I recently had the opportunity to visit the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. It opened recently and runs for 129 days! I was so thankful that Disney gave me the chance to get out and explore everything this year’s festival has to offer. And with so many new things on the menu, you’ll be glad you have those 129 days to explore. Did you know that 50% of the menu offerings are brand new this year? So even if you can’t get here right away, you still have time to plan a trip!
What’s on the Menu at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival?
You can explore food and drink from 6 continents from around the globe! This festival started a few days ago and runs until November 20. During the event I attended, we had the chance to try several dishes. And I can tell you, there’s something for everyone to love. As a plant based eater, I loved the plant based options! The Candy Jar Donut was one of my favorites. It’s for those who have a serious sweet tooth, and I definitely fit that description.
Food highlights at this year’s Epcot Food and Wine Festival:
Global Marketplaces serve up a host of international flavors, including fan-favorite dishes from Hawai’i, Australia, Germany, Canada and Greece. There are also new spicy, savory and sweet plates to please the palate. CORKCICLE is the presenting sponsor for this year’s festival. So guests who visit Shimmering Sips Global Marketplace and four other locations during the event will discover several beverage options available for purchase. I’ve had an up close view of these and they’re so cute! Get your own exclusive keepsake CORKCICLE premium beverage containers at this year’s festival!
There are more than 20 Global Marketplaces! And another 10 joining the party this fall. New marketplaces open now include The Noodle Exchange, The Swanky Saucy Swine, Rotunda Bistro, Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina, and Brew-Wing at the EPCOT Experience. In addition, later this fall, new Global Marketplaces include Kenya, Mac & Eats, and Lobster Landing. Returning favorites include Shimmering Sips hosted by CORKCICLE and Earth Eats hosted by Impossible. And you can still visit the Refreshment Port hosted by Boursin Cheese, and Flavors from Fire hosted by The NFL on ESPN. For a complete menu, visit TasteEPCOT.com. Or you can check out all of the menus on the My Disney Experience App! That’s such a convenient way to browse while you’re strolling around at the parks.
Keeping that foodie vibe from Disney and Pixar’s “Ratatouille” going, families can also take part in Emile’s Fromage Montage, where they purchase five participating cheese dishes from select Global Marketplaces. Those who collect all five stamps – including a passionfruit cheesecake with toasted macadamia nuts – can scurry back to Shimmering Sips to claim a prize.
What Else Can You Do at the Festival?
So what if you’re not the biggest foodie? Don’t worry! There’s plenty more to enjoy at this year’s festival.
- Live music will fill the air during this year’s festival. At the America Gardens Bandstand presented by Florida Blue Medicare, local bands from across Central Florida play popular songs of yesterday and today, Friday through Monday, at the America Gardens Theatre. Live acts performing daily include Voices of Liberty, Mariachi Cobre and the Jammin’ Chefs.
- Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak invites kids of all ages on a magnifique adventure to find Chef Remy around the festival. Guests can purchase a map and stickers from select locations and then search for statuettes of the “Little Chef” hidden throughout World Showcase and the Global Marketplaces. Those who complete the scrumptious scavenger hunt earn a special surprise, courtesy of Chef Remy.
- Guests can commemorate their visit to this year’s festival with official event merchandise, including apparel, home décor, kitchen essentials, trading pins and more.
And guess what? The playgrounds are BACK! This is something that my kids love so much and look forward to at Epcot festivals. But they hadn’t reopened since the shutdown. So I almost cried happy tears when I saw kids playing at the play area during my recent visit. What a joy to have a place to let kids run around and be free! The Disney magic is truly back.
The Magic is Back
The 2021 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE is available with a valid ticket or pass and a Disney Park Pass reservation for EPCOT on the same date. As the event continues into the fall, it will be part of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” beginning Oct. 1 in honor of the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort. For more information on the festival, visit TasteEPCOT.com or follow #TasteEPCOT on social media channels.
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