Gluten Free Guide to Disney California Food and Wine Festival
Headed to Disney California Adventure Food and Wine (affiliate link) Festival? Here is your guide to all things gluten free at Disney California Food and Wine (affiliate link).
If you eat a gluten free diet, you understand the frustration in attending any kind of food festival. Thankfully, Disney has us covered.
One of the things I love about attending Disney California Adventure Food and Wine (affiliate link) Festival is their attention to detail. The back of the Tasting Passport has all the details about where you can go to get gluten-friendly bites to eat.
Thank you, Disneyland Resort, for allowing me to participate in the Food and Wine Festival Media Event. I was given a Sip and Savor lanyard and attended a special media gathering, but all opinions are my own.
What is Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival?
Disney California Adventure Food & Wine (affiliate link) Festival is a family-friendly food and drink festival that start in 2006. It takes place each spring in Disney California Adventure, part of Disneyland Resort.
The festival includes 13 Marketplaces, with 3 or 4 food items and 2 or 3 drink options at each booth. Similar to Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, each marketplace features unique food and beverages. Here at Disney California Adventure Food & Wine (affiliate link) Festival, each dish is from a particular aspect of California cuisine – many with locally sources ingredients.
Other offerings include wine and beer tastings, seminars, and cooking demonstrations.
When is Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival?
If you are in the Anaheim area February 29 – April 21, 2020, you definitely want to plan time to go visit Disney California Adventure Food & Wine (affiliate link) Festival. Grab your Sip and Savor Pass and eat to your heart, or stomach’s, content.
Where Can I Buy a Sip and Savor Pass?
Sip and Savor Pass includes eight coupons you can redeem for select food and beverages, except alcohol. You can purchase on day one and use the coupons throughout the Food & Wine Festival. All coupons expire on April 21, 2020.
You can purchase your Sip and Savor Pass at:
- Elias & Co.
- Festival Gifts
- Festival Marketplaces
- Kingswell Camera Shop
- Rushin’ River Outfitters
- Seaside Souvenirs
- Sip and Savor Cart
- Studio Store (Hollywood Land)
The Sip and Savor lanyard is $56 for eight tabs, which makes each tab worth $7. Food prices range between $5 to $8, so if you use the tabs on the right items this is certainly a good deal. Are you a Disneyland Resort Annual Passholder? Make sure to ask for your AP discount! For Annual Passholders, the cost is $51, so it is $6.38 per tab.
Where Can I Buy Gluten Friendly Food at Disney California Food and Wine?
As always, ask questions of the cast members on site. When in doubt, don’t eat it. Guests may consult with a chef or special diets trained cast member before placing an order.
There were a couple of items like the California Artisan Cheese Selection that had crackers in an individual package and a sandwich that I asked if it would be gluten free if we took the bread off. Those are all questions you should ask when you get there. Each marketplace has a phone so they can call the kitchen. For many, it seems like they could be made gluten free by taking something off but they can not guarantee there isn’t cross-contamination or that the source of the ingredients is gluten friendly.
Uncork California
- Pacific Mimosa (Alcoholic)
- Sierra Mimosa (Alcoholic)
Golden Dreams
- Seared Verlasso Salmon
- Strawberry-Rose Lemonade (Non-Alcoholic)
- Fig & Lavender Cold Brew (Non-Alcoholic)
California Craft Brews
Ask about these because I couldn’t find them on the board or in the passport. They are however on the Gluten-friendly guide at each booth.
- Divine Science Brewing, Event Horizon Blonde Ale (Alcoholic)
- JuneShine, Açai Berry Hard Kombucha (Alcoholic)
One in a Melon
- Compressed Watermelon and Tomato with Whipped Ricotta and Lemon Olive Oil
- Poke-style Watermelon with Cucumber
- Housemade Watermelon Agua Fresca (Non-Alcoholic)
Pepper Cali-Ente
- Grilled Shrimp Tacos
- Cantarito-style Paloma (Alcoholic)
LA Style
- Smoke Bacon Barbecue Beef Loco Moco on Rice
- Blue Angeleno Cocktail (Alcoholic)
Avocado Time
- Mezcal Cocktail (Alcoholic)
Off the Cob
- Shrimp and Braised Corn with Chorizo
- Mickey-shaped Carmel-Peanut Milk Chocolate Macaron
- Fields & Orchard (Alcoholic)
- Farmstand Punch (Non-Alcoholic)
Berry Patch
This is another that is not in the Tasting Passport but is on the gluten friendly resource guide at each booth. I did eat this and did not have a reaction. Ask questions though when in doubt.
- Rasberry-Lychee-Rose Custard
Paradise Garden Grill
Buffalo-style Roasted Turkey Leg
Watermelon Vodka Lemonade
What is There to do Beyond Food at Disney California Food and Wine Festival?
After you eat, make sure to check the entertainment schedule and grab a Fast Pass!
Meet Goofy the Chef
Location: Hollywood Backlot
Craving super-sized fun? Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, you can head to the Hollywood Backlot for a fun and delicious encounter with Goofy the chef! After the show, head over to the Meet & Greet in the same area.
Jammin’ Chefs
Location: Paradise Gardens Park
Satisfy your appetite for sizzlin’ rhythms with pots, pans and a whole lot of percussion as each performance whips up a feast for your ears. Silly sous chefs Chip ‘n Dale add to the mix and, along with your help, things really get cookin’!
Paradise Garden Bandstand
Location: Paradise Gardens
Savor a sampling of musical styles! Park yourself at the park, then kick back, relax and enjoy live music from a menu of outstanding bands—their passion for creativity and original sounds is something to sink your teeth into!
Live Festival Music at Paradise Gardens Park
Head to Palisades Stage for performances by one of several California-grown musical groups.
Special Signature Events
Guests may choose to enhance their festival experience with special signature events designed to expand their palate and culinary knowledge. Some of the signature events at this year’s Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival include:
New Disney Culinary Adventure Tour
On Wednesdays and Thursdays during the festival, “epicurious” guests may take a behind-the-scenes tour of one of the many kitchens in Disney California Adventure Park. Festival goers learn from guest chefs as they prepare menus and see how the festival comes to life.
Winemaker Reception with Fess Parker Winery at Carthay Circle Restaurant (March 27)
Winemaker Reception with Silverado Vineyards at Carthay Circle Restaurant (April 10)
Wine, Beer & Spirits Seminars
On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the festival, guests will visit Sonoma Terrace to partake in seminars led by winemakers, brewmasters, and distillers and learn what goes into making their favorite beverages.
Guests will meet sommeliers and mixologists from various Disneyland Resort outlets such as Trader Sam’s and Lamplight Lounge, as well as local and regional participants such as Mahalat Spirits, Strong Water Anaheim, Bottle Logic, Karl Strauss Brewing Co., MacMurray Ranch, Hill Family Estate and Peltzer Vineyards among others.
Disney California Food and Wine Merchandise
Besides food and entertainment, one of my favorite things about Disney Festivals is the merchandise!
There is a wide selection of apparel, AP exclusives, items for the home, collectible art, and Festival-logo products. So many cute things! I came home with the Chef Ears and Festival Glass, but wanted so much more – especially the pepper grinder!
You can find special Festival merchandise at:
- Festival Gifts & Artist Corner (Performance Corridor)
- Studio Store (Hollywood Land)
- Festival Carts (near Golden Vine Winery)
- Elias & Co.
- Trolley Treats (only for AP merch)
I hope I have answered all of your questions about how to eat gluten free at Disney California Adventure Food and Wine in 2020. As you can see, this festival is so much more than just-food. Let me know what questions you might have in the comments!
