Who’s hungry? Making the most of Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival 2019

in Events, Walt Disney World

People eating in front of Hawai stand

Credit: Disney

What is Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival for, if not eating, drinking and being merry, and all with a Disney twist?

If you’ve been to one of Epcot’s Food & Wine Festivals, you’ve seen them all, right? Wrong. In fact, the 2019 festival will be the festival of festivals, one for the memory books and the record books. That’s because this year’s celebration lasts a full 87 days! That’s right, almost three months of Festival fun and festivities!

Walt Disney World will unveil the 24th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival on August 29, the same day that Disney’s Hollywood Studios ushers Guests to a galaxy far, far away. (Yes, Galaxy’s Edge opens the same day the Food and Wine Festival begins!) The festival runs all the way to November 23, making it the longest-running Food & Wine Festival since its inception in 1995. And if that’s not enough for record-breakers, the festival is also on track to host more Global Marketplace food booths this year than ever before, making 2019 the “year to be here” at the festival for sure!

Food, food, and more food!

Epcot Food & Wine
Credit: Disney

This year’s festival could easily be called the International Food, Food, Food and Wine Festival! Come hungry and get your fill of all kinds of treats and eats. From the savory to the sweet, the Global Marketplace food booths at this year’s event will have something for everyone. Did you know you can use your Disney Dining Plan Snack Credits at the Festival? You sure can. Not sure which treats and eats qualify? Disney’s got you covered. Just look for the Disney Dining Plan snack symbol beside eligible items on booth menus.

Don’t just eat! Eat to the Beat!

The “Eat to the Beat” Concert Series is back at this year’s Festival, and the line-up is more impressive than ever! Concerts will take place daily from August 29 to November 19, on Sunday through Thursday at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and on Fridays and Saturdays at 6:30 p.m., 7:45 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Bands and musicians slated to perform at this year’s series include Plain White T’s, Sawyer Brown, Mercy Me, Lauren Daigle, Zach Williams, 98 Degrees, Kenny G, Billy Ocean, Boyz II Men, Big Bad Voo Doo Daddy, Sheena Easton, D’Capella and more.

There’s only one thing better than the “Eat to the Beat” Concert Series, and that’s the “Eat to the Beat” Dining Package! Not only will you see the best in live entertainment, but you’ll enjoy a meal at an Epcot table-service restaurant, followed by priority seating at the America Gardens Theater. Participating Epcot restaurants include Biergarten, Chefs de France, Coral Reef Restaurant, Garden Grill Restaurant, La Hacienda de San Angel, Nine Dragons Restaurant, Restaurant Marrakesh, Teppan Edo and more!

Seminars, Demonstrations, Activities and More!

A huge part of the fun at Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival is attending interactive cooking seminars, seeing exciting demonstrations and learning new kitchen tips and tricks from celebrity chefs. This year’s Festival welcomes celebrity chefs Carla Hall, Buddy Valastro, Jamie Deen and others. Guests are invited to take part in Festival seminars and learn the newest, most creative and most innovative techniques in food prep, cooking and presentation. Learn the ins and outs of cake decorating and dabble in festive mixology at the Mix It! Make It! Celebrate It! Seminar.

Or head over to the Sunshine Seasons Food Court inside the Land pavilion and attend the Candy Sushi presentation by Adventures by Disney and learn to roll candy sushi with a Walt Disney World chef! Turn delectable sweets into maki-style or nagari-style sushi rolls. Reservations aren’t required for this presentation, but they are recommended. The Candy Sushi presentation takes place daily at 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Cost is $10 per Guest. Make reservations for this presentation and other seminars and demonstrations by calling (407) WDW-FEST.

Festival-inspired Merchandise: some free, some for purchase

In usual Festival fashion, Disney is offering Festival-inspired merchandise at this year’s event. Annual passholders can score a complimentary magnet. Chef Minnie magnets are available from August 29 to October 14, and Chef Remy magnets can be picked up from October 15 through November 23. Annual passholders will also receive a free Chef Minnie coaster set on their fourth visit to the International Food & Wine Festival.

passholder magnets
Credit: Disney
Minnie Mouse coaster
Credit: Disney

You’ll also find Festival-inspired merchandise for purchase at MouseGears in Future World, as well as at festival booths and kiosks around the World Showcase. Stay tuned to Inside the Magic for more information about Food & Wine merchandise.

Don’t forget your passport!

While you won’t need an actual passport to travel the world and indulge in food and drink from the 11 countries around the World Showcase, as well as other countries being represented at this year’s Festival, you’ll definitely want to pick up a Marketplace Discover Passport. These handy guides are great for keeping your “must-try” and “must-do” lists! The passports also give insight and information about Festival food and drink offerings. They even note gluten-free and vegetarian options. Kid-friendly options are also highlighted.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
Credit: Disney

Stay close to the Festival Action

Looking for the perfect place to stay during your trip to Disney World to enjoy Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival? Look no further than the Disney World Resort hotels near Epcot’s International Gateway. Staying in a resort hotel such as the Boardwalk, Beach Club and Yacht Club Resorts make it fast and easy to get to and from the Festival. These hotels are the closest to Epcot’s International Gateway, meaning you can enjoy the Festival, head back to your resort for a rest, and then get back to all the eating, drinking and merrymaking without the frustration of staying far away on property or off property altogether!

If you’re interested in booking a trip to visit Epcot during Food & Wine this year, reach out to Academy Travel, Authorized Disney Vacation Planners who can make planning a vacation simple (and even recommend some of their favorite dishes  from the festival!). Click here for a free quote!

Are you making plans to attend this year’s International Food & Wine Festival at Epcot? What’s your favorite part of the festival?

Source: Disney Parks Blog

in Events, Walt Disney World

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