October, as it is home to Halloween, is usually a time of year that excites children. However, Disney World has made sure to give adults a reason to celebrate, too: Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival.
Every year, this festival features a variety of food, wine, cocktails, etc. from around the world, as well as live entertainment and the opportunity to meet your favorite celebrity chefs. Though there are certain drinks and menu items that have become staples, any Food and Wine Festival devotee will know that the lineup changes every year, so there is always something new to experience.
Dinner …
The new Appleseed Orchard Marketplace offers a variety of craft brews, ciders, wines and lite bites. It will be located in Canada next to Le Cellier Steakhouse in the World Showcase. The drinks will be offered individually or as flights, and this stand will also include a kid-friendly Frozen Apple Pie drink.
Our pick: The Apple Blossom Sky Cocktail. It is an iced apple flavored cocktail with marshmallows on top. This comes served in a cute, rose-gold colored plastic cup, which is perfect for Instagram.
If you are looking for some healthier options, Active Eats is the place to be. For a healthy spin on a classic, kid-approved favorite, try Loaded Macaroni & Cheese with Nueske’s Pepper Bacon, cheddar and leeks. We’ve given this dish a 10/10. The stand will also offer gluten-free and vegetarian options.
Our pick: If you love the lime and drinks with a bit of sparkle, try the M.I.A. Beer Company’s HRD WTR Key Lime Hard Sparkling Water.
Emile’s Fromage Montage – inspired by Remy’s brother, Emile from the movie Ratatouille – gives you a chance to enjoy a variety of cheeses. The fromage includes five stands. Once attending and collecting stamps from all five of the stands, you will receive a specialty cheesecake unique to Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival at Shimmering Sips, the final destination of the Fromage. Each required menu item from the stand will include cheese (obviously). And, as you might have guessed, Shimmering Sips offers a variety of mimosas, champagnes, ice creams and more.
Our pick: The Blood Orange and Key Lime Mimosas were fruity and sweet, and perfect for sunny Florida.
… and a show
The best way to enjoy wine and food is with a show, of course. The Eat to the Beat Concert series includes famous acts such as Baha Men, Hanson, Boyz II Men and many more. The concerts will take place during the evening at the America Gardens Theatre at World Showcase, Epcot. The theatre will host 36 acts from now through November 19 (see Walt Disney World website for full schedule).
And with all this talk about celebrities, what would a food and wine event be with its celebrity chefs? Chefs include Robert Irvine from Food Network’s Restaurant: Impossible; celebrity chef and author of Life is a Party, David Burtka; Chef, Writer and TV Personality Andrew Zimmern; and so many more. Chef Brunch, Q&A, and Meet and Greets are a separate fee from your Epcot admission. On select Sundays, you can dine with a gourmet guest while feasting your eyes and taste buds on a delicious breakfast buffet.
With over 30 individual marketplaces and musical artists, accompanied by several celebrity chefs, this event is not to be missed! For more information on the 2019 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, visit disneyworld.disney.go.com.
One final tip: though the festival is the park’s main attraction, Epcot’s usual rides are still operating. So, make sure to get fast passes early (a month in advance if you’re visiting for the day, and two months in advance if you’re staying at a Disney hotel).
