California Adventure Food & Wine ~ April 2016

[BlondieQ182]

The AP Festival Marketplace Tasting Passport costs $45.





During last weeks visit, the kiosks didn't open until 11am (when the park opens at 8am).

 

[BlondieQ182]

We were there today and the tasting passport was only $39

 

[Niltiac]

We were there today and the tasting passport was only $39

They must have lowered the price because everyone was saying it wasn't worth it. That's good news for everyone who hasn't gone yet! It was still $45 when I went and I skipped it.

 

[figment_jii]

They've updated the AP webpage to reflect the new lower price for the Tasting Passport. So now, you only need to average $6.50 per item (after tax). So at least now there are more items that could be ordered that would still make the passport cost-effective. It's not going to save you a lot, but at least now guests stand a better chance of breaking even.

For just $39, the Tasting Passport lets you savor your choice of 6 food items from the Festival Marketplace, where you’ll discover a mouthwatering variety of California-inspired creations. The pass comes on an Annual Passholder lanyard and is valid from the date of purchase through May 1, 2016, so you can use it any time you visit the festival

 

[mvf-m11c]

For $45 for 6 vouchers is quite expensive when I bought one last weekend. Now at that price is way better.

 

[Epek]

Anyone know if you have to use the AP lanyard in one day? I'm going on Sunday, but I know I'll only be in DCA for the evening. I doubt I'd eat 6 items in that time. I wonder if I could come back in the next few weeks and use the rest?!

 

[Epek]

They've updated the AP webpage to reflect the new lower price for the Tasting Passport. So now, you only need to average $6.50 per item (after tax). So at least now there are more items that could be ordered that would still make the passport cost-effective. It's not going to save you a lot, but at least now guests stand a better chance of breaking even.

Anyone know if you have to use the AP lanyard in one day? I'm going on Sunday, but I know I'll only be in DCA for the evening. I doubt I'd eat 6 items in that time. I wonder if I could come back in the next few weeks and use the rest?!

Oh my gosh I need to learn to read everyone's entire post before I ask questions! I see that indeed, I can use it multiple days. *face palm*

 

[got2travel]

So it says the AP trading lanyard is $39 does that price include tax? I added up all the things I want to try and it came to $43 so it just might be worth it to me if the $39 already included tax.

Just be sure that the items you have selected are eligible to be purchases with the passport. It doesn't cover every menu item.

 

[SMD]

Unless you're going with 2-3 other people and you all want to try the slider or the one other $7+ item right then and there, I don't think the AP passport is worth it. Yesterday they had run out of the shrimp taco before 6pm. I can't promise I'll be back 2-3 more times this month to try the food, and if they're also running out during dinner hours I don't want to be stuck with unused tabs on the lanyard.

 

[mich311e]

Does anyone know if you can pay for food with a Disney gift card?

 

[SMD]

They're advertising gift cards at the registers, so yes, you probably can. I don't know if you can pay for alcohol with a gift card. It would have to be a regular gift card and not one from a merchandise return.

 

[sdchickie]

Anyone know if the food kiosks are open during the week? Also, any reviews on the food from those of you who have already been there this year would be great! Pictures would be even better!!!

 

[SMD]

That's weird, because their web site says $39....
View attachment 161043

It was $45, they lowered it on Wednesday to $39 without an announcement. I even noticed it was quoted incorrectly on an official Twitter account after the change.

 

[ImDMous]

We were there this weekend and got the lanyard. We used half on Saturday and half on Sunday. They were definitely running out of things pretty early in the day, the tenderloin slider was gone before 2 on Saturday and so was the bacon whoopie pie. We had two of us and shared one lanyard so we did get the most expensive thing at each booth with the tabs and paid cash for other things and wines. They only do one tab per transaction so if you want to use 2 you have to do separate transactions, not really a big deal. The tabs are only good at the kiosks, so not at the terrace even on special items that are only for the festival (sausage and cheese plate, for example). There is no tax on the lanyard but there is tax on the food if you pay for it, so you do save some money there.

Everything we tried was good, some was delicious and some was just fine but nothing we didn't like. Some lines were pretty long so just relax and soak up the atmosphere.

 

[MNtwinsplus1mom]

Anyone know if the food kiosks are open during the week?

I think the offerings at regular restaurants - not booths - are available anytime, not just weekends. Can anyone else confirm this, though? Here's info. from elsewhere on the DIS about these items. (I'm hoping to try the dumplings and pork tostadas, and we're only there on weekdays.)

"Several eateries around California Adventure will also get in on the fun with special menu items.

Carthay Circle Restaurant

• Weekly specials and wine pairings

Carthay Circle Lounge

• Carthay Cobb Salad
• Caribbean Club Sandwich

Pacific Wharf Cafe

• Dungeness Crab Corn Chowder served in a Boudin sourdough boule

Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill

• Shredded Pork Tostadas with grilled pineapple slaw and chipotle crema

Lucky Fortune Cookery

• Chicken and Vegetable Dumplings

Wine Country Trattoria

• Fresh Strawberry and Pistachio Cream Tart, paired with a featured wine

Mendocina Terrace & Sonoma Terrace

• Sausage and Cheese Plate
• Fruit and Cheese Plate

Hollywood Backlot Bars

• Soft Twisted Pretzel with Cheese Sauce
• Sausage and Cheese Plate
• Fruit and Cheese Plate"

 

[Epek]

So we went yesterday. My friends entered DCA around 3pm, we joined them around 4. One of my friends is a vegetarian. He must have had the worst luck yesterday! We were there until 8pm and he was never able to try a single one of the vegetarian items he wanted. They only get small batches of everything from the kitchens at a time, so if you're not in line when they arrive, chances are they'll be out of it by the time you try and order! We were able to get most of the stuff we wanted to try, but never the sliders or the burrito or the beet salad. It's crazy! It also made DCA seem much busier than usual. I think mostly because the walkways are now loaded with stuff and people. Overall, the food was good, the atmosphere was fun, but I wish there was some way to fix the supply/demand issues

 

[minniecarousel]

It looks like we'll wait 'till next year for this. We absolutely love Epcots F&W Fest. Hopefully, they'll work out the supply issues. Maybe they'll open it up on weekdays next year. I'd heard about this several years ago and I'm happy that it has returned. Maybe next year!

 

[taniahappy]

The Tasting Passport expires May 1st, you dont have to use it all at once. They do sell out of most popular offerings but they stock up again later on the day, at least that was our experience.
I read somewhere that Disney was giving refunds for those of us who purchased the TP at $45... something like a $10 Gift Card? Will see what they tell us next weekend as we didnt make it there this past week.

 

[SMD]

I've been going during the week and haven't experienced any lines for the kiosks, but they do run out of items, and aren't all open at the same time. Based on the length of the taped queues on the ground and the relatively small areas to eat, and what seemed like small holding areas for the prepared food my friend and I discussed what we thought it must be like on weekends and agreed that we were glad we're able to go during the week. I was surprised that there were so many vegetarian options, it's too bad if they're sold out. Though when I tried the burrito the taco was actually the one that was sold out, so there may just be a timing and luck factor to getting items when they're available.

 

[pinksand]

Does anyone know if you can pay for food with a Disney gift card?

You can. I used my Disney gift card the first weekend at almost every booth, and I had no problems.