Best Things to Eat and Drink at Disney Festival of Holidays

From the Impossible Queso Fundido to the Esquites Carnitas Mac & Cheese, there are so many great bites and brews to discover at the 2022 Disney Festival of Holidays at Disneyland California Adventure!

Disney Festival of Holidays

Hi friends! The holidays are here at Disneyland and that means that the 2022 Disney Festival of Holidays is back as well. If you know me, you know that I LOVE a good foodie festival, especially the ones at Disney. I love that you can pack all the fun of a normal Disney trip in PLUS get to partake of all the amazing food and wine that Disney has to offer at the Festival Marketplaces. So today we’re sharing a few tips AND some of our favorites from each Festival Kiosk!

Festival of Holidays Tips

Festival of Holidays Sip and Savor Pass

One of the main tips I have for you for the is to snag the Sip and Savor Pass! At just $59 (including tax), the pass includes a commemorative credential plus 8 coupons redeemable for eligible food and beverage offerings. In addition to a reduced price, Annual Passholders will receive a special souvenir lanyard. What I love about this pass is if you’re planning to eat your way through the festival it’s just a great deal…much better than purchasing individual items. I think it also helps you to keep to a budget if you’re trying to do that. NOTE: the pass does not include alcoholic items or souvenirs, so plan accordingly and you’ll simply pay separately for those items. Sip and Savor Passes are available at the Festival Merchandise Carts, Seaside Souvenirs, Kingswell Camera Shop and Rushin’ River Outfitters.

Festival of Holidays Tasting Passport

Another tip is at the same time you grab your Sip and Savor Pass, also grab a Festival Tasting Passport! It’s a handy dandy pamphlet that lists what is at each Festival Marketplace, includes a Festival Map AND has a spot for you to get stamped at each kiosk. If you’re like me and see this as a challenge to get all the stamps, you’re going to love it.

Order all your items from one kiosk

Last tip I have for you is to try to plan ahead and figure out just what you want to try from each kiosk, then find the SHORTEST line and you can ORDER THEM ALL. That’s right, you can order all of your items at once and then simply visit the window at each kiosk and show them your receipt to redeem! Some of the lines can get REALLY long and you don’t want to be wasting time waiting in line, right? So a little planning ahead of time can SAVE you a lot of time.

Find a shady spot for home base

During our visit we found a table in the shade (it can get warm and uncomfortable in the sun!) and used that as our home base. We also got a tray from the first kiosk (another GREAT tip) and collected bites from a few kiosks at the same time to bring back to our table. This made it really easy to try a bunch of bites and enjoy our time without having to stand in the sun or wander around looking for a place to eat.

Best Things to Eat and Drink at Disney Festival of Holidays

Ok, let’s get into the meat (literally) of our post! I know it’s really hard to get to ALL of the items at EVERY kiosk so I’m sharing which item you should order from each festival marketplace! I’m also mostly sharing in order of what I liked the most. So here you have it, our “BEST OF THE FEST” from the 2022 Disney Festival of Holidays:

IMPOSSIBLE Chorizo Queso Fundido from Brews & Bites Marketplace

Queso topped with Chopped Cilantro, served with House-made Tortilla Chips. This was probably my favorite find of the fest! Now, caveat that I’m a huge nacho fan but the queso was delish and the Impossible chorizo was a great addition.

Esquites Carnitas Mac & Cheese from Merry Mashups Marketplace

Gotta get that mac & cheese in! Esquites-style Mac & Cheese with Carnitas, Salsa Macha, Spiced Puffed Rice, Freeze-dried Corn and Chopped Cilantro. Disney usually does a bang up job with their mac & cheese and this one is no exception. One of my favorites from the festival!

Pumpkin Layered Cheesecake from Grandma’s Recipes Marketplace

Oooooh I loved this one! Layers of New York-style Cheesecake, Pumpkin Gooey Cake and Graham Cracker, topped with Spiced Chantilly and a Chocolate Decoration. If you’re a fan of pumpkin, this is a great one to order. Not too sweet and the pumpkin is well-balanced with the cheesecake layer.

Pork Belly Adobo from Holiday Duets Marketplace

Garlic Fried Rice with Braised Pork Belly, Chicharron Pieces and Green Onions. This pork belly is fall-apart-tender and just so tasty! I feel like it always makes an appearance on Disney’s festival menus and there is a good reason: it’s always on top of our list!

Lox & Everything Bagel Nachos from A Twist on Tradition Marketplace

A welcomed new addition to the menu! Bagel Chips, Cream Cheese, Diced Smoked Salmon, Everything Spice and mixture of Onions, Tomatoes & Capers. These “bagel nachos” are a fun and tasty one to try!

Churro Toffee Cold Brew Latte Cocktail from Favorite Things Marketplace

I’m a sucker for cold brew! Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co.® Mexico Origin Blend Coffee, Mr. Black Cold Brew Liqueur, Demerara Sugar, Cinnamon Sugar, Vanilla Bean and Almond Milk, garnished with Churro Syrup, Whipped Cream and Chocolate Toffee Crumbles. If you’re going to get ONE cocktail this year, make it this one.

Mickey Mouse-shaped Gingerbread Cookie from Making Spirits Bright Marketplace

Ok, so I ordered this one because it was Mickey-shaped (and what Disney foodie doesn’t love that?!), but I have to be honest it’s a pretty tasty cookie. Disney just does gingerbread well, plus they’re easy to share or take home to enjoy later!

Holiday Ham Slider from Winter Sliderland Marketplace

Ham Slider with Cranberry-Bacon Jam and Gruyère on a Salt & Pepper Brioche Bun. While I do think this one could have used a little something more (like a stuffing layer), the holiday ham was on point and overall I think it was better than the soggy brisket slider.

Chocolate Bourbon-flavored Tart from Visions of Sugar Plums Marketplace

Layers of Caramel and Chocolate Bourbon-flavored Mousse made with TWIX® Cookie Bar Pieces. Now be aware that the bourbon is strong with this one! That said, it’s not overpowering and it makes for a delicious dessert at the end of your tasting day.

Mrs. Claus’ Hot Cocoa Macaron from Favorite Things Marketplace

Inspired by the Disney+ Series “The Santa Clauses,” this Red Macaron is filled with Chocolate Hot Cocoa Filling and Ganache, finished with a Chocolate Decoration. While this one isn’t the prettiest macaron we’ve seen from Disney food festivals, I would say it’s a good bite to get. The hot chocolate filling is yum! And bonus, it’s a large cookie so big enough to share (if you’re feeling generous).

Spicy Apple Cider Margarita from Merry Mashups Marketplace

This one tastes like Christmas in a cup! Reposado Tequila, Apple Cider, House-made Ghost Pepper-Cinnamon Syrup, Raspberry Syrup and Lime Juice, garnished with an Apple Chip.

Best Things to Eat and Drink at Disney Festival of Holidays

Disney Festival of Holidays