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Epcot Food & Wine Festival

MORE 2019 Epcot Food & Wine Fun

18 September 2019 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

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Remy Hide and SqueakWe recently headed BACK to the 2019 Epcot Food & Wine Festival to experience Remy’s Hide & Squeak scavenger hunt, try some more new food items, check out the Epcot construction updates, and generally have a crazy ol’ time. If you’d like to follow along, see our latest vlog.

You can also see our previous video on ALL the vegan items for the 2019 Epcot Food & Wine Festival and our Festival preview, with bonus Joey Fatone interview!

Be sure to give us a thumbs up if you like our silly videos, subscribe, click the notification bell so you know when we upload a new video – aaaand leave us a comment with your favorite thing to enjoy at Epcot Food & Wine Festival!

 

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Filed Under: Disney Parks, Resorts, & Entertainment, Disney Special Events, Top Stories Tagged With: 2019 Epcot Food & Wine, Arendelle Aqua, Epcot Food & Wine Festival, Epcot Food and Wine Festival, Remy's Hide and Squeak, Remy's Scavenger Hunt, sleeping figment

Top 5 Ways to Welcome Fall in Walt Disney World

14 August 2014 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

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I know, I know, it’s still summer – it’s still hot – (over 100 here at Walt Disney World!) but I find myself drifting to thoughts of cool autumn breezes, falling leaves, and pumpkins…Okay, maybe some of those things don’t exactly happen here in Florida, but a girl can dream. Believe it or not, “Orlando Halloween” is right around the corner (that’s what we locals call it when Halloween descends upon the area in early August while we’re all sweating in the sun) and that means lots of fun options to get in the Fall spirit. And while I may still be working on my summer vacation reports, I still wanted to put together a list of my top 5 favorite things about this time of the year at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Magic Kingdom Halloween1. Autumn Decorations

Being from Massachusetts, I miss the leaves turning color, the cold, crisp air blowing in, and visions of pumpkins and hay bales at every turn. Luckily, Disney has you covered and makes Main Street, U.S.A. feel like the Autumn I grew up loving. You just have to find some air conditioning for the crisp air part. The decorations may also be found around the Downtown Disney area. It’ll be interesting to see how things are done this year with all the Disney Springs construction going on. For a fun treat, head over to Fort Wilderness and take a stroll (or rent a golf cart) to see the amazing decorations the guests there do at their campsites. It’s unbelievable how much some of them do!

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
Carlotta provides interactive Haunted Mansion fun

2. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

One of my absolute favorite special ticketed events at Walt Disney World. You just can’t beat the fun you get to experience here with the twice-nightly “Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade” led by the infamous Headless Horseman, at 8:15 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. and “HalloWishes,” a green and orange fireworks spectacle complete with Disney villains, caps the evening festivities at 9:30 p.m. The parade is one of my favorites ever. The grave-diggers are so much fun and the costumes for all the parade sections are wonderful. It really gets you in the Halloween-y mood!

Of course the trick-or-treating is a key selling point of the party, kids and adults alike love getting candy and treats from all the different locations around the park. And don’t forget to get your special Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom card that’s special only for the party – show your party ticket and wrist band to pick up your card at the Main Street Firehouse during party hours.

And, keep reading below for some Halloween treats that you must try! Party dates for 2014 are: September 1, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26 & 28 and October 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 13, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 30 & 31. Advance purchase (prior to event day) savings are available for select dates. Visit Disneyworld.com/Halloween for party dates and prices, or call 407-W-DISNEY.

Sorcerer's of the Magic Kingdom Halloween 2014
Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party card 2014

3. Fall-themed Treats

Last year, we were really treated to some delicious treats during the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and later some were offered in the Magic Kingdom too. I hope all of these will be back this year, and maybe more new ones too! My absolute favorite was the pumpkin waffle sundae pictured below, it was the perfect mix of waffle, ice cream, and Fall! You can see more about these treats and more to do at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party on my Top 5 Must-do’s at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party post.

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
Amazing pumpkin waffle sundae!
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
Candy Corn ice cream!

4. Halloween Merchandise

It’s always fun to see the new Halloween merchandise this time of year. Popcorn buckets, t-shirts, Mouse Ears and more! Soon we’ll have a place to purchase Haunted Mansion merchandise year round! Whether you’re looking for something haunted, or your favorite characters in their Halloween gear, there is something for everyone this time of year.

Disney Halloween Merchandise 2012

 

What’s your favorite type of Disney Halloween merchandise to take home? Is your house decorated with a Disney theme?

 

Epcot's 18th Annual Food & Wine Festival

5. Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival

Another reason to visit Walt Disney World Resort this time of year is without a doubt, the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. This year marks the 19th year of enjoying unique and delicious foods, wines, beers, desserts and more around the World Showcase at Epcot. This little festival has grown so much since it first began. There are now countless special dining and tasting events, classes, seminars, after hours and VIP parties, and just plain amazing food (and merchandise!). I love being able to walk around World Showcase at night (usually on a weeknight, it’s much less crowded!) and just enjoy things I may not ever normally try. It’s like a mobile date-night with a view. We’ll have more coverage of the items offered this year, so stay tuned and follow along on instagram, twitter  and facebook for the latest photo-finds.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival: Patagonia Marketplace
New this year: the Patagonia booth will offer Verlasso Salmon

So what are your favorite reasons to visit Walt Disney World this time of year? Have you been before? What are your must-do’s? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below!

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Filed Under: Disney Dining, Disney Holidays, Disney Merchandise, Disney Planning, Theme Park Holiday Events, Walt Disney World Tagged With: #SotMK, Disney desserts, Disney Dining, Disney Halloween, Disney Halloween merchandise, Disney Halloween treats, Disney Merchandise, Epcot Food & Wine Festival, Epcot Food and Wine Festival, Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, epcot international food and wine festival, Halloween, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, Sorcerer's of the Magic Kingdom

Inside the Chase Visa Lounge at Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival

4 November 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

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Chase is one of the main sponsors of Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival, and this year they are offering something special for Chase cardholders. Located behind the Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience, the lounge is reserved exclusively for Chase debit and credit Cardmembers. Simply show your card to a Cast Member for access. Inside, cardholders can enjoy a refreshment or just relax between trips around the World Showcase for the 17th annual Food and Wine Festival.

Chase Visa Lounge Epcot
The Chase Visa Lounge

 

Chase Visa Lounge Epcot
Refreshment area

The stripes giveaway that this was once part of the whole circus theme enjoyed by the VIP lounges within the former Wonders of Life pavilion. The circus colors may have been toned down here and in the Wonders VIP lounge and Carousel Room upstairs, but they stand as a reminder of what once was at EPCOT Center.

 

Chase Visa Lounge Epcot
Comfy couches! (With former Senator Mel Martinez!)

 

Chase Visa Lounge Epcot
Electronics charging station

 

Chase Visa Lounge Epcot
Interactive touch screen Food and Wine Festival map

This is a wonderful addition to the Festival and, I hope, one that returns each year. It’s the perfect combination of what every guest wants, a free drink, a place to charge your phone, and a comfy chair in the air conditioning. The interactive map was really fun to play with too. A+ to Chase and Disney!

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Filed Under: Disney Attractions, Disney Special Events, Photos From the Parks, Walt Disney World Tagged With: Chase lounge, Chase lounge Epcot, Chase Visa, Chase Visa lounge, Disney Visa, Epcot, Epcot Food & Wine Festival, Food and Wine Festival, Future World VIP lounges, VIP Lounge, VIP lounges of Epcot

Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience – A Chocoholic’s Dream

4 November 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

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In addition to the new Terra vegan booth and the Chase Visa Lounge, also new at the 2012 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is the Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience. When I heard the title of this exhibit, I was thrilled. Chocolate. Experience? Sign me up!

Located inside the Festival Center in the former Wonders of Life pavilion, you can smell the sweet aroma of chocolate as you approach the Ghirardelli area. At the entrance, Cast Members offer you a Ghirardelli sample, just as they do at the Downtown Disney location. Yum. Inside you can learn about the process of making chocolate, from the “bean to the bar” and also purchase a small cup of Drinking Chocolate. It is basically like drinking melted chocolate chips, and heavenly. Wine is also available for purchase.

In the back of the Ghirardelli area is a fun display of amazing artistic creations by Disney chefs, made entirely of chocolate. Be sure to check them out! The Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience is open daily from 9:00 a.m. through park close.

Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience
Wine and drinking chocolate at the Ghirardelli exhibit

 

Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience
Menu of items at the chocolate experience

 

Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience
Ghirardelli cookbooks are also available

 

Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience chocolate displays
Amazing chocolate art from Disney chefs – image ©AttractionsMagazine

 

Be sure to check it out before the Food and Wine Festival ends on November 12!

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Filed Under: Disney Special Events, Walt Disney World Tagged With: chocoholic, chocolate experience, drinking chocolate, Epcot Food & Wine Festival, epcot international food and wine festival, Food and Wine 2012, Food and Wine Festival, Ghirardelli, ghirardelli chocolate, melted chocolate, Wonders of Life

A Vegetarian And a Tween Visit Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival

3 November 2012 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

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Epcot exit sign
Wise and delicious advice from an Epcot sign

That may sound like the opening to a strange Disney joke, but really, it’s just how a recent visit to Epcot’s 17th annual International Food & Wine Festival went. There are a couple of weeks left in Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival which has been running since September 28 and continues through November 12, 2012.

This year has been chock full of delicious international cuisine as usual, and some new tastes this year too, including the first all-vegan booth, Terra. I recently had a chance to explore some options as a new vegetarian and was surprised at what I could still enjoy.

At Terra, I tried all of the options and found the Trick’n Chick’n Curry with Basmati Rice and Chili Colorado with House-Made Chips and Cashew Cheese to be delicious options, even for my meat-eating friends. I will fully admit to “meatless meat” getting a bad reputation, but the Trick’n Chick’n is so close to the real thing, it made me pause and wonder, “what IS this made from?” It’s that good. The sauce was spicy (which I love) and delicious. The chili is made with “beef-less beef tips” and you really are hard pressed to tell the difference. Great new additions this year.

Trick'n Chick'n
Trick’n Chick’n Curry with Basmati Rice

 

Colorado Vegan Chili
Chili Colorado with Cashew ‘Cheese’

 

Some of my other favorites were found at the Greece booth, one of my standbys. I have always loved Spanakopita and this year was no different. I also enjoyed the Greek Salad with Pita Bread, always yummy. New this season was the Griddled Greek Cheese with Pistachios and Honey. Sounds like an odd combo, but it worked together wonderfully and was a great snack item. I also discovered in Poland a delicious mushroom and cheese on toast dish called Zapiekanki-Toasted Mushroom, Caramelized Onion and Cheese Bread with House Made Ketchup. It was really too much for one person, definitely big enough to share.

Griddled Greek Cheese with Honey and Pistachios
Griddled Greek Cheese with Honey and Pistachios

 

Greek Salad and Spanakopita
Greek Salad and Spanakopita

 

Mushroom Cheese Toast
Zapiekanki-Toasted Mushroom, Caramelized Onion and Cheese Bread with House Made Ketchup

 

Speaking of sharing, my daughter ordered the Ravioli di Formaggio All’emiliana (Baked Cheese Ravioli, Creamy Beef Bolognese, Parmesan, Mozzarella) in Italy and it was a huge portion. Great value and she loved it. Her other favorites were the California Roll in Japan and the Milk Chocolate CrĂ©me BrĂ»lĂ©e in France, yearly must-haves for her. This year, she tried the Bailey’s Chocolate Lava Cake from Ireland too. That’s perhaps the best part of the Food & Wine Festival, the fun international meal you can make out of stopping for tastes here and there, around the World Showcase promenade.

Ravioli from Italy
Ravioli from Italy

 

California Roll
Sophia displaying the California Roll from Japan

 

Milk Chocolate Creme Brulee
Milk Chocolate Creme Brulee

 

Bailey's Lava Cake
Bailey’s Lava Cake from Ireland

 

In the past, I have been hesitant to bring my kids to an evening at Food & Wine, because it has become a “drinking around the world” event for many people, to the point of excess. However, I recently went, on a Friday night, with 10 Girl Scouts, and we all had a wonderful time. We were insulated in our own little group and were able to avoid any unpleasantry that can arise when large groups of folks are combined with large amounts of alcohol. That’s not to say those groups aren’t there, but you can choose to ignore them and still have a wonderful time.

I haven’t even touched on the wonderful seminars, classes and sessions that take place each year at the Festival. Be sure to check out the Festival Center next to Mission Space and Ellen’s Energy Adventure for more information, and fun Festival merchandise too. The merchandise was especially top-notch this year. Also new this year is the Chase Lounge, inside the Festival Center, where Disney Chase Visa cardholders can relax and have a refreshment in between their Epcot adventures. Right before the Chase Lounge is the Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience, where you can try drinking chocolate, a chocoholic’s dream! You can find out SO much more about the Food & Wine Festival seminars, menus and basically everything you need to know at the Disney Food Blog’s Food & Wine pages too.

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Filed Under: Disney Dining, Disney Special Events, Walt Disney World Tagged With: Disney Dining, Epcot, Epcot dining, Epcot Food, Epcot Food & Wine Festival, Food and Wine 2012, international cuisine, Terra, Trick'n Chick'n, Vegan dining, Vegetarian options

Aulani, Halloween and Epcot Food & Wine Festival Duffy the Disney Bear!

2 September 2011 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

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A reliable source (aka one of my amazing Disney cast member friends) has just let me know that an all-new Duffy Bear will be released for the 16th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival! The design of the Duffy must remain secret for now, but hopefully he’ll be released a little before the opening day of the Festival, September 30th.

EDIT: Thanks to the all-powerful StitchKingdom for letting me know that Food & Wine Duffy was actually at the D23 Expo! I actually walked right by him and didn’t take any pics. Oops, bad blogger. Can I blame being overwhelmed by Disneyland goodness? 😉 In any event, thanks to StichKingdom.com, I can now share photos of the Food & Wine Duffy NOW!

Epcot Food and Wine Duffy
2011 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Duffy the Disney Bear - image courtesy of Stitchkingdom

 

Aulani Halloween and Food and Wine Duffy
From left to right the new Aulani DVC Resort Duffy, Halloween Duffy, Holiday Duffy and Food & Wine Festival Duffy!!! Image ©StitchKingdom

That’s right, not only is there a 2011 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Duffy, there’s an Aulani Resort Duffy and Halloween and Holiday Duffy’s too! Collect them all! 😉

 

Speaking of Food & Wine, did you know that the Disney Food Blog Mini-Guide to the 2011 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is on sale now? The best part is it’s all in a .PDF file so you can carry it on your smart phone or iPad where ever you go, while you dine around the world! I’ve seen this guide, and it is worth every penny.

See Photos of World Showcase Booths and Food Before You Arrive!

You’ll have access to menus and photos (including many food photos!) from the World Showcase booths. You’ll also get location, time, and price details for every single event, concert, and seminar at the Festival. Our exclusive and customized bonus sections will help make your trip to the Festival your best visit ever.

Take a look before your trip to decide what menu items and events your family will enjoy, then book early to make sure you’re one of the lucky attendees! Time is money on a Disney Vacation; get the most out of both!

Food & Wine Mini Guide

Keep checking back for news on the Food & Wine-themed Duffy!!

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Filed Under: Disney Dining, Disney Holidays, Disney Merchandise, Disney News, Disney Special Events Tagged With: 2011 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, Aulani Duffy, Disney Food Blog, Disney Food Blog Food & Wine Mini-guide, Duffy, Duffy the Disney Bear, Epcot Food & Wine Festival, Food & Wine Festival Duffy Bear, Halloween Duffy, Holiday Duffy

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