Disney California Adventure's Food & Wine Festival Returns

When it first opened in 2001, Disney California Adventure park struggled to distinguish itself among California’s theme parks — especially compared to its famous next-door neighbor, Disneyland.

But more than any other Disney park, California Adventure’s identity remains firmly rooted in its geographical location, and the perfect opportunity to show off its Golden State pride is through the annual Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, which, after a two-year interruption due to COVID-19, marked its 16th anniversary on March 4. 

From the early days of the festival, Disneyland chefs created dishes that highlighted well-known California products, such as avocados, artichokes, citrus and wine, but the offerings have evolved over the years to incorporate flavors and ingredients that also reflect California’s multicultural culinary identity.

“This festival is so near and dear to our hearts because it represents something we have been leaning into over several years — the best of what California has to offer,” said Gary Maggetti, general manager of Disney California Adventure. “This is what it’s all about — the neighborhood storytelling that we can only do with the partnerships that we have with incredible folks from throughout the state.”

This festival is so near and dear to our hearts because it represents something we have been leaning into over several years — the best of what California has to offer.

The nearly two-month-long festival continues daily through April 26. California-inspired dishes range from favorites such as avocado toast with fire-roasted cherry tomatoes and mozzarella to enticing new items including Frozen Guacamole, a creamy and slightly sweet avocado paleta (popsicle) topped with lime crema, pico de gallo and chili-lime seasoning.

“We have things you’re very familiar with, like avocado toast, but the flavors and details we put in it are just amazing,” said Jeremiah Balogh, culinary director for Disneyland Resort. “And how many times have we had guacamole in our lives? We just ‘upped it’ and put it in a paleta.”

Along with the curious — but extremely delicious — Frozen Guacamole, adventurous clients can also try the festival’s new (and perhaps most polarizing) dish: Peanut Butter and Jelly Mac with brown sugar streusel and strawberry crackle (aka Pop Rocks). Make no mistake, this is absolutely not macaroni and cheese — though the festival does offer a bacon-topped carbonara-garlic version of that classic. Maggetti calls the sweet peanutty noodle dish “life-changing,” but also acknowledges it’s not everyone’s “jam.” Naturally, festival-goers have hurried to Twitter to weigh in, but Balogh says that the festival is intended to introduce California’s flavors in creative ways that encourage guests to try something new.

“If you try the PB&J Mac, I guarantee you’ll be sharing your story with somebody,” Balogh said. “Then boom. I win. That’s what we’re all about.” 

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Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival