Just Back from DCA Food and Wine Festival

[msteddom]

I spend a few hours at California Adventure's Food and Wine Festival today. It seemed very well organized. I attended one of the complementary tastings, and I really enjoyed it. My one piece of advice: if you really want to attend a specific event get there early! I tried to get into a wine and chocolate tasting, but it was already full, and I was there 15 minutes early! I hope everyone has a chance to enjoy this event!

Melissa

 

[mikayla73]

Which one did you go to? I am so excited to be able to go this year for a weekend!

 

[msteddom]

I went to the Baileyana tasting. I thought it was nicely done. Everyone got three wines to taste as well as a small bottle of water. There were also crackers on the table to share. What I really liked was the fact that the entire event area was shaded, which was critical considering it was almost 100 degrees today. I am looking forward to going back on future weekends to try some other wineries!

Melissa

 

[mikayla73]

Where is the Pacific Wharf Stage? Is it something they added for the F&W events or is it always there?

 

[mikayla73]

I am sorry - but one more question

How long do the tastings last, just an average. I am planning on going to dinner on Friday night, but I wanted to try to make it to the Wine and Chocolate tasting. I also wanted to have an earlier dinner (at Hooks Pointe) so we can get good spots for the EP later.

 

[msteddom]

Where is the Pacific Wharf Stage? Is it something they added for the F&W events or is it always there?

The Pacific Wharf Stage is located in the Pacific Wharf dining area behind the margarita stand. I thinkit is always there, just hardly ever used.

I am sorry - but one more question

How long do the tastings last, just an average. I am planning on going to dinner on Friday night, but I wanted to try to make it to the Wine and Chocolate tasting. I also wanted to have an earlier dinner (at Hooks Pointe) so we can get good spots for the EP later.

My tasting lasted a little over half an hour. I can't speak to the length of the other events. The wine and chocolate tasting wouldn't be over until 6 at the earliest, then you would have to get back over to the hotel for dinner, then back to the park. That sounds like a lot of bouncing back and forth. You might want to try the Wine Country Trattoria. The food is quite good, and if it's a warm evening, sitting out on the patio is heavenly. Enjoy your trip!

Melissa

 

[ScooterL]

We also tried to go to the wine and chocolate tasting - we got there almost 40 minutes before it started and it was already full!!! It seemed like most of the events this weekend were full, and to guarantee a spot you needed to be there at least 30 minutes in advance - and longer than that for really popular things like the Wine and Chocolate. I think Cat Cora's demos were also filled 20-30 minutes in advance.

Most of the demos are at most 30 minutes long - I went to one cooking demonstration that was only about 20. You'll certainly have seen the main presentation and been served your food in 30 minutes.

Another thing you should know: most of the waiting areas are not shaded, which was really an issue this weekend because it was so hot. So be prepared to stand in the sun when you are waiting. In the afternoon the last few rows of the two demo kitchens aren't shaded, either...and a few of the tables at the wine-tasting are in the sun, though most of those are shaded.

We had a good time, but it was tiring being in the heat all day.

 

[spaddy]

How were the crowds at DCA? I was wondering if the crowds would increase or if it is just people waiting for the tastings.

 

[ScooterL]

The park was pretty busy this weekend - the standby line for Soarin' was 60+ minutes, and Grizzly River was 90 minutes on Saturday. But I don't think that had much to do with the Festival - most of the people doing that weren't riding attractions. So I think it was just a busy spring weekend.

 

[msteddom]

On Sunday it was as crowded as I have ever seen it!

Melissa

 

[spaddy]

On Sunday it was as crowded as I have ever seen it!

Melissa

That's what I was afraid of. Oh well, I will take lots of deep breaths and enjoy myself.

 

[msteddom]

There could have been a lot of factors involved though. For one, it was really hot. So it might not be as bad when you are there.

Melissa