REVIEW: Mac & Cheese Lovers Have to Stop By the Holiday Duets Marketplace at the 2023 Festival of Holidays in Disney California Adventure

Holiday Duets, a marketplace available during the Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure, is typically a divisive booth among our group. While the drinks served here are great, sometimes the food can be a bit lackluster, so let’s head over and see what they’re serving this year!

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Menu for Holiday Duets Marketplace at Disney California Adventure Festival of Holidays 2023

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Food:

  • Esquites Carnitas Mac & Cheese – $9
  • 🆕Chocolate Tart Made with TWIX Cookie Bar Pieces – $7.50

Beverages:

  • 🆕Cuban Parranda Cocktail – $17
  • 🆕Cantaritos Pineapple – $11.50

The Esquites Carnitas Mac & Cheese was previously available at Merry Mashups Marketplace in 2021, however, that was with Cacique Oaxaca & Cotija cheeses and Spiced Puffed Rice.

Photos of Menu Items from Holiday Duets Marketplace at Disney California Adventure Festival of Holidays 2023

Esquites Carnitas Mac & Cheese – $9

with Salsa Macha and Spiced Puffed Rice

DCA 2023 Festival of Holidays Holiday Duets esquites mac n cheese 2
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The Esquites Mac & Cheese is delicious. Any mac & cheese fan should give this a try. The white cheddar is rich and complements the carnitas and cornflakes. It doesn’t have that plastic, artificial cheese flavor, either. We recommend this.

*NEW* Chocolate Tart Made with TWIX Cookie Bar Pieces – $7.50

Sugar Tart filled with Caramel and Chocolate Mousse, topped with TWIX Cookie Bar Pieces and Holiday Sprinkles

DCA 2023 Festival of Holidays Holiday Duets chocolate tart with twix 3
DCA 2023 Festival of Holidays Holiday Duets chocolate tart with twix 5

We weren’t impressed with the quality of the chocolate in the tart, but the TWIX pieces saved it. The chocolate is otherwise light and bland. The crust is soft all around; we wish it were a little flakier. There are better sweet options around the park — skip this.

*NEW* Cuban Parranda Cocktail – $17

White Rum, Falernum and Maraschino Liqueurs, Soursop Nectar, Grapefruit Juice, and Mint Syrup garnished with a Dried Grapefruit Wheel

DCA 2023 Festival of Holidays Holiday Duets Cuban parranda cocktail 5
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DCA 2023 Festival of Holidays Holiday Duets Cuban parranda cocktail 2

The cocktail has an interesting flavor profile, with the grapefruit’s bitterness at the end and the white rum up front. It’s refreshing, not too sweet, and would be great for anyone who loves citrus and doesn’t mind a bite to their drinks.

The Festival of Holidays will run at Disney California Adventure from November 10, 2023, to January 7, 2024.

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