This year, Donald Duck is quacking his way into his 90th birthday, and Disney cast members worldwide are marking the milestone with a delightful tradition: rubber duck races! What started as an annual event at Disneyland’s “it’s a small world” has grown into a global celebration, with festivities spanning Disneyland Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris.
At Hong Kong Disneyland, the festivities took on a creative twist with a duck scavenger hunt and a rubber duck fashion contest. Cast members scoured the park for the hidden ducks, taking them home to transform into unique masterpieces. Winnie, a Hong Kong Disneyland cast member, dazzled everyone with a hand-knit Snow White rubber duck inspired by her love of crafts. Rita Lee and her family crafted a Donald Duck scene using recycled materials, which they cherished for the precious family time it brought them.
Meanwhile, at Disneyland Resort, the traditional rubber duck race in the “it’s a small world” attraction continued to splash joy among the cast. Decorated ducks swam through the course, with themes like “Most Disney Themed,” “Most Like Donald Duck,” and “Your Role in the Show.” Highlights included Ashley’s brilliantly themed ducks – Violet from The Incredibles and Hei Hei from Moana – and Teddo’s winning Donald Duck lookalike. Teddo, a self-proclaimed number one fan of Donald, expressed his happiness seeing the beloved duck celebrated globally.
Over at Disneyland Paris, cast members engaged in a vibrant rubber duck decorating event. Quentin Sempol wowed with a duck themed after the “Jungle Book Jive” street show. He noted that the show left a lasting impression on many and his duck paid homage to this impact, bringing smiles all around.
This delightful tradition is not just about fun; it also supports local communities. Each rubber duck purchased for competitions at Disneyland Resort and Disneyland Paris saw proceeds donated to nonprofit organizations, furthering Disney’s commitment to community impact.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on these #DonaldDuck celebrations! Have you participated in similar events? Share your experiences and favorite rubber duck designs in the comments below. And don’t forget to share this with your fellow Disney fans – let’s keep the quacking going!
