On Friday, March 1, 2024, the 2024 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival kicked off at the Disneyland Resort. This festival is full of fun food and wine offerings, entertainment offerings, merchandise, and more (did we mention Soarin’ Over California has returned!?)! On the opening day, the Daps Magic team was invited to a special media event and experience all that this festival had to offer. This included testing out the new Sip & Savor pass. From this, we had some favorite eats from the day (they can be found here).
One thing that was quickly realized is there are PLENTY of yummy items to be found on the festival menu. With so many different menu items to be found at the festival, it is very easy to get overwhelmed. With that in mind, take a look at some of the favorites from this year’s Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival.
Favorite New Offerings
Below are some favorite new offerings to be found at this year’s festival. The Daps Magic team was particularly taken with the Cheeseburger Bao!
- Baja-style fish taco from LA Style: Cabbage slaw, cilantro-lime crema and pico de gallo (Plant-based)
- Shrimp papas locas from Peppers Cali-Ente: Cheddar-bacon potatoes with jalapenos cheese sauce and chipotle shrimp
- IMPOSSIBLE™ chicken parm bites from Earth Eats with tomato and cheese sauces and grated parmesan
- Loaded baked potato from Paradise Garden Grill: Seasoned steak tips and BBQ baked beans topped with cheese sauce, tangy slaw and green onions (Plant-based)
- Cheeseburger bao from California Craft Brews with thousand island dressing, grilled onions, pickles and tomato relish
Favorite Beverages
There are plenty of delicious new beverages to be enjoyed at this year’s Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival. Many of these drinks are perfect for a spring afternoon, particularly the Huckleberry-citrus cooler and the Watermelon cucumber mojito.
- Fig matcha latte from Golden Dreams: Matcha, soy milk and coconut and simple syrups, topped with a fig oat sweet cream and garnished with matcha powder (Nonalcoholic)
- Spicy strawberry cocktail from LA Style: Gin, strawberry and tamarind purees, strawberry syrup, pineapple juice, chile spices and Tajín chamoy, garnished with a tamarindo straw
- Huckleberry-citrus cooler from D-Lish: Gold Peak black tea, huckleberry and agave syrups, grapefruit soda, and lemon and orange juices garnished with an orange wedge (Nonalcoholic)
- Watermelon cucumber mojito from Earth Eats: White rum, watermelon liqueur, mojito and cucumber syrups, watermelon purée, and lime juice topped with Topo Chico and garnished with a watermelon spear with Tajín twist.
California Culture-Inspired Dishes
There are quite a few dishes that were inspired by the diverse collection of cultures found in California. These inspirations were then combined with a bit of Disney magic to create dishes that are a Disney take on California cuisine.
- Chicken musakhan from Paradise Garden Grill: Roasted spiced half chicken and sumac stewed onions on flatbread with a Mediterranean salad and garlic yogurt dipping sauce
- Carnitas-style pork belly from LA Style with esquites corn salad featuring habanero, chili-lime seasoning
- IMPOSSIBLE™ beef stroganoff from Earth Eats: Egg noodles tossed in a mushroom cream sauce with IMPOSSIBLE™ beef and sour cream
- Calabrian chili glazed salmon from Ballast Point Brewing Co.: 6-ounce pan roasted salmon covered in a Calabrian chili glaze served over a carrot and parsnip purée and miso-marinated bok choy
Desserts!
Eat desserts first? If you don’t, you might want to consider this approach when visiting this festival. There are quite a few absolutely delicious desserts to be found and enjoyed. The Daps Magic team’s favorite was the S’mores caramel tart!
- S’mores caramel tart from California Craft Brews: Graham cracker tart shell filled with caramel and chocolate ganache topped with a toasted marshmallow
- Frozen old fashioned from Golden Dreams: Nonalcoholic bourbon-flavored ice cream, bitters crema, orange zest glaze, and cherry spheres
- Raspberry almond cake from Uncork California: Almond cake with raspberry mousse and fresh raspberries
- Strawberry-lychee shortcake donuts from Lamplight Lounge: Lychee-glazed donuts with strawberry shortcake crumbles, served with vanilla bean ice cream and lychee dip
- Pink rosé and watermelon sorbet from Salt & Straw: A ripe watermelon and rosé sorbet drizzled with house-made raspberry rosé jam for a crisp tartness that carefully balances the sweetness of wine
What do you think of all of these items that you can enjoy at the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival? How many of them have you tried? Which one is your favorite? Which one do you want to try the most that you haven’t tried yet? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
