We tried the new food and drinks from the 2023 Plaza de la Familia at Disney California Adventure, and we’re sharing our review of our top picks from the limited-time event.
It’s officially Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort, and that also means the return of Plaza de la Familia, celebrating Día de los Muertos. The event offers activities and food that reflect the traditional celebrations of families in Mexico and other cultures that celebrate. As part of a Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort media event, we were given the chance to try out some of the food for Plaza de la Familia, and we’re sharing our thoughts!
Plaza de la Familia Review
As part of the media event, WDW Magazine was given the opportunity to try out a few dishes from Plaza de la Familia. Most of these dishes are currently available at the park and will be available through early November (the exact date varies).
While a large amount of the menu can be purchased at Paradise Garden Grill, other restaurants around Disneyland Resort are also celebrating. You can pick up special themed food and souvenirs from Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta, as well as Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa as well. Additionally, Coco-inspired souvenirs can be purchased at various locations around the parks. You can check out the full Plaza de la Familia menus here.
Vanilla Layer Cake
This gorgeous cake is layers of vanilla cake made with cinnamon mousse and sweet cream cheese frosting. You can find this colorful cake served by the slice and sold over at Paradise Garden Grill during Plaza de la Familia.
Photo by Tatjana Lazar
Our Review: Spoiler alert: Disney hit it out of the park with this cake. As WDW Magazine Communications Director Tatjana Lazar says, “The cake is light and fluffy, but still dense. And the cake pairs perfectly with the rich buttercream found in between each of the layers.” But, what ties it all together? A delicious cinnamon flavor. “You get little hints of a churro flavor throughout, which, when paired with the frosting, tastes simply delicious.”
Chorizo Quesadilla
The Chorizo Quesadilla combines poblano, onions, and mozzarella, and then tops the quesadilla with cilantro crema. The dish is served with salsa roja and escabèche and is a fantastic plant-based option for guests to enjoy from Paradise Garden Grill.
Photo by Tatjana Lazar
Our Review: WDW Magazine Graphic Designer Abby Richardson shared that this plant-based quesadilla was one of her favorite eats of the day. “The quesadilla is absolutely delicious, with the perfect amount of kick. It’s cheesy, and the fillings are wonderful — the escabèche is especially tasty!”
Chile Verde Chicken Flautas
Another Paradise Garden Grill dish is the Chile Verde Chicken Flautas. These are a new dish this year and are served topped with avocado, shredded lettuce, crema, queso fresco, tomatillo salsa, and pickled onions. On the side, you’ve got Spanish rice and pinto beans.
Photo by Tatjana Lazar
Our Review: WDW Magazine Communications Director Tatjana Lazar was a huge fan of the Chile Verde Chicken Flautas. “They are perfection,” she shared. “The crispy outside and tender inside pair perfectly with the creamy avocado and saltiness of the cheese.” The textures of everything blended together for the perfect bite and were well complemented by the beans and rice on the side.
Watermelon Candy Cocktail
The Watermelon Candy Cocktail from Paradise Garden Grill is made with tequila, watermelon schnapps, and pineapple juice. And to balance out that sweetness, the rim is seasoned with chamoy and chile-lime seasoning.
Photo by Tatjana Lazar
Our Review: WDW Magazine Communications Director Tatjana Lazar shared that if you want a sweet and salty drink, this will be the one for you! “The drink tastes like a watermelon Jolly Rancher, but not too sweet! And they’re very generous with the salt rim too, so if you like that combination of salty and sweet, this cocktail will really be your jam.”
Thank you to Disneyland Resort for inviting us out to experience Halloween Time at Disneyland! As part of the event, we were given the chance to try out new food from the Plaza de la Familia menus.
