Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival

Updated February 14, 2024

The Food and Wine Festival is such a fun event.

Disney California Adventure hosts a few events like this throughout the year and they keep getting better and better.

Let’s take a look at what you need to know.

Basic Info

The Food and Wine Festival takes place at California Adventure, which is the park adjacent to Disneyland Park. You will needa theme park ticket and a theme park reservation to get into the park, but the celebration is part of your day and includes no additional cost. Food, drinks and merchandise are available for purchase.

This event runs from March 1 to April 22, 2024.

Visit this link for lots more info direct from Disney.

The festival is super fun and something not to miss if you’re in the parks during these dates. Sip beer, wine, or non-alcoholic drinks while strolling through the parks enjoying so many yummy dishes. See cooking demonstrations, partake in the Jr. Chef experience, and more.

Food

Disney shares all of your 2024 food options at this link.

There are so many booths this year! I can’t wait to try them all.

Sip and Savor Pass

The Sip and Savor Pass is a great value if you want to sample several dishes. It is available for purchase at the following locations:

Trolley Treats on Buena Vista Street
Elias & Co. at the end of Buena Vista Street near Carthay Circle
Seaside Souvenirs in Paradise Gardens
The Sip and Savor Cart
Festival Marketplaces
Festival Gift and Artist Corner
Studio Store in Hollywood Land

Purchasing a Sip and Savor pass entitles you to a commemorative lanyard that you can wear around the park if you wish.

On the lanyard, you’ll find 8 coupons. Redeem those coupons at the booths set up for this fun event. They’re good for most tasing size dishes and drinks (without alcohol).

The cost of the 2024 Sip and Savor Pass is:

(old pricing….2024 coming soon)

$58 for all guests
$54 for Magic Key Holders

A new 4 coupon option will be available in 2024 – all new!

Back Again for 2024 – Ordering Food at Any Kiosk!

Disney started this new option during Lunar New Year a couple of years ago and I was immediately a big fan!

To combat long lines at the food and drink booths, guests may now visit ANY of the booths, order from one or all, and then pick up food at the appropriate booths.

Cooking Demonstrations & Family Time

Disney details everything you need to know about the demos at this link. Find info on scheduling ahead of time if you’re interested in attending.

The demonstrations are held on the Backlot Stage in Hollywood Land on Saturdays and Sundays during the festival. To get there, walk down Buena Vista Street and take a left at Carthay Circle onto Hollywood Blvd. Walk about half way down and veer left through the arch to find the backlot area. The stage is just to the right after you walk a bit into that area.

There are additional options for cooking experiences that require reservations. This link details those. Don’t panic if you can’t get into any of those options. There is so much to see and do that is included without reservation.

Alice’s Wonderland Bakery Unbirthday Party (Jr. Chef Experience)

Let’s talk about Alice’s Wonderland Bakery Unbirthday Party.

This is a super cute (and free!) experience at Disney California Adventure Food and Wine festival. But, you need to know where to go and what to do to ensure your child gets a spot.

Here’s the scoop:

This experience is held at the Hollywood Backlot Stage in Hollywood Land.
32 kids may participate in each show.
Guests age 3-11 are eligible.
Each show lasts about 15 minutes.
Kids will leave with a paper chef’s hat and the cupcake they decorate during the show.

Here’s how to make this happen:

Check the entertainment schedule for your visit to see what showtimes are running that day. You can find the schedule at Disneyland.com or on the Disneyland app.
Choose the time that works for you and work around it.
Arrive an hour prior to showtime, which is 30 minutes before the list will be available for sign ups.
Sign up and Disney will take it from here.

A few notes:

Before you commit to this experience, consider if your child will be comfortable walking away from you to a table nearby with a cast member and a few other kids. It’s a little loud next to the stage. There’s a lot going on.
During the hour you’ll wait to sign up, have one adult stand in line and the other keep kids busy with the following nearby options: Ride Monsters Inc, an all ages attraction next to the sign up spot. Find Chef Goofy greeting guests (still with distancing). Visit Animation Academy, which is to the left when you exit through the Hollywood Studios sign at the entrance of the land. Grab a snack at Schmoozie’s or Hollywood Lounge. There’s a restroom to the left of Hyperion Theater.
If you are the only adult in your party, consider coordinating a meal with your wait time. Grab a hot dog on Hollywood Blvd and let kids eat in their stroller or on the ground. (What other park could we say this about?)
I feel like this experience is going to be really popular. With that in mind, I would avoid telling kids about it until you’re sure you’re on the list.

Entertainment

Paradise Gardens and Paradise Park will have live music here and there. Check the Entertainment tab on the Disneyland app for specifics during your stay. Look for signs, too, detailing who is on the schedule for your visit.

And, do your best not to miss the Jammin’ Chefs! Chip ‘n’ Dale accompany performers and play music throughout the day. They’re now located in front of the Hyperion Theater. A sign should be up letting you know show times. This performance is so much fun.

Chef Goofy

Find Goofy in his chef gear at a dedicated meet-n-greet set up for the festival, to the left of the Hyperion Theater in Hollywood Land.

Soarin’ Over California

Local fan favorite and all around best version of this attraction (Did I say that out loud?), Soarin’ Over California returns to delight guests visiting for the festival.

How to Fit the Festival Into Your Day at DCA

As with any day at the Disneyland Resort, I recommend you arrive an hour prior to official park opening. Focus on attractions as soon as you arrive and then enjoy the Food and Wine Festival in the afternoon.

If you follow one of my strategies, you will not wait more than 20 minutes for any attraction at California Adventure. You’ll also very likely have every attraction in the park complete by around lunch time.

This postshares exactly how to make that happen.

I recommend reading that post, start to finish, for details on how to make your way through attractions at DCA in an efficient manner. Focusing on rides in the morning when lines are shortest will allow you to get lots done prior to the festival.

Once you’re finished with attractions, head over to the festival to get started on all it has to offer.

Magic Key Holders (Annual Pass Holders)

During the Food and Wine Festival, Magic Key Holders can enjoy……

A specially priced Sip & Savor Pass for Magic Key members and Magic Key-themed dining area
Illustrated recipe cards featuring fan favorites from the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival vault
And more! Follow my stories on Facebook and Instagram for lots more info from this event for Magic Key Holders

Enjoy it all!

Take a look at how Get Away Today can help with your vacation

Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival – SoCal Daily (2024)