By Tyler Slater
On Tuesday, March 13, D23 Members gathered at the Disneyland Resort to celebrate the 2018 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival! Continuing the tradition of the fan-favorite event at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, attendees were excited to kick off the first Sip & Stroll on the West Coast!
The event began with a special celebratory toast of Fairy Tale Cuvee and a Q&A with Festival Producer Jim Ames! Jim shared fascinating details about the development of the Food & Wine Festival at Disney California Adventure throughout the years, and offered great insight into this year’s festival.
Following the Q&A, attendees had the very rare opportunity to head backstage and tour the festival production kitchen in action! Guests were greeted by Festival Chef Jimmy, who went into fascinating detail about how the menu items were selected, how the team prepares the items, and which festival foods were his favorite. Without planning it, both Jim and Jimmy both revealed that they especially loved the Spiced Oumph!
The rain didn’t bother us anyway as the group toured the Festival Marketplace with Jim! During the guided walkthrough, he shared fun facts and details about each of the locations, as well as the importance of the storytelling behind each of the kiosks.
Then, Sip & Stroll guests enjoyed free time to explore the 2018 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival on their own! Equipped with $25 Disney Gift Cards, guests sampled items like the fan-favorite Jalapeño Popper Mac & Cheese with Bacon and Avocado & Pepper Jack Petite Guacamole Burger.
Guests reconvened in Paradise Park for a private Dessert Reception to enjoy more food and wine, as well as VIP seating for World of Color!
As the fun-filled day drew to a close, we all agreed that we can’t wait to go back before the festival ends on April 12 to sample even more of the delicious items at the 2018 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival.
Heading to the 2018 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival this year? Be sure to check out our Everything You Need to Eat article!
