Hellooooo, Disney Foodies!
Time to write one of my favorite posts of the year! I get to announce the first details of the 2019 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival! (Queue the fanfare!) Food and Wine is one of the very top events of the year here in Walt Disney World and one that I look forward to attending annually. It's a delicious and exciting culinary adventure around the world that anyone who likes food, (and who doesn't??), or alcohol, (again...), is sure to love. Did you know that at Food and Wine you can catch some of the most fun concerts from artists of yesterday and today, try amazing bites and sips, AND learn culinary tricks of the trade from some of the top chefs in the industry? Well, you can! And this year is set to be better than ever, and here's why...
First of all, this year's festival will be the longest running yet, with two and a half months to enjoy the festivities. This year, the festival opens on August 29th and runs through November 23rd. Now, let's check out what's new and exciting this year, and what old favorites will be returning!
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Eat To The Beat Concert Line Up
This year's concert series is truly going to ROCK! There are lots of new acts joining in the fun. I bet you'll have a favorite or two on here!- August 29 to 31: Plain White T's ("Hey There Delilah")
- September 1 to 2: NEW! Sawyer Brown ("Some Girls Do")
- September 3 to 4: MercyMe ("Grace Got You")
- September 5 to 6: NEW! Grace Kelly ("Ready, Seat, Stay")
- September 7 to 8: NEW! Zach Williams ("Chain Breaker")
- September 9 to 10: NEW! Lauren Daigle ("You Say")
- September 11 to 12: NEW! Jimmie Allen ("Best Shot")
- September 13 to 15: TBD
- September 16 to 17: The Allman Betts Band ("Midnight Rider")
- September 18 to 19: Everclear ("Father of Mine")
- September 20 to 22: STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas ("We Built This City")
- September 23 to 24: Postmodern Jukebox (pop covers)
- September 25 to 26: Blue October ("Hate Me")
- September 27 to 29: Mark Wills ("Don't Laugh At Me")
- September 30 to October 2: Sugar Ray ("Fly")
- October 3 to 9: TBD
- October 10 to 11: NEW! Boyce Avenue ("Every Breath")
- October 12 to 13: NEW! Southern Avenue ("Don't Give Up")
- October 14 to 15: TBD
- October 16 to 17: 38 Special ("Hold On Loosely")
- October 18 to 20: Baha Men ("Who Let The Dogs Out")
- October 17 to 18: 38 Special ("Hold On Loosely")
- October 21 to 22: Billy Ocean ("Caribbean Queen")
- October 23 to 25: Sheila E ("The Glamorous Life")
- October 26 to 27: High Valley ("Make You Mine")
- October 31 to November 1: Sheena Easton ("We've Got Tonight")
- November 2 to 3: Kris Allen ("Live Like We're Dyin'")
- November 4 to 6: Boyz II Men ("Motown Philly")
- November 7 to 8: The Hooters ("And We Danced")
- November 9 to 11: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy ("Go Daddy-O")
- November 12 to 18: TBD
- November 19: D-Capella (Disney A Cappella songs)
Awesome, right??? Keep in mind that all entertainment is subject to change, of course, but generally, the schedule is pretty set. Shows are nightly, Sundays-Thursdays, at 5:30pm, 6:45pm, and 8pm, and Fridays and Saturdays, at 6:30pm, 7:45pm and 9pm. And the best part of these concerts? They are included with park admission! (Though, as they have in previous years, dining packages will be available that offer a meal at a selected restaurant and priority seating at one of the concerts. For more info, click HERE or contact an agent at Kingdom Konsultants, and they'll hook you up.)
By far, the most popular reason to visit the festival is for the Global Marketplaces, close to 40 kiosks, located all around the park, selling snack-sized food items and sample-sized drinks, (alcoholic and non). Each booth has either a cultural theme, like France or Australia, or a culinary theme, like Chocolate Studio or Light Lab. This year's menus have not come out yet, but as soon as they are available, I'll be sure and add them to the blog.
In the meantime, we have other things to check out, like classes, tastings, and even kid-friendly activities. So, let's get to the rest of the exciting details...
Fun For Kids
- Remy's Ratatouille Hide and Squeak: Kids and adults alike will enjoy roaming from country to country, seeking out Remy, the rodent chef from "Ratatouille"! Little statues of him hide around World Showcase and you can seek him out, playing for fun, or you can buy a map and sticker set at a nearby gift shop, and once you locate all of the Remys, turn it in to collect a prize!
- Candy Sushi: Offered at 3:30pm and 5:30pm daily in The Land Pavilion, make sweet, candy and crispy rice treat "sushi". Booking info coming soon.
- Family Play Zone: A fun-filled playground, designed with little chefs in mind.
- Disney Du Jour Dance Party: Evenings will come alive with a character dance party!
Celebrity Chefs
A massive array of culinary geniuses will make appearances at this year's festival, including Oprah's personal chef, Art Smith, Cake Boss Buddy Valastro, and The Chew's Carla Hall. The full list of appearances should be out soon and I will add them here.
Festival Center
The Festival Center, located inside the old Wonders of Life Pavilion, hosts classes, displays, and experiences, including:
Beverage Seminars
Taste wines and spirits, and learn about them from local experts. This class is $17 per person, and participants must be over the age of 21. For more information, click HERE.
Cheese Seminar
Learn about the various flavors and textures of formage, and how to pair your favorite cheeses with wines like a pro. Alcohol is included and the price is $89 per person. For more information, click HERE.
Culinary Demonstrations
Offered Monday-Saturday at 12:30pm, Guests can learn how the pros do it all, and allow you to enjoy the fruits of their labor, plus a sampling of a paired wine or beer. The price is $17 per person and more info can be found HERE.
Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It!
Cake decorating and mixology are just a couple of the skills that will be explored in these workshops. Held Wednesday and Thursdays at 4:30, the cost is $39 per Guest. You can learn a new kitchen skill from a true expert! For a full list of classes, click HERE.
NEW! Sunday Brunch With The Chef
Do you dream of a celebrity chef making you breakfast, while sharing with you all of his or her best tips? Well, you'll LOVE this experience! Enjoy a brunch buffet, a sparkling wine toast, and then an interactive presentation from a celebrity chef, culminating in your chance to meet them up close and personal. Offered select Sundays at 11:30 am , the event is $129 per person, with all food included. This year's events will be hosted by Richard Blais, Jamie Deen, Tiffani Thiessen, Masaharu Morimoto, Buddy Valastro, Art Smith, Geoffrey Zakarian, Carla Hall and Alex Guarnaschelli. For more details, click HERE.
Food and Beverage Pairings
Thursday thru Sunday at 2:30 pm, Guests can watch master chefs create an innovative food and wine pairing and taste their masterpiece. Pricing is $29 per person and the event is held in the World Showplace Events Pavilion. For a listing of the events, click HERE.
Party For The Senses
Acclaimed chefs, entertainers and personalities will join you for a magical night of wining, dining and partying. Taking place in the World Showplace Events Pavilion, the event includes reserved seating at the 5:30 Eat To The Beat Concert, as a bonus. This year's event will be offered on September 22nd, October 6th, 13th and 20th, and November 10th. There are two seatings a night, and prices range from $229-$349 per person. For more info, click HERE.
Specialty Dining and Pairings
Travel the globe on a feast for the senses! Experience one, or several of these unique, indulgent dining events, each featuring a different country's cuisine. Check out this year's options!
Oh, and don't forget all of the Food and Wine Festival themed shopping, pin trading, the Wine and Dine Half Marathon and more! There's so much to do, you'll need more than just one day to get it all in!
Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival is by far one of, if not, THE best event that Disney offers in the whole year! Don't miss out! To plan your trip, hook up with an awesome travel agent on the Kingdom Konsultant Travel page, or by calling into them. The agents can help you make dining plans, book any of the events, give you advice and more.
That's all, folks! Be sure and keep an eye out for updates and reviews as they become available. Oh, and.... BON APPETIT!
Until next time, have a magical week!
- Jenn
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| Carla Hall! |
Festival Center
The Festival Center, located inside the old Wonders of Life Pavilion, hosts classes, displays, and experiences, including:
- NEW! Festival Center Stage Presented by Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company® – NEW!
- NEW! Junior Chef Kitchen: Kids ages 4-10 can sign up for this complimentary pancake art class and create edible masterpieces.
- Back To Basics: Held Friday-Sunday at 2 pm and 4 pm, this free session allows you to learn culinary tips and tricks from some of the best in the biz.
- Book Signings and Meet and Greets: Meet your favorite celebrity chefs, up close and personal!
- Bottle Signings: Vinters will be on hand to sign their bottles of spirits.
Beverage Seminars
Taste wines and spirits, and learn about them from local experts. This class is $17 per person, and participants must be over the age of 21. For more information, click HERE.
Learn about the various flavors and textures of formage, and how to pair your favorite cheeses with wines like a pro. Alcohol is included and the price is $89 per person. For more information, click HERE.
Culinary Demonstrations
Offered Monday-Saturday at 12:30pm, Guests can learn how the pros do it all, and allow you to enjoy the fruits of their labor, plus a sampling of a paired wine or beer. The price is $17 per person and more info can be found HERE.
Cake decorating and mixology are just a couple of the skills that will be explored in these workshops. Held Wednesday and Thursdays at 4:30, the cost is $39 per Guest. You can learn a new kitchen skill from a true expert! For a full list of classes, click HERE.
NEW! Sunday Brunch With The Chef
Do you dream of a celebrity chef making you breakfast, while sharing with you all of his or her best tips? Well, you'll LOVE this experience! Enjoy a brunch buffet, a sparkling wine toast, and then an interactive presentation from a celebrity chef, culminating in your chance to meet them up close and personal. Offered select Sundays at 11:30 am , the event is $129 per person, with all food included. This year's events will be hosted by Richard Blais, Jamie Deen, Tiffani Thiessen, Masaharu Morimoto, Buddy Valastro, Art Smith, Geoffrey Zakarian, Carla Hall and Alex Guarnaschelli. For more details, click HERE.
Thursday thru Sunday at 2:30 pm, Guests can watch master chefs create an innovative food and wine pairing and taste their masterpiece. Pricing is $29 per person and the event is held in the World Showplace Events Pavilion. For a listing of the events, click HERE.
Party For The Senses
Acclaimed chefs, entertainers and personalities will join you for a magical night of wining, dining and partying. Taking place in the World Showplace Events Pavilion, the event includes reserved seating at the 5:30 Eat To The Beat Concert, as a bonus. This year's event will be offered on September 22nd, October 6th, 13th and 20th, and November 10th. There are two seatings a night, and prices range from $229-$349 per person. For more info, click HERE.
Travel the globe on a feast for the senses! Experience one, or several of these unique, indulgent dining events, each featuring a different country's cuisine. Check out this year's options!
- French Family Meal Traditions: Savor an authentic French meal, and wine pairings, and even take home a copy of Paul Bocuse's recipe book! Located in Monsieur Paul's, pricing is $95 per person and the events are held on select Fridays and Sundays at noon. Click HERE for details.
- Hibachi Experience: Inside Teppan Edo, enjoy a 5-course hibachi cooking experience, including sake pairings. Pricing is $180 per Guests, and it is offered select Mondays at 4pm. You can click HERE for more details.
- Italian Food and Wine Pairing Luncheon: Inside the wine cellar of Tutto Gusto, enjoy a 5 course Italian meal, with perfectly paired wines and spirits. Pricing is $99 per Guest and it will be offered select Mondays and Wednesdays at noon. You can learn more by clicking HERE.
- Italian Food: Wine Vs. Beer Pairing: This 5-course Italian feast is served inside Via Napoli and includes hand-selected wines and beers of the chef's choosing. Pricing is $88 per Guest and it is offered select Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:30 pm. More information can be obtained HERE.
- Mediterranean Food and Wine Pairing: Over at Spice Road Table, Guests can enjoy the flavors of the Mediterranean, including Morocco and beyond, all paired with the perfect wines. Pricing is $65 per Guest and it is offered select Mondays and Wednesdays at 1 pm. More information is HERE.
- Mexican Tequila Lunch: This 4-course Mexican meal is served inside La Hacienda de San Angel, and it's all paired up with various tequilas. Prices are $85 per Guest. It will be offered selected Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Friday at noon. For more info, click HERE.
- Parisian Breakfast: An authentic French breakfast, inside Chefs de France, including fresh made baguettes, croissants and more. Pricing is $40 per person and it is offered selected Saturdays at 9:15 am and details are HERE.
- Parisian Afternoon: Indulge in French finger sandwiches, pastries, and desserts, while sipping unlimited mimosas. Located inside Monsieur Paul's, this event is $55 per Guest and is offered on selected Saturdays at 1:30 pm. Detailed information can be found HERE.
- Tokyo Pairing: 3 enticing Japanese courses, including sushi and sake, are served inside Tokyo Dining and will be $160 per Guest, and held on select Thursdays at 4 pm. To learn more, click HERE.
Oh, and don't forget all of the Food and Wine Festival themed shopping, pin trading, the Wine and Dine Half Marathon and more! There's so much to do, you'll need more than just one day to get it all in!
~~~~~~~
Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival is by far one of, if not, THE best event that Disney offers in the whole year! Don't miss out! To plan your trip, hook up with an awesome travel agent on the Kingdom Konsultant Travel page, or by calling into them. The agents can help you make dining plans, book any of the events, give you advice and more.
That's all, folks! Be sure and keep an eye out for updates and reviews as they become available. Oh, and.... BON APPETIT!
Until next time, have a magical week!
- Jenn
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