What To Expect From the 2017 Food and Wine Festival at Disney California Adventure

Disney California Adventure has continued the Food and Wine Festival this year.  It started last year after a hiatus because of construction to revamp the park.  It returned bigger than ever, but this year it’s expanded even more!

Of course to be expected is a wide food assortment.  This year’s festival has brought different menus, and a few return favorites.  Various kiosks have lined the parade route corridor along Paradise Pier and Pacific Wharf areas.  There is even a kiosk all the way in Hollywood Land near Stage 17!  There are about 13 kiosks to grab food at.  This has been upped since last year since there is a larger pathway layout for all of them.  This means more variety and much more return visits to savor everything.  Each kiosk has at least 2 tapas food items, and 1 dessert type item.

In addition to food is the wine.  Drinks are offered at each kiosk that pair with the food items.  But, there are also some additional locations that feature just the alcohol to taste.  There are a couple of additional kiosks with just the drinks offered.  A new Beer Garden has emerged at the Paradise Gardens area to cater to those drink tastes.

On the first day outing I tasted the bacon mac and cheese and bacon wedge salad from Bacon Twist, pork belly bao with black garlic from Garlic Kissed, and the chocolate sourdough bread pudding from Sweet and Sourdough.  I greatly enjoyed each of these.  I was most partial to the bacon mac and cheese and bread pudding, but probably because of enjoying bacon quite a bit and really liking desserts.

In addition to eating and drinking, there are culinary demonstrations and wine tastings.  All of the demonstrations and lessons cost extra (like the food and wine).  The majority of the guest chefs are at Stage 17 in Hollywood Land.  Some of the wine tasting demonstrations take place at Wine Country Trattoria.  The lowest for a “class” is $10, and it can go up to $120 depending on the chef and type of demonstration.  The good news is that there is a lot to choose from.  Previously some of the guests were on a stage out in the Hollywood Land area.  Now that it is in Stage 17 there is some elegance and comfort to enjoy these presentations.  It reminds me of the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot in Walt Disney World where there is a Festival Center with many of the lessons and demonstrations taking place there.

Also at Stage 17 is an assortment of merchandise, including some Annual Passholder exclusive items.  Many of the Food and Wine logo items are glassware and shirts.  One of the Passholder exclusive items is a lanyard pass that is similar to last year’s tasting pass.  It costs $45, and Passholders can only get one per pass per day.  Which means you can multiple, but just one per day.  Each pass has 8 tabs that can be torn off to exchange for an item at a kiosk.

Another way to go for satisfying your taste buds is with a special gift card.  Load it up and have it swiped at the locations.  Speaking of, ordering is easy and each kiosk has a couple of registers where they take your order, you pay, then take the receipt to the window right beside it where you receive the food or beverage.

Besides all of this are a couple of entertainment offerings that are new this year.  Jr. Chefs let kids get into the cooking mood with the help of a chef host and Goofy.  The shows take place throughout the day at Paradise Pier.  Jammin’ Chefs is a show that is at the Paradise Pier parade route corridor.  It features Chip and Dale with some fellow chefs that create beats by hitting pots and pans.  They dance along and even enlist kids to help create sounds for this fun show.

Several bands will play throughout the Festival including Thomasina, a Disneyland favorite.  The stage is located at the Paradise Bay area.  It’s a nice set up using screens that are similar to Mad T Party fame, and great sound system to create the more festive atmosphere.

For Annual Passholders there are buttons to obtain every week.  The special Passholder area with a photo op background is located at Paradise Grill.

In all the Festival has gotten more sophisticated and bigger.  It’s a great feature to have at Disney California Adventure because it adds to the atmosphere and just adds more to do at the park.  I was finding it great just to partake of the Festival and not go on any attractions.

The Food and Wine Festival is included in admission, though there are several things that cost extra to actually have, like the food itself.  Below are some photos and the menu of the kiosks from Disneyland.com.  And let us know what you think of it in the comments below!

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Food at Nuts About Cheese

Brie Toast with Fig and Mint

with Roasted California Almond Crumble

$5.00

 

Baked Ham and Swiss Cheese Croque Monsieur Roll

with Smoked Pistachios

$7.00

 

Chèvre Fromage Blanc Tartine

infused with Rosemary and Honey, with Toasted Hazelnuts

$4.50

 

Hazelnut Cherry Port Clusters

$7.50

Beverages at Nuts About Cheese

Almond Milk Tea

with Pudding (non-alcoholic)

$4.50

smartwater®

$4.25

Dasani® Bottled Water

$3.50

Beverages at Uncork California

Chandon, Brut Classic, Sparkling Wine, California

$12.00

Twomey Cellars, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa-Sonoma County

$16.00

Patz and Hall, Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast

$18.00

Flight – White Wine

Duckhorn Vineyards, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley; Mer Soleil Vineyard, Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands; Lasseter Family Winery, Enjoué Rosé, Sonoma Valley Estate Grown

$16.00

Duckhorn Vineyards, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley

$13.00

Mer Soleil Vineyard, Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands

$13.00

Lasseter Family Winery, Enjoué Rosé, Sonoma Valley Estate Grown

$17.00

Flight – Red Wine

Flora Springs Napa Valley Family Estate, Merlot, Napa Valley; Flowers Vineyards and Winery, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast; Groth Vineyards and Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

$20.00

Flora Springs Napa Valley Family Estate, Merlot, Napa Valley

$14.50

Flowers Vineyards and Winery, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast

$20.00

Groth Vineyards and Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

$19.00

Flight – Mimosa

Pear Mimosa, Apricot Mimosa, Mango Mimosa

$16.00

Pear Mimosa

$14.00

Apricot Mimosa

$14.00

Mango Mimosa

$14.00

smartwater®

$4.25

Dasani® Bottled Water

$3.50

Food at I Heart Artichokes

Fried Artichokes Carbonara

with Garlic Aïoli and Smoked Bacon

$6.00

Grilled and Chilled Artichoke Hearts

with Romesco Sauce

$5.25

Creamy Artichoke and Dark Chocolate Cake Pop

$4.25

Beverages at I Heart Artichokes

ACE Premium Craft Cider, SPACE Bloody Orange, Hard Cider, Sebastopol

$9.25

Orange Iced Tea with Orange Pearls

(non-alcoholic)

$4.00

smartwater®

$4.25

Dasani® Bottled Water

$3.50

Food at Garlic Kissed

Grilled Beef Ternderloin Slider

with Chimichurri Sauce

$7.75

Black Garlic and Soy-braised Pork Belly Bao

with Pickled Vegetables

$7.00

Garlic-Rosemary and Avocado Oil Ice Cream Pop

$4.50

Beverages at Garlic Kissed

Murphy-Goode Winery, “Liar’s Dice”, Zinfandel, Sonoma County

$6.50

Dr. Loosen, Dr. L, Mosel, Riesling, Germany

$6.50

smartwater®

$4.25

Dasani® Bottled Water

$3.50

Beverages at California Craft Brews

Flight – So Cal

Mother Earth Brew Co., Honcho, Hefeweizen; Black Market Brewing Co., Deception Coconut Lime, Blonde Ale; Left Coast Brewing Company, Una Mas, Amber Lager; Stone Brewing, Tangerine Express, IPA

$13.25

Flight – No Cal

21st Amendment Brewery, El Sully, Mexican-style Lager; Bear Republic Brewing Co., Red Rocket, Amber Ale; Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Torpedo, Extra IPA; Drake’s Brewing Co., Black Robusto, Porter

$13.25

21st Amendment Brewery, El Sully, Mexican-style Lager, San Francisco

$9.00

Saint Archer Brewing Co., White Ale, San Diego

$9.00

Mother Earth Brew Co., Honcho, Hefeweizen, Vista

$9.00

Black Market Brewing Co., Deception Coconut Lime, Blonde Ale, Temecula

$9.00

Left Coast Brewing Company, Una Mas, Amber Lager, San Clemente

$9.00

Left Coast Brewing Company, Surf Break, Pale Ale, San Clemente

$9.00

Bear Republic Brewing Co., Red Rocket, Amber Ale, Healdsburg

$9.00

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Torpedo, Extra IPA, Chico

$9.50

Ballast Point Brewing Company, Sculpin, IPA, San Diego

$9.00

Stone Brewing, Tangerine Express, IPA, San Diego

$9.00

Karl Strauss Brewing Company, Big Barrel, Double IPA, San Diego

$9.50

Drake’s Brewing Co., Black Robusto, Porter, San Leandro

$9.00

smartwater®

$4.25

Dasani® Bottled Water

$3.50

Food at Olive Us

Chilled Cioppino Soup

with Shrimp, Crab Claw, Grilled Olive Bread, and Olive Oil drizzle

$7.75

Warm Olive Focaccia

with Olive Oil and Sea Salt

$4.50

Vanilla Bean Crème Fraîche Panna Cotta

with Amarena Cherry Jus and EVOO Madeleine

$4.25

Beverages at Olive Us

Vodka Martini

with gourmet Blue Cheese-stuffed Olives

$11.25

smartwater®

$4.25

Dasani® Bottled Water

$3.50

Food at Bacon Twist

Baby Iceberg and Heirloom Tomato Wedge

with Peppered Bacon and Point Reyes Blue Cheese Dressing featuring Melissa’s® Produce

$5.50

Smoked Bacon Mac and Cheese

with Barbecue-seasoned Crispy Onions

$7.50

Maple-Bacon Whoopie Pie

$4.25

Beverages at Bacon Twist

Bloody Mary Cocktail

with Candied Caramel Bacon Strip and Blue Cheese-stuffed Olives

$11.25

smartwater®

$4.25

Dasani® Bottled Water

$3.50

Food at Lemon Grove

Roasted Cauliflower and Meyer Lemon-infused OIKOS® Greek Nonfat Yogurt Cauliflower Purée

with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Fried Capers

$6.00

Duck Confit on Potato Smash

with Meyer Lemon Preserves

$7.00

Meyer Lemon Macaron

with Blueberry Marmalade, Meyer Lemon Cream and Blueberry Dust

$4.75

Beverages at Lemon Grove

Meyer Lemon Ginger Mule Cocktail

$11.75

Cherry Lemonade with Cherry Pearls

(non-alcoholic)

$4.25

smartwater®

$4.25

Dasani® Bottled Water

$3.50

Food at Seafood…Sustained

Verlasso® Sustainable Salmon Tataki

with Avocado Wasabi Purée and Furikake Dust

$7.50

Cage-free Deviled Eggs with Farm-raised Smoked Trout

with Cream Cheese and Chives

$4.00

Passion Fruit Posset and Coconut Chia

with Mango-Passion Compote

$4.25

Beverages at Seafood…Sustained

Zilliken Estate, Riesling, Mosel, Germany

$6.50

Meiomi, Coastal California Wines, Pinot Noir, California

$9.50

Mango Agua Fresca

(non-alcoholic)

$4.25

smartwater®

$4.25

Dasani® Bottled Water

$3.50

Food at The Onion Lair

Braised Wagyu Beef on Creamy Polenta

with Haricot Vert-Red Onion Salad and Roasted Cipollini Onion featuring Melissa’s® Produce

$7.75

French Onion Mac and Cheese

with Parmesan Crumble and Chives

$7.25

Chocolate-Hazelnut and Raspberry Feuillete Tart

$4.75

Beverages at The Onion Lair

Karl Strauss Brewing Company, Liquid AC, English Summer Ale, San Diego

$9.50

Lagunitas Brewing Company, Pils, Czech-style Pilsener, Petaluma

$9.00

Firestone Walker Brewing Company, DBA, British Pale Ale, Paso Robles

$9.50

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Midas Touch, Ancient Ale (Wine/Beer Hybrid), Delaware

$9.50

Ace Premium Craft Cider, Perry, Hard Cider, Sebastopol

$8.50

Passion Fruit Lemonade

(non-alcoholic)

$4.25

smartwater®

$4.25

Dasani® Bottled Water

$3.50

Food at Off the Cob

Jackfruit™ Carnitas Banh Mi Nachos

with Cilantro Crema and “Pickled” de Gallo featuring The Jackfruit Company™

$6.00

Sweet Corn Nuggets

with Beef Chili, Spring Onions and Sour Cream

$6.75

Roasted Sweet Corn Custard Tart

with Honey Tuille and Smoked Chili-infused Chocolate Sauce

$4.50

Beverages at Off the Cob

Jalapeño-Lime Margarita

with Jalapeño Garnish

$12.00

Bohemia Clásica, Pale Lager, Mexico

$8.50

smartwater®

$4.25

Dasani® Bottled Water

$3.50

Food at Sweet and Sourdough

Bay Shrimp Louie Salad

served in a Mini Boudin Sourdough™ Boule

$6.75

White Cheddar Lager Soup

served in a Mini Boudin Sourdough™ Boule

$6.00

Milk Chocolate Sourdough Bread Pudding

with Vanilla Bean Sauce

$4.50

Beverages at Sweet and Sourdough

Conundrum, White Blend, California

$8.00

Karl Strauss Brewing Company, Columbia Street, Amber Lager, San Diego

$9.00

smartwater®

$4.25

Dasani® Bottled Water

$3.50

Food at LA Style

Chicken Teriyaki Slider

with Spicy Dole® Pineapple Jam

$6.50

Korean Barbecue Beef Short Rib Tacos

with Kimchi Slaw

$7.00

Fresh Strawberry Compote, Lemon Verbena and Vanilla Bean Shortcake Parfait

$4.50

Beverages at LA Style

Dole® Pineapple-Strawberry Float

with Vanilla Ice Cream and Strawberry Pearls (non-alcoholic)

$7.00

smartwater®

$4.25

Dasani® Bottled Water

$3.50

Food at Wineology

Sangria Bark

Beverages at Wineology

Sort This Out Cellars, Mourvedre Rose Mermaid, Santa Barbara

$18.00

Tres Sabores Winery, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley

$14.00

MacRostie Winery and Vineyards, Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast

$14.00

La Crema, Pinot Noir, Russian River

$17.00

Chock Rock Vineyard, Syrah, Arroyo Seco

$18.00

Eden Canyon Vineyards, Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles

$17.00

Flight – Sangria

White Sangria, Peach Sangria, Red Sangria

$9.50

White Sangria

$8.00

Peach Sangria

$8.00

Red Sangria

$8.00

smartwater®

$4.25

Dasani® Bottled Water

$3.50

Beverages at The Brewhouse

Tecate Michelada

$8.50

Brewers Ice Cream Floats – Coney Island Hard Root Beer with Vanilla Ice Cream

$9.50

Brewers Ice Cream Floats – Deschutes Black Butte Porter with Chocolate Ice Cream

$9.50

Barley Forge Brewing Co., Nom Nom, Mango Hefeweizen, Costa Mesa

$9.00

Stone Brewing, Delicious, IPA, San Diego

(Gluten-reduced)

$9.50

Deschutes Brewery, Black Butte, Porter, Oregon

$9.00

Coney Island Brewing Company, Hard Root Beer, New York

$8.50

Barq’s® Root Beer Float

with choice of Chocolate or Vanilla Ice Cream (non-alcoholic)

$7.00

Barq’s® Root Beer

(non-alcoholic)

$3.75

smartwater®

$4.25

Dasani® Bottled Water

$3.50