Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Tips and Tricks for EPCOT's Food and Wine Festival


Starting on September 27th 2013 what is arguably the BEST festival at EPCOT is coming! The food and wine festival! This is a unique experience to eat and drink things from all over the world all while taking a stroll “around the world” at EPCOT’s world showcase. Although this festival is very fun and very laid back by nature a savvy Disney goer will know that anything you do at any of these parks takes a little bit of planning ahead. What better time to start your planning than right now?! Here I will highlight the must see items on this year’s menu as well as give you a few tips on how to have the most fun while you are enjoying EPCOT’s food and wine festival!







Here are the 13 top tips to better enjoy EPCOT’s food and wine festival:


BYOW: bring your own water…bottle! In order to avoid having to wait in a long line to buy a water bottle for $3 it will be much easier to be able to refill your own bottle. 


Start your day at the Festival Center: If you enter the park through the main entrance (not through the France/UK entrance from the resort side) just stay to the left of Spaceship Earth or “The big ball” and follow the signs to the festival center. There are a few awesome things to see here but my favorite part is always the Ghiradelli area! (hint: there will be free chocolate involved if you visit here!) This is also a great place to pick up a “Passport” for the marketplaces.
 
 
Study your “Passport”: This is not only going to be a cool free souvenir from your day but also can be your guide to what is available at each place! The “Passport” also has the marketplaces in the order that they appear in the world showcase. As you are enjoying one selection you can relax and decide what you will want from the next marketplace!  

 



Know before you go: Don’t be “that” person. We all know the person. They have been standing in line for a while and when they get to the cashier they magically have no idea what they want?! You have many more places that you want to explore during your visit and “that” person is holding you up in this line! Do your best to check out your options before getting to your cashier and making everyone behind you wait forever for you to order.
 
Pick your size: If you are choosing a beer to drink at the festival you will almost always have two size options; a 6oz (sample size) or a 12 oz. If you are planning on trying as many different types of beer as possible I would suggest getting the 6oz sample size. You will fill up less quickly and get to try more different kinds of beer! (hint: some places offer beer flights where you get 4 6oz beers and those are always a great deal!)

Sharing is caring: Especially if you are indulging in the many liquor options that you will have at this festival. If you are planning on drinking multiple liquor beverages I would suggest not being opposed to sharing with a friend! Everyone wants to remember their lovely time at EPCOT. Although, I have seen many people at this festival that I am sure had a rough morning the next day. This rule also goes for food. Don’t be afraid to share your choices with someone (every time my boyfriend and I go we share the Pierogi and Kielbasa in Poland because I like the Pierogi and he likes the Kielbasa!).

Me and my mom "sharing"a pomegranate kir from France


Avoid the Crowds: If you aren’t into fighting huge crowds at these types of things and you aren’t opposed to starting your day at Food and Wine a little early the crowds here are always less dense when the world showcase first opens (at 11:00 AM). If you go at this time you will beat most of the crowd and get to have a very unique lunch! If you are not interested in going as early as 11:00 AM then avoid attending the festival during the weekend especially in the evening. 


Disney Dining Plan users should know: If you are visiting during Food and Wine festival time and are using the Disney Dining plan save your snack credits for the festival. Most food items at the Marketplaces you can use as a snack credit!


Budget accordingly: Although the food and drinks are reasonably priced many of these purchases throughout the day can really add up! If you are on a specific budget you can purchase and load a Gift Card for use while at the festival! This is the best option to monitor your spending.



 
Pace yourself: We all know that this event is exciting and that everyone gets excited about it but just don’t get too overexcited and try to eat or drink too many things while there. The best way to avoid letting that happen is to plan two trips to the festival. That way on your second one you can enjoy things that you missed on your first trip and revisit all of your favorites! Make sure to take your time to explore the countries of the world showcase also! There are many awesome surprises in these areas that you might not have found!



“Eat to the Beat” with their concert series: Check out the link below and see who will be visiting when. Be sure to plan ahead to see the band you want to see play! If you want to see anyone play just be sure to be around or in “America” about 45 minutes beforehand. If you would like to avoid this crowd do the opposite of that! 

Plan ahead to participate in a seminar: This festival has a lot of different options as far as seminars go. From Mixology seminars to tasting seminars there is something for everyone. Know that there is a fee in order to participate! See the link below to see more information on these unique experiences.  

Have a blast: This is one of the most unique Festivals that you will ever get the chance to participate in! Be sure to have the best time you can possibly have!! You never know you might find yourself in an epic battle with some random kid in Norway too!
 



Things not to miss at the Marketplaces:


Africa: You must try the Spinach and Paneer cheese pocket.
  
Belgium: Have a waffle (of course!) and try their beer flight! (new to this year featuring; Hoegaarden, Stella, Leffe Blonde, and Leffe Brune)


Brewers Collection: You must try the beer flight #1 which features Schofferhofer Grapefruit beer, Altenmunster Oktoberfest, Warsteiner premium Verum, and Warsteiner premium Dunkel.

Canada: You can NOT (I repeat can NOT) miss the cheddar cheese soup here! Don't eat it too soon because it comes out very hot!
 


China: Don’t miss the Mongolian beef in steamed bun and chicken pot stickers here! This year they are featuring a KungFu Punch (who wouldn’t want to drink that?!)


Craft beer: Don’t miss out on the opportunity to get either of the two beer flights featured here this year. Beer flight #1 has; Dogfish Head Brewery Namaste, Abita Brewing Company Fall Fest, Leinenkugel’s® Seasonal Shandy and Florida Beer Company Devil’s Triangle. Beer flight #2 includes; New Belgium Brewing Company Fat Tire, Widmer Brothers Brewing Alchemy Ale, Red Hood Audible Ale and Sierra Nevada Torpedo.
  
Florida Local: You must try their Florida Orange Groves Hurricane Class 5 White Sangria or Florida Orange Groves Key Limen Florida Key Lime Wine. They also have a new item on the menu that sounds amazing: Beef Slider with white cheddar and sweet & hot pickles.


France: You must grab a delicious Pomegrante Kir while visiting here! They taste amazing but don’t drink it too fast it has a very high alcohol content!
  
Greece: Visit this Marketplace if you want to try one of the newer menu items; a chicken Gyro!

Hawaii: You must must must have a pork slider! They are amazing and my favorite thing to eat at this festival(tied with the cheddar cheese soup in Canada of course)!! This Pork Slider pairs well with a Kona Big Wave or you can try the new Aulani Sunrise.
  
Hops and Barley: This stand features a Samuel Adams beer flight this year!

Ireland: If you want to try a very unique drink at the festival you can’t miss the Honey Wine here!
  
Japan: Last year this Marketplace featured a chicken “sushi” roll. This year it is a Teriyaki Chicken hand roll and it sounds delicious! They also feature a Green tea colada which sounds very refreshing.

Mexico: You can NOT miss having a sangria in mexico!
  
Morocco: You must have their mimosa! And also their new Harissa Chicken Roll sounds very unique!

Poland: This is a deifinite must have; Kielbasa and potato Pierogi  and try a Temptation Zinfandel.
  
Refreshment port: Stop by here and order a Dragonberry Coloda! You will not be sorry you did! Best drink at Food and Wine Festival!

Scotland: this one is new this year and will feature a Scotch flight!
  
South Korea: Stop by for a Rasberry wine!


2 comments:

  1. Great tips! I'm very impressed with the Craft Beer's offerings this year. I'm also glad they are changing up some dishes and also adding more booths. Vegetarian haggis from Scotland looks interesting.. Reading this makes me look forward to my trip even more! Thanks!

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    1. I'm so glad that you enjoyed the post! The craft beer selection really is amazing this year! They were testing a new booth in America so keep an eye out for that. Enjoy your trip and thanks so much for reading!

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