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Disney World Celebrates AAPI Month

Te Fiti at Journey of Water Inspired by Moana
Credit: Disney

May is AAPI heritage month, a time of year to celebrate, recognize, and support Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Walt Disney World has decided to celebrate this time of year and contributions of the AAPI community in a variety of ways.

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Food Offerings

Many restaurants at both hotels and theme parks are honoring the occasion by providing a variety of Asian and Pacific foods. Among the many offerings are the Heart Of Te Fiti DOLE Whip Cup at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, the Tuna Poke Bowl at Animal Kingdom, and Mongolian Beef with vegetable fried rice at EPCOT.

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AAPI Food

Credit: Disney

New Artwork At Disney Springs

But even more interesting and unique that the additions to the Disney Springs Art Walk. Two new artists, Thao French and Andrew Hem, recently added vibrant pieces to the art walk as part of “A World of Voices.”

Disney Springs Art

Credit: Disney

Thao French’s unique style involves using a spray-painting technique that is inspired by the disruptive quality of graffiti. Her goal is to use art to not only tell her story, but encourage other women like her to follow their dreams and aspirations.

Disney Springs Art

Credit: Disney

“It’s an amazing and powerful feeling to be able to show up and represent for the Asian American Pacific Islander community,” said French. “I hope that [my piece] inspires other Asian women to pursue the arts because it’s extremely rewarding.”

Andrew Hem is a Cambodian-American artist who states that he wants to combine both the happiness of his life and the happiness that Guests feel when visiting Walt Disney World Resort.

“When guests come to see my work, I want them to stop, slow down and just explore all the Easter eggs inside my work,” said Hem.

Both French and Hem have true passions for their craft and the joy it brings.

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The Disney Springs Art Walk: A Canvas of Expression is continuing to attract more and more murals ahead of its upcoming anniversary. There are always new additions coming to the walk and always new ways to celebrate the AAPI community at Walt Disney World Resort.

About Steven Wilk

Steven has a complicated relationship with Disney. As a child, he visited Walt Disney World every few years with his family. But he never understood why kids his age (and older) were so scared of Snow White or Alien Encounter. He is a former participant of the Disney College Program (left early…long story), and he also previously worked in Children’s publishing, where he adapted multiple Disney movies and TV shows. He has many controversial opinions about Disney…like having a positive view of Michael Eisner, believing Return of the Jedi is superior to The Empire Strikes Back, and that Toy Story Land and Galaxy’s Edge should have never been built (at least not at Hollywood Studios). Every year for the past two decades, Steven has visited either Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Aulani or went on a Disney Cruise. He’s happy to share any and all knowledge of the Disney destinations (and he likes using parenthesis a lot…as well as ellipses…)