Disney California Food & Wine Festival Returns

It’s time to food and wine, one of our very favorite times of the year at the Disneyland Resort. We invited our team to come join us on Friday, March 1st, for the first day of the festival. We ended up spending the whole weekend at the festival enjoying the new food and entertainment.

60% of the food that can be found across the 21 venues is new this year and the ordering process has been revolutionized. This year you can order any marketplace item from ANY booth. Yes, that’s right. You can order all of your treats at one booth and work your way down with just the receipt.

Food & Wine PRO TIP: Lines at the booths can get long, but this year you can order any item you want from any booth. So look for the booth with the shortest line to order your items! 

Back again this year is the Sip and Savor Pass with 8 tabs that can be used any of the locations serving Festival options (except for alcohol). It’s paired with a quick list of the main items offered at each booth. It can be purchased for $54, or $49 if you’re an Annual Passholder. You can pick up a Sip and Savor Pass at the Festival Welcome Center, Festival Marketplaces, Festival Gifts, Elias & Co., Seaside Souvenirs, Sip and Savor Cart, Trolley Treats and the Studio Store in Hollywood Land. Make sure you pick up a Tasting Passport as well. They are very handy and it’s fun to check off each food item as you go.

Food & Wine PRO TIP: The Sip and Savor Pass costs $49 for passholders. That’s approximately $6 and change per item. We recommend reserving your use of the pass to items which cost more than $6 so you don’t lose value on your purchase. 

FESTIVAL FOOD

We have made a list of all the venues and menu items for the Disney California Food and Wine Festival and will be updating this collection with our reviews as we try each item. Be sure to check back to see if we’ve tried something you were curious about and let us know what your Festival favorites are!

NUTS ABOUT CHEESE (Festival Entrance)

Food:

• Fiscalini White Cheddar Lager Soup served in a Mini Boudin Sourdough Bread Bowl (V) $6.25

This tasted like pure melted cheese versus a beer cheese soup (not that we’re complaining about the flavor). The amount of ‘soup’ you actually get isn’t very much though. This is perfect for someone who is craving a bread bowl from Pacific Wharf but isn’t hungry enough for a full portion.

• Ham and Vella Jack Cheese Pinwheel with Smoked Pistachios $7.00

This was absolutely delicious. We did not expect this to be so good. The center is soft and cheesy and the outside is perfectly crisp. The pinwheel is the ideal treat to start your day.

• Creamy Oikos Yogurt Cheesecake (V) $5.25

Yogurt makes a pretty amazing cheesecake. This petite treat is a great item to serve as your festival dessert… it’s creamy and satisfying.

Beverages:

• Karl Strauss Brewing Company, Columbia Street, Amber Lager, San Diego $10.25

 

UNCORK CALIFORNIA (Festival Entrance)

Food:

• California Artisan Cheese Selection – Select from either Point Reyes Blue or Fiscalini White Cheddar Hand-crafted California Cheese (V) $8.50

Beverages:

• White Wine Flight $17.00
• • Twomey Cellars, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa-Sonoma County
• • Simi, Chardonnay, “Reserve,” Russian River Valley, California
• • Patz & Hall, Chardonnay, “Dutton Ranch,” Russian River Valley, California
• Red Wine Flight $17.50
• • Erath, Pinot Noir, Oregon
• • Klinker Brick Winery, Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi
• • Rowen, Blend, Sonoma County, California
• Mimosa Flight $17.00
• • Hibiscus Mimosa
• • Tropical Mimosa
• • Mixed Berry Mimosa
• Chandon Brut, Sparkling Wine, California
• Assorted Wine Varietals

CITRUS GROVE (near Carthay Circle Restaurant at the Festival Entrance)

Food:

• Orange Chicken and Rice $7.50

These are basically chicken nuggets with a sugary “sauce” drizzled on top. There’s not really any flavor in anything other than the mandarin pieces. This one is skippable.

• Citrus-brined Pork Roast with Tangy Barbecue Sauce and Lemon Pepper Slaw $8.00

This was a good pairing of slaw and meat and a larger portion size than other items at the festival. The meat was very tender and it seems like it was brined for quite some time. It was flavorful and you can definitely taste the citrus without it being overwhelming.

• Meyer Lemon Blue Diamond Almond Macaron (GF, V) $5.50

If you like lemon Starburst, this macaron is for you. Be sure to take a big bite, theres a berry filling surprise in the middle. This item was a hit with our citrus loving friends.

Beverages:

• Meyer Lemon Ginger Mule $13.50
• Ginger Beer (non-alcoholic) $6.00

CALIFORNIA CRAFT BREWS (near the Cars Land Entrance)

Food:

• Pepperoni Pizza Egg Rolls with Marinara and Pesto Sauce $7.00

Don’t wait to devour this snack. It’s like an amplified hot pocket, but will go soggy if you take your time because it’s served atop a duo of sauces. If you are debating on getting this one, we say do it!

Beverages:

• Bright and Balanced Beer Flight $15.00
• • Pizza Port California Honey Golden Ale
• • Hangar 24 Orange Wheat
• • Left Coast Pink Bikini Raspberry Wheat
• • Karl Strauss Columbia Street Amber Lager
• Hobby and Bold Beer Flight $15.00
• • Smog City Sabre-Toothed Squirrel Amber Ale
• • Lost Winds Tropiclemente Tropical Ale IPA
• • Towne Park Blacksmith Black IPA
• • Asylum Rorschach Brown Ale
• By the Glass – Bright and Balanced
• • Pizza Port Brewing Company, California Honey, Golden Ale, Solana Beach $10.75
• • Hangar 24 Craft Brewery, Orange Wheat, American Wheat Ale, Redlands $10.75
• • Left Coast Brewing Co., Pink Bikini, Raspberry Wheat, San Clemente $10.75
• • Three Weavers Brewing Company, Day Job, Pale Ale, Inglewood $11.75
• • Karl Strauss Brewing Company, Columbia Street, Amber Lager, San Diego 10.75
• By the Glass – Hoppy and Bold
• • Smog City Brewing Co., Sabre-Toothed Squirrel, Hoppy Amber Ale, Torrance $10.75
• • Stereo Brewing Company, Perfect Day, American IPA, Placentia $10.75
• • Lost Winds Brewing Company, Tropiclemente, Tropical IPA, San Clemente $10.75
• • Towne Park Brew Co., Blacksmith, Black IPA, Anaheim $10.75
• • Asylum Brewing, Rorschach, Brown Ale with Kenyan Coffee, Anaheim $13.00

BERRY PATCH (near the Cars Land Entrance)

Food:

• Strawberry and Coconut Rice “Frushi” with Sweet Oikos Yogurt Wasabi Sauce (GF, V) $5.50

If you like sweet rice, this might be the dish for you. It has an all-around mushy texture with fresh strawberries rolled inside–but it could use a crunch of sort. Maybe “tempura” in the form of crumbled shortbread cookies?

• Fresh California Berry Pie (V) $5.75

This was surprisingly not too sweet and quite tasty. The inside reminded us of whipped yogurt. It’s a hit with adults and children alike! We managed to get the last one at the booth on the ‘soft opening’ day. Lucky us!

Beverages:

• Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Almondmilk $2.50
• Strawberry Float with Vanilla Ice Cream, Whipped Cream, and Crunchy Cereal Garnish (non-alcoholic) $6.50

This float was so good that we gave it a photoshoot. It’s another one of those not-too-sweet treats which was refreshing and unexpected. The Captain Crunch cereal on the top really sealed the deal, making it out favorite beverage of the festival so far.

PEPPERS CALI-ENTE (near Wine Country Trattoria)

Food:

• Verlasso Sustainable Salmon Peruvian Poke with Cucumber-Lime Salad and Aji Verde Salsa (GF) $7.50

This had less flavor than we anticipated. It’s a basic poke dish but some servings we a little sparse with the salmon.

• Ghost Pepper Mac and Cheese with Chili Cheese Corn Chip Dust (V) $7.75

This dish is creamy and cheesy with a hint of heat (with ghost pepper in the name you have reason to worry). The chili chip crumble is a perfect touch on top. Give this a try, it may surprise you. We got a thumbs-up from someone who usually avoids heat in their meals.

Beverages:

• Jalapeño-Lime Margarita $13.50

 

VEGGIE, VEGGIE, FRUIT, FRUIT (near Wine Country Trattoria)

Food:

• Grilled Asparagus Chicken Caesar Salad $7.00
• Cauliflower Ceviche with Chile Corn Crumble and Tortilla Strips (VG) $6.25
• Duo of Frozen Fruit Fruit Bars – Lime and Strawberry $5.50

Beverages:

• Cool Lime Michelada with Frozen Lime Ice $11.00
• Davis Bynum, Sauvignon Blanc, “Virginia’s Block,” Russian River Valley, California $14.00
• Chihuahua Cerveza, Limón, Premium Lager, Newport Beach $9.25

 

AVOCADO TIME (near Wine Country Trattoria)

Food:

• Petit Impossible Burger with Guac and Pepper Jack Cheese (V) $8.00

• Spiced Roasted Chicken on Pita with Avocado Hummus and Garlic Sauce $7.50

Beverages:

• Kombucha Mojito Cocktail with Fresh Mint $13.50
• Suja Organic Pineapple Passionfruit Kombucha (non-alcoholic) $6.00

 

I <3 ARTICHOKES (near Pacific Wharf Bridge)

Food:

• Fried Artichokes with Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Lemon Aioli (V) $7.00

• Artichoke Toast with California Olive Tapenade (V) $6.50

• Blue Diamond Almond Cake with Butter Streusel, Apricot Compote, and Brown Sugar Crème Fraîche (V) $5.00

Beverages:

• Chihuahua Cerveza, Rico, Premium Lager, Newport Beach $9.25

 

CLUCK-A-DOODLE MOO (near Paradise Gardens Park)

Food:

• Harris Ranch Grilled Beef Tenderloin Slider with Chimichurri Sauce $8.50

We managed to get the first sliders from a freshly made batch and are floored by how tender the meat was. The flavors work well together. We could see ourselves putting away a few of them, easily.

• Salt and Vinegar Parmesan Chicken Wings $8.00

Beverages:

• Watermelon Lemonade with Watermelon Garnish (non-alcoholic) $5.75

This lemonade tasted like liquid Jolly Rancher. Don’t walk…run over to get a cup or two of this. It’s refreshing and not too sweet.

• Festival Beer Flight ($14.50) and By the Glass
• • Thorn Brewing, Barrio, Baja-style Lager, San Diego $11.75
• • Strand Brewing Co., 24th Street, Pale Ale, Torrance $11.75
• • Karl Strauss Brewing Company, Festiv-Ale, Belgian-style Brown, San Diego (Festival Exclusive) $11.25
• • Brouwerij West, Dog Ate My Homework, Blackberry Saison, San Pedro $13.00

GARLIC KISSED (near Golden Zephyr)

Food:

• Black Garlic Soy-braised Pork Belly Banh Mi $8.00

The slaw is nice and acidic and the roll is soft. The meat is perfection.

• Creamy Mac and Cheese with Garlic Bread Crumble (V) $7.75

Creamy, cheesy, comfort-food goodness. It’s a great basic mac and cheese. Picky-eater and child approved.

• Chocolate Crunch Cake $5.50

Beverages:

• Bloody Mary with Garlic-stuffed Olive $13.50

 

OFF THE COB (near Golden Zephyr)

Food:

• Shrimp Boil Tacos with Andouille Sausage and Fresh Corn (GF) $7.50
• Esquites Sweet Corn Nuggets with Bacon Lardons $6.25

Bacon and corn?! Could we have the recipe for these please? We can’t put our finger on it, but we’re in love.

Beverages:

• Citrus Radler, Lager with Grapefruit and Blood Orange Juices, T.W. Pitchers’ Brewing, San Francisco $11.75
• Peach Tea with Peach Garnish (non-alcoholic) $5.00

 

GOLDEN DREAMS (near Redwood Creek Challenge Trail Entrance)

Food:

• Deconstructed Teriyaki Chicken Musubi with Pineapple Relish

We felt this dish was just okay. It hit the spot when we were starving but it’s nothing note-worthy. The flavors are balanced and the portion is good. We wish it were spam instead of chicken, which may be why we cannot commit to loving it.

• Anaheim Chile Relleno Bites with Salsa Verde (V)

This was really good, packed with flavor. The bites hold up well in the sauce and we found ourselves wishing there was a full portion, but It’s a perfect tasting portion.

• Chocolate-Peanut-Caramel Parfait (GF)

This tastes like a deconstructed Snickers bar with sea salt sprinkled on top. We are definitely going to get this one again.

Beverages:

• Yippee! Mickey’s Cotton Candy Soda (non-alcoholic): Sprite, Cotton Candy Premium Syrup, Half-rimmed Butter Cream with Pineapple Cotton Candy Garnish

This drink had a light flavor before adding some of the cotton candy into the mix. That means you can sweeten it to your preference. The color changes from blue to green, and guests of any age seemed to flock to this Instagram-worthy treat. We’re not sure about the addition of buttercream and sprinkles on the rim, it really didn’t add anything to the drink other than a frightening grey color once the sprinkles fell in.

LA STYLE (located near Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!)

Food:

• Asian-style Beef Barbacoa Taco with Pickled Ginger $8.00

If there were a taco to represent L.A., this is it. The only thing it’s missing is a doubled up tortilla because this is a hefty portion. These are a great option for picky eaters because you can easily remove the pickled toppings.

• BLT Chicharrón Duro with Ranch Crema $7.00

Beverages:

• Tiki Cocktail: Aged Rum, Falernum, Bitters, Lime, and Grapefruit Juices $13.50

This is STRONG, but very easy to drink. If you like fruit and rum, add this to your list.

**BONUS FOOD AND WINE ITEM: Chocolate Peanut Butter Churro found at a new churro cart in the Hollywoodland Backlot $6.25

This tasted like a Butterfinger brownie mashup. This churro might just be the best one on property. We are glad they saved it for this festival–it’s completely worth it. The peanut butter cream drizzled on top doesn’t make your mouth sticky and the peanut crumbles are a great finishing touch. We may have gone back for seconds…and a third.

FESTIVAL BEER GARDEN (near Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta)

Beverages:

• Beer Garden Flight
• • 2 Towns Outcider Hard Apple Cider
• • Ommegang Hennepin Saison
• • Modern Times Booming Rollers IPA
• • Karl Strauss Baltic Porter
• Bright and Refreshing Beer Flight
• • The Dudes’ Brewing Company, Los Dudes Cerveza, Mexican-style Lager, Los Angeles
• • Lost Coast Brewery, Watermelon Wheat, Eureka
• • 2 Towns Ciderhouse, Outcider, Unfiltered Hard Apple Cider, Oregon
• • Brewery Ommegang, Hennepin, Farmhouse Saison, New York
• Hoppy and Bold Beer Flight
• • Modern Times Beer, Booming Rollers, IPA, San Diego
• • Divine Science Brewing, Third Contact, Gluten-friendly IPA, Anaheim (GF)
• • Bear Republic Brewing Co., Apex, Double IPA, Cloverdale
• • Karl Strauss Brewing Company, Baltic Porter, San Diego
• Festival Indulgences
• • Twisted Horn Mead, Blue Cloak, Mead, Vista
• • Founders Brewing Co., Backwoods, Bourbon Barrel-aged Scotch Ale, Michigan

PARADISE GARDEN GRILL (near Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta)

Note that many of the items at Paradise Garden Grill can also be ordered in Sip and Savor sizes (as seen below).

Food:

• Beer-battered Cod with Steak Fries and Spiced Remoulade

Tasting sized portion

Full-sized portion

This fish and chip dish will transport you to London in a single bite. The steak fries are up to par and the cod is light and tasty. Don’t skip this one.

• Impossible No “Meat” Ball Submarine with Marinara Sauce topped with Soy Cheese and served with Kettle Chips (VG)

• Beer-braised Pork Tacos with Pickled Apple Slaw, Black Beans, and Queso

Similar to the tacos found at the LA Style booth, these are a great California taco. We really appreciated the black beans and queso on the side–it might just be what the other tacos were missing.

• Buffalo-style Roasted Turkey Leg with Celery Slaw and Crumbled Blue Cheese

• Large Soft Pretzel with Beer Cheese Dipping Sauce (V)

• Black Forest Parfait – Layers of Chocolate Cake, Vanilla Chantilly, Chocolate Mousse, and Cherries

 

This is a heavy treat so you may not want to get this to follow up a meal. But, do plan on getting it. The cherries enhance the flavor of the chocolate and it’s a great dessert to share.

Beverages:

• Matanzas Creek, Sauvignon Blanc-Fume Blanc, Sonoma County, Nielson Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County
• ‘Ōlelo Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles
• Deschutes Brewery, Pacific Wonderland, Lager, Oregon
• Sudwerk Brewing Co., Märzen, Amber Lager, David

 

Festival Merchandise

Mickey takes center stage in the official festival art this year. But there are items of all types and the color scheme is like a fine Cabernet.

We’re not too sure about golden utensils on these ears but you’ll always be ready to eat at anytime with this new design.

How cute is this gift card made just for the festival? It’s tiny and sold on a plastic bracelet so that you can load it up and never have to reach in to your wallet. This is a great option if you choose not to get a Sip and Savor pass, or if you want to load this up with money for beverages containing alcohol since you can’t use your Sip and Savor Pass for those items.

Entertainment

There is a plethora of entertainment and activity options. With live bands, cooking demonstrations, and tastings–there’s something for everyone.

We’ll have more from the festival for you soon. There’s a lot more for us to discover and try. Don’t forget: you can experience everything from now through to April 23rd. Please let us know what your favorite items and tips are.

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