What’s new at this year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
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| Walt Disney World photo |
The end of August has us turning our minds toward fall at Walt Disney World, and that includes the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, which runs from Sept. 14-Nov. 14 this year.
Every year also brings new additions to the menu and new experiences. This year, Disney says almost half the dishes that will be served at the festival’s 30 marketplaces are “new or reimagined,” but there also are all-new marketplaces to try.
In addition, Disney is hosting several special events outside of Epcot for the first time.
Here’s an overview of what’s new for this year’s Food & Wine Festival:
1. New food kiosks
Five new marketplaces will join the festival’s lineup this year:
- Chocolate Studio: Truffles and tortes with wines to match
- Islands of the Caribbean: Start with the Jamaican beef patty
- Greenhouse Guru hosted by Village Farms: Tomatoes are the centerpiece at this marketplace, which will be the first located in Future World
- The CHEW Collective: Festival wines and “high tech” food pairings (whatever that means)
- Wine & Dine Studio: Focusing on California wines, paired with Golden State cheese and more
2. New acts for Eat to the Beat
Eight new musical acts join the Eat to the Beat concert series this year:
- Wang Chung, Sept. 14-15
- The BoDeans, Sept. 21-23
- Plain White T’s, Oct. 7-9
- Jeffrey Osborne, Oct. 12-13
- Toad The Wet Sprocket, Oct. 22-23
- Living Colour (pictured), Oct. 28-29
- Soul Asylum, Nov. 2-3
- Delta Rae, Nov. 4-6
The Eat to the Beat concert series runs nightly from Sept. 14-Nov. 14 with shows at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. nightly. The concerts are free with admission to Epcot.
3. Grown-up ice cream sodas
There is one addition to the menu this year that we think deserves its own spotlight. At the Desserts & Champagne booth, hard soda floats pair vanilla soft-serve ice cream with alcoholic soda. Choose from the Best Damn Hard Root Beer Float, Sprecher Hard Cherry Cola Float or the Sprecher Hard Orange Cream Soda Float. Or try all three! (There are also non-alcoholic versions available.)
4. Special events outside of Epcot
Looking for a high-end respite to the Food & Wine grind? This year Disney is hosting several events at its resorts:
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| Walt Disney World photo |
- Brunch with a Twist: A 5-course meal prepared by chefs from the Grand Floridian’s acclaimed restaurants, including Victoria & Alberts, Citrico’s and Narcoosee’s.
- The Secrets of Flavor: Engage your mind and your palate with a three-course lunch at the Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club Resort.
- Culinary Adventures with a Master Chef (pictured): Cook alongside master chefs at at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, then enjoy the results of your work.
- Behind the Scenes at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto: A tour of the popular Trader Sam’s lounge at the Polynesian Resort, followed by lunch and a special mixology session.
5. Festival merchandise
