Disneyland Resort is in full mullet mode this week… festival in the front, construction in the back. Lunar New Year began Friday at Disney California Adventure with food, performances, and festive characters, while Sweethearts Nite launched the After Dark season on a soggy note.
Add in a few notable milestones, some long-awaited openings, and an ever-growing collection of walls and cranes, and there’s a lot happening across the resort right now—whether you planned for it or not.
Lunar New Year
Disney California Adventure kicked off its Lunar New Year celebration on Friday, running January 23–February 22, 2026, welcoming the Year of the Horse with festive food, entertainment, characters, and merchandise inspired by Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese traditions.
This year’s celebration once again centers on food marketplaces scattered throughout the park, offering a mix of new and returning Asian-inspired dishes and drinks (many eligible with a Sip & Savor Pass). Guests can also enjoy seasonal décor, cultural performances, and the return of Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession, featuring dancers, dragon performers, and familiar characters.
Characters appear throughout the park in themed outfits, including Horace Horsecollar representing the Year of the Horse, alongside Mickey, Minnie, and friends in culturally inspired attire. New Lunar New Year merchandise has also arrived, including Magic Key exclusives and festival keepsakes.
The heart of the celebration remains Paradise Gardens, where you’ll find a small performance stage, crafts and activities, character meet-and-greets, and several food locations all clustered together.
Unfortunately, this is also where one of the festival’s most noticeable cutbacks appears. In past years, Paradise Garden Grill temporarily shifted to a fully Asian-inspired menu for Lunar New Year. This year, the location has kept its standard Mexican menu, adding only a couple of Lunar New Year specialty items—an odd choice for the centerpiece of the festival.
That said, there is something genuinely new elsewhere. Over on Pixar Pier, guests can now meet Red Panda Mei from Turning Red. The character debut drew long lines on opening day and was easily one of the most popular additions to the celebration.
Disney California Adventure has rolled out a wide range of Lunar New Year 2026 merchandise, with designs inspired by the Year of the Horse and the Asian cultures celebrated during the festival. Horace Horsecollar features prominently this year, joined by Mickey and Minnie across apparel, accessories, and keepsakes.
Standout items include a Loungefly Lunar New Year crossbody bag with a detachable coin purse ($75), a removable-bow ear headband ($36.99), and an adult Spirit Jersey decorated with lanterns and gold-accented clouds ($84.99). Collectibles include a Lunar New Year teacup featuring Horace on one side and Mickey and Minnie on the other ($19.99), along with a six-piece lucky red envelope set ($19.99).
Magic Key holders also have two exclusives this year: a Lunar New Year T-shirt ($36.99) and a commemorative trading pin ($21.99).
Of course, the real star of Lunar New Year remains the food, and we sampled much of this year’s lineup.
NEW Strawberry Green Tea Bread Pudding at Aunt Cass Cafe
NEW Five-Spice Popcorn Chicken with sweet chile-garlic sauce from Bamboo Blessings.
Garlic Noodles tossed in zesty garlic butter with Parmesan from Longevity Noodle Co.
Though we find the portion size to be ridiculously tiny.
Chocolate Firecracker from Lucky 8 Lantern
Firecracker Marshmallow Wand from Trolley Treats
But our favorite was the returning Pho Dip at Lucky 8 Lantern. The bread was changed this year to be softer… which makes the sandwich much easier to dip and eat.
Find even more merchandise, plus food, characters, and entertainment, from Disney California Adventure’s Lunar New Year Celebration 2026 in our guide:
Ultimate Guide to Disney California Adventure’s Lunar New Year Celebration 2026
More foodie news…
Napa Rose Reopening Date Set!
After an extended closure, Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel is set to reopen on February 6, debuting a reimagined dining experience that expands both the menu and the physical footprint of the restaurant.
The updated concept introduces an à la carte bar and lounge menu focused on small bites, a seasonal prix fixe menu in the main dining room, an expanded outdoor terrace, and a new Chef’s Counter experience. The restaurant will also feature two outdoor patios, one connected to the bar and the other to the dining room, both anchored by new stone fireplaces.
On the menu at the bar and lounge is Beef Tartare topped with Osetra caviar, Bone Marrow Custard, or Laughing Tiger, a reimagining of the Smiling Tiger Salad.
New dinner offerings in the main dining room include American Wagyu New York strip with grape fennel mostarda, Oak Roasted Forest Mushrooms, and Sorpresine pasta with Dungeness crab and Santa Barbara uni butter. The dessert menu adds the Nantes Carrot Cake Cremeux and an elevated Valrhona chocolate bar presentation.
Advance reservations are highly recommended to dine in the main dining room or outdoor terrace. Same-day reservations are subject to availability. Dining reservations will be available to book beginning Jan. 27, 2026, no earlier than 9 a.m. PST.
Hot Cookies!
Cathy’s Cookies opened in Downtown Disney on Thursday, and the response was immediate. After a social media announcement, a line quickly formed—stretching from the bridge near the Monorail platform almost to Splitsville.
The cookies are served warm and are legitimately good, but there’s currently only one option on the menu: chocolate chip. We waited about 30 minutes for a sleeve of cookies priced at $18.
While we probably wouldn’t wait that long again, we wouldn’t rule out a return if the line is shorter… or if additional flavors are introduced. Warm cookies have a way of making people very forgiving.
Kids’ Summer Ticket Offer
On Jan. 21, Disneyland launched a Kids’ Summer Ticket Offer for visits between May 22 through Sept. 7, 2026.
The limited-time offer kids tickets for as low as $50 per child with a 1-Day, Park Hopper ticket. 2-Day and 3-Day tickets are also available, with options to add Lightning Lane Multi Pass for an additional fee. A new limited-time hotel offer also allows families to save up to 25% on stays of 4 or more nights at a Disneyland Resort Hotel (subject to availability and restrictions).
Most importantly, the Disneyland ticket booking window has now been extended to 240 days, providing 60 additional days to plan your Disneyland vacation.
Our ticket partners at Get Away Today can assist you with tickets and hotel deals HERE, generally at prices lower than you can get them from Disney or other travel agents.
Constructionland
It was a busy week on the construction front, with a mix of reopened attractions, visible demolition, steady progress on long-term projects, and the usual assortment of refurbishments reshaping the resort.
Haunted Mansion Classic
The holiday décor has officially vanished, and Haunted Mansion has returned to its classic look for the first time since August. The seasonal turnaround was notably quick this year, bringing back the original attraction just in time for Small World to close for its refurbishment.
Avengers Assembling
Construction continues around the clock on two new Avengers attractions in Disney California Adventure. Work is visible across the expansion site, with structural elements continuing to rise as the project pushes forward.
Hibernating
The walls and scrims all around the center of the park are for the annual refurbishment of Grizzly River Run.
Porto’s Goes Extreme
Downtown Disney saw some real action this week as Porto’s Bakery made quick work of the former Earl of Sandwich building. The old structure was demolished in full view of guests, marking a clear step forward for the long-anticipated project.
A New Earl
Just down the path, construction continues on the new two-story Earl of Sandwich location on the west end of Downtown Disney. The lower level will house a traditional Earl of Sandwich, while the upstairs will become The Carnaby, a table-service restaurant from chef Gordon Ramsay.
The establishment’s downstairs will have a traditional Earl of Sandwich, while the upstairs will feature Ramsay’s table-service restaurant, “The Carnaby.” While Disney hasn’t announced an opening date, we overheard a project teammember cite 6 to 8 weeks until a soft opening.
The Great Wall of Disney
And the most disappointing construction project in Downtown Disney remains the BBQ and Steakhouse project across from Splitsville. Another week without a construction worker in sight.
LEGO Store
New and refurbished sculptures are STILL being installed on the exterior of the LEGO Store. The inside remains open to guests.
Disneyland Refurbishment Calendar (updated 1/23/26)
New this week, Galaxy’s Edge feels even more empty right now with the closures of Rise of the Resistance and Oga’s Cantina. They are joined by it’s a small world, and the Columbia, which start their refubs today. And Jumpin’ Jellyfish posted a short refurb window beginning at the end of next month.
Currently Under Refurbishment
- Grizzly River Run: January 5 – TBA
- Incredicoaster: January 5 – February 5
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance: January 20 – TBA
- Oga’s Cantina: January 20 – TBA
- Jat Kaa’s Coolers: J1-KC at Resistance Clearing: January 20 – February 12
- it’s a small world: January 26 – TBA
- Sailing Ship Columbia: January 26 – 29
Upcoming Refurbishments
- Jungle Cruise: February 17 – TBA
- Jumpin’ Jellyfish: February 23 – March 5
This & That
A little of this, a little of that… and a few things you probably didn’t know you needed to know until now.
Disneyland Live @ 5
What happens when Lunar New Year, Sweethearts Nite, Dusty & Friends, and the rain all collide… this week’s Disneyland LIVE!
New Menu at Flo’s V8 Cafe
Flo’s V8 Cafe in Cars Land has quietly refreshed its menu. After years of hit-or-miss offerings, this update feels like a step in the right direction. One recent special featured chili served with a cone-shaped cornbread… a novelty we wouldn’t mind seeing again.
Make Way for Runners!
The Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend takes place January 29–February 1, celebrating the resort’s 70th anniversary. Events include a 5K hosted by Joy (Inside Out), a 10K featuring Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey, and an “it’s a small world”-themed half marathon. The Dumbo Double Dare challenge requires completing both the 10K and half marathon. Kids’ races and morning yoga with Miss Piggy round out the weekend.
Due to upcoming construction projects, this will be the last runDisney event at Disneyland in 2026.
Balloon on a Stick
New mini balloons have started appearing at select outdoor vending carts. In addition to last year’s red versions, guests can now find blue and pink balloons, some featuring the 70th anniversary logo.
Sweethearts Nite
The first Disneyland After Dark event of the year took place last week—and yes, it rained.
Despite the weather, Sweethearts Nite delivered Valentine-themed entertainment, rare character appearances, and event-exclusive food and merchandise.
Many thanks to MiceChat contributor David Yeh for sharing photos from the evening.
Disneyland After Dark Ticket Tracker
Although all nights for Sweethearts have sold out, tickets are still available for both dates of Disneyland After Dark: 70 Years of Favorites, scheduled for March 3 and 5.
Now for a reminder about one of MiceChat’s biggest events of the year.
Gumball Rally
Last Call for MiceChat’s 20th Anniversary Villains Gumball Rally
The MiceChat Gumball Rally is a high-energy race through the parks where teams compete to ride attractions, answer questions, and out-strategize each other all day long. This year’s 20th Anniversary edition gives the villains the spotlight—and sign-ups are almost gone. Information and tickets HERE
Villains Night Out — Friday, Feb. 6
Kick off Gumball Rally weekend with Villains Night Out, a festive evening celebrating Disney’s baddies at The Anaheim Hotel starting at 7:00 p.m.
The event features live music, a panel with voice actors, animators and storytellers, villain-inspired performances and conversation hosted by Noah Sunday-Lefkowitz, and a few nefarious surprises that might help Rally teams sharpen their strategy.
Registered Rally competitors can also check in early and pick up Rally materials. The event is open to everyone, whether you’re competing in the Rally or just ready for a wickedly fun Friday night.
Villains Night Out Tickets HERE
Disneyland Minute
Each week, Dusty recaps all the biggest headlines from the Monday Disneyland Update in a quick-hit Disneyland Minute video. It’s an easy way to stay caught up if you don’t have time to read the full update… or if you just want the highlights straight from Dusty.
Be sure to subscribe to MiceChat’s YouTube channel and TikTok so you don’t miss it!
Here’s our latest video:
MiceShots
And a few parting shots from the Disneyland Resort…
The Children of the Corn have changed out of their holiday clothes.
Expensive new Molly dolls from Pop Mart have shown up in the Storyland Boutique. These tiny little dolls with pouty faces cost $72 each!
Monsters Inc. turned 20 years old last week, and cast members had a small number of buttons to share with guests (who knew to ask). It’s a bittersweet reminder that the attraction will soon close to make way for a new Avatar themed land.
Speaking of anniversaries… The Wonderful World of Sweets turned one year old last week. When Marceline’s was replaced with a larger space and two kitchens, we had high hopes that Disney would make use of the expanded store by offering a larger menu of baked goods and pastries. But they actually managed to offer a seemingly smaller selection of dipped apples, basic cookies, and a few favorite items that linger on. Long gone are the fudge squares, caramel bars, gourmet cupcakes, or any pastries. We didn’t see a single sale the entire time we were exploring the store. Perhaps if they offered something worth buying (like those fresh baked cookies that a hundred people were lined up to buy at Cathy’s Cookies just a little further down the path).
There’s an interesting new magic shot that draws characters in the sky.
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Let’s Hear From You!
We’ve shared what we saw… now we want to hear what you noticed.
Are you enjoying the Lunar New Year offerings? Surprised that Paradise Garden Grill skipped a full festival menu this year? Should Wonderful World of Sweets be doing more with its expanded space? Monsters, Inc. just turned 20—but with Avatar on the way, it will soon close …Or is there still time to rethink Hollywood Land and give it the complete Monstropolis treatment it always deserved?
We’re looking forward to your comments below!
