Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

Every year the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival just seems to get better and better. The Festival starts around the first of October and runs through the middle of November (2013 - September 27 through November 11). It features food and wine (imagine that), and some good old rock and roll music.

Sample cuisine created by renowned chefs and winemakers from around the world are available at booths set up all around the World Showcase.

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

Gaston from Beauty and the Beast in flowers next to the sign for the International Food and Wine Festival

Photo by Jeff_B.

The Food and Wine

Some of the food from the International Food and Wine Festival

Photo by zengrll

Top chefs (no Mrs. Mom, I'm not talking about the TV show again) and winemakers from cites around the world create interesting creations that highlight the city they represent. You can sample food and wine from 27 different stations situated all around Epcot's World Showcase.

Some of the towns represented this year are Santiago Chile, Bologan Italy, and Shanghai China. Each booth has a selection of food items and also local wines.

Booths are located all around the lagoon, including several booths on the Future World side of the lagoon. Each of the International pavilions have at least one booth with offerings from that country. 23 different areas are represented with extra booths that serve specialities like desserts and champagne.

The Cost

You have to have a ticket to Epcot to enjoy the festival. Food and Drink at the Festival costs money (duh). Each item is priced differently but most items are between $3 and $8. Some of the demonstrations and presentations require a separate charge (see below). The Eat to the Beat Concerts are free.

Yum Yum

Salmon salad on toast from the Epcot Food and Wine Festival

Photo by meshmar2

The Demonstrations

Daily during the Festival there are demonstrations, presentations, seminars, food, wine and a lot more. Here is some of what you can expect to enjoy through the months.

HGTV comes to the Festival

After the successful debut of HGTV at the International Flower and Garden Show, they are also going to be at the International Food and Wine Festival. Here is the list of stars from HGTV scheduled to attend.

September 28-30 – “Design Star” Season 7 Winner Danielle Colding
October 5-7 – Casey Noble – “Design on a Dime”
October 12-14 – Alison Victoria – DIY Network’s “Kitchen Crashers”
October 19-21 – Brian Patrick Flynn – HGTV.com, “Design Happens”
October 26-28 – Meg Caswell – “Meg’s Great Rooms”
November 2-4 – Marianne Canada – HGTV.com, “Design Happens”
November 9-12 – Emily Henderson – “Secrets From a Stylist”

Culinary demonstration/Wine presentation

Every day there are 3 demonstrations where feature chefs and wine presenters give tips on how to produce great tasting dishes and pair with some great wines. Demonstration times are 1:00, 2:45 and 4:30. Each session costs $8.00.

Wine Library Tasting - Gary Vaynerchuck

A wine tasting during the taping of a demonstration at the Intertnational Food and Wine Festival

Photo by ScrapNancy

Wine/Beverage Seminars

There are 4 daily seminars where a featured beverage expert or featured wine principal gives tips and samples of wines and/or beverages. Times are 12:00, 2:00, 3:45 and 5:30. There is an $8.00 charge for each session.

You can make reservations for either seminar at Disney's International Food and Wine Festival page.

Book Signings

During the International Food and Wine Festival, authors, winemakers and celebrities will be on hand to sign books, bottles or other merchandise purchased at the Festival. Check the daily schedule to see who is available on the day you visit.

Weekend Extras

On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays well known authors speak about popular topics and taste seminars celebrate the history of select ingredients. (No extra charge necessary.)

Eat to the Beat

The "Eat to the Beat" concert series brings "food music" to the American Gardens Theater. Several big name groups play 3 shows a day. Here's the list for 2013 -

Sept. 27-29 – Starship starring Mickey Thomas
Sept. 30-Oct. 1 – Go-Go’s
Oct. 2-4 – Air Supply
Oct. 5-6 – Sister Hazel
Oct. 7-9 – Sugar Ray
Oct. 10-11 – Edwin McCain
Oct. 12-13 – Manhattan Transfer
Oct. 14-15 – Wilson Phillips
Oct. 16-17 – The Pointer Sisters
Oct. 18-20 – Night Ranger
Oct. 21-23 – Boyz II Men
Oct. 24-25 – Survivor
Oct. 26-27 – 38 Special
Oct. 28-30 – Smash Mouth
Oct. 31-Nov. 1 – Spin Doctors
Nov. 2-3 – Christopher Cross
Nov. 4-5 – Hanson
Nov. 6-8 – Dennis DeYoung
Nov. 9-11 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Here's a little preview from Billy Ocean

The Crowds

The best thing about the International Food and Wine Festival is it happens during one of the slowest times of the year crowd wise. Most days during the show crowds in Epcot will be hard to find. The weekends do get a little busier, but the weekdays can be just devine.

Dad's Crowds at Disney World page

Photo by Express Monorail

Book your trip

Wanna go see the show? Why not just get started today. Dad friends over at Pixie and Pirate Destinations will be glad to help you choose the best time to visit Walt Disney World. Can't you just taste the food?

Dad's Pixie and Pirate Destinations page

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Dad's Bottom Line

Fall is a great time to visit Walt Disney World. The Food and Wine Festival is one of the great traditions of the fall. From great music, to good food, to even some interesting education this time of year is Perfect for a visit.