Entry Into Disneyland's Food & Wine Festival Is Simpler Than You May Think

While running around to get on the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage or drinking blue milk at Star Wars' Galaxy Edge is part of the Disneyland Experience, it's equally nice to relax with a refreshing beverage before venturing to the next ride. Although Disneyland offers plenty of beverage options — from cold brew to beer flights — the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival only takes place once per year in spring. Some guests may wonder whether separate tickets are required for the Food & Wine Festival. But entry to the festival is a lot easier than you might think.   

Luckily, if you'd like to attend the festival, you'll have plenty of time to do so! Guests can experience the event from March 3 through April 25. Festival attendees can explore 12 open-air marketplaces offering food, wine, and other attractions. The event is at Disney California Adventure, which opened in 2001 in the Disneyland parking lot. In 1955, The Walt Disney Company — including Walt Disney — founded Disneyland. What better way to celebrate the House of Mouse than to enjoy a nice glass of wine or some cheese with Mickey and Minnie Mouse where it all began? Here's the relatively straight forward way to attend the festival.

According to Disneyland's website, festival guests will need a Valid Disney California Adventure Park ticket or a Magic Key pass and reservation for the theme park. In other words, the Food & Wine Festival is included as part of the regular entrance fee into the Disney California Adventure Park. Once guests are inside the festival, they can purchase food and drinks separately at each station. In general, food prices vary between $5 and $9. However, other purchases and events are pricier.   

If you're not a wine lover, have no fear! This year, Disneyland's lineup includes Festival Marketplaces such as a "California Craft Brews" section that features local breweries' a "Cluck-a-Doodle-Moo" station with sliders, wings, and beer; "Avocado Time;" and a "Berry Patch." If you're in the mood for some vino, check out "Uncork California," where you can drink a glass of wine or purchase a flight, then head over to "Nuts About Cheese" to complement the drinks.

There will also be live music, shopping, fun activities, and the Soarin' Over California ride — which is only available as part of the festival. This ride offers guests an opportunity to feel as if they're flying around California and experiencing sites such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Lake Tahoe, and Palm Springs.

Throughout the month, there are also some bookable events — though they'll include extra fees. Visit Disneyland's website for details on current event offerings. At the "Wine, Beer, and Mixology Education & Tasting Seminars," guests learn about the industry of wine, beer, and cocktails. Presenters come from local wineries and other locations. Tickets cost $25 each, depending on what seminars attendees would like to visit.

Also, the "Hotel Winemaker & Mixology Class Experiences" allows guests to meet culinary experts, sommeliers, and mixologists at various Disney hotels. For $159 per ticket, guests can take the "Trader Sam's Tiki Mixology Seminar" and discover how to create the "HippopotoMai-Tai," which is offered at Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar, located at the Disneyland Hotel. At "Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa Food and Wine Experience," parkgoers can interact with chefs, sommeliers, and art experts, as they drink wine: The event costs $225 each. If you're located closer to Florida or would like to experience more festival fun, Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival will likely take place from July 15 to November 20 this year. If you're a foodie, you may also want to check out some of the best restaurants at Magic Kingdom in Florida after you down some drinks around the world at Epcot.