Should California Food & Wine Weekends At DCA Take Place Throughout the Resort?

[Ride Warrior]

As many of you already know, this year will mark the third year of the Disneyland Resort's annual California Food & Wine Festival. It takes place on weekends (Fidays, Saturdays and Sundays) in April and May. The event has received rave reviews from most all who have attended.

As I have said before, the Disneyland Resort needs to have a larger food and wine event that appeals to people the world over - and not one that is limited (for the most part) to locals. Such an event should take place throughout the resort - DCA, Downtown Disney, and Disneyland itself.

Circarama has stated that feel that DLR should keep the festivals current name (California Food & Wine Festival) as California wines and other beverages are something to be proud of. Both Circarama and I feel that Disneyland needs to change along with our ever changing culture, and allow for beer and wine - at least during special events.

A more extensive festival would only serve to help market California products better where the global economy is concerned.

There are complimentary food and wine demonstrations each day, and sumptuous tasting as well. This year's event will be my first, and I am looking extremely forward to it. There are wine and beer tasting opportunities galore. Foods at past celebrations have included mixed seasoned berries (in a light sabayon - custard), baja beef skewers, knockwurst (w/roasted bell peppers and onions), white cheddar cheese soup, tomato and goat cheese salad, and brusccetta w/ a five-olive blend tapenade. We're talking yummy gourmet all the way!

My friend BaseBone attended this year's event. According to him, there was plenty of event associated merchandise as well - special wine kits, wine glasses, cooking sets, etc.

SusieP recommends that those interested read Fishbulb's recap of the events - http://www.micechat.com/forums/showt...d+wine+weekend

Dsnylndmom has mentioned to me how wonderful the winemakers dinner at Steakhouse55 was.

Armadillo has comondeered some additional links that highlight the event -

5.19.07 Food & Wine, DCA
http://www.micechat.com/forums/showt...ine-65254.html

PHOTO UPDATE 4/27: A taste of Disney's 2007 California Food & Wine Weekends, +MORE!
http://www.micechat.com/forums/showt...ste-62570.html

DCA - Food and Wine Weekends Information

http://www.micechat.com/forums/showt...nds-62835.html

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So, what do you think? Should Disney limit our current food and wine festival to DCA, or should the event be expanded to include all of the Disneyland Resort? Feel free to let me know your opinion. Please take the survey (coming up soon).

[Koutesu]

Re: Should California Food & Wine Weekends At DCA Take Place Throughout the Resort?

This event helps bring a lot of people to DCA. It was reported on some Disney fansites that it even brings in people who normally wouldn't go to a Disney theme park. The park is supposed to be about California.

If an expansion is in order, Downtown Disney's restraunts and the 3 hotels would work well, but I wouldn't carry it over into Disneyland itsself. That park has been pulling in the big bucks and doesn't need Food & Wine Weekends like DCA needs it.

[ALIASd]

Re: Should California Food & Wine Weekends At DCA Take Place Throughout the Resort?

Both Circarama and I feel that Disneyland needs to change along with our ever changing culture, and allow for beer and wine - at least during special events.

A more extensive festival would only serve to help market California products better where the global economy is concerned.

Disneyland is private property and doesn't "need to change" it's original policy regarding alcohol (except at it's private restaurant and at it's own private special events). Can't help feeling the majority of its guests appreciates the lack of its availability. DCA has the event for a number of reasons, most of them are obvious.

Marketing California products isn't really the business focus of the DLR, the DLR is.

[dsnylndmom]

Re: Should California Food & Wine Weekends At DCA Take Place Throughout the Resort?

I'd prefer the event to stay at DCA. DCA has much wider walkways and more unused to space to hold the tasting events and culinary events without massive congestion.

[Ride Warrior]

Re: Should California Food & Wine Weekends At DCA Take Place Throughout the Resort?

This event helps bring a lot of people to DCA. It was reported on some Disney fansites that it even brings in people who normally wouldn't go to a Disney theme park. The park is supposed to be about California.

If an expansion is in order, Downtown Disney's restraunts and the 3 hotels would work well, but I wouldn't carry it over into Disneyland itsself. That park has been pulling in the big bucks and doesn't need Food & Wine Weekends like DCA needs it.

Disneyland is private property and doesn't "need to change" it's original policy regarding alcohol (except at it's private restaurant and at it's own private special events). Can't help feeling the majority of its guests appreciates the lack of its availability. DCA has the event for a number of reasons, most of them are obvious.

Marketing California products isn't really the business focus of the DLR, the DLR is.

Koutesu and ALIASd, your points are well taken. Perhaps Disneyland would not stand to benefit from the event. The addage "Why try to fix what isn't broken" likely holds true here. In the wake of it's future expansion, DCA is destined to become an international destination in it's own right. I would still like to see the food and wine event extended to Downtown Disney and the Disney hotels.

[Ginarella]

Re: Should California Food & Wine Weekends At DCA Take Place Throughout the Resort?

I voted no limit the event to DCA. I haven't been to this event but it just makes sense to me to leave at at DCA considering there is a culinary wine tasting at the Golden Vine Winery.

I want to go to this event next year. My taste buds are salivating already.

[DisneyIPresume]

Re: Should California Food & Wine Weekends At DCA Take Place Throughout the Resort?

Except for Club 33 aclohol should remain out of Disneyland. I have my reasoning which only makes sense to myself apparently so I don't want to go through this again. Just suffice it to say that I enjoy an occasional drink socially but alcohol needs to stay out of Disneyland.

[The Red Head]

Re: Should California Food & Wine Weekends At DCA Take Place Throughout the Resort?

I think it is fine staying at DCA. My reasoning is, the same festival they do at WDW is only at one park, there they call it the Internantional Food and Wine Festival because it is tied in with the Internantional section of Epcot so it makes sense. So if this is the California Food and Wine Festival holding it in one park that is themed to California makes sense. Although I do believe that they have done dinners at Steak House 55 and cooking classes at Napa Rose, so they have sort of included more of the resort in it like the op is suggesting anyways.

[Speedway]

Re: Should California Food & Wine Weekends At DCA Take Place Throughout the Resort?

There is no reason for it to be taken out of DCA.
It brings people who would not usually go into DCA into the park, and therefore experiencing and spending money at the park on things other then the Food + Wine that catches their eye.

[Ride Warrior]

Re: Should California Food & Wine Weekends At DCA Take Place Throughout the Resort?

I'd prefer the event to stay at DCA. DCA has much wider walkways and more unused to space to hold the tasting events and culinary events without massive congestion.

Very good points. In consideration of the prevailing opinion and new information, I have no qualms against limiting the event to the DCA park alone - leastwise primarily.

I voted no limit the event to DCA. I haven't been to this event but it just makes sense to me to leave at at DCA considering there is a culinary wine tasting at the Golden Vine Winery.

I want to go to this event next year. My taste buds are salivating already.

:lol:

I'll definitely be there too. My taste buds are dancing and drooling.

There is no reason for it to be taken out of DCA.
It brings people who would not usually go into DCA into the park, and therefore experiencing and spending money at the park on things other then the Food + Wine that catches their eye.

Agreed. The food & wine festival is at present only two years old, and it is already playing a significant role in marketing both DCA and California.

[FREQDUDE]

Re: Should California Food & Wine Weekends At DCA Take Place Throughout the Resort?

I agree with the idea that it brings more people into DCA, but moreover, DCA has the appropriate atmoshere for such an event. I can't even begin to imagine just where it would fit into DL park, not to mention the space requirements/issues that such an event would demand. Swilling wine under the watchful eyes of the wicked queen in Fantasy land is too weird.

[Ride Warrior]

Re: Should California Food & Wine Weekends At DCA Take Place Throughout the Resort?

Except for Club 33 aclohol should remain out of Disneyland. I have my reasoning which only makes sense to myself apparently so I don't want to go through this again. Just suffice it to say that I enjoy an occasional drink socially but alcohol needs to stay out of Disneyland.

I respect your reasoning, whatever it may be. I've changed my initial view in this thread. There's no reason that all Disney parks should operate with the same rules. Resort guests should have the option of an alcohol free park (for the most part) if they so desire.

I think it is fine staying at DCA. My reasoning is, the same festival they do at WDW is only at one park, there they call it the Internantional Food and Wine Festival because it is tied in with the Internantional section of Epcot so it makes sense. So if this is the California Food and Wine Festival holding it in one park that is themed to California makes sense. Although I do believe that they have done dinners at Steak House 55 and cooking classes at Napa Rose, so they have sort of included more of the resort in it like the op is suggesting anyways.

Very true - and a good point too. The food and wine events at both WDW and the Disneyland Paris Resort are limited to only one park.

I agree with the idea that it brings more people into DCA, but moreover, DCA has the appropriate atmoshere for such an event. I can't even begin to imagine just where it would fit into DL park, not to mention the space requirements/issues that such an event would demand. Swilling wine under the watchful eyes of the wicked queen in Fantasy land is too weird.

The atmkosphere at DCA is pretty much perfect for such an event - and will remain so, even after the expansion takes place. I don't want to have the wicked queen cast her eyes on me while I'm swilling wine - nor do I want to temp the pirates at Tom Sawyer Island with my ale. They don't need to be any more drunk than they already are. ...:lol:

[Lynn, Renaissance Woman]

Re: Should California Food & Wine Weekends At DCA Take Place Throughout the Resort?

I have heard that they are planning on expanding the event some, perhaps to more than three days per week. The staff are excited about it. I think that centering the festival at the wine bar area is perfect.
I like the fact that it is held in a fairly compact area, so that I don't have to walk long distances. Of course, more shade is always nice.
My main complaint is that not all of the folks with information have all or correct information. That can and should be worked on.

[Ride Warrior]

Re: Should California Food & Wine Weekends At DCA Take Place Throughout the Resort?

I have heard that they are planning on expanding the event some, perhaps to more than three days per week. The staff are excited about it. I think that centering the festival at the wine bar area is perfect.
I like the fact that it is held in a fairly compact area, so that I don't have to walk long distances. Of course, more shade is always nice.
My main complaint is that not all of the folks with information have all or correct information. That can and should be worked on.

How wonderful it would be if DCA is able to expand the event to include more days each week. The staff should be excited! This is a telltale sign that the food and wine event is highly successfu - and they have each played significant roles in making it so. l

[Lynn, Renaissance Woman]

Re: Should California Food & Wine Weekends At DCA Take Place Throughout the Resort?

Just talked to the folk today. The festival will start on April 11th and run seven days a week. While the marque events such as winemaker tastings may be only on the weekends, there will be events all week.

[Ride Warrior]

Re: Should California Food & Wine Weekends At DCA Take Place Throughout the Resort?

Just talked to the folk today. The festival will start on April 11th and run seven days a week. While the marque events such as winemaker tastings may be only on the weekends, there will be events all week.

Excellent news, Lynn. This is shaping up to be one exciting event. Perhaps our enthusiasm here had a little to do with the event being extended to seven days a week. If it starts on April 11th, I'm wondering when the last day will be.