Foodie Guide to Tasty EPCOT 40th Anniversary Festivities

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Epcot

This year, October 1 marks the 40th Anniversary of EPCOT. That’s right, 40 years! Since opening in 1982, the park has allowed guests who have passed through its gates to get a glimpse into the future, travel the world while experiencing different cultures, and take their tastebuds on a journey through delicious food festivals. The possibilities have been endless and will continue to be with the exciting plans that lie ahead in the future of this iconic theme park.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, it’s only fitting to have some tasty treats. For select days surrounding the anniversary, various locations will be serving up eats and sips honoring 40 years of fun and flavors. From the EPCOT 40thLiege Waffle at the recently opened Connections Café to the Figment Sponge Cake at Sunshine Seasons, and the Dan Dan Noodles at Nine Dragons Restaurant, there is something for everyone to get a taste of the celebrations.

Let’s take a look at all the goodies coming in this Foodie Guide to the 40th Anniversary of EPCOT!

Connections Café (Available Sept. 29 through Oct. 3)

  • EPCOT 40th Liege Waffle: Brioche dough with pearl sugar

Chozo de Margarita (Available beginning Sept. 30 while supplies last)

  • 40th Fiesta: Celebrate the colors for the anniversary of EPCOT with this frozen margarita in a “MEXICO 40” souvenir cup

Funnel Cake (Available Oct. 1 and 2)

  • Celebration Funnel Cake with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, sprinkles, and 40th candies

Garden House (Available Sept. 29 through Oct. 3)

  • Sake Cocktail Flight featuring Samurai, Mt. Fuji, Tokyo Sunset, and Violet Sake

La Hacienda de San Angel and San Angel Inn (Available beginning Sept. 30 while supplies last)

  • Flan: Vanilla custard topped with blueberries, whipped cream, and a “MEXICO 40” white chocolate garnish
  • Clarified Margarita: Tequila, orange liqueur, lemon, and simple syrup in a “MEXICO 40” souvenir cup with glow cube

Nine Dragons Restaurant (Available Sept. 29 through Oct. 3)

  • Dan Dan Noodles: Spicy pork with Sichuan sauce, peanut butter, sesame, shredded cucumber, and green onion 

Space 220 Restaurant (Available Sept. 29 through Oct. 3)

  • Crema Catalana: Vanilla cream custard, lemon snow, citrus segments, and spicy ginger crumble 

Sunshine Seasons (Available Sept. 29 through Oct. 3; Mobile order available)

  • Figment Sponge Cake with honey-lime mousse

Teppan Edo (Available Sept. 29 through Oct. 3)

  • EPCOT 40th Saketini: The saketini was on the menu when the Japan Pavilion first opened. This version combines sake and butterfly pea flower to create the color reminiscent of the night sky of EPCOT

Tokyo Dining (Available Sept. 29 through Oct. 3)

  • EPCOT 40th Kaisen Chirashi Don: Celebration sushi bowl
  • EPCOT 40th Saketini: The saketini was on the menu when the Japan Pavilion first opened. This version combines sake and butterfly pea flower to create the color reminiscent of the night sky of EPCOT

(Note: All offerings are subject to change and availability.)

New EPCOT 40th Anniversary Merchandise – Coming Soon!

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

On October 1, 2022, EPCOT will celebrate its 40th Anniversary! A new merchandise collection is coming to celebrate with all sorts of items that we love.

From a Disney Cast Member;

For almost 40 years, EPCOT has been a place where your imagination can take flight into the magical world of possibilities. Guests from around the world have gathered at EPCOT to explore, wonder, and collect keepsakes that are endearing mementos of their time at Walt Disney World Resort.

Whether you’re lounging while wearing your favorite EPCOT hoodie, mixing cake batter in your Food & Wine Festival apron or finding the perfect place to display your next Figment pin, these souvenirs help transport you back to your favorite in-park memories.

Today, we’re giving you a first look at some of the new merchandise inspired by the historic milestone EPCOT will celebrate on Oct. 1. In honor of the 40th anniversary, we’re launching the EPCOT 40th Anniversary Collection at Creations Shop, with select items available at shopDisney.com. The collection will debut on Oct. 1 with additional items arriving throughout the month.

This must-have collection features limited-edition products, including apparel, accessories and trading pins that are perfect for you to share your love of EPCOT with the world.

From a sequined Minnie Mouse headband and an impressive CORKCICLE canteen to a cozy long-sleeved shirt, the new collection is infused with retro and nostalgic designs that offer a wide variety of celebratory merchandise for the entire family.

Credit: Disney
Credit: Disney

Ahead of the holiday season, the EPCOT 40th Anniversary Collection commemorative Spirit Jersey and woven shirt are the perfect gifts for your loved ones.

Eye-catching, energetic, and with a touch of magic, the assortment of apparel is perfect for the whole family. Get ready to dress your little ones in the Figment youth tee and have a groovy photo op in front of Spaceship Earth.

Credit: Disney
Credit: Disney

My favorite items include the multi-colored Loungefly mini-backpack, sleek Citizen watch and stylish fleece hoodie. As you can see, this collection is perfect for EPCOT fans of all ages. Brought to life by a spectrum of color, the retro designs are inspired by the 1980s when the park initially opened, as well as the creative and innovative atmosphere that EPCOT continues to carry into the future.

Paying homage to four decades of celebrating diverse cultures and transformational innovation, the EPCOT 40thAnniversary Collection also includes a Spaceship Earth-themed figurine, Figment crossbody bag by Harveys, a variety of trading pins and a commemorative Alex and Ani charm bracelet, not pictured here. There will also be a limited-edition EPCOT 40th Anniversary Day Of Collection available on Oct. 1, while supplies last.

Happy Anniversary, EPCOT! Stay tuned for more exciting news as we look ahead to the 40th anniversary of EPCOT!

April 29th Was Make-A-Wish Day

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

April 29 was World Wish Day! It was the day Make-A-Wish was founded in 1980. DisneyParksBlog shares a beautiful story and video below for this very special day:

To all who make wishes and to those who make wishes come true — Happy World Wish Day!

On April 29, 1980, Make-A-Wish was founded upon the inspirational story of Chris Greicius, a young boy who dreamt of being a police officer. Since that day, Make-A-Wish has grown into a global organization and granted nearly half a million wishes worldwide. 

These special moments have touched the hearts of so many people over the years, leaving a lifelong impact on both the wish child and the roughly 200 people it takes to make every wish come true.

It also marks the 40th anniversary of Disney’s relationship with Make-A-Wish, as Disneyland Resort was part of the first ‘official’ wish for a boy named Frank “Bopsy” Salazar.

Disney and Make-A-Wish have worked together to make over 140,000 wishes come true around the globe. Every one of them is special to us, and a chance to celebrate the hope, courage, and perseverance of the amazing children at the heart of every wish experience. 

We also celebrate the organization that helps make those wishes come true. So from all of us here at Disney – Happy Anniversary, Make-A-Wish! Here’s to 40 more years of making extraordinary wishes come true together.