Disneyland Resort in California is a holiday destination for countless people every year – whether they’re locals or families on vacation over the Christmas season, no place is quite like Disneyland during Christmas, and a lot goes into creating the festive atmosphere that so many people flock to! Disney puts forth an astronomical amount of effort to make people feel that coveted Christmas magic (instead of just the regular old Disney magic, of course!), and a task of that magnitude would be impossible without the talent and efforts of cast members all across the park.
From decorations to entertainment to sanitation, every cast member plays an integral role in creating the Christmas spirit that flows through the park this time of year, and what better way to acknowledge the hard work that Disneyland’s cast members do than to showcase some of the park’s most magical contributions?
It truly wouldn’t be a Disneyland Christmas without the food, and the people behind the kitchen that make sure everything is perfect – not only that the food presented looks good, but tastes great, and lives up to the gold seal of quality that the Walt Disney Company is known for!
That’s why the Disney Festival of Holidays in Disney California Adventure park is so special! It’s a look at global cuisine that allows Disneyland’s chefs to explore new and inspiring flavors, looks, and dishes that bring a little bit of holiday cheer from all around the world! This celebration runs through January 6th of 2025, and showcases a wide variety of specially-crafted bites that reflect the spirit of the holidays from all different cultures.
Pastry Sous Chef Stephanie Yee was proud to show off her Sticky Toffee Pudding Macaron, a sweet treat with a familiar and beloved look, that she says represents the connection and comfort she looks for during the holidays.
“The holidays are all about spending time with the ones I love, and the Sticky Toffee Pudding Macaron is a warm, caramel hug with its brown sugar and spice notes, in a handheld form.”
Chef Luis Madrigal, who showcased his Al Pastor Pork and Pineapple Slider during this festival of food, used this creative endeavor to explore a new opportunity to share flavors that spark nostalgia, and to create new memories for guests lucky enough to be trying things for the first time!
“Like a sweet, glazed holiday ham, the Al Pastor Pork and Pineapple Slider surely cannot be missed,” he jokes, “I know I won’t!”
The best thing about the Festival of Holidays is that all of Disney’s culinary creatives get to bring their own personal flair and represent what is most important to them during this holiday season, whether it be something sweet or savory, and Senior Stage Manager of Food and Beverage Thalia Cortes has brought her A-game to this flavorful showcase with a Cookies and Cream Hazelnut Hot Cocoa, which can be found at Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co.
“The warm and rick flavors of this hot cocoa feels like the comfort of being with loved ones during the holiday season,” Thalia says, showcasing a beautiful glass of rich hot cocoa. This holiday treat is just what guests need after a long day in the parks, as they wind down and find some time to enjoy the company of loved ones amid a chaotic day of coasters and characters! Nothing brings the family together quite like hot cocoa, and Thalia’s Cookies and Cream Hazelnut Hot Cocoa certainly takes the cake in the comfort category!
Chefs at Disneyland are not only able to, but encouraged to infuse their creations with their own personal touch, to bring an authentic experience to guests from around the world. The genuine care that these creatives put into the foods they present is evident, and guests get to experience that joy and care with every bite, sip, and moment they savor at Disneyland parks.
“Gathering and sharing of traditions is what the holidays is all about,” said Chef Gerald Supan, “This Chicken Chicarrón brings together a fusion of both flavors and cuisines!”
And that’s what the Disney Festival of Holidays is really about, at its core. It’s a celebration of the diverse cast members who make the magic at Disneyland Resort, and a celebration of the cultures that they hold dear, that have shaped them into the extraordinary people they are today! Each dish tells a rich story of family traditions. The guests at Disneyland trying these unique flavors and traditional dishes are so incredibly lucky to be participating in such an experience, getting to share in the traditions of so many families that have been woven into the rich tapestry of Disneyland’s esteemed cast members!
The Festival of Holidays at Disneyland’s California Adventure will run through January 6th, so if you haven’t had the opportunity to try one of these incredible treats yet, there’s still time! Be sure to swing by Disneyland Resort and find some of these traditional cuisines, and remember the cast members who made them possible as you dig in!
