For the first time ever, Tokyo Disneyland will be sending 100 performers to the 2012 Lantern Festival in Changhua County, located in central Taiwan. The festival is quickly becoming a well-known event, and was designed to highlight global participation.
Says Wayne Liu, the Tourism Bureau’s deputy-director:
It’s unprecedented for Tokyo Disneyland, because until now it has only sent individual characters abroad for events like this.
Liu also said the parade will be a mix of American, Japanese and Taiwanese culture and feature Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. This year’s theme is “Dreams and Magic,” and the Disney team plans to showcase a specially designed float centering around this theme. As 2012 is the Year of the Dragon, the Lantern Festival (now in its 23rd year) will also feature a dragon-motif lantern that weighs 40 tons and will be 20 meters tall.
