Posted on Tue, Aug 11, 2009 @ 08:05 AM
Tips for First Time Visitors to Epcot Center International Food & Wine Festival
Tuesday is the first day to make reservations for this year's Epcot Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World.
As Orlando food critic Scott Joseph have noted, there are some notable changes this year, including charges for once-free sessions.
How this will affect the demand for reservations, we'll soon find out. I have asked several festival veterans what advice they'd offer first-time visitors to the festival. Here are the top tips:
- Don't stress about making your plans now. There's plenty to see, do, eat and drink at the festival to entertain even the most demanding first-time visitor who arrives without a single reservation.
- Do take a look at the festival guide [PDF] at some point before you arrive, though. If you see a particular chef, event or demonstration that really interests you, go ahead and try to make a reservation. Do keep timing in mind, though. In the past, many demonstrations have had queues forming early, though this might change with the new $8 charges for many. Still, Disney's Epcot Center a big park, and you're probably not going to make it from an event that ends at 12:45 to another that starts at 1. Give yourself about an hour between events.
- The Party for the Senses rarely sells out, and other events scheduled in the World Showcase (which is huge) are usually the last to fill up. Keep that in mind, if you are trying to make advance reservations for a few events.
- When you arrive, make a lap around the World Showcase, scoping out the offerings, before you start with the food and the wine. If you jump in first, without seeing all that's available, you're likely to end up with too much in the belly and too little in the wallet when you run across that really special selection.
- You can't get everything out of the festival in a single day, so don't even try. Again, take a look around, and pick what most interests you. Don't be afraid to take a bit of a risk, though. Trying something new, ultimately, is what the festival is all about.
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Posted on Mon, Jul 13, 2009 @ 07:46 PM
Disney World's Epcot Center International Food & Wine Festival
The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is an autumn special event that runs from September 25, 2009 - November 8, 2009 and transforms Disney's Epcot Center theme park into a food and wine lover's paradise with specialty food items, culinary events, sophisticated parties and live musical entertainment.
Epcot Center theme park always features a remarkable collection of international dining opportunities and tempting spirits, but during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival there is even more to sample, sip and love.
Try delicious cuisine from around the world at special food booths set up along Epcot's World Showcase Promenade. Explore specialty marketplaces featuring regional foods, wines and beers. Learn from renowned chefs and winemakers at special programs and demonstrations, and sample the finest cuisine from around the globe at spectacular culinary events.
Plus, there is more to do than just enjoying great food and beverage. Enjoy the Eat to the Beat concert series every night during the Festival and unwind with a stellar lineup of celebrated musical acts. Three shows nightly at 5:15 pm, 6:30pm, and 7:45 pm.
Eat to the Beat Concert Series
- 9/25-9/27 - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
- 9/28-9/29 - Richard Marx (NEW!)
- 9/30-10/3 - Starship starring Mickey Thomas
- 10/4-10/6 - En Vogue
- 10/7-10/8 - Better Than Ezra (NEW!)
- 10/9-10/11 - Sister Hazel
- 10/12-10/13 - Kool & The Gang
- 10/14-10/16 - Spyro Gyra
- 10/17-10/18 - Jon Secada
- 10/19-10/20 - Sister Sledge
- 10/21-10/22 - Vanessa Carlton (NEW!)
- 10/23-10/25 - Taylor Dayne
- 10/26-10/28 - Boyz II Men
- 10/29-10/31 - John Waite (NEW!)
- 11/1-11/2 - TBD
- 11/3-11/5 - Billy Ocean (NEW!)
- 11/6-11/8 - Los Lobos
When you arrive at Disney Epcot Center theme park, visit the Festival Welcome Center to plan your day. You'll also find the Festival Wine Shop and the Wonders Bar-where you can purchase champagne and wine or attend official book signings with celebrity chefs and authors. The Stockpot shop offers marvelous merchandise, including the collectable marketplace cookbook.
Epcot theme park admission is required. Some Epcot International Food & Wine Festival events require ticket fees in addition to admission to Epcot theme park. Availability is limited for some events. Events may be rescheduled or cancelled at any time.
Still haven't got your tickets yet to visit Disney World and Epcot Center to see the Eat to the Beat Concert Series or The Food & Wine Festival?
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