The Disneyland Resort is buzzing with talent during the month of May in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. I caught up with some of our favorite Disney+ stars and asked them not only about their favorite Disney experiences but also what their Asian heritage means to them.
Peyton Elizabeth Lee from “Doogie Kameāloha, M.D.” kicked off her Disney day at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, where she snacked on some iconic Mickey waffles. After the sugar rush, she was ready for some thrills over at Disney California Adventure park and hopped on the high-speed Incredicoaster. We grabbed churros later, and when I asked the “Prom Pact” star about what AAPI heritage month means to her, Peyton lit up. She said she was very proud to be a part of the Asian American community and loves how rich Asian culture is. She also mentioned the importance of Asian representation on screen and how she wants to be that role model for younger generations.
Chin Han from “American Born Chinese” also visited the Disneyland Resort! Chin Han wasted no time and headed to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad the second he got to the park. As for snacks, he satisfied his sweet tooth with none other than a classic DOLE Whip. We made our way over to Disney California Adventure park, and after chowing down on a hot dog from Angry Dogs, Chin Han talked about his role in “American Born Chinese” and how his Asian heritage has influenced his career.
To round out our Disney+ talent, Saara Chaudry and Lilly Singh from “The Muppets Mayhem” spent a day at the parks together, and I hung out with this dynamic duo for a few hours. Saara and Lilly had a jam-packed day – starting with meeting Mulan at Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures at Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and later slinging webs at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure park. Saara and Lilly even tried some limited-time Asian-inspired foods that were available around the park throughout the month. They were such a fun pair to talk to, and they shared some amazing cultural experiences from their childhood.
Last up, “American Idol’s” Season 21 winner Iam Tongi visited the Disneyland Resort for the show’s Disney night! I caught him while he had some downtime and chatted about his Pacific Islander roots, his love for singing and even his favorite Disney movie. (Spoiler! It’s “The Princess and the Frog!”)
Thanks for celebrating with us & Happy Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month!
“American Born Chinese,” “Muppets Mayhem,” “Prom Pact” and “Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.” are now streaming on Disney+. You can also catch all episodes of the latest season of American Idol now on Hulu.