With all of the changes happening at Epcot, one thing remains the same - the Walt Disney World Resort park plays host to a number of seasonal festivals that feature food and drink tastings, live entertainment and overall fun for adults, kids and families. The most popular of Epcot’s festivals is every gastronome and oenophile’s dream come true - the fall Food & Wine Festival. Naturally, the annual event highlights the best of a number of country’s signature cuisine and libations. Admission to the Food & Wine Festival is included with Epcot admission, and guests are allowed to stroll the World Showcase sampling delish bites, paying out of pocket or with Disney dining credits. There’s much more to enjoy than visiting the Food & Wine global marketplaces. What else you ask? Well, we’re answering on today’s Friday Fives blog post.
Eat to the Beat
What pairs well with gourmet bites and savory sips? How about a free, outdoor concert? The Eat to the Beat Concert Series features a lineup of more than 30 popular artists whose musical genres range from R&B to country and from pop to a Capella. Performances are scheduled daily throughout the Festival at the America Gardens Theatre in the American pavilion sandwiched between the Japan and Italy pavilions. For many of us, the lineup is a trip down memory lane. Adults who grew up in the 1980s will get a kick out of hearing popular artists during the decade of excess including Billy Ocean, Sheila E. and Tiffany. During our recent visit, we relived the 1990s while watching Sugar Ray perform their top hits like “Every Morning", “Fly” and “Someday”. As the band’s lead singer admitted, he’s not the greatest vocalist; but boy, he sure was entertaining.
The concerts are held during the evening hours and last a quick 30 minutes - just enough time to consume a few bites and sips while getting your groove on. The acts perform three times daily, so you have multiple chances to catch a show.
Festival Freebies
If you’re a Walt Disney World Resort annual passholder, you’ll leave Epcot with more than a full tummy (and perhaps a slight headache if you’ve consumed more of the wine and less of the food), as passholders receive freebies when they enter the park. During the first part of the Festival, passholders received a complimentary Passholder magnet featuring Chef Minnie. During the latter part of the Festival, passholders receive what will be a hot commodity, the first-ever Chef Remy themed magnet. And when passholders enter Epcot four times during the same Food & Wine Festival, they receive a complimentary Passholder Chef Minnie wooden coaster set. Supplies are limited, and passholders must visit the Mouse Gear store in Epcot to get their adorable freebies.
Walt Disney World Resort Annual Passholders get swag for visiting Epcot’s Festival of the Arts, like this wooden Chef Minnie coaster set.
If you’re not a pass holder, there’s plenty of special merchandise for sale (not free, sorry) to satiate your appetite for shopping. The Festival Dooney & Burke line is immensely popular with items often selling out. There’s also Festival-branded apparel, kitchenware and tabletop accessories.
Family Fun
If you’re visiting Walt Disney World, it’s likely you’re traveling with kids. If your young ones aren’t keen on spending an entire day sampling global cuisine, there’s plenty of ways to entertain them in between snack sessions. When the kiddos need to run wild and burn energy, visit the Family Play Zone. Located in Future World, the play area has distinct areas for toddlers and bigger kids. If your kids are the creative type, they may enjoy taking a mini-class to learn the art of sushi-making - candy sushi, that is. Taught by a Disney chef, your culinary apprentice will transform everyday candies and sweets into maki- or nigari-style rolls. Located in the Land Pavilion, the workshop costs $10 per person, and advance reservations are recommended as it is only available from 3:30-5:30 pm daily. If you want to stay in World Showcase, your kids can participate in a scavenger hunt for just $6.99 plus tax. They’ll be on a quest to find hidden Remy statuettes throughout World Showcase. After they’ve found them all, they receive a fun surprise.
Making candy sushi at Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival; photo by Disney
Brunch with the Chef
As the Festival focuses on the best of food and wine, there are opportunities to interact with some of the most well-known and admired celebrity chefs. One of those opportunities is Sunday Brunch with the Chef. For $139 plus tax per person, guests dine on a fabulous buffet, enjoy a wine toast and hear the featured celebrity chef’s tips and tricks. There’s also a meet and greet photo-opp. 2019 chefs include Richard Blais of Top Chef fame, Richard Irvine from Food Network’s Restaurant: Impossible and the Cake Boss, Buddy Valastro. Beyond Imagination Vacations travel planner Vicky Narde attended a brunch event with Buddy Valastro who signed autographs and whose chocolate croissant breakfast bake served as dessert, with guests taking home the recipe!
Beyond Imagination Vacations travel planner meets the Cake Boss!
The Cake Boss’ Chocolate Croissant Breakfast Bake - yum; Vicky walked away with the recipe.
Tasting Seminars
For Festival attendees who want to take their snacking to a higher level, Epcot offers tasting seminars on select dates. During a 90-minute session, “a distinguished fromager will explain the major aromas, textures and flavor levels of popular cheeses—from Asiago to Zamorano.” The seminar is $95 plus tax per guest; in addition to the cheeses, attendees receive complimentary wines or craft beers to pair and learn further about cheese-producing regions. For a lower-price point, novice sommeliers can attend a 45-minute seminar to learn about the nuances of various wines from the experts.
Getting ready for a tasting at a past Food & Wine Festival