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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

The Disney Blog guests on WDW Today Podcast

Yesterday I was honored to be a guest on the WDW Today podcast. It’s the middle of August and Summer is drawing to an unofficial close as kids head back to school so we discussed, what else, the biggest news stories of the year. A… Read More »The Disney Blog guests on WDW Today Podcast

Magic Kingdom Meandering

I took off Friday for my son’s 6th birthday. As per his wish, we spent some time meandering through the Magic Kingdom doing what he wanted to do (mostly).

The day started with ride over to the park on the monorail. Believe it or not, that was my first ride on the transport since the tragic death of monorail purple’s pilot. The system functioned as it should, there may have been a couple extra cast members on the platform, but for the most part things were the same as they ever were.

We tried to time our arrival with the little show that takes place at the train station as the park opens to guests. It’s a cute show, but it seemed most of the cast members were just going through the motions and the guests that were selected to open the park really didn’t do any thing much. I think it’s time for some new magical moment to be created here, hopefully one that doesn’t involve crowding hundreds of people into a small area and then forcing them to move through an even smaller passage way all while strollers run over their toes and elbows are thrown jostling for position.

mkmorning

So having survived Disney’s version of the Running of the Bulls, what do we do next? Head to our first Fast Pass? No! Not this day. We went straight to the Harmony Barbershop where the official festivities for “Pink Hair Day” were set to begin.

(follow me below the jump for a photo of the famous pink hair and more from the day)

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Around the Hub – Wednesday Words

Here are a few links from around the web that I’ve been meaning to write longer stories about, but just ran out of time. Walt Disney’s original movie muse Virginia Davis passed away this week at age 90. The Alice series featured Davis interacting with… Read More »Around the Hub – Wednesday Words

Princess Tiana times two, Disney preview’s newest character

Click image for full view For those looking for the next character meet and greet, keep an eye open for Princess Tiana. Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose (left), who provides the voice of Disney’s newest princess, Tiana, in the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures animated… Read More »Princess Tiana times two, Disney preview’s newest character

David Cook, Dan Rather visit Disney World – Celebrity Pics

A couple of celebrity pictures to pass along today. First, for all you American Idol fans… David Cook stopped by the Magic Kingdom with his niece and nephew. The season seven champion of American Idol, Cook enjoyed a ride aboard the Magic Carpets of Aladdin… Read More »David Cook, Dan Rather visit Disney World – Celebrity Pics

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