Food and Wine

Fun activities for kids at Disney California Adventure’s Food and Wine Festival 2022

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

If you think the annual Food and Wine Festival at Disney California Adventure is just for adults, you are wrong. There are many activities geared for kids during the festival that runs from March 4 – April 26, 2022. And in keeping with the theme of the festival, they are focused on food.

 

Jammin’ Chefs

Jammin’ Chefs is a fun and upbeat show featuring Daisy, Clarabelle, Chip, and Dale, plus a lively MC as well as some hoppin’ chefs. The characters dance and the chefs drum (on the pots and pans) and everyone has a great time. It’s an energetic show that will put a hop in your step. And if you are a bit tired from your visit to DCA, why not stop for a brief time and enjoy the music and the characters as they put on a fun show. It’s short but sweet (no pun intended). And the MC is filled with puns that adults will enjoy while the kids are busy dancing along with the four characters.

This show is presented several times a day in the Hollywood Backlot.

 

Alice’s Wonderland Bakery Unbirthday Party

Alice’s Wonderland Bakery is a new show on Disney Junior, Disney+ and Disney Channel. For the Food and Wine Festival Alice and Princess Rosa help Minnie and the MC of this show as they instruct a select group of little guests how to decorate their very own cupcake. Yep, these little girls and boys get their own cupcake and decorating kit, which includes a vanilla cupcake, icing, and sprinkles. Why don’t they let adults take part in this activity? Just watching the kids and smelling the frosting is enough to make everyone yearn for a sweet, delicious treat.

The stage is in the Hollywood Backlot. There are festive tables in the front of the area where the new little pastry chefs get to work on their cupcakes while their parents and other guests to the park look on. Minnie gets in the spirit of the show while on screen Alice and Princess Rosa lend their support. This is definitely a cute idea and a great experience for the little kids.

Even if you do not have a child taking part in this activity, take a seat on the benches and watch as the little ones work intently on decorating their cupcakes. And you’ll probably see at least a few of them eating the icing right out of the tube. Hey, it’s something I would do!

The expressions on their faces is a combination of joy and intensity as they go about their business of making their cupcakes as pretty as possible. But some of the cupcakes might not make it until the end of the show. Let’s face it, kids love to eat them (and adults too), so once in awhile you’ll catch a glimpse of a child taking a bite. I wish they would let adults do this. Sigh. Anyway, it is a great addition to the Food and Wine Festival this year and something memorable for all the little pastry chefs.

 

Alice’s Wonderland Bakery Unbirthday Party runs a few times a day. Bon Appetite.

 


About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the travel and entertainment industries for over 30 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association, was a longstanding member of the Los Angeles Press Club, and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.

Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival for 2019

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


It’s back and bigger than ever. The Disneyland Resort is a fun place any time, and now during the California Adventure Food & Wine Festival it is also a place to sample a wide variety of food as well as wine and beer. The festival runs March 1 to April 23, 2019 and there are plenty of things for everyone in the family.

Entertainment, food seminars, wine seminars, merchandise, and definitely food and drinks are everywhere in the park to celebrate this annual event. This year, besides the marketplaces (kiosks) that are set up around the park, guests can sample special Festival offerings at some of the regular restaurants as well.

With the additional purchase of the Sip and Savor Pass ($49 for Annual Pass holders and $54 for non pass holders), guests don’t have to keep opening their wallets. Simply purchase this Pass and hang it around your neck. There are 8 tickets included in the Pass. When you go to a Marketplace or restaurant that is set up for the event, simply detach one of the tickets and present it to the cashier. That’s all there is to it. With 8 click-off tickets, you’re sure to get your fill of a variety of food and beverages, and for the price it’s a bargain. There are 21 places available to use your Sip and Savor Pass, and if there is a long line at the Marketplace where you want to order, just go to another site and order there then take your ticket to the counter – passing up the long line – and present it in exchange for your food. It’s that simple. Trust me, once you do it once, you’ll completely understand. Disney is making taking advantage of the festival easier and easier every year.

Besides the food and drinks, there are wine seminars, beer seminars in the Beer Garden, and cocktail making classes. And the food is out of this world. How about some Greek Yogurt Cheesecake? Or a Buffalo Style Turkey Leg? Or perhaps it’s a chilly day and you want some Fiscalini White Cheddar Lager Soup in a Mini Boudin Sourdough Bowl. For those who like things spicy, the Ghost-Pepper Mac & Cheese with Chili Cheese Corn Chip Dust is delicious and super spicy. Trust me, it’s not for the meek! It’s bold, spicy and very delicious!

When you purchase your Sip and Savor Pass, pick up the complimentary Tasting Passport. In it you’ll see all the offerings for the festival and where to purchase exactly what you want. (I’m flipping through it now and believe me, I want to go back to try more. Everything I sampled was delicious.) And for Vegans, you have to get the Impossible No Meat Ball Submarine with Marinara Sauce topped with Soy Cheese and served with Kettle Chips. I had to get a couple of these they are so delicious and tasty.

Besides the food and beverages, there are plenty of merchandise items to purchase to commemorate this festival. And there are cooking programs for kids, concerts, and plenty of entertainment.

The Food & Wine Festival runs 54 days this year, the longest festival they have ever had since it originated at DCA in 2006. With 35 specific items created for the festival, this is the best and biggest Food & Wine Festival ever. Featuring the best of California, there is definitely something here for everyone – young and old-er.

For more information, go to this website.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

Follow her on Twitter