2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Special Events
The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is one of my favorite events. I aim to visit ever year (though I missed 2017 because I gave birth to our daughter, but that is about the only thing that would keep me away from this amazing event.) If you are a foodie or a wine/beer/spirits connoisseur, this is certainly a festival that you do not want to miss.
Global Marketplace/Outdoor Kitchens
The Food and Wine festival is most well-known for are the various outdoor food kitchens or global markets that are scattered throughout the World Showcase. Last year, they even made their way to Future World! While we are still awaiting the official release for the menus, a few new menu offerings have already been announced. They include:
New Brunswick Slider: Slow-braised Beef Brisket “Pot Roast Style” with Horseradish Cream, Crispy Fried Onions on a Potato Roll with Pickled Vegetables on the side (Located at Hops & Barley Marketplace)
Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter Vinaigrette, Parmesan Cheese, and Pumpkin Seeds (Vegetarian) (Located at The Wine & Dine Studio)
Charred Chimichurri Skirt Steak, smoked Corn Cake with Pickled Vegetable Slaw and Cilantro (Located at Flavors from Fire)
The outdoor kitchens are accessible to all park guests with a valid park ticket. Guests will pay for the items they purchase at the kitchens, and items typically range $4.00-$12.00.
Special Events
What makes the Epcot International Food and Wine festival unique are all of the special events of which guests can partake, some that might incur an additional fee. Beginning June 14th, guests will be able to make reservations online through the Disney dining website (links below) for these events. Below is a summary of featured presentations, demonstrations, and more. Please note that all events require theme park admission, and alcohol will only be served to guests 21 and older. Be sure to have identification.
Cheese Seminars
Attendees at the Food and Wine Festival will learn about pairing popular cheeses with wines and craft beers during these 90-minute seminars. Professional cheesemakers will explain the complexity of cheese, including attributes such as aromas, textures and flavor levels. Attendees can sample artisanal selections paired with complementary beverages. These seminars take place at the Festival Center Stage on select Saturdays from 9:45 AM to 11:15 AM and are $89 + tax per guest (includes gratuity). Space is limited.
Culinary Demonstrations
On Monday and Saturday afternoons at 12:30pm, guests will be able to participate in a culinary demonstration with celebrated chefs from all over the world. These demonstrations will feature items like beef, shrimp, pastry items, and more. Professional chefs will give attendees tips and tricks to improve their skills with the featured item of the day, and attendees will be able to sample the chefs’ creations. These demonstrations take place at the Festival Center Stage and are $17 + tax per guest. For specific demonstrations, visit the official event calendar.
Beverage Seminars
Wine, beer, and spirit enthusiasts will enjoy these beverage seminars that will teach them how to truly appreciate the featured item. They will learn from professionals in the industry across the globe what makes the beverage unique. These seminars take place Monday through Thursday at 11:15am and 2:30 pm, Friday and select Saturdays at 11:15am and 2:30 pm, and Sundays at 4:30pm throughout the length of the festival. They take place at the Festival Center Stage and are $17 + tax per guest. For specific demonstrations, visit the official event calendar.
Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It
Attendees will get a unique experience with this hands-on lesson. Guests will work with chefs, beverage experts and other professionals to perfect their cooking and beverage skills in this interactive and multi-sensory experience. This event takes place at the Festival Center Stage on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4:30pm – 5:45pm. Tickets cost $39 + tax per guest. For specific appearances and lessons, visit the official event calendar.
Party for the Senses
Perhaps the grandest event of the entire Epcot International Food and Wine festival is Party for the Senses. It is a culmination of the festival’s culinary delights. Guests will mingle with chefs, personalities and entertainers while they dine on delectable food. As an added bonus, your ticket to this event also includes reserved seating for the 5:30pm performance of the Eat to the Beat concert series. Party for the Senses takes place in World Showplace Events Pavilion from 7:00pm – 9:30pm on select nights. Ticket prices range from $229 – $349 + tax per guest (includes gratuity) depending on the category seating. For featured appearances, see the official event calendar.
Eat to the Beat Concert Series
Each night of the festival in the America Gardens Theatre at the American Pavilion inside World Showcase there is a free concert with live entertainment! This year, 32 acts will perform over the course of the festival- the largest lineup to date. Showtimes are 5:30pm, 6:45pm, and 8:00pm nightly. While the concert is free, guests have the option of booking an Eat to the Beat dining package to reserve their seats ahead of time to the show.
The 2018 schedule is as follows (as of the time of this publication):
August 30 to 31: Blue October
September 1 to 3: Tiffany
September 4 to 5: MercyMe
September 6 to 7: Glass Tiger
September 8 to 9: Tauren Wells
September 10 to 11: Postmodern Jukebox
September 12 to 13: Vertical Horizon
September 14 to 16: Baha Men
September 17 to 19: Plain White T’s
September 20 to 21: Living Colour
September 22 to 23: Sheila E
September 24 to 26: Sugar Ray
September 27 to 28: David Cook
September 29 to 30: Jeffrey Osborne
October 1 to 2: Jim Belushi & The Sacred Hearts
October 3 to 4: Everclear
October 5 to 7: Mark Wills
October 8 to 10: Air Supply
October 11 to 12: To Be Announced
October 13 to 14: To Be Announced
October 15 to 16: 98 Degrees
October 17 to 18: 38 Special
October 19 to 21: The Devon Allman Project
October 22 to 23: Kenny G
October 24 to 25: Billy Ocean
October 26 to 28: Starship featuring Mickey Thomas
October 29 to 31: Hanson
November 1 to 2: High Valley
November 3 to 4: Taylor Dayne
November 5 to 7: Boyz II Men
November 8 to 9: The Hooters
November 10 to 12: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
New for 2018
Sunday Brunch with the Chef
Guests will enjoy a delicious brunch buffet and exclusive meet & greet with TV culinary personalities. This 2-hour event takes place at World ShowPlace Events Pavilion on select Sundays throughout the festival from 11:30am – 1:30pm. Tickets cost $129 + tax per guest (gratuity included). For dates and special guests, see the event schedule.
Food & Beverage Pairings
Guest chefs and beverage professionals will collaborate to give attendees tips on how to pair beverages with some of their favorite foods. This event takes place Fridays through Sundays at 2:30pm at the Festival Center Stage. The cost is $25+ tax per guest. To learn more about featured appearances and presentations, visit the official event calendar.
Also new to the festival for 2018 is a Mimosa Bar – a perfect way to get the day started if you ask me!
Photo courtesy: Delish.com
Past fan favorite events included specialty meals at various restaurants across the Walt Disney Resort (hello Parisian breakfast). At the time of this publication, those specialty meals have yet to be announced. Check the official Epcot International Food & Wine Festival page for updated information as it becomes available.
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Are you interested in visiting Disney during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival? Feel free to contact me today!
Kim Hart is a Disney Travel agent with MickeyTravels, a platinum level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. For help planning a magical vacation, contact Kim by email at khart@mickeytravels.com or by phone 410-529-1324.
