Best Things to See, Do and Eat at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival

As we all know, holidays are a much wider experience than just where we lay our heads at night. We need to fill our day with amazing things to do with the family, and fill our bellies with whatever takes our fancy! Well, what would you say if we told you that you could combine some incredible things to see and do, with some lip-smacking food and drink, all in the same place? If this sounds good, not only could we be great friends, but you will also love Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival which runs from 29th August all the way through until 23rd November! At this annual event, there will be plenty of sights and smells to keep you entertained, from pop concerts and VIP dining experiences, to learning all about which food and drink go well together, as well as some fantastic tips on how to cook like a pro when you get home!

Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival this year will take place over 87 days, making it the longest in the history of the event!

During the day, prepare to be educated as you learn many skills to take home and try! Head over to World ShowPlace Events Pavilion (between Canada and the UK zones), where for $29 (plus tax) you can be taught by a chef on flavourings and which foods are complemented by various wines†. At the end of the demonstration, you put theory into practice – and get to taste the dish, served with its perfect wine partner!   Also at the World ShowPlace Pavilion, famous chefs are on hand to impart their culinary knowledge, filleted from their years spent in kitchens, and prepared to be served up to you in handy bite-sized chunks. There are also cooking classes to improve your culinary and beverage-making skills, as well as learn from a professional fromager (cheesemaker to you and I), as to what beer and wine best suits various cheeses from across the world. There is also the opportunity to meet US TV chefs. For more information on these events, including dates, times and availability, please check the Disney website.

Of course all of the talk of food and drink could spark quite an appetite, so why not take advantage and treat your tastebuds to their own culinary holiday, with European delights from France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain on offer, alongside dishes from more far-flung locales such as India, Hawaii, Mexico, Morocco, Japan and the Caribbean! This is just a small sampling of what is on offer, so we really advise you to get out there to satisfy your inner gourmet, as well as your hunger! The food on offer here is designed to not only appeal to those wishing to try something from a different country with those who follow vegetarian or vegan lifestyles also being catered for, as this year IMPOSSIBLE Foods are hosting an Earth Eats stall where you could tuck into a delicious burger without realising it is made from plant-based meat substitutes! Even if you don’t normally follow a meat-free diet, give it a try and see if you can taste the difference!

With over 30 Global Marketplaces, make sure you come hungry!

On Sundays from 8th September through till 17th November, you can combine your love of food and sports as you enjoy a 45-minute Monday Night Football programme at the World ShowPlace Pavilion where (for $19pp plus tax), each week you get to sample three different foods inspired by the two American footballing cities playing against each other on the following day, all washed down with a complementary beverage of course! Resident experts are available to teach you how to make the dishes so you can make your own sports-watching feast when you return to the UK.   If all of this talk of cheese, wine and burgers has got your belly rumbling, look away now, because here comes dessert; in the form of candy sushi! In the Land Pavilion (for $10pp plus tax), a Disney chef teaches children of all ages how to make an oh-so-sweet twist on sushi. Puffed rice, gummy sweets and candy strips take the place of more traditional ingredients to help create colourful and tasty versions of maki or nigari-style rolls for the whole family!

To pique the interest of the little ones, Remy from Ratatouille returns for Hide and Squeak! For $9.95 (plus tax), children are equipped with a map and game stickers, with the aim of finding the mini statues of Remy dotted around the park! Once all of the figures have been found, you take your completed map to Disney Traders (located at the entrance to World Showcase), to collect your prize!    For the active members of your group (or for those wanting to burn-off a load of recently-acquired calories!), between 31st October and 3rd November, Disney is holding its 10th Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend, with participants taking part in 5k, 10k and half marathons for charity. There are even races specially for children, over 100m, 200m or, if they can manage it, a whole mile! At the time of going to print, all of the adult packages are sold out, meaning only the little ones stand a chance of entering should they wish, although there are (currently) still tickets available for the Post-Race Party, which starts at 10pm on 3rd November! If you are still looking for a way of expelling some calories, then venture over to the Eat to the Beat stage in America Gardens Theatre, were musical acts of past and present are eager to get you on your feet to dance.

Booking for all of the Food and Wine Festival events can be done over the phone locally on (407) 939-3378. Booking in advance is always recommended as this is a popular event with tourists and locals alike, and as such, things can be snapped up-quickly.   Have you been before? What did you enjoy most and can recommend to anyone going this year? We’d love to know your thoughts and see your fantastic pictures! Get in contact through the usual social media channels.

† As with all of Florida, be advised that the legal age for drinking alcohol here is 21 – you will need to provide ID to confirm you are, regardless of age. In order to avoid any hassle (or embarrassment if you were to forget to bring it with you), always bring your passport and driving license with you – as non-Americans need two forms of government-issued photo ID.

Image credits:

• CC by Lotzman Katzman (Cheese & Wine area)
• Food images and chef - Disney Parks blog