t the only homage to AAPI month. I also saw signs for special menu items around the park, including passion fruit-orange-guava punch and green tea lager at Lucky Fortune Cookery.

During May, the park’s Disney PhotoPass featured themed MagicShots, with images superimposed with Asian Disney characters including Russell from “Up,” Panda Mei from “Turning Red,” and the rings from “Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings.” There was even a sketch pad prop option showcasing work by Tyrus Wong, a Chinese American animator who was the lead artist behind “Bambi.”

There were also special events in May including autograph signings with Asian Disney artists Stacy Aoyama and Eric Tan, drawing lessons with Russell and Mei, movie nights showings of “Moana” and “Turning Red,” and dance lessons with Tahitian, Polynesian, Japanese, Indian, and Filipino instructors.

But perhaps the most significant permanent Asian addition is the new Din Tai Fung, which opened July 2024 at Downtown Disney. Visiting the restaurant’s original location in Taipei was always a major part of my trips to Taiwan, and it was absolutely mind-boggling that it was now the anchor restaurant at a major American theme park. As I enjoyed my favorite spicy wontons and sesame xiao long baos, I was tickled to learn the restaurant even had a limited pin set to celebrate the park’s 70th anniversary. 

Stumbling upon all these meaningful Asian American elements sprinkled throughout the part was no accident, but the work of Compass, the park’s Asian American Pacific Islander employee group. Compass “strives to educate our Cast with a greater understanding and appreciation of our AAPI culture” and “helps advise on culture awareness for Disneyland Resort offerings,” the group’s co-chair Allie Kawamoto, hotel experience integration manager at Disneyland Resort, tells Travel + Leisure. 

Kawamoto was born in Anaheim and has always loved Disney. But now she’s paying it forward to the next generation, and was behind the Emporium’s AAPI display. “Seeing this window come to life and being able to share the window with my son was a moment I was very proud of,” she says.

Like my own family, she adds that she’s always been a fan of “It’s a Small World,” which has been updated through the years to include “Lilo and Stitch” in its Pacific Islands section, and most recently, “Coco'”s Miguel and Dante in the Mexico portion.

“I just feel happy as I ride through and see countless cultures represented,” Kawamoto says. “We have guests that visit from around the world, and I think just about everyone can see a reflection of their culture.”