Planning to visit Lunar New Year at Disney California Adventure with kids? Here’s what we wish we knew before going. The Lunar New Year celebration (January 23 – February 22, 2026) is one of the few places where your kids can see Mickey and Minnie in Korean-inspired hanbok, spot Goofy and Clarabelle in Vietnamese áo dài, and eat phở-inspired dishes steps away from The Little Mermaid ride. For families raising children with Asian heritage, seeing these traditions reflected at “the happiest place on earth” hits different.
We’ve been visiting Disneyland with kids for years, from newborns through 12-year-olds, so we thought we knew what to expect. But navigating the Lunar New Year food marketplaces with kids requires its own strategy. The walk toward the festival area builds anticipation. You see the large arch, red and yellow everywhere, Lunar New Year signage welcoming you in. And then you realize: you have no idea where to start.
We went with kids ages 2-7 and learned a lot. This guide shares what actually worked, what we’d do differently, and how to make the most of this celebration with little ones in tow.
A Reality Check for Families
If you search for Disneyland Lunar New Year food reviews on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube, you’ll find plenty of videos showing the highlight reel: a perfect dip into phở broth, a beautiful bite, on to the next kiosk. And honestly, it probably is that effortless if you’re two adults moving at your own pace.
With kids, it’s a different experience. And that’s the part that doesn’t usually get talked about.
The food kiosks span across the park, not clustered in one easy area. The Phở Dip comes with an unlidded container of steaming hot broth. The Taro Cold Brew? Also no lid. The Scallion Pancake Tostada drops bulgogi beef with every bite. Now add a stroller, a toddler asking to be carried, and a 5-year-old who suddenly needs the bathroom.
We’re not saying it can’t be done (we did it!) but we learned quickly that we needed to find a spot to set things down rather than attempting the walk-and-eat approach. A ledge, a table, a bench. Anything to free up hands.
And about those portions: individually, these aren’t massive platters. But if you’re tasting more than two or three items (and the Sip & Savor pass commits you to six), the food adds up fast. By item four, everything becomes shareable whether you planned it that way or not.
The families having the best time seemed to be the ones who slowed down, grabbed tables when they spotted them, and weren’t trying to power through everything before noon. That’s the approach we’d take next time, and honestly, we’re already planning our return.
First, What We Always Bring to Disneyland
Before we dive into the food, here’s what made our day easier:
Collapsible containers – There will be moments when the kids don’t finish their food but want it later, or you don’t finish yours because you were too busy feeding everyone else. The trays and containers the kiosks provide aren’t always practical for messy foods, so having your own helps keep things from getting everywhere. Silicone collapsible containers are lightweight, fold flat when not in use, and don’t take up precious stroller space until you need them. Half a Mickey hot dog bun on the drive home? Still good.
Snack bento boxes – We prepack individual snack boxes for each kid before every Disneyland trip. Yes, we still grab churros and beignets at the park, but nothing saves you from a hangry meltdown caused by long lines, crowded walkways, or a missed nap hour like a tray filled with your kid’s favorite goodies. We love these snack boxes because the individual compartments are deep enough to hold a good amount of food and there are enough sections to include variety. Bonus: two of these trays fit perfectly in the mini Trader Joe’s cooler bags.
Portable fans – This clips onto any part of your stroller that has a handle or bar and genuinely keeps little ones cool when they’re stuck sitting in the SoCal sun and food lines. It has multiple fan speeds and light-up settings, which is surprisingly useful for spotting your stroller in the dark at the end of the night. The battery life is impressive too. Ours lasted from park opening to closing on a single full charge.
Clamp umbrella for stroller – This one is for the adults doing all the pushing. It clamps onto your stroller and provides shade while you navigate the park. We have the Uppababy Vista and this umbrella fits perfectly. The best feature is that it adjusts in multiple directions, so you can reposition it as the sun moves throughout the day. It folds easily but can stay raised, which becomes surprisingly useful when Disney staff inevitably moves your stroller while you’re on a ride. You will always, and we mean always, find your stroller. It also doubles as a beacon for any non-stroller kids who get distracted in a crowd. They know to look for the umbrella.
Portable phone charger – You’ll check the Disneyland app constantly for wait times and character schedules. Everyone will be taking photos. Bà and Ông Nội are going to need to charge their iPads because that’s the only way they know how to record a good video. This portable charger is powerful enough to keep everyone digitally connected when it counts the most.
Characters in Lunar New Year Attire
⚠️ Important: Meet and greet characters alternate days. One day there maybe Goofy and Clarabelle in their áo dài outfits, and the next would be Donald and Daisy in their Chinese qipao. We specifically wanted to see the characters dressed in Vietnamese wear, but it wasn’t their day. Check the app, but know schedules change.
We packed áo dài as extras so our kids could change into them, take pictures around the park, and hopefully meet Goofy and Clarabelle in their matching Vietnamese attire. That meet and greet didn’t happen because they weren’t scheduled that day, but it was still worth it. There’s something special about watching your kids feel both proud and completely normal wearing traditional Vietnamese clothing in such an iconic place.
If you need áo dài and can’t get to a shop, we recommend Ao Dai by CuteSass. It’s a Vietnamese American-owned small business based in California, and they’re the first size-inclusive áo dài brand we’ve found. Their pieces are handmade in Vietnam by local artisans. We’ve purchased from them before and love the quality. They have a limited collection on Amazon, so you can benefit from Prime shipping and easy returns, or shop their full selection directly on their website. Here are a few we love:
Mom and Daughter Green and Orange Matching Set – lightweight for warm days, headband included
Mom and Daughter Red and Green Matching Set – vibrant color that pops against the park backdrop
Sibling Matching Set – for girls and boys, perfect for sibling photo ops
Planning Your Route: Lunar New Year Foods by Location
Once you reach the Festival Marketplaces near Paradise Gardens, you’ll find most of the kiosks concentrated on one stretch. Each kiosk has two lines: one for ordering and one for pickup. With so many carts in close proximity, all you see are lines and lines of people. It can feel overwhelming at first, but knowing this ahead of time helps you mentally prepare.
Here’s what caught us off guard: the Festival Marketplace kiosks are clustered together, but Lunar New Year food items are also available at restaurants spread across the park, like Award Wieners in Hollywood Land, Pym Test Kitchen in Avengers Campus, and Paradise Garden Grill. Without knowing where everything was, we kept walking back and forth.
For example, we knew we wanted to try the Taro Vietnamese Cold Brew but didn’t want a drink before eating some of the savory items. So we walked past Wrapped with Love to get to Prosperity Bao & Buns for the bao. Then once we were ready for the coffee, we had to trek all the way back with kids in tow. This happened to us several times throughout the day.
Between the warm weather, the crowds, and waiting for our turn on rides, all that backtracking for food started to wear on the whole family. It felt like we were losing the experience of actually being at the park.
We’re including the brochure map below so you can see the layout for yourself, where to find each kiosk, and what items are available at each one. Study it before you go so you’re not zigzagging across the park like we did.
The Sip & Savor Pass: How It Actually Works
The Sip & Savor Pass costs $49 for general admission guests and $46 for Magic Key holders. It includes 6 digital coupons that can be redeemed for select food and non-alcoholic beverages at participating kiosks and restaurants. We found it worth it because the items add up quickly if you’re trying more than 5 items.
What You Get
- A physical card (three different design options) with a lanyard to hang around your neck.
- A super duper long brochure showing all dishes and kiosk locations.
Tip #1: Grab multiple brochures We referenced the brochure way more than we expected. Between figuring out which kiosk has what food, strategizing which rides to hit, and timing the entertainment activities, we found that the Disneyland app doesn’t help with planning for the Lunar New Year celebration specifically. The app is great for ride wait times and general navigation, but when it comes to the festival food locations and what’s available where, the brochure is your best tool. Going old school means you’ll need more than one because it will get misplaced, shoved into a stroller pocket, or gnawed on by teething kiddos.
Tip #2: Buy two passes if you think you’ll want more than 6 items. Each pass only gives you 6 credits, and we ended up wanting to try more. If you have two adults, buying two passes gives you 12 items to work with. It also lets you divide and conquer: one adult waits in line at a kiosk while the other stays with the kids somewhere comfortable. Once you have the food, swap. You cover more ground, try more food, and the kids aren’t dragged through line after line.
Tip #3: Grab a table at Paradise Garden Grill first Instead of trying to time getting food from kiosk to kiosk with kids in tow, find a table at Paradise Garden Grill and claim it as home base. Send one adult to collect all the food items while the rest of the family stays put. You’ll avoid meltdowns and can enjoy the entertainment and activities happening nearby. If you don’t have enough adults to split up, grab what you can from a few kiosks, store everything in the collapsible containers we mentioned earlier, and bring it all back to the table so you can eat together in peace.
The “Order in Advance”
You can order items from ANY kiosk for pickup at OTHER kiosks!
The brochure mentions “order in advance at the Marketplace.” We asked Cast Members where this was—they didn’t know and just pointed toward “the carts.” What “Marketplace” actually means: all the kiosks combined.
There is no mobile ordering for Sip & Savor items. You have to order in person at the kiosks. However, if you want the full-size portions of certain dishes at the larger restaurants (like the Spicy Pork Belly Grilled Cheese at Pym Test Kitchen), those can be ordered through the Disneyland app.
So at your first stop (for example Lucky 8 Lantern for Phở Dip), you can ALSO order Garlic Noodles, Taro Cold Brew, and Popcorn Chicken—all on the same transaction.
When you order – the cashier will ask for your sip and savor card and proceed to scan it. You will then be prompted to type in a four digit pin for verification purposes (remove “peel here” sticker if not already done so). Each item purchased will then be deducted from the six digital coupons you have. A receipt will be printed out for you to get your food.
Keep your receipt. Go to other kiosks, skip the order line, go straight to pick-up. They cross off items as you collect them. No second wait!
Exception: Longevity Noodle Co. pick-up line was actually longer than order line (guess noodles take time?)
Best Value Items for Your Pass
Every Sip & Savor credit counts the same, whether you spend it on a $7.75 milk tea or an $18.49 pork skewer. So if you want to stretch your $49, use your credits on the higher-priced items and pay out of pocket for the cheaper ones.
- Lemongrass Pork Skewers ($18.49) – highest value!
- Phở Dip ($9.75)
- Japchae Noodles ($9.50)
- Quesabirria Egg Roll ($9.50)
- Five-Spice Popcorn Chicken ($9.50)
- Scallion Pancake Tostada ($8.99)
What We Tried
There are over 35 food and drink items available during the Lunar New Year celebration, spread across six Festival Marketplace kiosks and various restaurants throughout the park. We made it through 10 items in one day, and honestly, that felt like our limit. Between sharing portions, pacing ourselves for rides, and keeping the kids fed and happy, there’s only so much eating you can do.
If you’re determined to try more, plan for multiple visits or go with a larger group so you can split everything. The Sip & Savor pass gives you six credits, which is a reasonable goal for one day with kids. Trying to power through more than that will likely leave everyone overstuffed, overtired, and over it.
Here’s a quick look at everything we tried. We rated each item on two dimensions: kid appeal and value.
Kid Appeal ⭐ out of 5
Will your kids actually eat and enjoy this? We’re considering familiar flavors, texture, spice levels, and whether our own kids (ages 2-7) went back for more or moved on after one bite. A low score doesn’t mean it’s bad; it means order it for the adults and don’t expect the kids to share your enthusiasm.
Value ⭐ out of 5
Is it worth the price or your Sip & Savor credit? We’re weighing portion size, flavor, and whether we’d order it again knowing what we know now. For Sip & Savor eligible items, higher-priced dishes that deliver on taste score higher because you’re getting more bang for your $49 pass.
A note on the food overall: these dishes are a good way to introduce families to flavors they may not have tried before. For those of you who grew up with these cuisines, the food may not taste exactly like what you’d find at home or in your favorite restaurants. But as a way to bring Lunar New Year traditions to a wide audience, we give them credit for the effort.
Everything We Tried: The Quick Reference
⭐ Scallion Pancake Tostada – Award Wieners – $8.99
Sip & Savor Eligible | Kid Appeal: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
THIS WAS THE BEST THING WE ATE ALL DAY
We originally wanted the Spicy Pork Belly Grilled Cheese that was advertised in the brochure, but when we went to order, they told us it wasn’t part of the Sip & Savor. So we pivoted to the Scallion Pancake Tostada—and it turned out to be the unexpected star of the entire food crawl.
The flavor, the crunch, it was bold. It tasted like Korean BBQ but portable—like a flattened hot pocket, if hot pockets were actually good. The fried scallion pancake base was crispy, the bulgogi beef was seasoned perfectly, and the kimchi aïoli tied everything together.
Parent tip: This is messy—the beef falls off and there’s an overload of green scallions on top. If you’re feeding this to kids, you’ll probably need to brush the scallions off. But don’t skip it. This was the dish we kept talking about on the drive home.
Taro Vietnamese Cold Brew – Wrapped with Love – $7.75
Sip & Savor Eligible | Kid Appeal: ⭐ | Value: ⭐⭐⭐
The taro chocolate cream was delicious—we didn’t really taste the chocolate, and honestly preferred it that way. It has a strong coffee taste, but doesn’t quite have that classic Vietnamese iced coffee flavor you might expect (the intense French roast sweetened by condensed milk). The cocoa powder threw off the taste a bit, and our drink didn’t come with the chocolate wafer stick we’d seen in photos.
⚠️ Fair warning:The paper straws that come with Disneyland drinks completely disintegrate about a quarter of the way through this drink. Grab 2-3 straws upfront so you can actually finish the drink. Also, the drink does not come with a lid—be very careful, especially with kids around.
Parent tip: This is not kid-friendly (it’s coffee), but it’s a nice treat for adults. One and done.
Quesabirria Egg Roll – Wrapped with Love – $9.50
Sip & Savor Eligible | Kid Appeal: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was good! Think Panda Express egg roll, but filled with birria meat. The dipping sauce was better than we expected—flavorful without being spicy. This makes a great handheld treat for any little ones who enjoy fried goodies.
Parent tip: Easy to split in half—one for each kid. You do have to hold and dip to eat, so wipes are essential.
Phở Dip – Lucky 8 Lantern – $9.75
Sip & Savor Eligible | Kid Appeal: ⭐⭐ | Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The broth was fragrant—it smelled like walking into a phở restaurant, which got us excited. But here’s the warning we wish someone had given us: even after removing the jalapeños, the pepper oils remained in the broth. We thought it would be kid-friendly, but when we gave our little one (who had never had a pepper before) a taste, they burst into tears from the unexpected spice.
The bread was stale but chewy, softening immediately once drenched in the broth—which is exactly how a dip should work. Don’t expect the crispy, airy baguette you’d get at a bánh mì shop. This is messy because it’s a dip, so find a spot to sit down and have wipes ready.
Parent tip: Taste the broth yourself first before offering it to kids, even if you’ve removed the jalapeños.
Mickey-Shaped Hot Dog Bun – Festival Cart – $9.00
Sip & Savor Eligible | Kid Appeal: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was a hit with the kids. The bun was super soft, more like an Asian pastry bun than a traditional pretzel. If you’ve ever had the hot dog buns from 85°C Bakery, that’s exactly what this tastes like. The hot dog itself was good, and the whole thing is very kid-friendly in both size and flavor.
One thing to note: there’s sesame seasoning sprinkled on top. Most kids won’t mind, but if you have a picky eater who doesn’t like “stuff” on their food, you might need to brush some of it off.
The Mickey shape makes it fun for little ones, and it’s easy to hold and eat. This is one of the more grab-and-go friendly items we tried.
Parent tip: A solid choice when your kids just want something familiar. Not adventurous, but sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
Char Siu BBQ Pork Bao – Prosperity Bao & Buns – $9.25
Sip & Savor Eligible | Kid Appeal: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Value: ⭐⭐⭐
Fair warning: this does not taste like the char siu you’re used to eating at Peking duck storefronts. It’s more like they took carnitas, added char siu spices, braised it, and then shredded it into the bao. The flavors are okay and the bao itself was good. Our kids liked this dish the most, because hello, little banh boo (aka bao)!
Like the Phở Dip, this dish also comes with jalapeños. We removed them, and unlike the Phở Dip, there was no lingering spice in the bao. Our kids had no issues with it. But here’s what we learned: dishes with jalapeños are hit or miss. Sometimes the pepper oils transfer, sometimes they don’t. Always taste first before handing it to your little one.
Parent tip: Kid-approved, and the handheld format works well for little hands (though it will get messy).
Garlic Noodles – Longevity Noodle Co. – $8.50
Sip & Savor Eligible | Kid Appeal: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Value: ⭐⭐
From an adult perspective, we didn’t think these noodles weren’t garlicky enough. The noodles themselves were cooked well and the parmesan was a nice touch. This is a good option for sensory-sensitive eaters who like noodles—it’s not plain, but it’s a simple dish without a lot of bold or unfamiliar flavors.
Parent tip: Great choice for picky eaters who just want something familiar. The long noodles are fun to eat (if a bit messy).
Strawberry Lychee Cocktail
Adults only (21+) | Kid Appeal: ⭐ | Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Definitely mommy juice approved! This was a fun drink to have—sweet with a bit of smokiness from the bourbon. It pairs well with any of the bold, spicy dishes if you need something to balance out the heat.
Parent tip: On a hot day, the ice in your cocktail will melt before you actually get a chance to finish it, and these drinks don’t come with lids. Do yourself a favor and bring an empty insulated cup. Pour the cocktail in, and you can actually sip and stroll without it turning into watered-down juice. Our picks: Stanley (handle + flip straw), Yeti (best insulation), or Owala (our favorite, perfect size).
Lemongrass Pork Skewers – Paradise Garden Grill – $18.49
Sip & Savor Eligible | Kid Appeal: ⭐⭐⭐ | Value: ⭐⭐⭐
We saw so many posts hyping this one, so our expectations were high. The one we got was unfortunately very fatty—and not the good kind of fatty like bacon or crispy pork belly. It was chewy fatty, which wasn’t appetizing. We enjoyed the portions that had actual meat, but left the fatty parts behind.
The fried garlic rice was delicious and kid-approved. However, our plate did not come with the pickled carrots and daikon or side salad that’s advertised. We also only received one skewer, though the Disney Food Guide shows two. It’s possible the Sip & Savor portions differ from the full-priced version, so keep that in mind when ordering.
Parent tip: Despite the fatty pork, this is still kid-friendly (the rice alone is worth it), and at $18.49, it’s the highest-value item for your Sip & Savor pass.
Vietnamese Coffee Roulade – Paradise Garden Grill – $7.29
Sip & Savor Eligible | Kid Appeal: ⭐⭐ | Value: ⭐⭐⭐
The texture and portion size were great—fluffy and definitely shareable. It wasn’t too sweet, but it does have a strong coffee taste (as it should, considering Vietnamese coffee is bold). Our kiddos didn’t appreciate the flavor too much—they took one taste and moved on to cotton candy.
Parent tip: This is more of an adult dessert. One and done for the kids.
Final Thoughts
We went into this celebration with high expectations, and honestly, the logistics caught us off guard. The backtracking, the unlidded drinks, the jalapeño that made our toddler cry. There were moments when we questioned our life choices.
But then our kids spotted the Mulan procession and stopped in their tracks. They noticed the decorations, the lanterns, the little details that told them this celebration was for them too. And it was meaningful for them to see Lunar New Year celebrated not just for Vietnam, but for China and Korea too. A reminder that this tradition is shared across so many families, including ours. We drove home with them fast asleep, sticky from the sweets, hair amiss but so very happy.
That’s why we do it. Not because it’s easy, but because these are the moments that add up over time. For families raising kids with heritage from somewhere else, seeing your traditions reflected in unexpected places matters.
We’re already planning our next visit. And now, we have a game plan.
All information in this guide is based on our visit in January 2026. Disney can and does change prices, menus, schedules, and offerings without notice, so please double-check the Disneyland app or website before you go. Little Banh Boo is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by The Walt Disney Company or its affiliates. This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Little Banh Boo earns from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our work!