How Disney World Is Honoring Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Similar to how Walt Disney World celebrated both Black History Month and Women’s History Month, Disney World is honoring Asian Pacific American Heritage Month throughout May with a celebration called “A World of Voices, Honoring Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at Walt Disney World.”

Here’s what you can expect at the theme parks, Disney Springs, and Disney World Resort hotels.

Let’s start with the theme parks and hotels.

Magic Kingdom: Guests can continue to see Mulan and Moana on the character cavalcades and at the train station. They’ll continue to appear after the celebration, as well.
Epcot: Mulan will join the Princess Promenade around the World Showcase.
Hollywood Studios: Disney Junior character Mira (from Mira, Royal Detective) once again joins the Disney Junior Motorcade through the end of June.
Animal Kingdom: Starting in mid-May, there will be a Moana sand sculpture on Discovery Island and you can also draw Raya and the Last Dragon‘s Tuk Tuk and Moana‘s Pua at The Animation Experience at Conservation Station
Disney World Resort Hotels: Films that highlight AAPI communities and cultures will be shown during “Movies Under the Stars,” like Big Hero 6, Moana, Mulan, and Lilo and Stitch. These will show on select nights each week.

Also at Epcot throughout May, you’ll find a Red Bean Ice Float at the Lotus Blossom Café in the China pavilion.

This is a “classic dessert-drink originally popularized in Hong Kong and perfect for a snack or dessert at any time of day.” It’s made with sweetened Chinese red beans, milk, crushed ice, and vanilla ice cream.

You can also order Char Siu with Rice at Lotus Blossom Café, which is a staple of Chinese comfort food.

Per the Disney Parks Blog, “The dish is a Cantonese-style barbecue pork popularized in Hong Kong and in ethnic Chinese communities around the world, and now one of the best-known and most iconic items in Chinatown restaurants across the United States.”

In the Japan pavilion, which shares Japanese culture year-round, there’s a calligraphy demonstration held every Wednesday in May from 2 to 3 p.m. EST and 6 to 7 p.m. EST at the House of Good Fortune, which is spotlighting the history and significance of Chinese Calligraphy.

Disney Springs also has all kinds of celebrations, including highlighting Chef Jessi Sudsa-nguan, the Pastry Sous Chef at Amorette’s Patisserie.

Chef Jessi is originally from Bangkok, Thailand and has been with Walt Disney World Resort for over 30 years. She’s also crafted a special Jasmine Tea Cream Tart for the month, which is “a light dessert with fruit gelee and a butter and nut cookie crust.”

You can also try the following limited-time sweet and savory menu items at Disney Springs:

Mulan Petit Cake at Amorette’s Patisserie: Matcha chiffon, lemon chiffon, honey-ginger mousse, lemon curd, lemon-ginger streusel, and green tea simple syrup.
Matcha Yuzu Ganache Square at The Ganachery: Green tea and yuzu dark chocolate ganache.
Korean BBQ Fries at The Daily Poutine: Korean-style bulgogi pulled pork and kimchi topped with Sriracha aïoli piled high on French fries.

special menu for asian pacific american heritage month at morimoto asia

During the month of May, Morimoto Asia will have the following special dining menu:

Lomilomi: Salmon tartare with tomatoes, onions and scallions
Loco Moco: a traditional Hawaiian burger rice bowl made with a blend of filet and A5 wagyu topped with a sunny-side-up egg and teriyaki mushroom gravy
Saimin: a Hawaiian-style ramen with a dashi shrimp broth, thin noodles and roasted pork (available at Morimoto Asia Street Food)
Halo-Halo: a Filipino shaved ice dessert with flavored jellies and fresh fruit
Cocktails & Mocktails: Pair your dishes with a Morimoto Mai Tai, Japanese Old Fashioned, Toki Highball, or a Sago at Gulaman Mocktail

art of disney honors asian pacific american filmmakers

The Art of Disney is also spotlighting Asian Pacific American filmmakers, artists, authors, and screenwriters who work or have worked at the Walt Disney Animation Studios including: Qui Nguyen, Mohit Kallianpur, Fawn Veerasunthorn, Willie Ito, Gyo Fujikawa, Milton Quon, and Disney Legend Tyrus Wong.

If you shop at Basin in May, a portion of proceeds from their Eucalyptus Mint Soap will benefit the AAPI Community Fund.

raya and the last dragon art at disney springs

You can also find the above art piece on the West Side outside of AMC Theatres that was inspired by Raya and the Last Dragon and designed by Walt Disney Imagineering Concept Designer, Xiao Qing Chen outside of AMC Theatres.

There are certainly many ways to honor Asian Pacific American Heritage Month all month-long and beyond at Disney World.