Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival — Tips, Events, and Information

The Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival is a must-visit event for food fans and Disney lovers alike. Whether you’re a foodie or not, we recommend visiting the park during the festival for some limited-time eats. The weeks-long event is held annually, but each year, the timeframe may vary; in 2025, it began February 28 through April 21, and in 2024, it was March 1 through April 22. This gives you plenty of time to slot in a trip.

We’ve had the opportunity to attend the media preview on opening day a couple of times over the years, allowing us to taste multiple dishes and get a look at the foods to expect. We ate a lot and learned a lot about the event and how it works. Offerings will vary year to year, but this is to give you an overview of what kind of items to expect and tips for the best experience.

What Is the Disneyland Food and Wine Festival?

Themed kiosks (called Festival Marketplaces) are mostly scattered down the path between Carthay Circle restaurant and Paradise Pier Gardens. As guests go about their day in the park, they can stop at various kiosks to sample California-inspired cuisine and tasty beverage options, of course, prepared with Disney flair.

Those over the age of 21 can purchase wine, craft beer, wine or beer flights, and cocktails. There is more food and drink than one can try in one, two, or even three visits.

How Much Is It to Attend?

You’ll need a park ticket and reservation to enter Disney California Adventure and, therefore, the Food and Wine Festival. Yes, you need both a ticket and a reservation. Once inside the park, you can browse the Marketplace kiosks and gawk at the various plates of food you’ll see other guests walking around with. Food and drink associated with the festival are at an additional cost that we’ll cover below.

Rest assured that if you’re attending for two or more days, you can find a Disneyland ticket discount.

Is the Sip and Savor Pass Worth It?

While you can purchase food and drinks at any of the kiosks on their own, consider the popular Sip and Savor Pass if you want to try multiple items. The pass allows you to redeem several tastings at a set price.

As of 2025, you can purchase a 4 or 8-coupon Sip and Savor Pass. The 8-entitlement one retails for $63, but Magic Key holders can get it at a discounted price of $58. The 4-entitlement pass costs $32 but doesn’t have any type of Magic Key holder deal. Use a digital pass via your phone or a laminated one on a lanyard to redeem your food or non-alcoholic drink tasting.

The Sip and Savor pass does not include alcoholic beverages, so you’ll need to pay for these separately if that’s something you want to sip on. While there are a lot of offerings at the food festival, only specific items are available to redeem with the pass. These will be noted in the food guide book at the festival or on the Disney Parks Blog website. That said, we have a few other tips for getting the most out of your Sip and Savor Pass here:

• Due to portion sizes, it may be difficult for one person to use an entire 8-entitlement Sip and Savor Pass in one day. You have until the end of the festival to use the coupons, so there isn’t a rush to redeem them in one visit — unless, of course, you’re only there for one day.
• You can also buy one pass and share it between friends. In this case, the 8-count may be the best value.
• You should use the pass coupons on high-value items ($7.80 or more) and pay cash for less expensive items like bottled water.

After entering Disney California Adventure, buying the Sip and Savor Pass at the Sip and Savor Cart, Seaside Souvenirs, Elias & Co., Julius Katz & Sons, Festival Gifts, and each Festival Marketplace is easy.

What We Ate at Festival Marketplaces

Each year, the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival brings back fan favorite Festival Marketplaces while introducing new ones. In 2025, the latest lineup includes Peppers Cali-Ente, Golden Dreams, Mercado de Antojos (a new addition), Garlic Kissed, California Craft Brews, LA Style, Cluck-a-Doodle-Moo, and Uncork California.

While the offerings may vary from year to year, we want to share some of our favorites over the years so you have an idea of what to expect.

Mickey-Shaped Caramel-Peanut Milk Chocolate Macaron

Festival Marketplace: Uncork California

One of our favorites at Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival was the Mickey-shaped Macaron made with SNICKERS bar pieces at Uncork California.

It’s enormous and offers a delightful balance of textures. The macaron is the perfect blend of light and chewy with a rich caramel ganache made with SNICKERS bar pieces. The filling is decadent and perfect. They’ve offered this cookie several years in a row.

Brunch Fried Chicken & Waffle Sandwich

(Not currently offered)

This was a pretty neat creation, mostly because the orange juice-filled boba-like spheres add a unique flavor and pizazz to an otherwise common yet decadent dish. What set it apart was the addition of orange juice-filled boba-like spheres, which added a burst of citrusy flavor and an unexpected touch of fun.

While it’s not currently on the menu, it’s a great example of the creative and playful dishes the festival has featured over the years.

Sirloin Gruyére Mac & Cheese

Festival Marketplace: Garlic Kissed

Get ready for a flavor-packed upgrade to your favorite comfort food! The new Sirloin Gruyère Mac & Cheese takes the creamy, cheesy dish to the next level with sirloin, a drizzle of black garlic chimichurri, and a garlic butter crunch.

The toppings bring the perfect crispy bite. It’s rich, bold, and downright irresistible. This dish might be calling your name if you love mac and cheese with a gourmet twist.

Cherry Cobbler Pot de Crème

Festival Marketplace: Golden Dreams

Enjoy the sweet-tart notes of the Cherry Cobbler Pot de Crème, a delightful plant-based treat that layers smooth vanilla custard with luscious cherry filling and a crunchy oat crumble. This rich, dairy-free dessert perfectly balances creamy, fruity, and slightly crisp textures for a satisfying bite.

Whether you’re a fan of classic cobbler flavors or seeking a new vegan indulgence, this new dense creation delivers comfort and decadence in every spoonful. We wouldn’t have known it was vegan because it was super rich and creamy.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Day

Study the Festival Guide booklet before setting off on your culinary adventure. It lists every available food and drink item on offer at every Festival Marketplace and participating outlet. You can find the booklets near the food kiosks, along with napkins, forks, and knives.

Opening day was a Friday, and we found that the lines were shorter earlier in the day, and then it progressively got busier. By 5 p.m., the park and lines were completely packed.

Due to spring break and seasonal promotions like the $50 Kids’ Disneyland Ticket and the SoCal Residents 3-Day discounted pass, March and April tend to be busy. Gone are the days of a “quiet” Disneyland—various seasonal offerings keep the parks bustling even during non-peak months. Just keep this in mind.

Tip: To save time and avoid spending more time in long lines, decide what you want in advance and order multiple items at a single order station. You’ll receive a receipt that allows you to redeem each item at its designated kiosk whenever you’re ready. This way, you can enjoy the festival at your own pace without waiting in multiple lines to place separate orders. Do not lose your receipt! You can ask a Cast Member for details as well.

What if I Have a Dietary Restriction?

The back pages of the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival Guide booklet highlight kid-friendly and plant-based. You will need to use the Tasting Guide to help you figure out the different items and where they are located.

You may also ask to view an allergy-friendly menu while you are there to see what items are peanut, soy, milk, gluten/wheat allergy-friendly, etc. The number of items will vary year by year. For example, in 2025, there were 4 gluten-free items, whereas in some other years, there may be more or less.

Impossible Foods was named the preferred plant-based burger of Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort and Disney Cruise Line. There are a couple of Impossible Foods menu items at Disney California Food and Wine Festival, such as the Corn Chip Chili Pie or Sloppy Joe Slider, but again, this may change each year.

Special Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival Events

Check if there are any events during your visit. Each year, there are chef demonstrations by Disney chefs and visiting chefs, informative tasting seminars, and more. Some events require advance booking.

The Sonoma Terrace offers an immersive experience for those looking to explore craft beers, house-made cocktails, exceptional wines, and expertly curated pairings. With a rotating lineup of exclusive tastings and educational sessions, this is the perfect spot for guests to expand their palate and enhance their appreciation for fine beverages. Be sure to check the current festival schedule for the latest offerings and to reserve your spot.

The festival offers plenty of live music and entertainment, creating a cheerful atmosphere as you enjoy delicious food and drinks. Two popular performance locations include Palisades Stage and Paradise Garden Bandstand. Performance times and lineups may vary each year, so be sure to check the festival schedule for the most up-to-date entertainment offerings!

My toddler enjoyed watching Cookin’ with the Jammin’ Chefs, a high-energy, music-filled performance at Paradise Gardens Park in Disney California Adventure Park! The Jammin’ Chefs bring the kitchen to life, using pots, pans, and cooking utensils to create cool beats and interactive fun.

This lively entertainment features Clarabelle Cow, Daisy Duck, and Chip ‘n’ Dale. It’s a festival favorite for kids but can be appreciated at all ages, blending music, humor, and audience engagement for an unforgettable experience. Be sure to check the daily festival schedule for showtimes so you don’t miss out on the fun!

The Festival Merch

Of course, there is merchandise that can only be bought during the Disneyland California Adventure Food and Wine Festival ranging from a T-shirt to salt and pepper shakers.

What are you looking forward to about the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival?

Save Money on Admission

Don’t forget to read our guide for finding discount Disneyland tickets so that you don’t have to pay full price.