Tall White Building with Palm Trees and Brown California Food and Wine Festival Entrance Sign

2024 Disneyland Food and Wine Festival Tips & Tricks Guide

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The Disneyland Food and Wine Festival at California Adventure Park is back again in a big way for 2024, running from March 3 to April 25, 2024. So, if you’re ready to savor the flavors of California, read on while we break down all the delicious details of this foodie festival. 

The Disneyland Food and Wine Festival, California Adventure’s Culinary Celebration

Along with rides and characters, if there’s one thing that excites guests of the Disney Parks, it’s food. Just look online at the breathless bite-by-bite descriptions of Disney’s newest seasonal snacks and endless artfully taken social media photos of dishes and drinks before digging in if you don’t believe us. 

Midway Mania signage at dusk

Now, while Walt Disney World certainly delivers when it comes to tons of good food, it’s Disneyland that consistently brings home the bacon with its ever-evolving smorgasbord of delicious dining options. And really, considering that California is home to some of the best food in the country (Sorry, Florida – key lime pie, conch fritters and stone crabs are tasty, too!), it’s no surprise that Disney’s west-coast outpost continues to impress food-loving guests. 

Of course, aside from eating your way through the best sit-down and quick-service restaurants at Disneyland, there’s no better way to sample it all than with a visit to the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival. Styled after the massively popular Epcot Food and Wine Festival, California Adventure Park’s version is an ode to the Golden State’s thriving gastronomic scene. 

From dishes and drinks starring fresh, California-grown ingredients to locally brewed beers and Napa Valley wines, you’ll find it all at the Festival Marketplaces. But, that’s not all – you can even sharpen your cooking skills and hone your palate during demonstrations, seminars and receptions led by some of the Golden State’s brightest culinary minds. Not to mention all the kid-friendly activities that are also available, like Disney character experiences and cupcake decorating. 

Best of all, unless you want a seat at one of the separately ticketed events, most festival offerings are included in with your theme park admission (along with whatever food or drinks you’d like to buy), such as:

  • Access to special dining at the Disneyland Food and Wine Festival Marketplaces
  • Culinary demonstrations (weekends only)
  • Live music
  • Character appearances
  • Limited-time return of Soarin’ Over California
  • Exclusive merchandise (not included)
  • And other foodie and family-friendly activities inspired by the Golden State’s bounty 

Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival Marketplaces & Other Special Dining

Orange and Brown Cozy Cone Hotel Entrance Sign with Teal and Pink Flo's 8 Cafe Sign in Background

It wouldn’t be a California Adventure festival without a buffet of exclusive eats to choose from. For the Disneyland Food and Wine Festival, each of the themed kiosks called Festival Marketplaces honors different California-grown ingredients, from avocados to wine. Just keep in mind that portion sizes are on the small side, perfect for sampling and sharing. And for all the vegans, vegetarians and folks traveling with children, never fear – plenty of plant-based and kid-friendly options are available. 

Just like other seasonal soirees held at the park, most of this food-filled California Adventure festival is centered around Paradise Gardens Park. However, you will also find some Festival Marketplaces sprinkled near Buena Vista Street and the entrance to Avengers Campus, as well as in Hollywood Land and Grizzly Peak. 2023 Disney California Food and Wine Festival Marketplaces include:

  • Avocado Time
  • Berry Patch
  • California Craft Brews
  • Cluck-a-Doodle-Moo
  • D•Lish
  • Garlic Kissed
  • Golden Dreams
  • I Heart Artichokes
  • LA Style
  • Nuts About Cheese
  • Peppers Cali-Ente
  • Uncork California

So, what about other California Adventure dining options? Do any restaurants have special menus for the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival? While the Festival Marketplaces are definitely the stars of the gastronomic show, you can also tuck into seasonal small plates and sips at many Disney California Adventure restaurants, including Sonoma Terrace, Paradise Garden Grill and more.  

Brown and Off-white Building with Large Wheel Above Water

Festival Foodie Tip: All event-exclusive dishes and drinks can be ordered from any of the Festival Marketplaces. For example, you don’t need to go to Avocado Time to order the Frozen Guacamole. This can be a great way to beat the crowds if the booths you want to try are especially busy or you’re planning a complete festival feast with several items from different marketplaces. Simply order everything you want from the booth with the shortest line, then take your receipt to each to pick up your haul. 

Sample It All and Save Some Cash with a Sip and Savor Pass

Disneyland guests planning to eat and drink all day long, into sharing or with big appetites may want to think about buying a Sip and Savor Pass. Priced at $57 (or $52 for Magic Key holders) for eight food and drink entitlements (non-alcoholic beverages only – for the best bars at Disneyland, check out our drinking guide), this epicurean passport is a convenient way to try everything on your list. 

As we mentioned, your Sip and Savor Pass lanyard comes with eight tabs which can be exchanged for small plates and non-alcoholic drinks at Festival Marketplaces and participating restaurants at California Adventure. Since tasting portions tend to cost around $7 to $8 each (or $6 for smaller sweets and treats), if you play your cards right and stick to more expensive items, you can even save some money. 

Along with the Festival Marketplaces listed above, you can also use your Disneyland Sip and Savor Pass for tasting-size, festival-exclusive items at the following California Adventure restaurants and snack carts:

  • Cappuccino Cart
  • Churros at Hollywood Land
  • Cocina Cucamonga
  • Festival Food and Beverage Cart
  • Pacific Wharf Café
  • Paradise Garden Grill
  • Sonoma Terrace 
  • Studio Catering Co.
  • Terran Treats
  • Willie’s Churro

Paradise Pier Mickey Mouse Ferris Wheel Decorated with Neon Lights and Neon Fountains

Festival Foodie Tip: Unless the line is super-short or non-existent, don’t purchase your Disneyland Sip and Savor Pass at the first place that has it. Many merchandise locations around California Adventure Park and all of the food booths sell this handy-dandy dining passport. So, there’s no need to waste a bunch of time in line to buy yours right when you enter the park. Just have a little patience and you’ll be rewarded little to no wait. 

Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival 2023 Demos, Seminars & More

Tantalize your tastebuds and feed your mind at a line-up of chef-led culinary demonstrations, libations-centered seminars and fascinating winemaker receptions featuring various California vintners and thoughtfully selected food pairings. 

Level Up Your Cooking Game at Free Culinary Demonstrations (Weekends Only)

Held exclusively on Saturdays and Sundays (typically at  Hollywood Land Backlot Stage at 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM, the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival’s culinary demonstrations are a treat for skilled cooks and beginners alike – and, best of all, they’re completely free. While no samples are provided, these hands-off cooking lessons headlined by visiting, local and Disney chefs are a great way to perfect your skills and expand your recipe repertoire.

Bridge, Water, and View of Paradise Pier with Mickey Mouse Ferris Wheel

Drink in Some Knowledge at Wine, Beer and Mixology Education & Tasting Seminars (Ticket Needed)

Feed your hunger for knowledge and quench your thirst at the same time at one of the festival’s wine, beer or mixology seminars. An intoxicating (literally) blend of learning and alcohol tastings, Disneyland Food & Wine Festival seminars are a fun, informative and tasty way to discover more about your drink of choice in around 45 minutes. 

Seating is limited, so reservations are required. These events are incredibly popular, so book ahead of time using the online reservation system to reserve your spot. Most seminars are priced at a reasonable $25 per person. However, there are also a few seminars held at the Disneyland Hotel that are more expensive. 

Here is what’s on tap: 

Wine Seminars (Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays)

  • Friday, March 3: Testarossa Winery
  • Saturday, March 4: Testarossa Winery
  • Sunday, March 5: Testarossa Winery
  • Friday, March 10: GoGi Wines
  • Saturday, March 11: GoGi Wines
  • Sunday, March 12: GoGi Wines
  • Friday, March 17: Wiens Family Cellars
  • Saturday, March 18: Wiens Family Cellars
  • Sunday, March 19: Wiens Family Cellars
  • Friday, March 24: BEV Wines
  • Saturday, March 25: BEV Wines
  • Sunday, March 26: BEV Wines
  • Friday, March 31: Disney Sommelier Arielle Harris
  • Saturday, April 1: McBride Sisters Wine Co.
  • Sunday, April 2: McBride Sisters Wine Co.
  • Friday, April 7: Hill Family Estates
  • Saturday, April 8: Hill Family Estates
  • Sunday, April 9: Hill Family Estates
  • Friday, April 14: Disney Sommelier Eri Horii
  • Saturday, April 15: Fess Parker Winery
  • Sunday, April 16: Fess Parker Winery
  • Friday, April 21: Canvasback Winery
  • Saturday, April 22: Canvasback Winery
  • Sunday, April 23: Canvasback Winery

Brown Rock Statue of Grizzly River Ride

Beer Seminars (Fridays & Saturdays)

  • Friday, March 3: Crowns & Hops Brewing Co.
  • Saturday, March 4: Crowns & Hops Brewing Co.
  • Friday, March 10: Honey Pot Meadery
  • Saturday, March 11: Honey Pot Meadery
  • Friday, March 17: Unsung Brewing Company
  • Saturday, March 18: Unsung Brewing Company
  • Friday, March 24: Bottle Logic Brewing
  • Saturday, March 25: Bottle Logic Brewing
  • Friday, March 31: Golden Road Brewing
  • Saturday, April 1: Golden Road Brewing
  • Friday, April 7: Stone Brewing
  • Saturday, April 8: Stone Brewing
  • Friday, April 14: Three Weavers Brewing Co.
  • Saturday, April 15: Three Weavers Brewing Co.
  • Friday, April 21: Pizza Port Brewing Co.
  • Saturday, April 22: Pizza Port Brewing Co.

Mixology Seminars (Saturdays & Sundays)

  • Saturday, March 4: Bad Birdy of Kuduowl
  • Sunday, March 5: Bad Birdy of Kuduowl
  • Saturday, March 11: Disney Mixology featuring the Lamplight Lounge
  • Sunday, March 12: Disney Mixology featuring the Lamplight Lounge
  • Saturday, March 18: Disney Mixology featuring Carthay Circle Lounge
  • Sunday, March 19: Disney Mixology featuring Carthay Circle Lounge
  • Saturday, March 25: Disney Mixology featuring the Festival Marketplaces
  • Sunday, March 26: Disney Mixology featuring the Festival Marketplaces
  • Saturday, April 1: The Blind Rabbit
  • Sunday, April 2: The Blind Rabbit
  • Saturday, April 8: 818 Tequila
  • Sunday, April 9: 818 Tequila
  • Saturday, April 15: Disney Mixology featuring the Hollywood Lounge
  • Sunday, April 16: Disney Mixology featuring the Hollywood Lounge
  • Saturday, April 22: Disney Mixology featuring Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar
  • Sunday, April 23: Disney Mixology featuring Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar

Disney Food and Wine Festival Seminars at the Disneyland Hotels (Mondays & Fridays)

  • March 6 & April 10 at Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar – Trader Sam’s bartenders, mixology seminar

Toast the Golden State at Winemaker Receptions (Ticket Needed)

This next one is for all of the wine connoisseurs out there. California is recognized around the globe for its deliciously nuanced wines. So, what better way to sample some of them than with the celebrated winemakers who made them as your guides? 

Water Fountain Feature at Carthay Circle with Red Roses and Green Trees

Held at both California Adventure’s Carthay Circle restaurant and the Rose Court Garden at the Disneyland Hotel, these vino-soaked soirees shine a spotlight on Golden State vintners, expertly pairing acclaimed wines with a menu of thoughtful flavors and ingredients. As you enjoy the bounty, listen to presenters of each winery explain each bottle’s story and tasting notes. 

As you can imagine, uncorking this experience doesn’t come cheap. The reception at the Disneyland Hotel tops out at $225 per person, while those at Carthay Circle are a slightly more reasonable $150. Like the seminars, seating is limited, so make your reservation in advance.

Here’s what is being uncorked:

Carthay Circle Winemaker Receptions (Fridays)

  • March 10 – Kurt Russell’s GoGi Wines
  • March 31 – McBride Sisters Wine Company
  • April 14 – Fess Parker  Winery 

Disney’s Grand Californian Food and Wine Experience (Friday)

  • April 21 –Laurent-Perrier, Stag’s Leap Winery, Miner Family Wines, Darioush, Clos Du Val, Heitz Cellars, and ZD Wines

Family-Friendly Fun at the Disney California Food and Wine Festival 2023

You don’t need to be over 21 (or spend an arm and a leg) to enjoy the Disney Food & Wine Festival. Along with cooking-themed arts & crafts (who wants to color their own chef’s hat or placemat?), there are also some other great special activities available that even pint-sized foodies and picky eaters will love. 

Party with Disney Characters in Hollywood Land

Chip & Dale dancing at the Food & Wine festival

While visiting Disneyland is fun enough as it is, getting to see our favorite Disney characters up close is like an extra helping of pixie dust – truly magical. Luckily, there’s no shortage of Disney character experiences at the Food & Wine Festival. 

Looking for a nice photo opportunity? Stop by and say hello to Chef Goofy at the Hollywood Backlot. Taking a break from toiling away in Goofy’s Kitchen, Disneyland’s only all-day character dining restaurant, he’s looking spiffy in his chef’s outfit and ready to strike a pose. 

Need a musical interlude during your day of epicurean adventures? The toe-tapping antics of the Jammin’ Chefs are a must. Guest-starring Chip ‘n’ Dale, as well as Clarabelle Cow and Daisy Duck, this playful show channeling your two-year-old self (or your toddler) uses pots and pans to create music, kiddo-style. Located just left of the Hyperion marquee, Jammin’ Chefs shows are usually held once per hour between 10:30 AM and 4 PM. 

Go Soarin’ Over California

It’s back! Taking a break from its whirlwind, worldwide adventures, Soarin’ Over California is returning home for a limited-time run. Fly from the shores of the San Diego harbor to the vineyards of Napa Valley and everywhere in between on this beloved simulation ride. 

Eat to the Beat During Live Music Performances

Pesto Spread and Sliced Raddishes Inside Hamburger Buns

One of our favorite things to do is snack on something tasty while we take in the festival entertainment. Fortunately, there’s plenty to enjoy this year on the Palisades Stage and Paradise Garden Bandstand. Soak up the California vibes and rest your feet for 25 minutes as you listen to a line-up of Golden State bands.

Shop for Limited-Edition Food and Wine California Adventure Merchandise

Don’t forget a souvenir! Whether you’re on the hunt for a swanky new set of Minnie ears, kitchen gadgets or a wine-inspired spirit jersey that says “Life is Grape!”, you’re sure to find something to commemorate your visit. 

Have Room for More? Try the Friends of the Festival Offerings at Downtown Disney

If you’ve tried everything on your to-eat list and still have room for more, make your way to Downtown Disney to continue your feasting, with a buffet of Friends of the Festival menu offerings at nine different restaurants, including:

  • Ballast Point Brewing Co.
  • Naples Ristorante e Bar
  • Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen
  • Splitsville Luxury Lanes 

Blue and Green Cold Drink with Black, Red, and White Mickey Shaped Sprinkles

However, don’t save your Sip and Savor credits to use at these Downtown Disney restaurants. The pass can only be used at California Adventure festival locations, not Friends of the Festival partners. 

While you’re there, be sure to check out the other festival-related happenings around the Downtown Disney District. Live music takes place nightly on the Downtown Disney LIVE! Stage and weekends feature artist signings at the WonderGround Gallery. Looking for a great photo opportunity? Snap a pic near some chalk art or in front of the festival mural on the west end of the promenade.   

Well, Disneyland foodies, that’s a wrap on our guide to the California Adventure Food & Wine Festival. What is your favorite part of this gastronomic celebration? Let us know in the comments!

Then, learn how to maximize your visit with our 1-Day Disneyland Park Plan. Wish you had more cash for festival food? Don’t miss our discount Disneyland tickets.