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EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival’s new look

EPCOT’s International Food & Wine festival officially opens tomorrow, but if you head to the park this afternoon you’ll likely be able to experience some of the options during today’s test run. There are 70 new dishes this year and most of the old favorites (like Canada’s Cheese Soup). Look for more of an international street food feeling this year at the 27 food booths and showcases.

Orlando food critic Scott Joseph got to sample a few of the tasting sized dishes early this year and he has a review up on his blog. A downloadable guide and map are available at Scott’s blog or the official website.

Another change might come as a surprise to long time event attendees. The daily wine seminars and tastings are no longer be free. There is now an $8 fee. Tickets are sold through the reservation system. However, Disney is holding some tickets for sale in the park each day for guests who may not have heard about the change.

Food and Wine runs a long 45 days this year wrapping up on November 8th, which will make it a pretty tight turn around to get the Winter Holiday decorations up at the park.

One of my favorite parts of the Food & Wine Festival are the Eat To The Beat concerts. Plenty of big names this year, and, in what I believe is a first, an American Idol winner.

A full listing of which acts are scheduled below the jump:

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2009 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival Preview

The Food & Wine Festival returns to EPCOT this year September 25 – November 8 for the 14th time. As with last year the even is slightly downsized from the height of 30+ countries, but the flavor and experience is all there. During the six-week event, park guests can taste fine cuisine and wines from top “foodie” cities of the world and enjoy entertainment from musical acts that will bring back memories of yesteryear.

Festival guests can enjoy the flavors of more than 25 international marketplaces dotting the World Showcase promenade highlighting tastes from cities on six continents, including Bologna, Italy; Bangkok, Thailand; Wellington, New Zealand; Santiago, Chile; Marrakesh, Morocco; Shanghai, China; and, from the United States – New Orleans. Tapas-sized portions of regional specialties run $2 to $7 each, and recommended wines and beers make perfect pairings at each kiosk. Puglia, Italy, returns as a sponsor this year, presenting culinary demonstrations with regional chefs and showcasing Adventures of Pasta and Olive Oils.

I personally hope that this year’s festival will include more of a street food element. It is a trend in food service right now, and it works well with the ‘foodie’ cities theme they have this year. So I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Follow the jump for more festival highlights:

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La Cava del Tequila opens in Mexico Pavilion at EPCOT

I’m beginning to sense a trend at Walt Disney World and that trend is Tequila. Paradiso 37 at Downtown Disney opened earlier this year and now the much anticipated La Cava del Tequila bar at the Mexico Pavilion in EPCOT has opened. I’m betting there… Read More »La Cava del Tequila opens in Mexico Pavilion at EPCOT

Tequila Bar set to open August 28th in Mexico Pavilion at EPCOT

Guests at EPCOT’s Mexico pavilion will soon have a new Tequila bar in which to add a new twist to their Disney vacation. La Cava del Tequila, will become the newest addition at Mexico Pavilion on August 28, 2009. Through the décor, art work, original… Read More »Tequila Bar set to open August 28th in Mexico Pavilion at EPCOT

Disney Releases 2010 Dining Plan Info

Walt Disney World has released the prices and information about the 2010 Disney Dining Plans: 2010 Dining Plan PDF It doesn’t look like much has changed, except for the price per person, including a seasonal change. The Quick Service Dining Plan: Adults (Ages 10+) :… Read More »Disney Releases 2010 Dining Plan Info

The New Portobello Restaurant: Deceptively Simple

I’d like to welcome Kevin Yee as a guest author to The Disney Blog. Opened in 1989 as an inaugural part of Pleasure Island, the Portobello Yacht Club maintained the backstory of shipping magnate Merriweather Pleasure, whose warehouses were decimated by a storm, prompting him… Read More »The New Portobello Restaurant: Deceptively Simple

Paradiso 37 at Downtown Disney soft open tomorrow

Promoted this from the comments: Amber Marie works at WDW and got a chance to preview the menu at the newest Downtown Disney Restaurant – Paradiso 37. This afternoon I was delighted to be a part of a tasting at the brand-new Downtown Disney restaurant,… Read More »Paradiso 37 at Downtown Disney soft open tomorrow

Disney News & Links – Tuesday Tips Edition

Shanghaist reports on “Touch of the Panda” a new Disney-produced movie that is opening in China. It follows the story of a Panda Cub separated from its mother. Even if the plots not original it might be worth it for the scenery. The film was shot in the Woolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve.

Continuing our overseas trip, we have a story on a book of stories and anecdotes about Tokyo Disneyland that may have been plagiarized. Lawyers are now involved.

Two updated posts to note: First I’ve added a couple photos to my post about the new Green Disneyland Bakery; Second it turns out the Sherman Brothers documentary will open on May 22nd. Right now it’s at four cities, which I’ve added to the original post.

So far Orlando has been lucky enough to avoid a confirmed case of Swine Flu. If the cases continue to grow, that won’t happen forever, but it’s good news for now.

One of the juiciest rumors in the week of rumors that were this week, was the tidbit that GE and Universal Studios is giving serious consideration to buying the Busch Entertainment Theme parks, including (or perhaps only) the SeaWorld properties.

Looking for a great night on the town that’s also affordable? You may want to make another trip back to Downtown Disney to check out some deals. Not sure how long these specials will last, so ask when making reservations. Look below the cut for details:

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