It may be the off-season for theme parks right now, but you would never know it based on some of the crowds expected this weekend. Of course, it is a three-day weekend with President’s Day on Monday (although I don’t get it off :p ).… Read More »Things to do in Orlando this weekend
I’m not sure if it was part of the original plans for the park, but no theme park holds a festival like EPCOT. The park soaks up attendees looking for that special experience while still handling the regular tourist crowds like a pro. This fall, like a fine wine that improves with age, the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will celebrate its fifteenth year of offering an unrivaled global tasting experience. Among the goodies are new treats from South Korea, Belgium, and more. The festival will October 1st through November 14th.
Check below the jump for more details that were just announced.
An ocean theme is evident this year. I took a walk around EPCOT today to see how much progress has been made toward the popular Flower & Garden Festival that opens each spring at the theme park. This year marks the 17th festival and it… Read More »EPCOT’s Flower & Garden Festival kicks off this week
Sure, the Food & Wine festival isn’t even over yet, but with winter setting in around the country you may want to dream a little about spring on those cold nights. This year spring starts the earliest ever at EPCOT with a March 3rd launch of the The 17th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.
The event will continue for 75 days through May 16, 2010, and bring bold strokes of seasonal color and brand-new topiary whimsy. Donald Duck and his topiary pals will set up camp in full floral color to celebrate the Great Outdoors at the Epcot front entrance. The elaborate topiary with a North American theme, live waterfall and pond features Goofy in a fly-fishing misadventure, Daisy Duck roasting marshmallows over a campfire and Pluto in his “pup tent.” It will be a a must-stop photo op for guests as soon as they pass through the park turnstiles.
“The advantage of starting earlier is that we’ll be able to feature more brilliant color than ever, with richly hued petunias, violas, snapdragons and other hardy flowers,” says festival horticulture manager Eric Darden. “By starting earlier and going through mid-May, it allows more guests than ever to experience the festival and to plan ahead for their spring and summer gardening.”
Follow below the jump to find out what will be new this year as well as other highlights:
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:
With the first weekend of the 2009 International Flower & Garden Festival in the past now’s a great time to look at some of the event’s many highlights.
Four beautiful sets of Topiaries greet guests as the enter EPCOT each day.
Sleeping Beauty has all the gracefulness given to her by Marc Davis’ animation.
An elaborate “Cinderellabration” topiary and an environmentally friendly Green Garden bring fresh springtime flair to the 16th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, presented by Disneynature, March 18-May 31, 2009. Amid a colorful tableau of flowers, plants and topiaries, Walt Disney World guests of… Read More »EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Set to Bloom Next Weekend