10 ways to enjoy Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival

The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival is now taking place through April 23, 2019, with a variety of cuisine, beverages, and culinary events.

Here are 10 ways to make the most of the festival:

1. Visit the Festival Marketplaces: This is the most obvious, but could also be the most difficult to do. There are 14 Festival Marketplaces throughout the park each offering menus featuring fresh, California-grown ingredients. So, making a decision of what to eat could be a bit difficult.
2. Purchase a Sip and Savor Pass: Each Sip and Savor Pass consists of a commemorative credential, plus eight coupons redeemable for eligible food and beverage offerings (excluding alcohol and souvenir items).
3. Experience a culinary demonstration: On select day culinary demonstrations are taking place by chefs who will share their kitchen tricks. These complimentary demonstrations take place live on the Backlot Stage in Hollywood Land with seating and standing room available. Show times can be found on  Disneyland.com  and on the printed festival guide.
4. Attend a family-friendly seminas: During the Family Time presentations, Chef Daniella Malfitano demonstrates how to make meals matter for families on the go. This presentation is located on the Backlot Stage in Hollywood Land on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays starting at 3 p.m. throughout the festival. Capacity is limited and seating is available on a first-come, first seated basis.
5. Kids can learn how to cook with Chef Goofy: Aspiring young chefs get in the “kitchen” with Chef Goofy where they’ll mix a variety of ingredients to create treats. The Jr. Chef experience is available on a first-come, first served basis for children ages 3 to 11. Each child will receive a ready-to-eat baked treat after their time with Goofy on stage. There is no additional cost to participate. The Jr. Chef kitchen is open for fun several times daily in the Hollywood Backlot. Daily shows are posted at the event location and on the Disneyland Mobile App.
6. Festival merchandise: Well, it is Disney, you would have to expect there would be merch for sale. There is a special Food & Wine Festival commemorative Spirit Jersey, a casual tee shirt and and festival-inspired Minnie ears. Other merchandise items include a cutting board in the shape of wine bottle, themed glassware, salt and pepper shakers and an apron.
7. Have dinner with a Disney Chef: You can make a reservation for the signature event, Dinner with the Disney Chefs. This special dining opportunity will take place Thursday, March 28, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on this night only. Here, guests will enjoy a delicious four-course meal prepared by three featured Disney chefs: Culinary Director Chef John State, Chef de Cuisine Jimmy Weita, and Executive Pastry Chef Jean-Marc Viallet. A paired beverage menu will also be curated for the presentation. For an added bonus, the new Disney Festivals Cookbook will be released and available for signing after the event.
8. Go to an “In the Kitchen With…” live event: Guests will experience intimate encounters with celebrity chefs from around the world who will demonstrate their favorite dishes live and answer questions from the audience at the Palisades Stage in Paradise Gardens Park. Guests can book these events at Disneyland.com, and advance reservations are recommended.
9. Sample specialty desserts at the popular Sweet Sundays signature event: This is another paid signature event featuring celebrity pastry chefs teaching guests how to make their favorite desserts all while sharing their secret ingredients towards baking success. A light brunch buffet will be served and will include a tasting of the demonstrated desserts. Guests can book these events at Disneyland.com, and advance reservations are recommended.
10. Earn a digital Food & Wine Achievement in the Play Disney Parks app: Guests logged in to the Play Disney Parks mobile app will receive a digital achievement to add their collection when they attend the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival.