Disney California Adventure’s Food and Wine Festival is more than just a celebration of flavors—it’s a celebration of cultural diversity and the shared experiences that food brings. Held annually at Disneyland Resort, the festival highlights the rich, diverse culinary traditions found throughout California. With a special focus on LatinX cuisine, this year’s festival offers an exciting blend of regional dishes, showcasing both local and global flavors that highlight California’s multicultural tapestry.
The Heart of the Festival: Culinary Diversity
California is known for its diverse population, and this is beautifully reflected in the Food and Wine Festival. The marketplaces bring together an eclectic mix of regional flavors, with dishes inspired by Latin American, Asian, and other global influences. One dish takes inspiration from Aulani Resort and Spa in Oceania, while another blends East and West by giving a cowboy twist to a Chinese classic.
These culinary offerings are a reminder of food’s power to bring people together, offering a shared experience for everyone, regardless of background. The festival’s marketplaces are designed to create an inclusive and welcoming environment, introducing guests to new and exciting flavors from across California.
LA Style: A Flavorful Taste of Southern California
At LA Style, festival-goers can sample iconic Southern California dishes like the Mini LA Street Dog. This miniature hotdog features jalapeño mayo, pepper and onion relish, Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Bacon, and crispy onions. The dish is a deconstructed version of the famous bacon-wrapped hotdogs found in LA after Laker games, bringing a new twist to a beloved classic. Another exciting offering at LA Style is the Western BBQ Burger Bao, a sweet barbecue bao with bacon, crispy onions, and a tangy sauce. Though it resembles an American meatball wrapped in a bao, the flavors and textures make it a delightful experience.
Golden Dreams: A Taste of Hawaii
Inspired by the Aulani Resort, Golden Dreams brings the Musubi Fried Rice to life—a dish made of steamed rice, egg, glazed spiced ham, umami mayo, and furikake. While the dish could use a bit more egg and furikake, it still evokes memories of childhood favorites, with the umami mayo providing depth and flavor.
Garlic Kissed: A Classic with a Twist
Garlic Kissed’s Sirloin Gruyére Mac & Cheese takes the classic combination of steak and mashed potatoes from previous years and swaps the potatoes for creamy Gruyère mac and cheese. The dish is complemented by black garlic chimichurri and garlic butter crunch components, creating a savory, garlic-forward experience that’s sure to satisfy.
Sweet Treats and Refreshing Drinks
For those with a sweet tooth, the Mickey Macaroon with SNICKERS bar pieces is a returning favorite at the Uncorked California marketplace. It’s a rich and indulgent treat that pairs well with a glass of milk to balance the sweetness. Golden Dreams’s new Cherry Cobbler Pot de Crème is a refreshing addition, with tart cherries and a plant-based vanilla cream providing the perfect balance of flavors.
At California Craft Brews, the California Punch is a non-alcoholic drink made with mango purée, guava nectar, and cucumber syrup, garnished with a mango chile lollipop. The punch offers a fruity, spicy kick, perfect for cooling off. For those seeking something a bit stronger, the Mango Guava Cocktail mixes vodka, mango purée, guava nectar, and cucumber syrup, and is topped with a rainbow sour belt gummy.
Mercado de Antojos: Celebrating Hispanic Flavors
The festival also honors California’s Hispanic cuisine at Mercado de Antojos, featuring the Birria Mac and Cheese and Café de Olla Tres Leches Cake. The Birria Mac and Cheese combines juicy birria with spicy mac and cheese, topped with crispy tortilla chips and a flavorful onion-cilantro sauce. The Café de Olla Tres Leches Cake is a pillowy-soft dessert topped with piloncillo chantilly, cinnamon, and a Mickey-shaped cookie—sweet, creamy, and utterly satisfying.
Amplifying Underrepresented Voices in the Culinary World
In addition to showcasing diverse flavors, the festival elevates voices from underrepresented communities. Guests at the Wine and Beer Seminars will learn from influential figures like Chris Christensen, the self-taught winemaker behind Bodkin Wines, who pioneered America’s first Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc. Christensen, a biracial winemaker, has broken barriers in an industry that lacks diversity.
Also highlighted at the festival are Beny Ashburn and Teo Hunter, co-founders of Crowns & Hops Brewing Co. in Inglewood. Their brewery focuses on preserving culture and fostering community through beer. With their partnership with Disney, Ashburn and Hunter inspire other people of color to pursue their dreams in the brewing industry.
Food as a Universal Language
Ultimately, Disney California Adventure’s Food and Wine Festival is a celebration of diversity, not only through food but also through cultural exchange and entertainment. The festival is a reminder that food is a universal language that connects us all, regardless of our backgrounds.
Make the Most of Your Festival Experience
To fully experience the festival, we recommend getting the Sip and Savor Pass, which offers eight digital coupons for $63 for non-Magic Key holders and $58 for Magic Key holders. Alternatively, you can purchase a pass with four digital coupons for $32, allowing you to enjoy more of the festival’s culinary delights while exploring everything Disney California Adventure has to offer.
Don’t miss out on this celebration of California’s diverse and flavorful culinary scene—it’s an event that promises to engage, delight, and bring people together through the power of food.
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