Raya is FINALLY Making Her United States Disney Park Debut!

If you’re as much of a Raya fan as we are, then this news will definitely make you want to cheer all the way to Kumandra.

As part of Disney’s limited Lunar Year celebration, Raya is finally making her Disney debut in the North American Parks!

Starting today, Disney will be ringing in the Year of the Tiger during its Lunar New Year celebration at Disney’s California Adventure Park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.

Running through February 13, 2022, the event celebrates Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean cultures in the magic way only Disney can, with Asian-inspired cuisines, entertainment, colorful decorations and limited-edition merchandise.

Credit: Disney

The biggest surprise from Disney’s Lunar New Year celebration is the debut of Raya from Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon (2021). Disney Parks Blog explains where Disney Guests can find her:

Raya, from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ film “Raya and the Last Dragon,” makes her official debut at the Disneyland Resort during the Lunar New Year celebration! Under a forest canopy deep in the heart of Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, you may encounter the heroic Raya, greeting new friends and visiting from the newly reunited lands of Kumandra.

Raya and the Last Dragon is a fantasy adventure set in a land inspired by the cultures and environments of Southeast Asia. It follows the very first Southeast Asian Disney Princess, warrior Raya, and her sidekick, Tuk Tuk, as they track down the last dragon, Sisu, to help stop the evil Druun.

Starring Star Wars sequel star Kelly Marie Tran as Raya and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) actress Awkwafina, the movie has been a big hit with fans since its debut on Disney+ and in movie theatres last year.

Raya made her Disney Park debut last year at Shanghai Disneyland at a Selfie Spot with Disney Jungle Characters at Happy Circle. Disney Guests could see beloved characters from The Jungle Book (1967), The Lion King (1994), Zootopia (2016), and, of course, Raya.

The celebration of the Lunar New Year at Disneyland extends into Downtown Disney and the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort, with special food items, entertainment, and merchandise. Disney writes:

Lunar New Year celebrates the celestial journey of the sun and the moon on their voyage toward another year. This special festival invites you to make memories with your family and friends while sharing wishes for good health, luck and prosperity throughout the year to come.

This year, “Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession” introduces a gorgeous new float that Mulan and Mushu arrive upon, accompanied by traditional Chinese drummers with powerful rhythms and performers bringing cultural artistry and dance to life. Decorated in red and gold to symbolize good fortune and happiness, the float features bright bunches of red firecrackers with golden tassels, and delicate red and gold lanterns that come aglow for after-sunset performances.

The Paradise Garden Bandstand presents daily live performances featuring enchanting traditional musical instruments, along with Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese folk dancers. The San Francisco-based musical group Melody of China performs a fusion of Chinese folk, classical and contemporary instrumentals.

Credit: Disney

Disneyland Guests can also enjoy special appearances by Disney characters at the Paradise Gardens Gazebo, including Tigger, Mulan, Mushu, Mickey, Minnie, and the Three Little Pigs – all dressed in their festive outfits.

Festive Lunar New Year Marketplaces across Disneyland Resort are also offering delicious Asian-inspired dishes with a Disney twist. For more information, see Disney’s Lunar New Year Foodie Guide. 

And don’t forget – in order to enter Disney’s California theme parks or Walt Disney World theme parks, Guests (ages 3 and older) will need both a valid ticket and a theme park reservation for the same day and the same Park you wish to visit.

More on Raya and the Last Dragon

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ official synopsis of the animated movie reads:

Long ago, in the fantasy world of Kumandra, humans and dragons lived together in harmony. But when sinister monsters known as the Druun threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, those same monsters have returned and it’s up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the last dragon in order to finally stop the Druun for good. However, along her journey, she’ll learn that it’ll take more than dragon magic to save the world—it’s going to take trust as well.

From directors Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada, co-directors Paul Briggs and John Ripa, producers Osnat Shurer and Peter Del Vecho, and featuring the voices of Kelly Marie Tran as Raya and Awkwafina as Sisu.