5 Things You Can’t Miss at the 2023 EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival

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

It’s the time we’ve all been waiting for: the opening of the 2023 EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE going on now through Nov. 18th at Walt Disney World! Pack a Festival Passport and prep your palettes, because we’re exploring a thrilling lineup of festival merchandise, entertainment and innovative eats (like the Pickle Milkshake!) Guests won’t want to miss.

Can’t-Miss Culinary Creations

Over at our Brew-Wing Lab at the Odyssey — more on that soon! — Guests will want to snag the all-new non-alcoholic Pickle Milkshake. Only the mayhem of our motley Muppet crew could whip up something so delightfully original! Brew-Wing Lab at the Odyssey also features two plant-based options, the IMPOSSIBLE Buffalo Chicken Tenders and the Buffalo Brussels Sprouts. Plant-based offerings at other Global Marketplaces include the Falafel Pita at Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina, the IMPOSSIBLE Burger Slider with wasabi cream and spicy Asian slaw at Flavors from Fire and the Guava Cake at Shimmering Sips hosted by CORKCICLE.

Did you know that there are more than 25 Global Marketplaces along with four brand new locations? At the four new Global Marketplaces Guests can delight in savory bites at Char & Chop, pair wine with artisanal cheeses at Wine & Wedge, or snack on champagne and seafood at Bubbles & Brine. Plus, satisfy a sweet tooth at Swirled Showcase, featuring soft-serve ice cream and refreshing sips like the Frozen Apple Pie. All four new Global Marketplaces will open Sept 22.

But our journey is just beginning, so let’s keep exploring more festival fun!

A Must-Do Muppet Takeover

Remember that Pickle Milkshake? Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his assistant, Beaker, from Muppet Labs have been hard at work bringing whimsy your way. Their creatively chaotic handiwork is up for taste-testing at Brew-Wing Lab at the Odyssey! Sample a variety of wings, like the Peanut Butter and Jelly Sticky Wings, or enjoy an array of beers and ciders. And while Guests are there, try the Frozen Fusion featuring Twinings Pomegranate and Raspberry Herbal Tea infused with orange ice cream molecules.

This Muppet makeover to our iconic Brew-Wing Lab at the Odyssey, a staple for the last several years at the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE, is sure to meep expectations. And after a day of snacking and sipping, there’s a selection of other experiences Guests can enjoy on a full stomach.

Fun Festival Merchandise

Pin collectors, Figment fans and Annual Passholders can browse four collections of all-new festival merchandise! Shop the classic Festival Event Logo Collection featuring a Spaceship Earth-inspired Loungefly Backpack and CORKCICLE stemless wine cup, the Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse Picnic Collection with contributions by Dooney & Bourke, the home-inspired Disney “Encanto” Collection, or the Figment Annual Passholder Collection. No matter their taste, there’s something for every member of the crew.

Live Music and Local Talent

Our Eat to the Beat Concert Series presented by Florida Blue Medicare returns with a star-studded lineup of live music! Enjoy local bands and well-known acts from July 27 – Nov. 13, featuring the talent of Funkafied, Phillip Phillips, Boyz II Men, Sugar Ray and so many more.

Guests will have three showtimes each night to catch the performance: 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:00 PM. Get to the America Gardens Theatre at the American Adventure Pavilion early to stake out a spot, or guarantee seating with the Eat to the Beat Dining Package. With this package, Festivalgoers can feast on fine dining at one of our participating restaurants before enjoying the show. Take note – this offering is only available Fridays through Mondays. Tuesdays through Thursdays, Guests can jam with our local acts!

Super Scavenger Hunts

Looking for more fun for the whole family? Try one of our two festival-inspired scavenger hunts — or a third to celebrate the upcoming spooky season! Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak takes Guests on a savory scavenger hunt around the World Showcase to find hidden statuettes of Remy; and with Emile’s Fromage Montage, sample tasty cheeses from across the globe while collecting stamps on your Festival Passport. Lastly, Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit sends Guests through the park on the lookout for hidden decorative pumpkins themed to Disney characters.

Once Guests have had their fun, each of these scavenger hunts ends with a unique surprise! Check the Festival Passport for details on where to purchase maps or game boards to kick off these adventures — and where to redeem them for a prize. Do take note that Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit runs from Sept. 29 to Oct. 31, while the other two experiences are available from July 27 while supplies last.

We can’t wait for another season of foodie adventures and flavorful fun. The festival runs from July 27 to Nov. 18, 2023, and we can’t wait to see everyone there.

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival Presented by CORKCICLE Begins July 27

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

Calling all foodies: The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE will begin dishing up delights at Walt Disney World Resort starting July 27 and continuing through November 18, 2023.

Get ready to sip and savor at more than 25 Global Marketplaces throughout EPCOT including returning favorites such as The Fry Basket, Flavors from Fire, Canada, India and Spain. Several new Global Marketplaces will open later during the festival as summer turns to fall.

The fun doesn’t stop with the food, however. It extends to exciting activities for the whole family to enjoy!

  • Fans of fromage can take part in Emile’s Fromage Montage, a fun way to try tasty cheese dishes from around the world. Grab your Festival Passport and purchase any five cheese dishes listed in the back of the Festival Passport to collect a stamp. Once you’ve collected five stamps, head to Shimmering Sips hosted by CORKCICLE to redeem a sweet treat unique to the festival.
  • Families can embark on Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak – a Ratatouille-inspired adventure that’s très magnifique! Guests of all ages can search for Remy throughout World Showcase and the Global Marketplaces.
  • And to celebrate the Halloween season grab your gourd-eous group and partake in Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit, a special pumpkin scavenger hunt from September 29 through October 31.

The festival will also welcome back the popular Eat to the Beat Concert Series presented by Florida Blue Medicare at America Gardens Theatre. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more details about this year’s lineup.

And don’t forget to commemorate your EPCOT visit by bringing festival magic home with official event merchandise including apparel, home décor, trading pins and more.

Hopefully this update satisfies your craving for now, and keep an eye out for more news here or on TasteEPCOT.com. Can’t wait to see all of your clients there!

First Look: EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE

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

For the next 129 delicious days, guests can sip, savor, shop and repeat across six continents at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE! The festival kicks off today and continues through Nov. 19, offering new experiences for foodies and fun-loving families.

A passport for the palate, this iconic festival is a magical taste tour – one that whisks guests off on a fun and flavorful journey. It’s a delicious celebration of the best in global food and drink along with live entertainment, family activities and more. This year, our creative Disney culinarily teams have dreamed up unique dishes as nearly one third of the menu offerings are new.

Let’s take a first look… or rather a first bite… at this year’s festival:

At the EPCOT main entrance guests will find a new display featuring Chef Remy welcoming all connoisseurs of fine cuisine.

Then, guests can grab a Festival Passport to use as their handy guide to discover all the new sips and fresh bites available at the more than 25 Global Marketplaces throughout the park. These special food and beverage locations celebrate the best in global cuisine.

Debuting this year is The Fry Basket showcasing French fries presented with unique savory and sweet toppings – like the Fry Flight, featuring three different flavors! Or, check out India, a guest-favorite marketplace returning with three brand-new menu items.

For those who like to get an early start enjoying the festival and all that EPCOT has to offer, the Belgium marketplace will open at 8:30 a.m. daily to serve up delicious Belgian Waffles topped with either Warm Chocolate Ganache or Berry Compote and Whipped Cream, as well as Chilled Mocha Coffee.

All other marketplaces – including The Swanky Saucy Swine, Coastal Eats, Hops & Barley, The Alps, Germany, Spain, Canada, Australia, Greece, Brazil and Flavors from Fire to name just a few – will open at 11:00am daily to entice guests with exciting new options and returning fan-favorites. Be sure to check out the full Festival Foodie Guide for photos of many delectable offerings.

Recently, we shared the full lineup for the Eat to the Beat Concert Series presented by Florida Blue Medicare. Be sure to check out this incredible list of performances and make plans for which guests want to see. And don’t forget about Eat to the Beat Dining Packages (for Friday through Monday concerts), which include a leisurely meal at a select EPCOT restaurant and guaranteed seating at a performance later that same day. To see the full lineup of artists, performance dates and pricing, and to make a dining package reservation, visit TasteEpcot.com.

It’s time to sip, savor…and shop! Five new merchandise collections offer up fun and whimsical kitchenware, tabletop items, apparel, novelties and unique collectibles featuring favorite Disney characters such as Chef Minnie Mouse, Chef Mickey Mouse, Princess Tiana, Chef Figment and Chef Remy. Merchandise can be found at festival retail locations across EPCOT, with additional pieces debuting throughout the festival. Select items are also available on shopDisney.com.

But that’s not all! There are other ways to have even more fun exploring the festival. If guests are a cheese lover, have them try Emile’s Fromage Montage and take a walk on the tasty side to sample dishes featuring cheese served in inventive ways. Or, kids of all ages can embark on a Ratatouille-inspired scavenger hunt that’s très magnifique in Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak.

Experiences introduced as part of the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration offer even more ways to cultivate fresh memories. Guests can enjoy Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and join Chef Remy on a daring culinary journey as they zip, dash and scurry through Gusteau’s bustling Paris restaurant. Then, they can end their delectable day by watching “Harmonious” – one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for a Disney Park.

To experience the 2022 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, guests will need both a valid park admission and a park reservation for EPCOT on the same date. Visit TasteEpcot.com for more details.

Disney World Announces Reopening of Multiple Buffets & Breakfast Service Offerings

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

As we head into fall more and more restaurants are reopening at Walt Disney World. We’re also seeing the return of buffet meals being offered at the resort.

From a Disney Cast Member;

This Walt Disney World Resort edition of Foodie News is jam-packed with exciting news – from the reopening of three of our most popular all-you-care-to-enjoy buffets to the addition of seven more global marketplaces at EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE®. 

Boma – Flavors of Africa

Boma – Flavors of Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge opens today with all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast and dinner. Once again, the cooking stations will be brimming with your favorites for breakfast – creamy pap, turkey bobotie, pancakes, waffles, deviled eggs with salmon, and delicious freshly baked items from the Boma bakery.

At dinner, the rotisserie area will offer pork ribs, salmon, African-spiced strip loin, Durban rotisserie chicken, and lamb bobotie. The kid’s station will have pasta and meatballs, mac n’ cheese, and chicken bites. The rotating selection of soups, stews, and chowders are back, as well as tasty salads like berbere chickpea salad and North African cauliflower salad. And yes, Zebra Domes are back!

Biergarten Restaurant

Beginning Aug. 29, Biergarten Restaurant in the German pavilion at EPCOT will offer a buffet experience for lunch and dinner. Enjoy your favorite German dishes – pretzel rolls, bratwurst, spätzle, schnitzel, and a variety of desserts, including apple strudel and black forest rolls. Prost!

The Crystal Palace

Inspired by Victorian greenhouses of the late 1800s, The Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom Park is such an enchanting spot to dine. I am happy to announce starting Sept. 12, their buffet will open for lunch and dinner where you can feast on Parker House rolls, create-your-own fresh garden salad, seared pork tenderloin, fire-roasted prime rib, braised beef short ribs, and more.

Nine Dragons Restaurant

Enjoy Cantonese, Mongolian, Szechuan, Hunan, and Kiangche-style specialties at Nine Dragons Restaurant in the China pavilion at EPCOT. Now open for dinner (Tuesday-Saturday), start with Sichuan Chicken Dumplings, Crispy Duck Bao Buns, or the House Hot & Sour Soup. For entrées, select from many delicious dishes such as Kung Pao Duo, Salt and Pepper Shrimp, Spicy Honey Crispy Chicken, and Kowloon Spare Ribs.

Breakfast at Cinderella Royal Table

Start your day in the most enchanting way – breakfast is back at Cinderella’s Royal Table at Magic Kingdom Park starting Aug. 27! Reservations are available beginning Aug. 24.

Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery

Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park reopens Aug. 29 and they have delicious new entrées to try while traveling through the park. Did you know “kusafiri” means “to journey” in Swahili?

    • Spiced Potato Hand Pies – Vegetables and potatoes wrapped in pastry served with harissa aïoli and coriander chutney
    • Marinated Chicken Flatbread Sandwich – Marinated chicken topped with cucumber–tomato salad, tahini sauce, and greens served with house-made chips
    • Red Chili Hot Dog – Spicy hot dog topped with cucumber–tomato salad and harissa aïoli served with house-made chips

Dockside Diner

Drop anchor and check out the new offerings at Dockside Diner at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Opening Aug. 22, this adorable walk-up location has plenty of outdoor seating along Echo Lake.

    • Shrimp Salad Roll – Shrimp, arugula, tomatoes, pickled shaved fennel, and sliced radish tossed with rémoulade sauce on a brioche butter bun served with seasoned house-made chips
    • Chipotle Chicken Salad Roll – Roasted pulled chicken salad with red onions, celery, tomatoes, and watercress tossed with chipotle aïoli and topped with fried onions on a brioche butter bun served with seasoned house-made chips
    • Smoked Fish Dip served with seasoned house-made chips, celery, carrots, jalapeños, and pickles
    • Seaside Brownie – Chocolate brownie topped with white chocolate ganache and seaside garnish
    • Blue Sea Margarita – Tequila, blue Curaçao, and sweet-and-sour

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

And exciting news for all you festival-goers! In our recent Foodie Guide to the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE, we indicated we would be opening more global marketplaces on Oct. 1. But the Festival Team decided to open seven marketplaces early – on Aug. 15! You’re welcome!

Ireland (Near United Kingdom)

Food:

    • Fisherman’s Seafood Pie
      • Roasted Irish Sausage with Colcannon Potatoes and Onion Gravy
      • Warm Chocolate Pudding Cake with Irish Cream Liqueur Custard

Beverages:

    • Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale
      • Bunratty Mead Honey Wine
      • Guinness Baileys Shake

Spain (Between Italy and Germany)

Food:

    • Charcuterie with a selection of imported Spanish Meats, Cheeses, and Olives with an Herb Vinaigrette (gluten/wheat friendly)
    • Spanish-style Paella with Rice, Chorizo, and Shrimp (gluten/wheat friendly)
    • Seafood Salad with Shrimp, Bay Scallops, Mussels, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, White Balsamic Vinegar, and Smoked Paprika (gluten/wheat friendly)

Beverages:

    • Estrella Galicia Cerveza Especial Lager (new)
    • Avaline White Blend (new)
    • Faustino VII Rioja Rosado (new)
    • Espelt Garnacha
    • Wine Flight

The Alps (Near Germany)

Food:

    • Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese with Alpine Ham, Baby Potatoes, Cornichons, and Baguette
    • Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese with Baby Potatoes, Cornichons, and Baguette
    • Blueberry and Almond Frangipane Tart with Crème Fraîche  

Beverages:

    • Huber Vision Grüner Veltliner, Austria (new)
    • Cave De La Côte Rosé Gamay, Romand
    • René Favre Dôle, Chamoson
    • Frozen Rosé
    • Wine Flight

Kenya (Outpost)

Food:

    • Kenyan Coffee Barbecue Beef Tenderloin with Sweet Potato & Corn Mealie Pap and Kachumbari Slaw (gluten/wheat friendly)
    • Piri Piri Skewered Shrimp with Citrus-scented Couscous

Beverages:

    • Tusker Lager

India (Near China) – Opening Oct. 1

Food:

    • Warm Indian Bread with Pickled Garlic, Mango Salsa, and Coriander Pesto Dips
    • Korma Chicken with Basmati Rice, Crispy Chickpeas, and Spiced Yogurt Sauce (gluten/wheat friendly)
    • Madras Red Curry with Roasted Cauliflower, Baby Carrots, Chickpeas, and Ben’s Original Basmati Rice (gluten/wheat friendly; plant-based)

Beverages:

    • Mango Lassi (non-alcoholic)
    • Taj Mahal Premium Lager (new)
    • Sula Brut Tropicale Sparkling Wine, Nashik (new)
    • Sula Chenin Blanc, Nashik
    • Mango Lassi with Sōmrus Chai Cream Liqueur

Select Dishes featuring Melissa’s Produce

NEW! Lobster Landing (Near Mission: SPACE)

Food:

    • New England Lobster Tail with Lobster Bisque Sauce (new)
    • Lobster Chowder with Bacon, Corn, Potatoes, and Oyster Crackers (new)
    • Baked Lobster Dip with Old Bay Chips (gluten/wheat friendly; new)

Beverages:

    • Coronado Brewing Co. Salty Crew Blonde Ale, San Diego, CA (new)
    • Steenberg Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc, South Africa (new)
    • Sean Minor Chardonnay, California (new)
    • Cape Codder: Vodka with Cranberry, Pomegranate, and Lime (new)

Select Dishes featuring Melissa’s Produce

NEW! Mac & Eats (Near Mission: SPACE)

Food:

    • Traditional Macaroni and Cheese with Herbed Panko
    • Truffle Macaroni and Cheese with Herbed Panko (new)
    • Cowboy Macaroni and Cheese with Smoked Pork Belly, Brisket Burnt Ends, Pickled Peppers, and Onion Straws (new)
    • Macaroni and Cheese with House-made Italian Sausage and Peppers (plant-based)

Beverages:

    • 81Bay Brewing Co. Lemon Hazy IPA, Tampa, FL (new)
    • L’Ecole No. 41 Chenin Blanc Old Vines, Columbia Valley, WA
    • Evolution by Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, OR

Select Dishes featuring Melissa’s Produce

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Merchandise on ShopDisney

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

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival has officially launched at Walt Disney World. The festival will last from now until November 20, making it one long, delicious event! While we previously shared menus and entertainment news, we’re excited to share you can now purchase select EPCOT festival merchandise right at home.

The EPCOT Collection is “a foodie’s dream comes true: a taste tour across 6 continents! Celebrate the annual festival with an array of commemorative must-haves including wine glasses, pins, Spirit Jerseys & more.” Here are a few of our favorites from the collection:

First up, the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival 2021 Spirit Jersey is available for $74.99. “Celebrate the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival 2021 in this ”swellegant” Spirit Jersey with tasteful art on both sides, plus puffy ink accents to savor long after the event.”

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival 2021 Wine Glass is available for $14.99. “Use this elegant, stemmed wine glass to celebrate your delicious memories of the 2021 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. With delicious screen art on the side, this glass will become the toast of your glassware.”

Or maybe you prefer stemless? Check out the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival 2021 Stemless Wine Glass for $14.99. “Use this elegant, stemless wine glass to toast delicious memories of the 2021 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Taste your way around the world while sipping from this commemorative souvenir.”

The perfect souvenir to remember the festival is the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival 2021 Ornament available for $22.99. “Commemorate your visit to the 2021 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival with our scrumptious ornament. The dimensional wine bottle, glasses, grapes and cheese are backed by a silhouette of Spaceship Earth with the Festival logo.”

If you’re an Annual Passholder, check out the Figment MagicBand 2 – Epcot International Food & Wine Festival 2021 Annual Passholder – Limited Edition for $39.99. “Annual Passholders can enjoy a taste of the good life with Figment as they make their way around Walt Disney World Resort in this limited edition Epcot International Food & Wine Festival 2021 MagicBand 2. With a simple touch, you can enter parks, unlock your resort room door, charge purchases to your room, and more!”

We’re loving this Figment Glass Canister – Epcot International Food & Wine Festival 2021 Annual Passholder for $29.99. “Annual Passholders can store away happy memories of Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival 2021 with this commemorative canister. The glass design has a wood lid with silicone seal and features Figment in the colorful artwork that will whet your appetite for next year’s festival.”

And check out this Figment Glass Cutting Board – Epcot International Food & Wine Festival 2021 Annual Passholder for $29.99. “Annual Passholders can relive your delicious memories of Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival 2021 with this commemorative cutting board. Made with tempered glass, the colorful design features Figment in the paneled artwork that will whet your appetite for next year’s festival.”

There’s more! From pins, to tank tops, to coasters and more, you’ll want to head on over to shopDisney to view the full EPCOT Collection before these special festival items sell out.