Flavorful Foodie Guide to the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival 2023

If guests love cuisine inspired by the Golden State, then they are going to want to check out this Foodie Guide because we’ve got a first look at the full menu for the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival. This returning flavor favorite will start serving up can’t-miss eats and sips on March 3 and will run through April 25, 2023, at Disney California Adventure park.

From mouthwatering treats to must-try sips, there is plenty to taste across 12 festival marketplaces. With the new soon-to-be favorites BBQ Beef Brisket Slider from Cluck-A-Doodle-Moo and the Blueberry Pancake Cold Brew from Berry Patch, or the returning Mickey Mouse-shaped Macaron made with SNICKERS from Nuts About Cheese, guests will be more than satisfied. If they are looking for plant-based options, this year Paradise Garden Grill will be serving up a plant-based menu for guests to treat themselves too!

The festival marketplaces aren’t the only places guests can indulge in some delicious flavors. All throughout Disney California Adventure park and even at Downtown Disney District, guests can taste their way through California staples. If they want an enhanced feasting experience, they may consider the Sip and Savor Pass, a special, commemorative credential that lets them try up to eight different food and non-alcoholic beverage items at participating locations anytime throughout the festival. Whether guests use all eight tabs yourself – or split with a friend – they can purchase theirs at various locations throughout Disney California Adventure park.

For those wanting an even more special experience, there are unique bookable experiences available at both the Disneyland Hotel and Disney Grand Californian Hotel & Spa as well! Over at the Disneyland Hotel, guests will find the Trader Sam’s Tiki Mixology Seminar where they’ll learn to make one of their legendary libations – the HippopotoMai-Tai – then enjoy some sweet-and-spicy snacks and get a souvenir tiki mug to take home with them. Meanwhile, the Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa Food and Wine Experience is a can’t-miss. Here, guests will be able to meet the chefs, sommeliers, and art historians from the resort as they sip on expertly paired wines and plates from the Hearthstone Lounge. Be sure to check availability for these exciting experiences offered this year.

As everyone can see, there’s limitless foodie fun to have at Disneyland Resort for the festival this year and all across our Disney Parks!

Now, let’s get to the good part, shall we? We now present to you the Foodie Guide to the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival. Bon appétit!

Disney California Adventure Park

Festival Marketplaces

Nuts About Cheese

  • Petite Burrata: Grilled ciabatta with tomato and olive jam, burrata cheese, pesto, and freeze-dried balsamic (New)
  • Crackers & Cheese: House-made herb crackers with white cheddar fromage blanc, spicy salami spread, and cherry jam
  • Mickey Mouse-shaped Macaron made with SNICKERS: Chocolate Mickey macaron filled with caramel ganache and SNICKERS cookie bar pieces
  • Flowers & Bees: Gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and honey, hibiscus, and lavender syrups garnished with a purple pansy (New)
  • Purple Glow Grapes and Green Glow Grapes (Limit 10 per person)

Uncork California

  • California Artisan Cheese Plate featuring Marin French Cheese Co. Jalapeño Triple Cream Brie, Fiscalini Farmstead Purple Moon Cheddar, and Craft Beer Cheddar
  • Celebration Chocolate Fudge Brownie: Gooey Chocolate Brownie with Pecans, topped with Chocolate Pecan Glaze and finished with Chocolate Pearls and Silver Stars
  • 1923 Mimosa: Prosecco, white cranberry juice, white peach syrup, and lemon juice (New)
  • 1939 Mimosa: Prosecco, pineapple and orange juices, and passion fruit and guava nectar (New)
  • 1955 Mimosa: Prosecco, dragon fruit and rose syrups, hibiscus water, and lemon juice (New)
  • Century of Magic Mimosa Flight (New)
  • Daou Vineyards Chardonnay (New)
  • Meiomi Rosé (New)
  • Duckhorn Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc (New)
  • McBride Sisters Wine Company Red Blend (New)
  • Garnet Vineyards Pinot Noir (New)
  • Robert Mondavi Vineyards, Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon aged in bourbon barrels (New)
  • Scharffenberger Cellars Brut (New)
  • White Wine Flight (New)
  • Red Wine Flight (New)
  • Purple Glow Grapes and Green Glow Grapes (Limit 10 per person)
  • Food & Wine CORKCICLE Stemless Wine Glasses (Limit two per person, per transaction; no discounts apply)

Berry Patch

  • Kenny’s Family Cheesecake topped with mixed berry compote (New)
  • Blueberry Buttermilk Pie
  • Blueberry Pancake Cold Brew: Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co. Mexico Origin Coffee, brown butter, maple and demerara syrup, and oat milk with a blueberry sweet cream made with cream, oat milk, vanilla syrup, and purée garnished with cinnamon-flavored cereal crumble (Non-alcoholic) (New)
  • Purple Glow Grapes and Green Glow Grapes (Limit 10 per person)

D•Lish

  • Beef & Barley Poutine: Potato bites with braised beef short rib, cheese curds, stout gravy, and lager micro sponge (New)
  • Cubano Slider: Slow-roasted, mustard-crusted pork, and sliced smoked ham with melted Swiss cheese and pickle served on a Hawaiian roll
  • Sake Melon ’75: Sake, ginger liqueur, prosecco, rock melon syrup, and lemongrass citron purée garnished with an edible purple orchid
  • Apricot Tequila Colada: Reposado Tequila, Aperol, apricot purée, coconut cream, and orange and lime juices garnished with a lime wheel
  • Purple Glow Grapes and Green Glow Grapes (Limit 10 per person)

California Craft Brews

  • IPA Sausage Dog on a soft pretzel roll with onion-pepper jardinière, cheddar cheese sauce, and malt vinegar-onion crunch
  • La Bodega Brewing Company Helles Lager (New)
  • Unsung Brewing Co. Light Ale (New)
  • Harland Brewing Co. Double Dry-Hopped Pale Ale (New)
  • Altamont Brewing Maui Waui IPA (New)
  • Barrelhouse Brewing Mango Fruited IPA (New)
  • Delahunt Brewing Co. 1924 Raspberry Blonde (New)
  • Brewery X Pineapple Vanilla Milkshake IPA (New)
  • Bottle Logic Brewing Co. Aurora Borealis (New)
  • Chapman Crafted Beer Zodiac Series Hazy IPA (New)
  • Crowns & Hops Brewing Co. The Dopest Hazy IPA (New)
  • Golden Road Brewing Strawberry Cart Wheat Ale (New)
  • Ballast Point Brewing Co. Watermelon Dorado Double IPA (New)
  • Russian River Brewing Company Happy Hops IPA (New)
  • Bright & Balanced Beer Flight (New)
  • IPA Beer Flight (New)
  • Purple Glow Grapes and Green Glow Grapes (Limit 10 per person)

Cluck-A-Doodle-Moo 

  • Smoked Honey-Habanero Chicken Wings: Chicken wings tossed in honey-habanero seasoning (New)
  • BBQ Beef Brisket Slider featuring Fiscalini Farmstead Smoked Cheddar with dill pickles on salt and pepper brioche (New)
  • Chipotle-Pineapple Bourbon Sour: Bourbon, pineapple and lime juice, honey syrup, and chipotle sour purée garnished with a dried red pineapple wheel (New)
  • Smoked Cherry Mezcal-iki Cocktail: Dark rum, mezcal, cherry purée, grapefruit and lime juices, vanilla syrup, and bitters garnished with a dried grapefruit chip (New)
  • Purple Glow Grapes and Green Glow Grapes (Limit 10 per person)
  • Food & Wine CORKCICLE Stemless Wine Glasses (Limit two per person, per transaction; no discounts apply)

Garlic Kissed

  • Grilled Top Sirloin with roasted garlic, gruyère smashed potatoes and black garlic chimichurri
  • Carbonara Garlic Mac & Cheese featuring Nueske’s Peppered Bacon
  • Raspberry Limoncello-Ade: Limoncello, grapefruit liqueur, house-made mint syrup, raspberry syrup, and lemon juice garnished with a white orchid (New)
  • Guava-Lychee Mule: Vodka, guava nectar, ginger and lychee syrup, and lemon juice topped with guava and grapefruit hard cider and garnished with a lemon wheel (New)
  • Purple Glow Grapes and Green Glow Grapes (Limit 10 per person)

Golden Dreams  

  • Elote Paleta: Sweet corn paleta with parm crema, chile-lime seasoning, corn crunch, and cilantro (New)
  • Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Flatbread with basil pesto (New)
  • Central California Cooler: Peach purée, apple, orange and lemon juices garnished with an apple chip
  • Ficklewood Ciderworks Guava Grove: Grapefruit, guava, and tropical flavors with Nelson Sauvin Hops (New)

I Heart Artichokes

  • Artichoke Pizzetta: Artichoke and roasted garlic cream cheese with sun-dried tomatoes, pickled onions, and lemon olive oil-drizzled micro greens (New)
  • Artichoke Toast with Olive Tapenade: Toasted sliced baguette with artichoke cream cheese topped with olive and artichoke tapenade and drizzled with olive oil
  • Passion Fruit Rum Cocktail: White rum, Italian amaro, passion fruit nectar, orange and lime juices, and guava purée garnished with an orange wedge
  • Purple Glow Grapes and Green Glow Grapes (Limit 10 per person)

LA Style

  • Glazed BBQ Pork Belly with Furikake-Togarashi mac salad
  • IMPOSSIBLE Gyro-inspired Naan: Gyro-inspired flatbread featuring IMPOSSIBLE ground beef with chipotle hummus, tzatziki, and spiced crispy chickpeas
  • Echo Park Cooler: Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co. Ceylon & Raspberry Rose Tea, raspberry purée, lychee and rose syrups, and lime juice garnished with a lime wheel (Non-alcoholic) (New)
  • Purple Glow Grapes and Green Glow Grapes (Limit 10 per person)
  • Food & Wine CORKCICLE Stemless Wine Glasses (Limit two per person, per transaction; no discounts apply)

Peppers Cali-Ente

  • Chile Relleno Empanada with arbol pepper salsa and Oaxaca and cotija cheeses
  • Camarones a la Diabla: Spicy shrimp with California chile and cilantro rice (New)
  • Cantarito-Style Paloma: Reposado Tequila, habanero-infused pineapple juice, lime juice, rock melon syrup, and Fresca garnished with a pineapple wheel and chile-lime seasoning
  • Purple Glow Grapes and Green Glow Grapes (Limit 10 per person)

Locations Throughout Disney California Adventure Park

Cocina Cucamonga (Mobile order available; Sip and Savor tasting-size portions available)

  • Strawberry Horchata: House-made rice and cinnamon beverage with strawberry sauce (Non-alcoholic) (Available with Spiced Rum)
  • Seasonal Mango Margarita 

Lamplight Lounge

  • Cookies & Cream Donuts: Fresh, glazed donuts topped with chocolate cookie crumble, with vanilla and chocolate crème cookie dipping sauce
  • Ribeye for Two paired with a specially selected glass of wine: Share a 28oz bone-in ribeye with glazed baby carrots, poblano-potato bake, roasted mushrooms, cipollini onions, and bourbon-bacon compound butter with Cookies & Cream Donuts for dessert
  • Lamplight Lounge Food & Wine Cocktail: Gin, elderflower liqueur, peach, basil simple syrup, lemon, blue curaçao, and fresh basil

Lamplight Lounge – Boardwalk Dining

  • Lamplight Lounge Food & Wine Cocktail: Gin, elderflower liqueur, peach, basil simple syrup, lemon, blue curaçao, and fresh basil

Pacific Wharf Café (Mobile order available; Sip and Savor tasting-size portions available)

  • Grilled Peach Toast with ricotta-mascarpone spread and arugula salad on toasted sourdough bread (New)
  • Berries and Cream Bread Pudding: Seasonal berry bread pudding with whipped topping, strawberry sauce, and crème anglaise (New)

Cappuccino Cart presented by Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co. (Mobile order available; Sip and Savor tasting-size portions available)

  • Horchata Cold Brew: Creamy blend of cold brew and house-made rice and cinnamon beverage

[Insert Image: Collage_F&W_DCA_ParadiseGardenGrill]

Paradise Garden Grill (Mobile order available; Sip and Savor tasting-size portions available) 

  • Torta de Chilaquiles: Fresh-made Telera bread with green chilaquiles, chorizo beans, chipotle crema, pickled onions, cilantro, and avocado spread (New) (Plant-based offering)
  • Bulgogi Fried Rice with kimchi, egg, pickled cucumbers, green onions, and sesame seeds (New) (Plant-based offering)
  • IMPOSSIBLE Gyro Fries: Waffle fries topped with gyro-spiced IMPOSSIBLE ground beef, cauliflower cheese sauce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, tzatziki, and pita bread (New) (Plant-based offering)
  • Buffalo Mac and Cheese topped with roasted buffalo cauliflower, ranch, and a carrot and celery salad (New) (Plant-based offering)
  • Peach-Blueberry Cobbler (Plant-based offering)
  • Wine Float Cocktail: Tequila, Triple Sec, Agave and Lime & Orange Juices with a Red Wine Float

Paradise Garden Grill Beer Garden

  • Stereo Brewing Co. Perfect Day IPA
  • Stone Brewing Co. Buenaveza Salt & Lime Lager
  • Golden Road Brewing Get Up Offa That Brown Ale (New)
  • Golden Road Brewing Ride On 10 Hop Hazy IPA
  • Mother Earth Brew Co. Cali Creamin’ Vanilla Cream Ale
  • The Bruery Or Xata Blonde Ale
  • Rincon Reservation Road Brewery Rez Dog Hefeweizen (New)
  • Smog City Brewing Co. Coffee Porter
  • Beer Flight: Create your own flight of four beers

Cocktails @ Sonoma Terrace hosted by CORKCICLE (Mobile order available; Sip and Savor tasting-size portions available)

  • Black Forest Ham Grilled Cheese: Sourdough grilled cheese with black forest ham, smoked mozzarella, and red wine-poached pear jam served with sun-dried tomato-cheese sauce (New)
  • Food & Wine CORKCICLE Stemless Wine Glasses (Limit two per person, per transaction; no discounts apply)

Studio Catering Co. (Sip and Savor tasting-size portions available)

  • Korean Fried Chicken topped with gochujang sauce, kimchi, coleslaw, and pickled onions served on sweet Hawaiian bread
  • Watermelon Punch: Korean-style watermelon punch with Sprite and oat milk

Terran Treats (Sip and Savor tasting-size portions available) 

  • Like a Lemon-Raspberry Pie Churro: Raspberry-flavored spiral churro topped with a lemon and marshmallow glaze and pie crust crumbles (New)

Outdoor Vending Carts  

  • Pretzel Bites with beer cheese sauce (New)
  • Ballast Point Brewing Co. Speedboat Salt & Lime Blonde Ale (New)
  • Brewery X Orange Electrolyte Hard Seltzer (New)

Churro Cart in Buena Vista Street (Sip and Savor tasting-size portions available)

  • Pineapple-coconut Churro with pineapple sugar, pineapple topping, coconut cream icing, and toasted coconut

Churro Cart in Hollywood Land (Sip and Savor tasting-size portions available)

  • Tiramisu Churro rolled in vanilla-cocoa sugar and drizzled with espresso sauce

Downtown Disney District  

Ballast Point Brewing Co.

  • Tomato & Burrata: California grown heirloom cherry tomatoes, California burrata, parsley, garlic, shallots red wine vinegar, and olive oil (New) (Available March 3 through 31)
  • Coconut Curry Shrimp: Marinated shrimp served on white rice with curry broth and nori leaf (New) (Available April 1 through 24)

Naples Ristorante e Bar (Available March 3 through April 24)

  • Pizza Caprina: White pizza, fresh mozzarella, and bruschetta tomato mix topped with fresh arugula and goat cheese (New)

Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen (Available March 3 through April 24)

  • BBQ Shrimp & Grits: Gulf shrimp simmered in a New Orleans BBQ sauce with roasted garlic, lemon, Worcestershire sauce, and Creole seasonings served over andouille sausage and parmesan grits

Splitsville Luxury Lanes (Available March 3 through April 24)

  • Grilled Ahi & Avocado: Seared buttery ahi tuna tossed in kimchi ponzu and stuffed into a scored and grilled avocado plated with sushi rice and drizzled with additional kimchi ponzu and spicy mayo and garnished with sesame seeds finished with wonton chips

(Note: All offerings are subject to change and availability.)

As a reminder, Guests can also join chefs, mixologists and winemakers as they share their culinary expertise at mouthwatering events set in the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort —available on select days during the 2023 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival.

Find a full list of offerings here.

Investigation About Arizona Mom’s Death at Disney Park

The Anaheim Police Department has shared new information from the ongoing investigation into the death of a woman after a fall at Disneyland Resort.

A week ago on Saturday evening, police officers arrived at Disneyland’s Mickey & Friends parking garage just before 7:00 p.m. local time after multiple reports of a woman falling from the structure. Those who reported the tragedy were uncertain about the circumstances leading up to the incident, and it was not clear whether the woman had fallen from the structure or jumped from it intentionally.

On Monday morning, reports began to surface as the Orange County California Coroner’s Office identified the woman as 46-year-old wife and mother, Marney Schoenfeld, a successful and beloved hairstylist from Scottsdale, Arizona.

marney schoenfeld death at disneyland mickey and friends parking structure

Schoenfeld’s husband, Randy, said in an email statement that his wife’s death “has been excrutiating.”

“She was a loving mother to her daughter, Sydney,” Randy Schoenfeld said. “She was a caring wife to me. She was a talented hairstylist of 23 years, and her clients loved her.”

At the time of the incident, it was unclear how Schoenfeld fell–or if she fell. The Anaheim Police Department opened an investigation into her death, and on Monday afternoon, FOX 11 Los Angeles reported that the department is indeed investigating Schoenfeld’s death as a suicide. Schoenfeld is the second person to take her life at the Disneyland parking structure since December.

mickey and friends parking structure at disneyland

Only a few weeks before Christmas 2022, police responded to a similar scenario at the same parking structure after a man was seen falling from the building.

Christopher Christensen disneyland suicide

He was later identified as 51-year-old Christopher Christensen, a beloved elementary school principal from Huntington Beach, California. Soon after, a letter written by Christensen and posted to his Facebook account only hours before his death seemed to serve as communication about why he took his life.

Disney Trip Surprise Goes Horribly Wrong, Kids Cry

Via InsideTheMagic.net

Since the dawn of social media, videos of parents surprising children with Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, and Disney Cruise Line vacations have gone viral. What’s not to love about little ones exploding with joy when they realize they’re headed to the Happiest or Most Magical Places on Earth?

But as long as something is posted online, there is controversy. One family surprised their two daughters with a Disney trip for Christmas of 2022 and were hounded with comments calling their toddler “ungrateful” for not understanding the gift. The little one was confused about receiving a suitcase full of clothes and couldn’t make the connection to a surprise Disney trip. Like any other kid, she wanted toys from Santa!

This week, another family’s magical surprise didn’t go as expected. Amanda (@alt__313) shared this video on TikTok:

“Guess where we’re going?” a family member asked two little girls. “We’re going to Disney World today!”

At first, the two girls looked shocked and delighted at their Disney surprise. But as the reality set in, they began to cry and look for comfort from their family. “Not the reaction I expected,” one voice said.

The little girls explained that they were scared of flying on an airplane. Their loved ones told them they were going to Disney and didn’t have to worry. “We really are?” the older daughter asked.

Three adult women in front of Epcot's Spaceship Earth.

After a bit of reassurance about the flight, the older girl squealed and jumped with delight. She immediately changed into her Disney vacation shirt.

Commenters expressed sympathy for the girls. “Awwww this is cute and sad? Mostly cute!” said @ava.iolana.

While the little one was still upset at the end of the video, Amanda described the vacation as “magical” in the video’s caption. It sounds like the pair came around and had a wonderful time at the Disney Parks!

Disney Announced BIG Changes to Their Genie+ Service

Disney has just announced some exciting updates to their Genie+ Service. If you plan to visit the Park anytime soon, you will want to understand the new changes before you go.

Disney’s Genie+ service has been in hot water recently. Last weekend was Presidents day at the Disney Park, and it be came clear to Guests that the Genie+ System was not able to accommodate Parks during busier days. Disney’s Genie+ System sold out on two consecutive days last weekend, which left many fans feeling baffled and disappointed when they were unable to use the lighting lane through the service. Guests in Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT were all effected by Disney Genie Lightning Lane sell-outs.

Today, the Walt Disney Company has announced a new update to the Genie Plus service that will definitely please customers. Starting on March 20, 2023, Guests of the Walt Disney World Resort who purchase Genie+ will receive digital downloads of their Disney PhotoPass attraction photos. Guests will receive digitals downloads of photos that were taken in the Park on the day of their Genie+ purchase. And the best part? The photo digital downloads will come at no additional charge. 

This new feature is definitely a ‘plus’ for Genie+. Guests who purchase Genie+ alongside their regular Disney ticket will be able to receive downloadable photos for more than a dozen attractions. Disney has revealed that “Space Mountain, Slinky Dog Dash, Test Track, Expedition Everest” are definitely on that list. This add-on is a huge win for Guests planning to visit Walt Disney World Resort after March 20.

Some Guests are less than pleased to hear about the new addition for one reason- they already bought the PhotoPass! Frans who have already shelled out money for the PhotoPass and now would like a refund. We will have to wait and see what Disney can do for them. Disney is aware of the concerns and questions about the Genie+ system, and they reiterate, “Please know we will keep listening to you and adapting as we focus on making the guest experience even better for more people who visit us here at The Most Magical Place on Earth.”

Other changes to the Genie Plus Service include the new ability to change Genie+ attraction selections in the My Disney Experience app, the ability to automatically make reservations after purchasing a 1-day, 1-Disney Park ticket, and new updates to their dining reservation policy that will make it more lenient to Guests who need to cancel or modify.

These new changed to the Disney Genie+ Service and incredibly exciting to hear. Fans are thrilled to know that the Walt Disney Company is actively listening to their concerns and adapting their services.

New Entertainment Coming to the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure Park

On Thursday, February 23, 2023 we shared on social media that a short one-act musical is coming for a limited time this summer to Disney California Adventure Park.

Disneyland will bring a Broadway musical based on Marvel superhero Captain America to the Hyperion Theater this summer for a limited run at Disney California Adventure.

A short 18-second video clip posted to social media by Disney Parks shows a woman in a red hat with a red, white and blue ribbon looking at a “Rogers: The Musical” Playbill before walking into the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure.

“A timeless story of a timeless hero,” Disney Parks posted on Twitter. “A short one-act musical is coming for a limited time this summer to Disney California Adventure Park.”

Disney cryptically teased the upcoming run of “Rogers: The Musical” at the Hyperion during a live performance at the D23 Expo in September at the Anaheim Convention Center.

“Marvel fans may know the fictional musical from the first episode of the Disney+ series ‘Hawkeye,’” according to MousePlanet. “Fans who attended the 2022 D23 Expo were treated to a surprise live performance of ‘Save the City’ during the Marvel Studios panel.”

In the Disney+ show, Hawkeye attends a performance of the Broadway musical about the life of Steve Rogers, the first Captain America.

“In the show, all the Avengers are invited to New York for the premiere of the brand new, show-stopping musical, but only Clint Barton, aka Hawkeye, shows up,” according to Marvel.com. “The MIA Avengers don’t know what they’re missing, though, as viewers are treated to a musical number based on The Battle of New York — though a few creative liberties have been taken here and there.”

Disney Live Entertainment is auditioning actors, singers and dancers for a new limited-run Broadway-caliber theatrical production in the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure.

The new show will be written by Tony-nominee Hunter Bell with music by Grammy-winner Christopher Lennertz. Bell wrote the book for “Villains Tonight” on the Disney Cruise Line, according to Broadway World. Lennertz served as music director on Disneyland’s new “Wondrous Journeys” fireworks show.

“Frozen: Live at the Hyperion” was the last show to play at the Hyperion before the theater went dark in 2020 during the yearlong pandemic closure of DCA and Disneyland. The theater has stood vacant since the parks returned in 2021.