While some children listen to fairy tales about distant land, I have grown up with stories about a magical place that is on a five -hour drive from my hometown in my California San Jose: Disneyland. We had a children’s book about the ride of “It’s a Small World” and my mother always likes how “just so peaceful”, how attraction is like “heaven on heaven”.

As the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, I often thought that I was jumping rope between both sides of my Asian American identity. But our journey of Disney always felt like a prototype all-American experience. Maybe we may not be doing it externally at that time, but perhaps we felt a relationship because it was a place where we saw the characters that looked like us.

Decades later, we started a multi -layered family trip in the park in 2017 with our parents and two young nieces. This journey took place only day ago lunar New YearAnd I was shocked to see an archway reading near the “lunar new year” Disney California Adventure An Asian-induced, ornate in traditional red-and-gold lanterns and tasles under an Asian-induced, Mickey-shaped logo.

It turned out, it was part of the annual park Chandra New Year Festival, Which began initially as a week -long incident in 2012, but has since expanded almost a month. We watched the menu items of Korean, Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine, and even Mickey and Minnie characters were ready in traditional organizations. To see a park that felt that “Americans” embrace Asian traditions, just went beyond the feeling, but as is actually being hugged and understood. This was particularly poignant during my first visit to my niece – knowing that he would grow up in more inclusive society.

It was not until last month that I was again wooed into a Disney, visiting the Walt Disney World at Lake Buana Vista, Florida. Run Disney SpringTime Surprise Weekend ‘S5K run. And II began to spot the Asian American influences throughout the park: the first Twilight Zone Tower of Terror’s lobby, and I later saw the Asian -style fans of the Asian -style fans and the collectable pins of the characters on the Boba drinks.

Earlier this month, I visited Disneyland for this 70th anniversary ceremonyAnd instead of hunting for hidden Mickey, I went to a hunting for Asian American influences in the park.

I began my discovery in Disney California Adventure at San Francosco Square, which a hybrid from San Francisco and Tokyo “Big Hero 6.” Inspired by, this section was known as Pacific Ghats, and I was immediately blown up by prevention. There were indications written with Japanese and Chinese characters, and tons of traditional Asian motifs, such as gold coins, dragons, lucky cats and lanterns. It was all certain proof that Disneyland is making a meaningful investment in diversity. This especially makes sense in California, where 7.1 million people (which are about 18 percent) as Asian, according to data, according to data Pew research center,

But nothing affects me more than the menu. Lucky Fortune Cookery Honey walnut shrimp shrimp wrapped, potstics, Karaj-inspired chicken sandwiches, yaki udon, and its beef beef biria Raman. Aunty Cass Cafe Soba Noodle Salad, California Roll Sandwich, and – My Junoon – Francosco Clame Chounder in a citrus bread bowl. Taste with White Misso, it was all far from burgers and hot dogs, which I expected as the theme park rent.

But the Asian American-inspired Prasad was not limited to San Francosko Square. Looking at Better together: a pixar pulse festival The parade (who is returning to the Disney California adventure through the next summer), I wondered with the Red Panda Mei in the opening float, with other characters of “Turning Red”.

Later, I stood with a honey lemonade with a bubble from Aunty Cass in Disneyland Celebrate Happy CavecadeFrom the fact that I was looking at a Disney parade with a boba drink in hand, something that I could never imagine during a childhood journey.

Wandering the Main Street USA of Disneyland, I noticed that one of the window is displayed in Sales storeWas dedicated to Asian American Pacific Islands Heritage MonthBut this was not the only tribute to the AAPI month. I also saw hints for the special menu items around the park, including the Lucky Fortune Cookery included the Passion Fruit-Orange-Gwa Panch and Green Tea Legar.

During May, the Park’s Disney photopas depicted the themed magicshots, which includes images with Asian Disney characters including “Up Turning Red,” to “Up,” from Panda Mei to Russell, “ And rings from “Shang-C and the Ten Rings”. Even a sketch pad propop option was showcasting work Tyrus wongA Chinese American animator who was the leading artist behind “Bambi”.

The Asian Disney artists also included Autograph signing with Stacey Aoyama and Eric Tan, lessons with Russell and Mei, “Moana” and “Turning Red,” and Tahitian, Polinesian, Japanese, Indian and Filipino, Indian and Filipino, to include special programs with dance lessons with trainers.

But perhaps the most important permanent Asian joint is new Deen tai fungWhich opened in July 2024 Downtown disneyVisiting the original place of the restaurant in Taipei was always a major part of my trips to Taiwan, and it was absolutely alive that it was now an anchor restaurant in a major American theme park. As I enjoyed my favorite spicy Wonten and Sesame Jio Long Baos, I tickled to learn restaurants, even one was even one Limited pin set To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the park.

Tumbling all these meaningful Asian American elements in the entire part was not an accident, but the work of the compass, the park’s Asian American Pacific Islands Employees Group. Compass “tries to educate our artists with more understanding and appreciation of our AAPI culture” and “Disneyland helps give advice on culture awareness for the resort prasad,” The group’s co-president Elli Kawamoto, the Hotel Experience Economic Manager at the Disneyland Resort, tells Travel + holiday,

Kavamoto was born in Anahem and has always loved Disney. But now she is pushing it forward for the next generation, and was behind the AAPI performance of the Emporium. “It was a moment to come into life by looking at this window and to share the window with my son that I was very proud of,” she says.

Like my own family, she says that she has always been a fan of “It’s a Small World”, which has been updated for years to include “Lilo and Stitch” in her Pacific Islands section, and recently, Dante has been included in the part of Coco’s Miguel and Mexico.

“I just feel happy because I ride and represent countless cultures,” says Kavamoto. “We have guests who travel from all over the world, and I think everyone can see the reflection of their culture.”