If you are a regular reader of this blog, you’ll know how highly I rate Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival – a not-to-be-missed event if you are staying in or around Orlando between September and November.
This year’s event is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever – as we can see from the new menus Disney has recently released.
Beginning on August 31 and running until November 13, you’ll need a standard Epcot ticket to enjoy all the tastes and flavours of the Festival. However, do be aware that certain events do need to be booked in advance.
(And, remember, for great rates on all Orlando and theme park tickets, call our ticket partner Kissimmee Guest Services and mention Ellis Exclusive Villas. KSG guarantee you won’t find cheaper anywhere else!)
What is Disney World’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival?
If you’re not familiar with Epcot, the Disney park is divided into two main themed areas: Future World and World Showcase. Future World is home to the iconic geodesic sphere that has come to symbolise Epcot.
Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival, however, is hosted in the World Showcase area of the park. Special kiosks pop up around the lake, showcasing food and drinks that reflect various countries.
This year’s event has some special themed kiosks – new for the first time this year – including a spicy “flavours from fire” theme.
For me, though, it is the country themed kiosks that really get my taste buds tingling… here’s my pick of what you can expect.
Which countries have the best menus this year?
- The Africa kiosks will be serving up spicy Ethiopian red lentil stew, amongst other dishes, plus wines from South Africa’s Stellenbosch and Western Cape regions.
- The Australia menu features some classic dishes such as grilled shrimp, or lamington pie, plus lots of great Aussie wines and beers.
- Brazil features cheesy bread, yucca, and frozen caipirinhas.
- Canada offers a Canadian Cheddar cheese soup, filet mignon with truffle butter sauce, and Moosehead Radler.
- The China menu includes spicy chicken bao bun and – perhaps less traditionally – mango bubble tea with black Assam tea.
- The highlight on the French menu has to be the raspberry crème brûlée, which you can pair with martini slushes or a sparkling Kir Royale.
- Germany’s classic dishes include Bratwurst, apple strudel, and a selection of classic Rieslings.
- The Greek menu includes spanakopita, plus wines from Santorini, and the Peloponnese.
- Over in Hawai’i, there’s grilled tuna tataki, and mai-tais!
- India’s menu includes a vegetable madras, chicken korma, and Kingfisher lager.
- Ireland features sausage and colcannon mash, which you can pair with a glass of Guinness.
- Islands of the Caribbean includes a Jamaican beef patty with mango salsa, plus frozen mojitos.
- The Italy kiosks will be serving up calamari, chocolate covered cannoli, plus Italian wines and beers.
- Japan includes wasabi pork dumplings, sushi rolls, and sake cocktails.
- The Mexico menu features tacos, tequila chipotle shrimp, and margaritas.
- The Morocco menu seems to be advertising hummus and baklava on the Disney website at the moment… which is a little surprising to me, but I can’t claim to be an expert…
- New Zealand, meanwhile, is promising mussels, lamb meatballs, venison, and a fine selection of Marlborough wines.
- Patagonia features beef empanada, Malbecs and a Pinot Noir.
- Scotland is offering up lamb stew with neeps and tatties, whisky cake, and Scottish ale.
- The menu for Spain includes paella, olive oil cake, and wines from Navarra and Jumilla.
- Finally, the Thailand menu will include chicken satay with peanut sauce, noodles, Thai red curry with rice, and Singha beer.
And, if that hasn’t got your mouth watering, you can read even more tasty details on the Disney website.
For more details about getting a great deal on your Epcot tickets, speak with our attraction ticket partner Kissimmee Guest Services.
