Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Archives

2022 EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival

For 129 delicious days, guests can sip, savor and repeat across six continents at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE.

The festival kicks off on July 14th at Walt Disney World Resort and continues through November 19, offering new experiences for foodies and families alike as part of the “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” honoring the Walt Disney World Resort 50^th Anniversary.

2022 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKC — Matt Stroshane, Photographer

Like a passport for the palate, this iconic festival is a magical taste tour that whisks guests off on a fun and flavorful journey. It’s a delicious celebration of the best in global food and drinks, along with live entertainment, family activities, and more.

2022 EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival

New Sips, Fresh Bites at Global Marketplaces
More than 25 festival food and wine marketplaces located throughout EPCOT celebrate the best in global food and drink. This year, the creative Disney culinary teams have dreamed up unique dishes as nearly one third of the menu offerings are new. Here is a sampling of the many flavors:

Debuting this year is The Fry Basket featuring French fries presented with unique savory and sweet toppings, including the Fry Flight, which features three different flavors: Sea Salt and Malt Vinegar Fries; Barbecued Bacon Fries with smoked aïoli; and Sweet Potato Casserole Fries with candied pecans, toasted marshmallow cream, and caramel whisky
A guest favorite from years past, India returns with three brand-new items: Crispy Paneer with Mango-Curry Ketchup, Potato and Pea Samosa with Coriander-Lime Cream, and Chicken Tikka Masala with Fennel-spiced Yogurt and Naan Bread.

The Belgium marketplace, opening at 8:30 a.m. daily, serves up Belgian Waffles topped with either Warm Chocolate Ganache or Berry Compote and Whipped Cream, as well as Chilled Mocha Coffee – perfect for those who want to get an early start on their epicurean journey.
The Swanky Saucy Swine entices guests with the return of a fan favorite: Crispy Barbecued Pork Rinds with Pimento Cheese, and a new item: Grilled Pork Shoulder Lettuce Wrap with Charred Corn Salsa, Pickled Red Onion, and Cilantro-Lime.
Hops & Barley showcases the best of America with a new Chesapeake Crab Slider with Tangy Coleslaw and Cajun Remoulade, as well as Freshly Baked Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing.

The Alps showcase a new item perfect for the changing seasons: Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese with Riesling-poached Pears, Red Wine-braised Figs, Candied Pecans, Honey, and Cranberry Toast.
And dozens more returning favorite dishes can be found throughout the Festival in Germany, Spain, Canada, Australia, Greece, Japan, Brazil, Coastal Eats, and Flavors From Fire Marketplaces – to name just a few!

Epcot International Food and Wine 2019 Walt Disney World

Eat to the Beat Concert Series presented by Florida Blue Medicare
Live musical performances at the America Gardens Theatre are scheduled to feature internationally recognized artists Friday through Monday and local bands rocking the house Tuesday through Thursday.

With genres spanning Rock, Latin, Rap, Pop, Country, Gospel, and more, some of this year’s lineup includes:

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Tonic
Blanco Brown
Hoobastank
Los Amigos Invisibles
Sheila E.
38 Special
Robert Randolph Band
Newsboys
Ray Parker Jr.
Billy Ocean
Hanson
Boyz II Men
Kenny G
Sugar Ray
And many others!

With an Eat to the Beat Dining Package (for Friday through Monday concerts), guests can enjoy a leisurely meal at a select EPCOT restaurant and guaranteed seating at one of the performances later that same day.

To see the full lineup of artists, performance dates, and pricing, and to make a dining package reservation, guests can visit TasteEpcot.com.

Engaging Experiences Encourage Exploration
Guests can have even more fun exploring the festival by participating in interactive experiences (separate purchase required):

In Emile’s Fromage Montage, cheese lovers can take a walk on the tasty side to sample cheese dishes served in inventive ways. To participate, guests must purchase five different items from the list of qualifying dishes available at select Festival Marketplaces (found in the Festival Passport) and collect a special stamp from each location they visit. Then, guests can receive a special dessert served in a festival cup.
Kids of all ages can embark on a Ratatouille-inspired adventure that’s très magnifique in Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak. In this savory scavenger hunt, guests purchase a map and stickers from select festival merchandise locations (while supplies last) and then explore EPCOT to find Remy statuettes to match their stickers to the map. Whether they search for the ingredients or not, guests may return their map to redemption locations in the park to receive a festival keepsake.
New this year! From Sept. 29-Oct. 31 (or while supplies last), special Halloween fun for the whole family is available in Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit. With the purchase of a map and stickers, guests can search around EPCOT to look for hidden decorative pumpkins themed to Disney characters. Whether they search for the pumpkins or not, guests may return their map to redemption locations in the park to receive a small festival keepsake item.

Sip, Savor, Repeat…and Shop!
This year, the festival merchandise team is serving up five new collections to savor. Guests can visit Festival Markets throughout EPCOT to shop for official event items, including:

Event Logo Collection, with something for everyone including commemorative apparel, accessories and adorable keepsakes
Chef Mickey Mouse and Chef Minnie Mouse Collection, evoking nostalgia for longtime Disney fans with an assortment of tabletop and kitchen-themed items, an apron and more
Princess Tiana Collection, an array of kitchenware and apparel with New Orleans-inspired culinary flair marks the beloved princess’ first exclusive festival specialty merchandise line
Chef Figment Collection, paying tribute to Figment’s love of all things purple – including beets – this fun new collection includes kitchen essentials, trading pins and more
The Chef Remy Annual Passholder Collection, featuring unique Remy inspired merchandise including apparel, trading pins and collectible novelties

Merchandise can be found at festival retail locations across EPCOT beginning July 14, with additional pieces debuting throughout the festival. Select items are also available on shopDisney.com.

To experience the 2022 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, guests need both a valid park admission and a park reservation for EPCOT on the same date. For more details on this year’s festival, guests may visit TasteEpcot.com.

2021 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival 2021 Pinterest

Fans of the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival have more time than ever to enjoy culinary favorites, live entertainment, and more, as the annual festival is underway daily from July 15 to November 20, 2021.

Global Marketplaces

At this year’s Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, 32 global marketplaces will take festival-goers on a culinary journey that will span six continents.

While delicious bites from returning favorites like Canada, Greece, Germany, and the Appleseed Orchard are on the menu, there are five new marketplaces to tempt your palate.

Brew-Wing at the Epcot Experience: Explore an array of crowd-pleasing picks like chicken wings and flatbreads—along with assorted beers and ciders.
Brew-Wing at the Epcot Experience: Explore an array of crowd-pleasing picks like chicken wings and flatbreads—along with assorted beers and ciders.
Rotunda Bistro: Nosh on tasty cuisine featuring fresh seafood and produce in the American Adventure Pavilion.
The Swanky Saucy Swine: Try out tantalizing pork dishes along with wine, beer, or a cocktail.
Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina: Treat your senses to traditional Moroccan cuisine, like grilled kebabs and a falafel pita.

Please remember that in-park dining requires a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date for each person in your party, ages three and up.

Live Entertainment

This is a video of the JAMMin’ Chefs from a few years ago that I absolutely LOVE!!!!!!! This year they will be performing on the Canada Mill Stage daily.

Live entertainment is back for the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival with a new concert series that is sure to be a fan favorite!

The following Epcot favorites will be returning for this year’s festival:

JAMMin’ Chefs: This funky drumming crew will break it down with pots, pans, and other kitchen gadgets on the Canada Mill Stage.
Mariachi Cobre: Make sure to take time to enjoy the melodies of this world-famous traditional folk music from Jalisco, Mexico, on the American Garden Theatre stage daily.
Voices of Liberty: There won’t be a dry eye in the American Gardens Theatre as the inspiring vocal performances from the Voices of Liberty celebrate America’s spirit and beauty.

New to the 2021 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is the America Gardens Bandstand. This live music concert series will occur every Friday through Monday evening featuring local bands from across Central Florida playing popular songs of yesterday and today on the America Gardens Theatre stage.

Family Fun

Families will find two Ratatouille-inspired adventures at the 2021 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.

Available for purchase throughout the park, Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak will have kids of all ages searching high and low around Epcot for statuettes of Remy hidden throughout World Showcase and the Global Marketplaces.

Once seekers have found and matched all of the ingredient stickers to their map, they will receive a surprise at Disney Traders, located at the entrance to World Showcase, from Chef Remy.

Families looking for a culinary exploration will want to check out Emile’s Fromage Montage, which will let adventurous eaters sample a variety of cheeses served in inventive ways.

To participate in the challenge, families will purchase any five cheese dishes from select Global Marketplaces listed in the Festival Passport to collect the special stamps for a prize unique to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.

Festival Exclusive Merchandise

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival 2021 - Merchandise

Guests can bring the culinary magic home with official event merchandise from five new Festival exclusive collections that include apparel, trading pins, kitchen gadgets, home décor, and more!

Are you excited to attend the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival? Make sure to follow @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube for even more details!

Seasonal Walt Disney World Event News

Yesterday’s announcement was a bummer for Walt Disney World fans who typically flock to the Resort for all of their fall celebrations.

Before we go any further…

All of these decisions are firmly set in logic and continue to show how Walt Disney World is committed to putting guest and Cast Member safety first, and I absolutely appreciate and support the hard decisions that have been made.

That being said, cue the sad trombone as we go over yesterday’s announcement.

5 Things to Know About the Walt Disney World Seasonal Event Announcement

2019 Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party — David Roark, photographer

1. BooHoo to You

Let’s just rip the bandaid off of this one….

This year Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom has been canceled.

“While assessing another fall special event, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, we determined that many of its hallmarks – stage shows, parades and fireworks – are unable to take place in this new, unprecedented environment. With that in mind, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.”

I wish there was more to say, but here we are.

If you had already purchased Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party tickets, you will receive a refund over the coming weeks.

A Taste of Epcot International Food and Wine Festival 2020 Walt Disney World

2. Sort of Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

This year Walt Disney World will debut their longest festival ever, the new ‘A Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival’ that will begin on July 15 and continue into “fall”.

The foodie festival will feature 20 signature global marketplaces like Hawaii, Hops & Barley, and Islands of the Caribbean spaced out around the park.

EPCOT will sprinkle in some Flower & Garden goodness with Food & Wine, as guests will be able to see the newest topiary, Remy, in the France pavilion and find Flower & Garden merchandise available.

I am excited that Remy’s Ratatouille Hide and Squeak scavenger hunt will be returning as that ‘Tiny Chef’ is one of my faves.

And don’t fret, this year the Food & Wine merchandise will join the fun later on after the festival begins.

3. Eat to the Beat

You’ll notice I didn’t mention that the popular Eat to the Beat Concert Series in the new festival line-up, and that’s because in an effort to accommodate proper physical distancing, these concerts will not take place this year.

But this announcement has a bit of a silver lining as local EPCOT entertainment such as Mariachi Cobre, the JAMMitors, and more will get their time to shine on the America Gardens Theatre Stage!

“These fan favorites will spread out their performances throughout the day, giving audiences more options to enjoy them.”

Amazing!!!!!

Summer 2019 Theme Parks Central Florida Walt Disney World Disney's Animal Kingdom Hollywood Studios Epcot Typhoon Lagoon LEGOLAND Florida SeaWorld Orlando Electric Ocean Illuminations Universal Orlando Resort Universal's Islands of Adventure Harry Potter Wizarding World Hogsmeade Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Summer Nights 2019 — Photo: Walt Disney World

4. Glow is a No

Unfortunately, Disney H2O Glow Nights, the nighttime special ticket event at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, will also not take place for the remainder of 2020.

If you had already purchased Disney H2O Glow Nights tickets, you will receive a refund over the coming weeks.

I have my fingers crossed that this event returns in 2021 because it is sooooo much fun to slide under the stars!

Christmas 2019 Walt Disney World Holidays 2019 Christmas in July Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2018 — Ryan Wendler, photographer

5. Soooooo…

What about the holiday season at Walt Disney World?

Unknown.

“Looking ahead to the holiday season, this may spark questions about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, which includes the Candlelight Processional. We are monitoring our new environment closely, and will make a decision on these events as we continue to learn more from government and health officials.”

Let’s be real for a moment.

Fall is my favorite time of year at Walt Disney World Resort, I am super sad about these announcements.

However, I am beyond happy that this shows that Walt Disney World is dedicated to safety (even if it means canceling profitable events) and finding ways to keep the ‘Disney Magic’ we love during these unprecedented times.

We are all going to get through this together.

I promise!

Wear your masks, wash your hands, love each other, and I’ll see ya real soon!

New 2019 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Offerings

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival 2019

Nine New Ways to enjoy the 2019 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, happening daily until November 23, 2019, is you chance to try irresistible bites and sips from around the world, enjoy entertainment, and experience extra family fun.

And this year there are several new ways to experience the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival.

This year the Eat to the Beat Concert Series is back with even more acts than last year, and a new change is that the concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings being an hour later since the park is open later.

College Football fans will want to head over to Future World West to Flavors from Fire where you can not enjoy great food, but ESPN College GameDay fun including your chance to step behind the iconic GameDay desk and enjoy fun facts from the show hosts. Make sure to head to the back of the marketplace to see some culinary inspired GameDay signs.

In the Canada Pavilion, escape the crowds and step into the Appleseed Orchard. Fashioned after a Fall Festival, guests can step under the canopy to enjoy sweet and savory apple dishes paired with ciders, beers and wines. Brews, ciders and wines are offered individually or as flights, and kids of all ages can enjoy a deliciously sweet Frozen Apple Pie drink or the Caramel-Apple Popcorn.

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival 2019 - Disney Du Jour Dance Party

Families can boogie away those extra calories at Future World’s Disney DuJour Dance Party. This super fun celebration features a DJ 7 days a week—and live performances from Radio Disney artists on Fridays and Saturdays.

Tailgate Tasting hosted by ESPN’s Monday Night Football is your chance to enjoy and learn how to make some ‘Gridiron Grub’! During this 45-minute experience participants enjoy a flight of three sample-sized food items with a complementary beverage pairing, inspired by the cities playing in the Monday night game each week.

The best part—you’ll get a chance to learn from culinary experts how to make these dishes at home!

Just outside of the Norway Pavilion, The Alps Global Marketplace explores the Swiss-inspired dishes! Top picks include Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese with Baby Potatoes, Cornichons and Baguette, Venison Stew with Crushed Potatoes, and Frozen Rosé.

The Doughnut Box – located just outside of Test Track in Future World East – is your chance to sink your teeth into sinfully sweet snacks and savor delicious beverages! You won’t want to miss the Black and White Coffee Cocktail garnished with a Fresh Yeast Donut with Chocolate Espresso Bean Crumbles or the Sweet Corn Fritter with Fresno and Red Pepper Jelly.

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival 2019 Emil's Fromage Montage

On Emile’s Fromage Montage you join Remy’s brother Emile on a stroll around Epcot to enjoy a variety of delicious cheeses served in inventive ways.

Purchase 5 fabulous fromages and reward yourself with the corresponding stamp in your Festival Passport. Then, bring your Festival Passport to Shimmering Sips for a complimentary specialty cheesecake unique to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival!

23rd Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Walt Disney World

Also there’s a new way to enjoy the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival…The New Mid-Day Magic Ticket! Starting as low as $79 per day, the Mid-Day Magic ticket grants admission to one theme park per day after 12:00 PM. It’s a great way to enjoy an afternoon of food, an evening of entertainment, and a nighttime capped off with the new Epcot Forever Fireworks Spectacular.

You can find more information about special events like these and theme park news by following @onthegoinmco on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

This Weekend in the Theme Parks: September 27-29, 2019

With so much going on in Central Florida’s Theme Parks it can be hard to choose what to attend, and I am here to help!

Here’s what’s happening in the Theme Parks September 27-29, 2019.

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida

Halloween Horror Nights Universal Studios Florida 2019

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando returns to Universal Studios Florida to take fear to the max on select nights through November 2, 2019.

During this year’s all-new Halloween Horror Nights, the 80’s return with a vengeance bringing with them some of the biggest frights of the era with 10 totally terrifying haunted houses, five pulse-pounding scare zones, and outrageous live entertainment.

Don’t forget that you can save up to $52 on your HHN when you purchase it in advance online!

Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle debuts at Universal Orlando Resort this September

Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle is Coming to Universal Orlando Resort this September — Universal Orlando Resort

*** Shows this weekend begin at 7:45pm with show runnings lasting approximately 20 minutes ***

** No Show on September 28, 2019 **

All-New Experiences at Universal Orlando Resort will Bring the Darker Side of the Wizarding World– including Death Eaters – to Life in Hogsmeade on Select Nights Through November 15

As darkness falls on select nights starting September 14 the all-consuming Dark Arts will be unleashed in Hogsmeade when the all-new light projection experience, Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle, will make its highly-anticipated debut at Universal’s Islands of Adventure at the Universal Orlando Resort.

The nighttime show utilizing state-of-the-art projection mapping, special effects and lighting to bring a new dimension of magic to life on the majestic Hogwarts castle.

But before the experience, an ominous green light and fog will permeate the village, signaling the arrival of the Death Eaters. They’ll eerily roam throughout Hogsmeade, lurking amongst guests – practicing the Dark Arts with complete disregard of wizarding laws.

This marks the first time that guests at Universal Orlando will be able to encounter Death Eaters – devoted followers of Lord Voldemort known for their allegiance and practice of the Dark Arts – as part of their experience in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade.

As the Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle begins Hogwarts Castle is illuminated with a darker side of the wizarding world sinister creatures and villains – such as Dementors, Aragog, Mountain Trolls, Thestrals and more – cloak the castle through a mesmerizing display of light, music and special effects.

To help battle these dark forces, guests will be asked to summon their inner strength and bravely face the Dark Arts and the visage of the powerful Dark wizard Lord Voldemort, until the Patronus spell – to cast one of the most famous, difficult and powerful defense of the Dark Arts charms in the wizarding world.

The highly anticipated Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle will run select nights through November 15 in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

Halloween Spooktacular at SeaWorld Orlando

Halloween Spooktacular SeaWorld Orlando 2019

Guests of all ages can join their favorite furry friends from Sesame Street as Count von Count, Elmo, Big Bird, and all the gang celebrate the season in our All-New Sesame Street Halloween Parade.

Families will also enjoy a Halloween Dance Party and meet spooky characters along our new trick-or-treat trail. For this special event, children are welcome to dress in their

Halloween costumes and take part in this frightfully fun Halloween experience.

The Halloween fun takes place every weekend through October 27 and is included with park admission.

PLEASE NOTE – This year SeaWorld Orlando won’t be giving out Trick-or-Treat bags, so you can bring your own or purchase one at the park starting at less than $1.

Craft Beer Festival at SeaWorld Orlando

Fall Celebrations at SeaWorld Orlando 2019

SeaWorld is serving up an incredible party for craft beer lovers. SeaWorld’s Craft Beer Festival features more than 100 crafts brews and specialty menus weekends October 27.

Sample an unbeatable mix of domestic, international and local Florida favorites. Plus savor more than 20 food items expertly paired to match your preferred brew.

To get the most brews for your bucks, make sure to purchase a 12 ($54 plus tax) or 8 ($40 plus tax) Lanyard!

This is the one craft beer celebration you won’t want to miss!

WonderFall Flavors at Disney Springs

Disney Springs is once again celebrating the return of Autumn with the WonderFall Flavors at Disney Springs limited-time celebration returning September 20 through November 4, 2019.

The WonderFall Flavors at Disney Springs takes foodies on a journey around the shopping, dining, and experience destination with stops at over 30 participating locations.

From specialty cocktails and ciders to desserts and dishes featuring the popular flavors of the season like pumpkin, squash, apple, cinnamon, and more you are sure to find your favorite (or even new favorite) seasonally-inspired dish.

You can also pick up a WonderFall Flavors at Disney Springs event guide at various locations to help plan your visit.

In addition to all of these yummy items, you can also enjoy a variety of fall-inspired hard ciders at Dockside Margaritas and outdoor vending carts. And don’t forget to stop by Candy Cauldron and Goofy’s Candy Co. to snack on some fall-inspired treats like candy apples, cookies, cake pops, crispy treats, and more!

For more information on WonderFall Flavors at Disney Springs, restaurant info, full menus, and to make reservations, visit DisneySprings .com or call 407 WDW-DINE (407 939-3463).

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

Get your favorite costume ready and make your plans to live it up—collecting candies, sweets and delightful treats—all while Magic Kingdom park thrills and chills you with special fireworks, eerie entertainment and Disney Characters that go bump in the night as Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party kicks off tonight at the Magic Kingdom!

Best of all: since this event is “not-so-scary,” children of every age can enjoy the fun!

The party starts at 7pm, but you can get in with MNSSHP ticket as early as 4pm, to enjoy the exclusive entertainment, merchandise, special treats, ride overlays, trick-or-treating, parade, and all-new nighttime spectacular hosted by Jack Skellington.

Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular (Fireworks Extravaganza)

Gather ‘round as your host—Jack Skellington—delights with this not so scary-tale that proves anything can happen at Halloween!

During a frightfully fun fireworks display, Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy are spirited away to a mysterious haunted house where they encounter dancing skeletons, waltzing ghosts and a sinister gathering of Disney villains!

Don’t miss this dazzling spectacular featuring state-of-the-art projection effects, lasers, light and fireworks during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Descendance Party

Join your favorite Villain Kids for some wickedly good beats and fun photo ops at Cosmic Rays beginning on the August 16th party.

Ride Overlays

Mad Tea Party – special lighting and music takes this wild attraction up an even madder notch
Pirates of the Caribbean – take care as live pirates join in on your adventure in search of treasure
Space Mountain – hurtle through total darkness to the “riffs and chords of a new hard-rockin’ soundtrack”.
Monster’s Inc. (NEW for 2019) – join your favorite comic cast of monsters as they learn all about Halloween in the human world

Returning favorites include:

“Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade,” which happens twice nightly and features favorite Disney characters dressed in their Halloween best, along with the Disney villains and a cavalcade of fiendishly fun floats. But the coolest part is that the Headless Horseman rides the route (weather permitting) before the parade.
- new this year are floats and updates to the parade. Joining the Haunted Mansion waltzing spirits will be the spectral bride from the attraction. There will also be two new Tomorrowland inspired floats: one featuring Buzz Lightyear and alien explorers and the other with the Incredibles and Edna Mode.
The popular live show “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular,” featuring the Sanderson Sisters and Disney villains the likes of Oogie Boogie, Dr. Facilier and Maleficent.
Storybook Circus Disney Junior Jam in Fantasyland is the spot for all of the young partygoers to get their groove on with favorite Disney Junior characters like Doc McStuffins and Vampirina.
In Frontierland, prospector Cactus-Flower Cate rounds up youngsters for the “Frontierland Costume Promenade,” encouraging them to show off their costumes in a quest for the greatest treasure in the land – candy! The “Frontierland Costume Promenade” takes place just prior to each run of Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade.
Trick-or-treating throughout the park!
- If you have dietary concerns, Disney has you covered!!! There is a special way that you can trick-or-treat. You will go to the Trick-or-Treat locations throughout the park to collect tokens that can be redeemed for treats you can enjoy!

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

2019 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Overview

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is celebrating its 24th year with even more global marketplaces, entertainment, special events, and fun as the festival happens daily through November 19, 2019!

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is:

A culinary mashup of global cultures and gourmet innovations with 30 festive global food and wine marketplaces extending from Future World to encircle the World Showcase promenade
Fun for the entire family including the Disney du Jour Dance Party in Future World & Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak scavenger hunt
The popular Eat to the Beat Concert Series
- Mark Wills September 27 through 29
And special add-on seminars, demonstrations, and parties throughout the festival!

During the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Eat to the Beat concerts through November 19 the Disney du Jour Dance Party, Festival Passport, all attractions, and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.

You can find more information about special events like these and theme park news by following @onthegoinmco on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

2019 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Overview

The 24th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, happening daily through November 23, brings a culinary mashup of global cultures and gourmet innovation will bring irresistible bites, sips, entertainment and family fun to the park.

With new favorite festival offerings and dates than ever, let’s take a look at everything you can experience at this year’s Epcot International Food and Wine Festival!

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Marketplaces

Epcot guests can taste their way around the park with 30 festive global food and wine marketplaces that extend from Future World to encircle the World Showcase promenade.

New marketplaces include the Appleseed Orchard Marketplace, where guests can pair apple-inspired beers, ciders and cocktails like the Apple Blossom Sky while nibbling on Charcuterie and Cheese. Brews, ciders and wines will be offered individually or as flights, and kids of all ages can enjoy a deliciously sweet Frozen Apple Pie drink.

More new sweet and savory treats can be found at The Alps Marketplace, a tasty new spot where guests can conjure a snow-capped setting while dipping into a dish of Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese with Baby Potatoes, Cornichons, and Baguette, or Venison Stew with Crushed Potatoes paired with refreshing Frozen Rosé.

The Doughnut Box is debuting in Future World on October 1st with sweet eats and refreshing sips. Disney chefs have harnessed their creative energies for a festival spin on the donut craze, producing irresistible marketplace goodies that include a Black and White Coffee Cocktail garnished with a fresh yeast donut sprinkled with chocolate espresso bean crumbles, a Sweet Corn Fritter with Fresno and red pepper jelly, Strawberry-dusted Yeast Donut Holes. Also on the menu is a Strawberry Smoothie made with Blue Diamond Breeze Almondmilk and an exclusive festival beer called Boston Cream Donut Ale from Central 28 Beer Company, located in DeBary, Florida.

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Fun for Families

Back by popular demand, the Disney du Jour Dance Party in Future World will expand to seven days a week. Sundays through Thursdays, a DJ will lead the interactive fun. While on Fridays and Saturdays, Radio Disney stars will pump up the mix with live performances.

The celebrity lineup includes:

September 27-28 – Isabella Nicole (“Headphones”)
October 4-5 – Avenue Beat (“Delight”)
October 11-12 Sky Katz (“Like This,” Disney Channel’s “Raven’s Home”)
October 18-19 JAGMAC (“Like a Band”)
November 1-2 – AJ Mitchell (“All My Friends”)
November 8-9 – Kylie Cantrall (“That’s What I’m Talkin’ Bout”)
November 15-16 – Erin Bowman (“Keep Me Warm”)
November 22-23 –Tegan Marie (“Horses”)

Other family activities include Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak scavenger hunt where you use your map to locate statuettes of Remy hidden throughout World Showcase and the Global Marketplaces for a fun surprise, compliments of Chef Remy!

The popular Candy Sushi interactive experience returns to Sunshine Seasons in the Land Pavilion inviting kids of all ages to create sushi rolls using gummies, fun strips, and crisped rice to create a fun-to-eat treat!

Families can also enjoy the all-new Emile’s Fromage Montage,where they can sample a variety of delicious cheeses served in inventive ways. Guests can purchase any five cheese dishes from the official Global Marketplaces listed in the Festival Passport and collect a stamp for each cheese dish purchased. Once guests collect all five stamps, they can take the stamped Festival Passport to Shimmering Sips for a complimentary specialty cheesecake unique to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Eat to the Beat Concert Series

Three times nightly, the Eat to the Beat Concert Series will rev up fans and rock the America Gardens Theatre stage through November 19 with the biggest musical menu of top talent in the festival’s history, including new acts Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Kris Allen (pop, alt-rock), Boyce Avenue (rock, pop), and D.

Returning festival favorites spanning a broad range of eras and genres include Sugar Ray, Hanson, Sheila E. and Boyz II Men. Showtimes Sundays through Thursdays will be 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday shows are slated for 6:30, 7:45 and 9 p.m.

Eat to the Beat Dining Packages are also available to let guests choose their favorite restaurant for a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner, plus guaranteed concert seating that evening.

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Premium Festival Events

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival offers a wide variety of Premium Festival Events such as Party for the Senses, Sunday Brunch with the Chef, Cheese Seminars and other special wine and culinary programs to take your experience to the next level.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival - Demonstration

The back-by-demand Sunday Brunch with the Chef series in World Showplace Events Pavilion will kick off Sept. 1 with Chef Jamie Deen and continue on select Sundays through November 17. The chef lineup includes Cat Cora, Carla Hall, Fabio Viviani, Andrew Zimmern, Buddy Valastro, Richard Blais, Robert Irvine, David Burtka, Graham Elliot and Aarti Sequeira.

Tailgate Tasting hosted by ESPN’s Monday Night Football will be available select Sundays through November 17. The 45-minute program will pair gridiron grub with a beverage tasting inspired by the cities of pro teams playing each Monday night. Guests will also learn how to prepare the dishes for their next tailgate party.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival 2013

The grandest of the festival’s hot-ticket tasting events, Party for the Senses at World Showplace Events Pavilion, will welcome acclaimed chefs and vintners September 21, October 5, 12 and October 19 (All Disney Chef Night!). This event showcases creative bites and palate-pleasing sips with sensational live entertainment featuring Femmes of Rock, who wowed guests last year with their blistering solos and innovative arrangements. (Note: The November 9 event is sold out.)

“Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It!” hands-on workshops on select Mondays and Thursdays through November 14 will offer new opportunities for guests to work side-by-side with visiting chefs, bakers, mixologists and other pros.

Popular TV chefs and other culinary icons will entertain guests and inspire their palates on select dates at festival seminars and other events. Big names on tap include Bryan Voltaggio, Kenny Gilbert, Jet Tila, Shaun O’Neale, Keegan Gerhard, Dan Pashman and Rock Harper.

Book & Bottle Signings by some of the world’s top vintners and chefs will return on select dates this year, in addition to the popular The Chocolate Experience: From Bean to the Bar, hosted by Ghirardelli, offering guests samples.

Culinary Demonstrations (available through November 16) and Beverage Seminars (available through November 17) will offer learning and tasting sessions select days throughout the festival.

Reservations and separate event admission are required for these premium festival events and can be made by calling (407) WDW-FEST or on TasteEpcot.com.

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Merchandise

While you are in the park, don’t forget about the exciting new merchandise to commemorate the festival!

Chef Minnie and Chef Mickeyare bringing an extra “sprinkle” of fun in a new merchandise line depicts those true originals busily making cupcakes and other delectable desserts with ingredients that include rose-gold accents and a little sparkle.

Guests can also celebrate the festival with returning favorites including the Taste Your Way Around the World, Brews, Figment, and Remy collections.

During the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Eat to the Beat concerts through November 19, Disney du Jour Dance Party, Festival Passport, and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.

You can find more information about special events like these and theme park news by following @onthegoinmco on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival Returns This Week

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Each year, Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival continues to be one of the most anticipated special events for guests of Walt Disney World. Around World Showcase, kiosks are setup for the festival that feature food and beverages from countries and regions around the world. This year includes more than 25 kiosks with returning favorites, and new offerings from Scotland like the seared salmon, vegetarian haggis, and banoffee tart. The Scottish booth will also serve Innis & Gunn Original beer, which I recently discovered at the Grand Floridian, and what I may be most excited about, Scotch tastings from Glenfiddich with 12, 15 and 18 years included in the flight.

The kiosks will presumably, like in years past, take Disney Dining Plan snack credits for payment for most of the food and some non-alcoholic beverages. This is a fantastic use of your snack credits if you are on the dining plan as some of these individual items can often cost upwards of $6 or $7 like the lobster dishes at the Hops & Barley kiosk. The festival will definitely have me going back to some of my favorites including the escargot in France, Fisherman’s pie and cheese plate in Ireland, kahlua pork sliders and tuna poke from Hawaii, Florida shrimp ceviche, and Schinken nudel in Germany.

Another great thing about the Food & Wine Festival is that you get the opportunity to try some of the featured menu items from some of Epcot’s restaurants that you may not be able to get into very easily, like Le Cellier in Canada. For those not fortunate enough to get a reservation, don’t despair. You can sample the restaurant’s cheddar cheese soup and filet mignon with truffle sauce at this year’s festival booth.

In addition to the kiosks, the festival plays host to celebrity chefs and representatives from vineyards and other spirit companies. Many special events are offered over the festival’s almost two month span from September 27 through November 11 this year. Seminars and mixology classes along with tastings are among some of the more affordable extras that can start as low as $10 or so for some (occasionally passholder discounts are offered for select events). Other special parties, like the Party for the Senses, can go to upwards of $200 per person. Check out the festival page to see more details or call (407) 939-3463 to book.

One of the most fun parts of the festival is the Eat to the Beat Concert Series. This year new acts join some of the favorites that have been coming back for years. Last year I got to see both Sugar Ray and Boyz II Men put on great concerts. This year’s lineup (subject to change and courtesy of Disney) is as follows:

9/27-9/29	STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas	“We Built This City”
9/30-10/1	NEW! The Go-Go’s	“We Got The Beat”
10/2-10/4	Air Supply	“All Out of Love”
10/5-10/6	Sister Hazel	“All for You”
10/7-10/9	Sugar Ray	“Fly”
10/10-10/11	NEW! Edwin McCain	“I’ll Be”
10/12-10/13	NEW! The Manhattan Transfer	“Boy From New York City”
10/14-10/15	NEW! Wilson Phillips	“Hold On”
10/16-10/17	The Pointer Sisters	“I’m So Excited”
10/18-10/20	Night Ranger	“Sister Christian”
10/21-10/23	Boyz II Men	“End of the Road”
10/24-10/25	Survivor	“Eye of the Tiger”
10/26-10/27	38 Special	“Caught Up in You”
10/28-10/30	Smash Mouth	“Walkin’ on the Sun”
10/31-11/1	NEW! Spin Doctors	“Two Princes”
11/2-11/3	NEW! Christopher Cross	“Sailing”
11/4-11/5	Hanson	“Get the Girl Back”
11/6-11/8	Dennis DeYoung original member of the group STYX	“Come Sail Away”
11/9-11/11	Big Bad Voodoo Daddy	“Go Daddy-O”

Concerts take place in the America Gardens Theatre at 5:30, 6:45 and 8:00pm each night. Some of these performers can be very popular and guests have been known to line up hours in advance to try to get seats for the show. If there is someone that you really want to see, try to get there an hour or so ahead of time to give yourself the best chance to get into the theatre. If you don’t get in, rest assured, you can still see/hear the music and the band from elsewhere in the American pavilion.

I cannot wait for the Food & Wine Festival to start! This is one of my favorite events of the year, I often try to spread out my visits over three or four days to sample a few items each time. This gives me time to digest between booths and also to give my wallet a rest since you can literally spend hundreds to thousands if you were to purchase each item at each booth of the festival. I won’t be able to go for a few weeks, but I know many who are going this weekend.

Have you been to Epcot for the International Food & Wine Festival? If so, what are some of your favorite items? Have you done any of the special events or tastings? What are you most looking forward to? Let us know!Follow us for more updates:

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sneak Preview “Taste Your Way Around The World”

Tables in Wonderland Food & Wine Festival Special Event

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sneak Preview “Taste Your Way Around The World”

Odyssey Pavilion at Epcot^®

Saturday July 27, 2013 6:30pm – 9:00pm

Price: $133.13, tax and gratuity included

Counting down the days to the Festival? Looking forward to international marketplaces featuring tasty tapas-sized dishes and refreshing beverages? Eager to try your hand at mixology? Ready for some Culinary Demonstrations? Excited to enjoy an exhilarating outdoor concert?

With the 18^th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival just around the corner, we would like to invite Tables in Wonderland members only to a “sneak preview” of this year’s Festival! Join us as we sample the food and hear speakers talk about the new and exciting things we have in store for you this year! Learn what new marketplaces will be added, as well as new special events. Be one of the first to be “in the know” as we taste our way around the world!

Please visit the following website www.disneyurl.com/SneakPreview for self-booking and instant confirmation.

The website will go live and begin taking reservations on Monday, July 1, 2013 at 10:00am.

When you go to the website please have the following information ready:

Tables in Wonderland Ticket Number (number beginning with a W and includes a date)
First and Last Name of everyone in your party (you may purchase up to 10 tickets)
Home address
Phone number
Credit Card Number
Billing Address of the Credit Card
Personal Email Address
Food Allergies (if any)

Things to note about this event:

The event is limited to 150 Guests, and is exclusive to Tables in Wonderland members. Park admission not required.

The menu for this event is inspired by the International Marketplaces:

Buffet Reception:

Florida Local: Florida Grass Fed Beef Slider with White Cheddar and Sweet & Hot Pickles
South Korea: Kimchi Dog with Spicy Mustard Sauce and Kimchi

Terra: The Vegan Vine Red Blend
Cheese: Once Upon a Vine’s The Fairest Chardonnay
Brazil: Carnaval Moscato White Sparkling
Craft Beers: Sierra Nevada, Torpedo® Extra IPA
Poland: Frozen Szarlotka (Frozen Polish Apple Pie) featuring Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka

Plated Dinner

Appetizer

Brazil: Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans, Onions, Avocado and Cilantro

Brazil: Cerveharias Kaiser Brewery, Xingu Black Beer

Salad

Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival Rewind
Florida Fresh: Watermelon Salad with pickled Red Onions, Baby Arugula, Feta Cheese and Balsamic Reduction

Florida Local: Florida Orange Groves Hurricane Class 5, Florida White Sangria

Entrée

Canada: “Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter Sauce
Scotland: Scottish Salmon with Cauliflower Puree, Watercress and Malt Vinaigrette
With Baby Root Vegetables

Africa: The Wolftrap Red (Syrah, Mourvèdre, Viognier)
New Zealand: Mohua Sauvignon Blanc

Dessert Trio from Desserts & Champagne:

Chocolate Orange Cupcake
Hazelnut Chocolate Cheesecake
Morello Cherry Pistachio Mousse

Desserts & Champagne: Nicolas Feuillatte Rosé

Soft Drinks, Water, Coffee, Tea

If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, which you have not already told us about, please send an email to WDW.Tables.In.Wonderland@disney.com to give us time to accommodate your needs.Follow us for more updates:

Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2012 – Snack And Sip On This, Skip That

Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2012 – Snack And Sip On This, Skip That

Every year at Food and Wine festival at Epcot there are a few booths that are either the same as previous years or things that are always available in the parks. While these items are yummy, they can be skipped if you are a on a time crunch while sipping and strolling around the park. I figured I would let you in on a few of these items!

Canada:

Cheddar Cheese Soup: I know people go BANANAS for this soup and it is a top seller but this is both something you can get at Food and Wine, to go service AND table service at Le Cellier any time of the year. The line is ALWAYS super long and usually a bit of a wait.

My Advice: Skip This

Ice Wine: I am a HUGE FAN of Ice Wine. I had it for the first time many years ago at Food and Wine Festival. I make this a priority stop every year! The grapes for Ice Wine are only picked once a year, within a few hours from a special harvest of frozen to the vine grapes! It is a sweet dessert wine that is always such a treat no matter when you drink it!!!

My Advice: Sip on This

Greece:

Assorted Dannon Oikos Greek Yogurt Cups: I feel silly putting this on the list but I have to let you know! Seriously, head to Publix and pick your own flavors and enjoy them for breakfast! I am a huge Greek Yogurt fan but, who needs to wait in line and bay 3.00 for yogurt… lol. I would sing a different song if they had fresh made Greek Yogurt however.

My Advice: Skip This

Italy

Ravioli di Formaggio All’emiliana (Baked Cheese Ravioli) : This is always a top seller and there is always a long line to sample this. After Food and Wine 2 years ago, Epcot set up an Italy booth just on the outside of the country where you could purchase this dish year round since it was such a popular and huge hit. This portion for Food and Wine is a bit smaller then the regular season portion so it isn’t really worth the bang for your buck!

My Advice: Skip This

Morocco

Kefta Pocket: This is an item that they do sell in Tangerine Cafe but this is a smaller portion at a much smaller price without the sides. The Seasoned beef is always flavorful and it is put in a Pita Pocket! One of my favorite choices for lunch so this is the perfect size if you want to try something new!

My Advice: Snack on This

Poland

Kielbasa & Potato Pirogi with Caramelized Onions: My husband and I are HUGE Pirogi fans.. we eat them at least twice a month. I am convinced that the Pirogi that they serve are the same ones we buy at Walmart. They tend to be over boiled and very floppy, served with a small slice of boiled kielbasa, a mickey head squirt of sour cream and a few floppy onions on top. Save your self the time, make them at home!

My Advice: Skip This

Singapore

Singapore Sling: This is a concoction of Gin, Fresh Pineapple Juice, Cherry Juice and Soda Water. If you are ready for a strong and sweet beverage then grab this! Our recommendation is to ask for a cup of ice and pour your beverage over the ice to cut down on the strength.

My Advice: Sip On This

These are just some of my notes. Please feel free to sip and snack and skip what you want. I am lucky enough to get to go to Food and Wine multiple times each year so I can be a bit picky when ti comes to what I want to spend my money on each year. Please Keep on the look out for some of our Favorites and some of our Not so Favorites in the coming weeks! Make sure you follow us around on Twitter to see what new Favorites we may have!!!

Beth went to the preview of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival yesterday, and here are some of the pictures that she tweeted!

And now here are some Quick Bites to keep in mind as you are going around the Epcot Food and Wine Festival! Now these Quick Bites are extremely honest, and we have also included links to our friends over at The Disney Food Blog since they have AMAZING coverage of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival for a different perspective and beautiful pictures!

Argentina

* Beef Empanada – I tried this last year, but didn’t like it. It was the only thing that I actually threw out.
* Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri Sauce and Boniato Purée – I loved this. It was one of my favorite things at the festival.

Australia

* Shrimp on the Barbie with Pepper Berry Citrus Glaze – This is always good, but I’m not sure it is worth the cost. I would love to try to make it at home.
*Grilled Lamb Chop with Mint Pesto and Potato Crunchies – Yum! I don’t recall the potato crunchies in previous years, but I can’t wait to try them.

Belgium

* Steamed Mussels in Hoegaarden Beer Broth and Baguette – This is a festival favorite. I’ve always enjoyed it and highly recommend it.
* Belgian Waffle with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream – So good! People wait in the long lines for this dish alone!
* Guylian Belgian Chocolate Seashell Truffles – Last year this was only 2 truffles per package. It wasn’t an expensive item and the prices were probably on par with high-end chocolate like Godiva, but I don’t think I’d spend my money on it.
* Hoegaarden – My personal favorite beer in Belgium (though not my favorite of all Belgian beers).
* Leffe Brune – This is a new one beer this year.
* Godiva Chocolate Liqueur Iced Coffee – Always delicious, but a very small serving.

Brewer’s Collection

* Altenmünster Oktoberfest – This is also available in the Germany marketplace and in the WS pavillion.
* Altenmünster Dunkel – This beer was so popular last year that it sold out with more than 2 weeks left in the festival.

Canada
* Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup – This is always a top seller, but I personally don’t care for it.
* Chicken Chipotle Sausage with Sweet Corn Polenta and “Minus 8″ Onion Jam – I loved this last year. Officially, it doesn’t have a pairing, but I would recommend Niege (apple ice wine) with it.

** Neige Bubble – This actually won’t be at the festival because of a tornado at the orchard.**

Caribbean Islands

* Ropa Vieja with Cilantro Rice – A good dish to try. I actually preferred it to the one served at Columbia Restaurant in Celebration

Cheese

* Cheese Fondue with Sourdough Bread – I love cheese, but I didn’t really like this one last year.
* Trio of Artisan Cheeses: Beecher’s Flagship Reserve Cheddar, La Bonne Vie Goat Brie and Rogue River Creamery Echo Mountain Blue Cheese – These are new cheeses in this selection this year.

*Sterling Vintner’s Collection Meritage – this was only okay. I don’t think I’d spend the money on it.

Desserts & Champagne
* Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial – served on the rocks

Florida

* Florida Orange Grove Hurricane Class 5, Florida White Sangria – If you like sweeter wines, this is a must try!

France

* Créme Brûlée au Chocolat au Lait – I always have to have this once!

Germany

* Apple Strudel with Karamel-Vanilla Sauce – this was delicious. Ask for extra caramel!

* Selbach-Oster Estate Spätlese
* JH Selbach Riesling QbA Red Label – this was good, but I prefer the spatlese

Greece

* Griddled Greek Cheese with Pistachios and Honey – delicious! I can’t wait to have it again!

Hawaii

* Kalua Pork Slider with Sweet and Sour Dole Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise – This was delicious! It is a top seller!

Hops & Barley

* Linda Bean’s® Perfect Maine Lobster Roll® – being a native New Englander, I was skeptical about this dish, but it turns about be delicious. Save your snack credits for this!
* Pumpkin Mousse with Craisins and Orange Sauce – the spices on this were delicious. Just like pumpkin pudding.

* Angry Orchard Cider – OMG. This is delicious. I must have more of it!

Ireland

* Lobster and Seafood Fisherman’s Pie
* Kerrygold® Cheese Selection: Aged-Irish Cheddar, Dubliner and Cashel Blue with Apple Chutney and Brown Bread
* Warm Chocolate Lava Cake with Bailey’s Ganache

* All three foods are delicious. I think the cheese plate is one of the best values of the festival.

* Bunratty Potcheene Chilled Irish Coffee – new this year, and I am excited to try it with the lava cake.

Italy

* Ravioli di Formaggio All’emiliana (Baked Cheese Ravioli, Creamy Beef Bolognese, Parmesan, Mozzarella) – popular, but I don’t really like it.
* Cannoli al Cioccolato (Chocolate-Covered Cannoli filled with Ricotta, Chocolate, Candied Fruit) – drooling just thinking about this!

Mexico

* Crispy Shrimp Taco with Chipotle Lime Mayo and Cabbage Served on a Flour Tortilla – I loved this last year!

Morocco

* Kefta Pocket (Ground Seasoned Beef in a Pita Pocket) – Good and a great size if you would like to try it without paying full price in Tangerine Cafe.

New Zealand

* Seared Sea Scallop with Kumara Red Curry Puree and Apple Radish Salad – Delicious! A good sized scallop for the price.

* Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc – This wine really didn’t stick out to me. You may want to skip it…

Poland,
* Kielbasa & Potato Pierogie with Caramelized Onions and Sour Cream – meh. Go buy Mrs. T’s and Hillshire Farms and make it at home.

Scandinavia

* Rice Pudding with Driscoll’s® Only The Finest Berries™ – good, but I prefer the rice cream inside Kringla Bakery

Singapore

* Beef Rendang with Jasmine Rice – delicious and spicy

* Singapore Sling – get a cup of ice from a counter service location before you order this. It is very strong! Pour it over the ice.

South Africa

* Seared Filet of Beef with Smashed Sweet Potatoes and Braai Sauce – this was delicious! I may try it without the sauce next time.

South Korea
* Bohae Black Raspberry Wine-Bokbunjajoo – if this is the same wine as last year, I’d say skip it. It tasted like cough medicine.

Terra

** Note that the wines served in Terra are not vegan**

* Paul Dolan Pinot Nior – This is delicious!

Tables in Wonderland Taste Your Way Around the World event

On Saturday, July 28th, from 6:30 to 9:00pm, Tables in Wonderland will be hosting an event called Taste Your Way Around the World at the Odyssey Pavilion at Epcot. This special event for Tables In Wonderland members costs $110.00 per person, not including tax, but gratuities are included.

The event is being promoted as a teaser for those who can’t wait for the fall when the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival starts. It is a “sneak preview” of what is to come at this year’s festival and features speakers who will be talking about what’s new this year. There is a special website setup just for this event’s registration at www.disneyurl.com/sneakpreview. This is a new process they are trying out for this event as opposed to emailing Tables in Wonderland. It will provide you will instant confirmation if you successfully register. Online registration begins on July 2 at 10:00am.

The menu for the event will feature items from around the world to include:

Buffet Reception:

Florida Local: Florida Shrimp Ceviche with Fire Roasted Vegetables, Fried Plantains and Cilantro

Florida Local: White Corn Arepa with Mangalista Pork Rilette and Zellwood Sweet Corn Salad

New Zealand: Lamb Meatball with Spicy Tomato Chutney

Scandinavia: Iron Horse Fairytale Cuvee

Poland: Frozen Belvedere Lemon Apple “Tea”

Singapore: Marques de Caceres Satinela

Plated Dinner:

Appetizer

Terra: Chili Colorado with House made Chips and Cashew Cheese, featuring Gardein Beefless Tips

Terra: Paul Dolan Pinot Noir

Salad

Greece: Greek Salad with Pita Bread

Greece: Domaine Skouras Moscofilero

Entree

Canada: “Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter Sauce

Singapore: Seared Mahi Mahi with Jasmine Rice and “Singa” Sauce Served with Carrots and Baby Green Beans

Canada: Mission Hill Syrah

New Zealand: :Kim Crawford Unoaked Chardonnay

Dessert Trio From Desserts & Champange:

Yogurt Panna Cotta with Orange Cake, Raspberries and Pomegranae

Dark Chocolate Mousse with Chili and Salted Caramel

Lemon Custard Verrine with Blueberry Compote

Neige Premiere Sparkling Ice Cider

Soft Drinks, Water, Coffee, Tea

Italicized menu items indicate alcoholic beverages

This event is limited to the first 150 guests and park admission is NOT required. Each Tables in Wonderland member may register for up to ten guests including themself. You must have first and last names for each guest in your party, your TiW ticket number, mailing address, phone number, email address, credit card billing information, and any food allergy information at the time of registration. It is also suggested that you use a personal email address to register with as many company emails will filter the confirmation email as spam.Follow us for more updates:

Meeting Samantha Brown

As are many people, I am a HUGE fan of Samantha Brown (@samanthabrown) from the Travel Channel. I remember the first time I ever saw her on tv. I was at my friend Suzanne’s house and she just happened to have the tv on the Travel Channel as background noise while I was visiting with her and her triplets. An episode of Great Hotels came on, the one about the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago (yes, I even remember which episode it was from a over a decade ago), and I was instantly captivated. There was just something about Sam (as she often refers to herself, making her immediately more accessible) that sucked you in. It is a certain je ne sais quoi, but I will try to articulate. She reminds me slightly of my best friend in that she is very approachable and friendly. Sam has an affable quality and isn’t afraid to laugh at herself or others when the situation warrants. She doesn’t mind making a fool of herself and likes to have a good time. On tv, she appears to be about one of the most down to earth people that you just want to be friends with, and she is in person too. I know because I had the pleasure of meeting her in the fall of 2010. And it all happened through the magic of twitter.

So Sam was one of the first celebrities I followed on twitter. I love following her globetrotting adventures as I have watching her numerous series from Great Hotels to Girl Meets Hawaii, Great Vacation Homes, Passport to Europe, Latin America and China, as well as all of her specials on the Travel Channel. I still think the Great Hotels series is my favorite since she visited WDW on more than one occasion to cover episodes on the Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge. On top of this Sam has had more than a handful of Disney specials and continues to work with Disney on a regular basis cover the launches of the new cruise ships, Aulani and co-hosting the Disney Parks Christmas Parade in 2011. She is very endearing and can talk to just about anyone.

Anyways, I would tweet her every once in a while and never got a response until I realized that my account was set to private and she couldn’t see my tweets since she doesn’t follow me. Then, one day, after my friend Mary Jo Collins (@mojodisney) got a response from her, I decided to tweet Sam. Amazingly I got a reply! I couldn’t believe it. I was actually interacting with my favorite tv personality. I was in seventh heaven. Of course, I didn’t just let it go at a simple one time chance tweet, so I continued to tweet with Sam every so often and then, it happened. She confirmed she was coming to Disney World to film for a special. Here is how the conversation went:

So that is how it all came about. Through the wonders of social media I was able to meet one of the coolest and nicest people. For her to take time to say hi to me from her busy shooting schedule for the filming of the special Best Places I’ve Ever Been: Disney Memories, was completely amazing. Sam was very gracious and did keep me posted, just like she said she would. As she was escorted in by Cast Members and producers, a line quickly formed in the UK to meet her. I had been hanging out with one of my twitter friends, Susan (@marypoppins68), whom I had just met merely minutes before, when I got the message and we headed to the UK. If it weren’t for Susan, I wouldn’t have the awesome picture of me and Sam because I couldn’t get my silly blackberry to stop tweeting to be able to take a picture. I was next in line and then the CMs tried to whisk Sam away, but I protested (politely) telling Sam that I was @floridamingo with whom she had been tweeting. Immediately, Sam said to the CMs that she had a few minutes and insisted on getting a picture with me and we spoke for a few minutes. I couldn’t believe she did that just for me! After we met, she did have to get back to work and I snapped a few pictures of the filming. When she and her friend were on a break I approached Sam again and mentioned a few drinks she might like since it was during the International Food & Wine Festival and we all know she occasionally enjoys an adult beverage. She seemed to appreciate the tip and I went on my merry way with my mission accomplished.

I set out to meet Samantha Brown and I did just that. Despite the fact that I had two other trips planned for later that month, I booked a trip just for this opportunity. No, I’m not a stalker, I swear, but I really appreciate producing quality entertainment that is also somewhat educational and lets the rest of us live vicariously through it. It was an awesome experience and I actually spoke with Sam on another occasion as a call in guest during a fundraiser by the Be Our Guest Podcast crew. To be able to speak with her again was very cool and she even seemed to remember me (or at least pretended for my sake). For someone to put forth that effort for there fans is rare and I respect how gracious and friendly Sam was during both our in person and phone conversations. I can’t wait to see the next series or special that she has coming up as well as her continued association with Disney.

Here is a link to the special Sam filmed that day. She is up first so don’t be scared by the length:

Best Places I’ve Ever Been: Disney Memories

Pictures from that day of the filming:

Eat To The Beat Concert Series Rocks Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival

The Eat to the Beat concert series is a super cool bonus to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival!

The concerts take place at the America Gardens Theatre in Epcot’s World Showcase, and the cost is included with your admission to the park. There are concerts at 5:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.

I went to my first Eat to the Beat Concert, and it was AWESOME! I can’t believe that we have skipped this during our multiple trips to Epcot during the International Food & Wine Festival. I was stoked to see Sugar Ray with Shalon, Emily, and Tom!

It was a great concert! He played all of the hits you’d expect, some you didn’t (They loved the “Play Mean Machine” signs that Shalon made…WOOT WOOT!), and then threw in a few fun extras!

087 — I gotta fever. And only prescription is MORE COWBELL!!!

I absolutely suggest going early to get a great place in line. We got there 45 minutes early, and were given a ticket to turn in that allowed us to go in early to grab some great seats. We were able to hold some seats around us, but you can’t hold up too much space. And finally, be prepared to dance and have fun!

The remaining concert line-up* for Eat to the Beat is…

The Orchestra starring former members of ELO (“Don’t Bring Me Down”): 10/20-21/11

Howard Jones (“No One is to Blame”): 10/22-23/11

Boyz II Men (“End of the Road”): 10/24-26/11

Gin Blossoms (“Hey Jealousy”): 10/27-28/11

Sister Hazel (“All for You”): 10/29-30/11

Hanson (“Give a Little”): 10/31-11/1/11

The Pointer Sisters (“He’s so Shy”): 11/2-3/11

Night Ranger (“Sister Christian”) : 11/4-6/11

Air Supply (“Lost in Love”): 11/7-8/11

Richard Marx (“Right Here Waiting”): 11/9-10/11

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (Go Daddy-O”): 11/11-13/11

*= The songs I listed are for recognition and not necessarily what they will play.

I know that Sugar Ray won’t be my last Eat to the Beat concert, and I hope to see you there!!!

2011 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Merchandise

Inside of the 2011 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Center, located in the much beloved Wonders of Life Pavilion, you will find the most comprehensive collection of Festival Merchandise.

Let’s take a look at what this year has to offer…

198 — This is the painting of the International Food and Wine Festival's signature print.

200 — As always, the focus of the merchandise are items that you can use in your own kitchen.

202 — I am in LOVE with the Minnie Pin!!! So I may be biased, as she's my favorite character...

240 — This is the Annual Passholder exclusive pin for the Food & Wine Festival.

215 — The old world looking stamps on the hat look super cool.

217 — This burn-out t-shirt is really cute! It might be my favorite.

218 — There were a large variety of shirts this year.

220 — While the front seems unassuming...

221 — The back is awesome, because it has replicas of all of the kiosk signs!

Now the next few items I found are so amazing! These cosmetic and messenger bags are created from the banners that flew at last year’s International Food and Wine Festival!!!

246 — The 2011 Food and Wine festival Vinylmation.

The 2011 International Food and Wine Festival has also added two signature wines to their list of exclusive offerings.

The thing that strikes me the most about the merchandise for the 2011 International Food and Wine Festival is that the quality has definitely been kicked up a notch since last year!!!

Also, with the addition of the wines and the priorLife merchandise you will find more opportunities, outside of the featured artists, to purchase one-of-a-kind items!