Walt Disney World Epcot Discussion Thread

[Fat-G]

^ Don't forget about the scene where an angry boss screams in your face for 5 minuets because everything that you were not in charge of is now entirely your fault... and the resulting pay cut!

[PalmTree55]

Ok, Not sure which WDW Park thread to post this in, so I'll start with Epcot.

 

Last Time I visited WDW was in 2009. I will be visiting the parks on November 27-30th, and would like to know what has changed and what I can expect crowd wise. I know the Disney Junior Soccer Showcase is going on during this (huge Soccer tournament at ESPN WWoS), so will that effect crowds? Also, best places to eat? Especially Epcot, as I will spend a good amount of time there. I have no priorities or must do's yet, but that might change if my little sister comes along so I can get her on all the Mountain rides, Good Tower, and Rockn' Roller coaster; as those are what she wants to do the most. Any other info would be much appreciated!

 

Thanks!

[COASTER FREAK 11]

LOL, really? Every Thread? HAHA.

 

It will be busy...

[PalmTree55]

LOL, really? Every Thread? HAHA.

 

It will be busy...

 

4 threads, it's not that much.

[ernierocker]

Actually, it is. Just make one thread and ask your question in the future. Or just post it one of the existing threads. Posting in all four threads was obnoxious.

 

Do some research on your own. There are a TON of Disney World threads in here to search through. Once you you've done that, come back and ask any more specific questions you have.

[robbalvey]

Epcot Food & Wine Festival is HERE!!!

 

With all the awesome fall events going on at the Orlando theme parks (and they are all really awesome), the one that really stands out for us is Epcot's Food & Wine Festival! For those of you who don't know what it is, just picture about 30 booths set up all around World Showcase in Epcot, each with different food and alcohol samplings from different countries, regions, or food types.

 

This is the time of year you can literally "eat and drink your way around the park!" It's AWESOME!

 

This year's Food & Wine festival goes through November 11th. We highly recommend checking it out as often as you can (you'll probably find us there on most days!)

 

We of course were there for the opening day! Here are some photos and a video. (Yes, they put me to work in the Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog! lol)

 

Epcot Food & Wine 2013 is officially OPEN!!! This makes us happy!

Here's just a sampling of some of the menu items...

...and a few more!

The "Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog" is the very first thing you will encounter walking into the Food & Wine Festival!

Stop by and get a free pack of Craisins!

To kick off the Food & Wine Festival, they invited us down to "hang out in the bog!" lol That sounds amazing!

Check me out... I'm all suited up!

"Would anyone like some fresh cranberries? I picked them myself!"

Hanging out with Rod from Ocean Spray. He tells us all about the bog and why Ocean Spray is here at the Food & Wine Festival (Watch the video!)

Yup, they put me to work!

Let's go check out the Food & Wine Festival Center.

Do you think Elissa should buy these "Chef Mickey" ears?

Here is the official artwork for the 2013 Food & Wine Festival.

Even some merchandise for the beer lovers!

Yesss! Another place at Walt Disney World to get the free Ghirardelli chocolate samples!

Gotta admit, as much as I love the Food & Wine Festival Center, I do miss Wonders of Life.... Body Wars, Cranium Command, Martin Short talking to you about sex...

Here are the 2013 Food & Wine money bracelets! Load these up with hundreds of dollars and eat your hard earned dollars away!

Each of the Food & Wine countries have a booth like this.

Here's the menu for Brazil!

Don't cry for me...

"How's it going, Jake?"

Sorry, no Kangaroo tail on the menu!

Mexico had a yummy new taco on the menu!

I have weakness for Mexican food...

...so I had to get one! And it was delicious!

Here's a look at the offerings from Singapore...

Elissa got her "Stack-O-Dumplings" from China...

South Korea had a new item as well...

Check out their booth...

Lettuce wrap was back from last year and it was good...

And this Kimchi Dog was new. Wonderful!

A moment of silence as the loss of the "Cheese Fondue" this year did not sit well with Elissa... Poor girl...

A sampling from Africa...

YES!!!! WE BUILT THIS CITY!!!!

It wouldn't be Food & Wine without BEER! (Sorry, I'm not a wine person....but this makes me VERY happy!)

Poland, anyone?

France was CRAZY BUSY!!! Lots of people want them snails!

While still bummed about the Country of Cheese being dead to her, Elissa found some happiness in Morocco.

The Canadian offerings are always OUTSTANDING!!! (Still can't believe I'm saying this about anything Canadian!) lol

My personal favorite this year so far is still in Hawaii...

"Hey Kid... stop changing the prices!!! They aren't going to get any lower!"

I *LOVE* the Hawaiian Pork Slider. OMG! Sooooo good!

Pork slider and a beer! Now THIS is an awesome combo!!!

Scotland was new this year...

And they offered "Vegetarian Haggis???" I didn't even know that was possible! lol

Make sure you get one of these passports and stamp each place you get food and alcohol from. About half-way around, and 10-15 drinks in, it's ok to slur the stamps if you have to.

Had such an AWESOME first visit to Epcot's Food & Wine! We plan to be back many, many, many times throughout the season!

Edited September 30, 2013 by robbalvey

[Nrthwnd]

^ Everything looked wonderful!

Gawd, I love the world of food!

[ernierocker]

Someone has to take one for the team and try the vegetarian haggis.

[lunaprk]

Nice review of the offerings this year. I should be able to try most of it over the next couple months!

[Thri!!er]

Thanks for the update, Robb & Elissa, and one thing for sure -- I'm hungry right now (again;-) at about 02:00am CET (Central European Time)!

[BCTom]

Such a great event. I've done it three times and it really is the best time to visit Epcot.

 

It's also one of the best ways to use your snack credits if you're using the Disney Dining Plan.

 

Question: what app or software do you use to make your photo collages?

[Meteornotes]

Best Disney event EVER. Cannot wait to visit this year!

 

And we need to initiate UN sanctions against the country of Cheese until they resume the sale of fondue...

 

dt

[SuperShawn]

That report got me so hungry and excited for the event! Anxious to sample the new offerings and hope they can ease the loss of the Fondue.

Edited September 29, 2013 by robbalvey

[grinch1313]

It looks like a great event again this year. I usually end up going a couple of times at least. I can't wait to try all the food. We'll probably be there at some point this coming weekend! Sad about the country of Cheese though.

[Sir Clinksalot]

Food and Wine is such a great event. Hopefully we'll get back there one of these years.

[gisco]

The one event I would like to do, eating around the world! The food looks great. Hoping to catch the opening when I'm in Orlando late September next year.

[robbalvey]

Epcot was absolutely PACKED on Saturday for Food & Wine! Great for the park, but I'm not sure I'd recommend going the Saturday of opening weekend. Check out these pics...

Look at all the people!

There's the line for Ireland.

This is the most packed I've seen Epcot in a long time.

The line for the China booth starts in actual China!

[Meteornotes]

Yeah, that looks like Hell. Good for the park, though

 

dt

[robbalvey]

I will say, though, they were running all the booths at the highest capacity they could, and I didn't hear anyone complaining (Kevin Yee obviously wasn't there), so they must have been doing something right at least!

[Meteornotes]

NOT DECLINING BY DEGREES!

 

dt

[COASTER FREAK 11]

I will say, though, they were running all the booths at the highest capacity they could, and I didn't hear anyone complaining (Kevin Yee obviously wasn't there), so they must have been doing something right at least!

 

HAHAHAHAHAHA, that's awesome! Glad its still pulling giant crowds, I never want this event to go away!

[DJeXeL]

I will say, though, they were running all the booths at the highest capacity they could, and I didn't hear anyone complaining (Kevin Yee obviously wasn't there), so they must have been doing something right at least!

 

 

Based on the reviews I've been reading (Here and other sites ) it's safe to assume that F&W @ WDW is a hell of a lot better than when it was at DCA.

[robbalvey]

^ DCA didn't have "food & wine" - whatever it was they had, it wasn't "food & wine!"

[COASTER FREAK 11]

DCA's wasn't even in the same league as the awesomeness that's at EPCOT. They attempted something on a MUCH smaller scale, and it was cute for the failing park (at the time).

[DJeXeL]

^ DCA didn't have "food & wine" - whatever it was they had, it wasn't "food & wine!"

 

Figured as much. Can't wait to do this next year.