Wine and Dine around the World at Disney's Epcot park
Just before Hurricane Dorian hit the SouthEast coast, I had a free day in Orlando. Due to the incoming storm, crowds were down at the Disney parks so I took the opportunity to visit the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. I have visited previously and thoroughly enjoyed it and this year was no different other than I was on my own this time.
Epcot is split into 2 sections: Future World and the World Showcase. I arrived before the park opened so I could experience the attractions in Future World which opens 2 hours before the Showcase.
Top of my list was Test Track, Mission Space, Soarin’ Around the World and Spaceship Earth. After all that spinning and super sonic speeds, I took some time to enjoy the other delights of Future World. I loved the Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival and appreciated the air conditioning that came with it. Living with the Land is another favourite, slow paced experience. The food produced here is used by the park restaurants.
The most popular ride of the moment is definitely Frozen. A good idea to use FastPass. I was looking forward to seeing the animation on what they classify as a slow ride with small drops. The ride was actually short, bumpy, wet and didn’t really follow a story. The best thing about it was that it was cool. Disappointing but glad I did it.
Since Frozen is in the World Showcase it was time to change pace and get to the main event. The wine and the food!
I love World Showcase at Epcot. You can get around the world in an afternoon and take in all the sights, sounds and tastes each culture has to offer. Places I will unlikely get to in my lifetime.
The Annual Food and Wine Festival runs from September through November and can get very crowded on weekends as the locals join the visitors in the fun and entertainment. Due to the incoming storm, crowds were down and I had my choice of all the delights.
I love World Showcase at Epcot. You can get around the world in an afternoon and take in all the sights, sounds and tastes each culture has to offer. Places I will unlikely get to in my lifetime.
The Annual Food and Wine Festival runs from September through November and can get very crowded on weekends as the locals join the visitors in the fun and entertainment. Due to the incoming storm, crowds were down and I had my choice of all the delights.
I honestly didn’t know where to start, there was so much to choose from and as much as I would have liked to try it all, it was just too much. I had spent longer in Future World than originally anticipated so I was hungry and thirsty. Australia is pretty close to the entrance and I love shrimp on the Bar-bie and it was a perfect time for the pale ale they were serving.
I walked counter clockwise which tends to be against the traffic and less busy at the beginning of the day. I walked past Canada, Ireland and into Great Britain where I watched Mary Poppins and Alice in Wonderland entertain the children. Disney really is a magical place no matter which park you are in. Over the bridge and you are in France with the iconic Eiffel Tower, a perfect place for dessert in the form of Crème Brûlèe and La Passion Martini Slushy.
I spent some time wandering around the boutiques of Paris, the magical streets of Morocco and admiring the charming Japanese architecture before attending the Presidents of America show. I was ready for a cooling rest while getting a history lesson. Refreshed and cool, I headed out into the sunshine and right into Hops and Barley where they were serving a lobster roll and cold cider. I just cannot resist lobster roll. I sat overlooking the Bandshell where a band was practicing for the later show. I enjoyed sitting there and people watching while listening to the band.
From America, it is back to Europe to visit Germany and stroll through the streets of Italy before heading into the colourful world of China. The Chinese buildings are so interesting and intricate. The Chinese Chicken Dumplings looked amazing and the German Apple Strudel was hard to resist but I really couldn’t try it all. As much as I tried, I could not walk past the Alps booth with warm raclette swiss cheese with baby potatoes, cornichons and baguette, paired with a frozen rosé, a perfect late afternoon snack and would get me through until dinner.
Part of the entertainment provided by Disney during the Food and Wine Festival is their Eat to the Beat series. Usually very popular and they have packages that include dining in one of the Epcot restaurants followed by reserved seating at the concert. Due to lower volumes on the day I was there, I had no problems finding a seat to enjoy an incredible show with Grace Kelly, Saxophonist , Singer and Songwriter. Grace’s early career included a performance at Barack Obama’s inauguration and has also played on the house band for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”. She was amazing.
After the concert, there was time to visit one of my favourite countries at Epcot, Mexico. They have an amazing, romantic boat ride and a lovely indoor market. I have never eaten there but the restaurant is beautiful sitting on the banks of the “river”.
I had walked about 10 km by the end of the day and I really wanted to stay for the Illuminations Fireworks show. I was tired of small tastings and wanted a real meal and a nice glass of red wine. I decided to walk over to the Boardwalk to relax and have a quiet dinner. The Boardwalk is home to various restaurants, shops and nightlife. There is a beautiful upscale hotel and the Boardwalk Villas. Always a great place to spend a couple of hours and parking is free.
I had a lovely meal at Trattoria Al Forno reflecting back on the amazing day at the International Food and Wine Festival. I am so glad I went, even though it had been 35 degrees Celsius. I enjoyed every minute. After dinner, it was back on the ferry to Epcot to watch the night show.
A great day to remember and can’t wait to go back.
