Archive for Epcot
20th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Announces Future World Marketplace Expansion
Walt Disney World Resort announced today that four new food and beverage marketplaces will open in Future World during the 20th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival presented by Chase Sept. 25-Nov. 16, 2015. It’s the first time in the festival’s 20-year-history that global marketplace experiences, now numbering more than 30, have expanded from the park’s World Showcase into Future World.
During the 53-day festival, the new Artistry of Wine & Cheese area featuring the Cheese Studio and Wine Studio marketplaces will evoke the ambiance of Napa Valley with grape vines and welcoming pergolas along the walkway to Future World West.
- At the Cheese Studio, a cheese sample platter will be served on an artist’s palette to pair with wines.
- The Wine Studio will serve premium wines on tap and showcase palate-pleasing wine varietals organized by color in artful displays.
At the new Next Eats area near the Epcot Character Spot, Sustainable Chew and Chew Lab marketplaces will be inspired by ABC’s Emmy-Award® winning lifestyle series “The Chew,” starring co-hosts Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Carla Hall, Clinton Kelly and Daphne Oz. “The Chew” announced July 2 that the show will broadcast from Epcot during the festival.
- At Sustainable Chew Marketplace, guests can taste delicious dishes inspired by “The Chew” co-hosts.
- At Chew Lab, food science meets the hottest culinary tech trends to present innovative dishes like the Liquid Nitro Chocolate Almond Truffle with Warm Whiskey Caramel.
“The Future World festival marketplace expansion gives our guests more reasons than ever to help us celebrate 20 delicious festival years,” says Jens Dahlmann, general manager of Epcot Food & Beverage. “Adding even more sizzle, our collaboration with ABC’s ‘The Chew’ brings the cachet of a major daytime network television series and its celebrity hosts.”
More news to celebrate:
- One of a series of popular Party for the Senses premium events will be the first-time Yelloween Masquerade Party for the Senses Oct. 31, an elegant, dance-the-night-away, gourmet tasting party with Champagne, wine, craft beers and specialty cocktails paired with food. Guests will be encouraged to masquerade in chic yellow and black. Reservations will open July 30, 2015, for festival premium events also to include the Mexican Tequila Lunch, Japanese Craft Beer Tasting, French Family Meal Traditions and dozens of events including Culinary Adventures in Signature Dining.
- “The Chew” cast will host a new premium event: the Rockin’ Burger Block Party Oct. 8, with specialty burgers and sliders inspired by top names in the music industry such as Dave Matthews and his Dreaming Tree Wines and Carlos Santana’s Casa Noble Tequila. Two additional Burger Block Parties are set for Sept. 25 and Nov. 6.
- The Dominican Republic Marketplace will return with fresh flair, serving new dishes including Pescado con Coco – seared grouper, pigeon peas with rice and coconut sauce. And at the Festival Center, the new Monday-through-Thursday “Spotlight on Dominican Republic” will showcase the country’s culture, crafts and culinary delights with artists and chefs at the Festival Center.
- Two 20th-year celebratory wines were created just for this fall’s festival: a Napa Valley Festival Chardonnay and a Paso Robles Festival Cabernet Sauvignon. Guests will be able to purchase tastes of both wines at the Sustainable Chew marketplace, and the Festival Center Wine Shop will carry bottles.
At the new Artistry of Wine & Cheese, each keg of premium wine on tap will hold the equivalent of 26 wine bottles, eliminating bottle, cork, cardboard and paper waste from labels. Recycling and repurposing of glass bottles and corks from other marketplace locations will be part of the 20th-year festival story.
Included with Epcot Admission:
Back to Basics series, Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog, special book signings, Eat to the Beat concerts, cultural adventures, Marketplace Discovery Passport and attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.
Special Programming by Reservation:
The Party for the Senses grand tasting events, and other special beverage and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission. Reservations will open July 30, 2015, for all premium events including the new Rockin’ Burger Block Party. Guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) and get details at epcotfoodfestival.com beginning July 15.
ABC’s ‘The Chew’ to Broadcast from The 20th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
ABC’s “The Chew” is leaving its Manhattan studio for the first time in the show’s history to broadcast from the 20th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL. The Emmy-Award® Winning lifestyle series will tape five shows with co-hosts Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Carla Hall, Clinton Kelly and Daphne Oz on Oct. 7, 8 & 9 to air during the week of Oct. 12 -16 on “The Chew.”
“We are beyond excited to be invited to celebrate such an important food event,” said Gordon Elliott, executive producer of “The Chew.” “What a great way to kick off our fifth season. We are planning a terrific series of shows for our viewers and live audience that will use every available piece of magic the park and our show can muster. Stay tuned!” he added.
“The Chew” shows from Epcot will showcase festival highlights as well as food and beverage from “around the world” of Walt Disney World Resort. From stellar dining experiences to immersive dining that transports guests into cherished stories, “The Chew” will explore Disney Parks restaurants that offer innovative, fun and healthful dining choices and share some of their favorites.
In addition, “The Chew” will be featured in two themed marketplaces located at the new Next Eats area of Future World – the first time in the festival’s history that new culinary experiences have expanded into the Future World area of the park.
At the new Sustainable Chew Marketplace, festivalgoers can enjoy three delicious dishes inspired by “The Chew” co-hosts. From savory pork spareribs with red wine and fennel with cheesy mascarpone grits and ricotta & zucchini ravioli with tomato sauce to vanilla panna cotta with fresh figs and pistachio brittle, “The Chew” has something for everyone during this milestone 20th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival celebration. The eco-home-inspired marketplace will offer guests a chance to learn more about how food is grown and the importance of food sustainability. Herbs and vegetables harvested from The Land pavilion greenhouses at Epcot will flavor the marketplace dishes.
A second new Future World marketplace at Next Eats will feature the Chew Lab, where Disney chefs are collaborating with “The Chew,” to create a cutting-edge marketplace inspired by food-science labs and the hottest culinary tech trends.
Visit TheChew.com for information on how to obtain tickets to be part of the live audience during “The Chew” broadcasts at Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.
“The Chew” will continue to update viewers on additional festival plans throughout the summer. Tune in weekdays 1:00pm/ET and visit TheChew.com.
Eat to the Beat of Top Pop Bands during 20th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
Four new Eat to the Beat musical acts join 18 fan-favorite bands for a rockin’ lineup of pop hit makers tuned up to celebrate the 20th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sept. 25-Nov. 16 at Walt Disney World Resort.
New-to-the-festival acts – Tiffany, Everclear, Maxi Priest and Chaka Khan — and 18 returning acts including Jo Dee Messina, Rick Springfield and The Pointer Sisters will rock the America Gardens Theatre stage during concerts at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. daily. The lineup (subject to change and included in Epcot admission) includes:
- Sept. 25-27 David Cook “The Time of My Life”
- Sept. 28-29 Wilson Phillips “Hold On”
- Sept. 30-Oct. 1 Christopher Cross “Sailing”
- Oct. 2-4 STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas “We Built This City”
- Oct. 5-7 Smash Mouth “Walkin’ On the Sun”
- Oct. 8-9 The Pointer Sisters “I’m So Excited”
- Oct. 10-11 38 Special “Caught Up in You”
- Oct. 12-13 Rick Springfield “Jessie’s Girl”
- Oct. 14-16 Sugar Ray “Fly”
- Oct. 17-18 S.O.S. Band “Take Your Time (Do It Right)”
- Oct. 19-21 Air Supply “All Out of Love”
- Oct. 22-23 Fuel “Shimmer”
- Oct. 24-25 NEW! Tiffany “I Think We’re Alone Now”
- Oct. 26-28 Dennis DeYoung, original member of the group STYX “Come Sail Away”
- Oct. 29-30 Jo Dee Messina “Lesson in Leavin’”
- Oct. 31-Nov. 1 NEW! Everclear “Santa Monica”
- Nov. 2-4 Boyz II Men “End of the Road”
- Nov. 5-6 Sister Hazel “All For You”
- Nov. 7-9 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy “Go Daddy-O”
- Nov. 10-12 Hanson “I Will Come to You”
- Nov. 13-14 NEW! Maxi Priest “Close to You”
- Nov. 15-16 NEW! Chaka Kahn “I Feel for You”
(Songs listed are for artist recognition only and may not be included in the concert play list)
Guests also can sip and nosh their way around the World Showcase and watch performers from many countries weave music, dance, acrobatics, comedy and other acts into the festivities. A sampling of World Showcase entertainment includes:
- Contemporary twist to Scottish folk music by the Paul McKenna Band (United Kingdom pavilion)
- Classic American pop hits performed a cappella by American Music Machine (America Gardens Theatre)
- Perfect harmony of Voices of Liberty (American Adventure rotunda)
- Infectious beat of internationally acclaimed Mariachi Cobre (Mexico pavilion)
- Retro British hits by British Revolution (United Kingdom pavilion)
- Jaw-dropping stunts by The Jeweled Dragon Acrobats (China pavilion)
- Hilarious antics of World Showcase Players (United Kingdom pavilion)
“IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” lights up the World Showcase with lasers, music and fireworks to provide a “wow” ending to each festival evening. Visit EpcotFoodFestival.com and watch for festival updates.
2015 Epcot Food & Wine Festival ‘Eat to the Beat’ Concert Series Announced
Disney has announced the ‘Eat to the Beat’ Concert Series for the 2015 Epcot Food & Wine Festival:
- David Cook – September 25-27, 2015
- Wilson Phillips – September 28-29, 2015
- Christopher Cross – September 30-October 1, 2015
- Starship – October 2-4, 2015
- Smash Mouth – October 5-7, 2015
- The Pointer Sisters – October 8-9, 2015
- 38 Special – October 10-11, 2015
- Rick Springfield – October 12-13, 2015
- Sugar Ray – October 14-16, 2015
- The S.O.S. Band – October 17-18, 2015
- Air Supply – October 19-21, 2015
- Fuel – October 22-23, 2015
- Tiffany – October 24-25, 2015
- Dennis DeYoung – October 26-28, 2015
- Jo Dee Messina – October 29-30, 2015
- Everclear – October 31-November 1, 2015
- Boyz II Men – November 2-4, 2015
- Sister Hazel – November 5-6, 2015
- Big Bad Voodoo Daddy – November 7-9, 2015
- Hanson – November 10-12, 2015
- Maxi Priest – November 13-14, 2015
- Chaka Khan – November 15-16, 2015
Daily show times take place at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. Entertainment and appearances are subject to change without notice.
20th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Celebrates Two Delicious Decades Sept. 25-Nov. 16, 2015
A global culinary journey celebrating 20 delicious years of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will tantalize taste buds from Sept. 25-Nov. 16, at Walt Disney World Resort. The 2015 festival, presented by Chase, will welcome celebrity chefs, debut new marketplace tastes from around the world and celebrate guests’ favorite dining traditions.
Disney chefs and festival programmers are whipping up a feast of surprises to celebrate the 20th annual event in style. New wine tastings, rockin’ parties and culinary experiences built around the 20-year milestone will bring together loyal festival fans and first-timers. As part of the celebration, Chef Remy of the Disney animated film “Ratatouille” will invite guests to join a culinary scavenger hunt.
Growing in scope each year since 1996 and lauded by the Travel Channel as one of America’s top food festivals, the 53-day Epcot event features inspired bites and sips from around the world at more than 25 outdoor marketplaces, nightly Eat to the Beat concerts of many musical genres, signature dinners and featured tasting events.
This fall, the 20th festival will debut dishes like Pepper Bacon Mac ‘n Cheese at the Farm Fresh Marketplace and refreshing sips like the Scottish Citrus Thistle at the Scotland Marketplace. Culinary icons like Cat Cora, Jamie Deen and John Ash will entertain foodies and inspire their palates at new and returning premium events that include weekly Party for the Senses grand tastings in October.
Festival guests can pair wines and beers with savory and sweet dishes as they stroll the World Showcase Promenade and earn stamps on their complimentary festival passports. Champagne, cocktails and “mocktails” also will bubble up on festival menus. In Future World, the popular Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog returns for a fourth year so that families can discover the cranberry’s rich agricultural heritage and learn fun facts about the tart fruits.
Whether guests’ taste buds prefer savory, spicy, sweet (or all of the above), there are plenty of delectable surprises at every stop along the way. Here’s a sneak peek:
New marketplace menus debut and chefs celebrate festival favorites – Among many dishes set to debut are Seared Venison Loin with Wild Mushroom Ragout and Kumara Dumpling at the New Zealand Marketplace and Grilled Sweet and Spicy Bush Berry Shrimp with Pineapple, Peppers, Onions and Snap Peas at the Australia Marketplace. For many, there’s nothing like a yearly dip into classic favorites like the Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup.
Four new Eat to the Beat concert acts debut; fan favorites return to festival stage –Rock singer-songwriter David Cook opens the Eat to the Beat concert series Sept. 25-27. Four new acts in the concert series lineup — Tiffany, Everclear, Maxi Priest and Chaka Khan – will belt out chart-topping tunes. Other popular acts, including Wilson Phillips, Smash Mouth, The Pointer Sisters, Jo Dee Messina, Boyz II Men and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, will return to rock the America Gardens Theatre stage this fall.
Celebrity chefs dazzle – Renowned chef and cookbook author John Ash, who participated in the inaugural Epcot International Food & Wine Festival in 1996, will return to celebrate the 20th milestone year. Other notable chefs including Cat Cora, Robert Irvine, Jamie Deen, Rock Harper, Kenny Gilbert and Buddy Valastro will cook for Epcot guests and share their culinary know-how during demos and premium events.
Ratatouille rocks — Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak invites kids of all ages to join a World Showcase scavenger hunt for little Remy statuettes hidden around the park’s World Showcase. Maps, stickers and prizes are involved.
Festival Center gets cookin’ – Guests can join culinary demonstrations, beverage seminars and mixology seminars daily for a nominal fee. More festival fun will include the complimentary Back to Basics weekend series featuring epicurean tips and tricks from the pros.
Chase Lounge offers perks – Anyone who owns or wants to own a Chase debit or credit card will find complimentary refreshments and interactive fun at the Chase Lounge at American Adventure.
Get ready for . . .
- More than 270 chefs including Disney chefs and culinary stars from across the country.
- Party for the Senses grand tasting events every Saturday in October showcasing tempting bites from eminent chefs, more than 50 wines and beers and live entertainment.
- Premium events including the new “French Family Meal Traditions” lunch on Fridays and Sundays; new “Rockin’ Burger Block Party” on select dates; and new beverage events to include “Exploring Wines from 1996 to Now” that salutes the festival’s 20th year.
Included with Epcot Admission:
Back to Basics series, Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog, World Showcase Scavenger Hunt, special book signings, Eat to the Beat concerts, cultural adventures, Marketplace Discovery Passport and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.
Special Programming by Reservation:
The Party for the Senses grand tasting events, signature dinners and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission. When a reservation booking date is announced this summer, guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) and get details at EpcotFoodFestival.com.
Photos: Disney-Pixar’s ‘Inside Out’ Plants at Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival
Take a look at some plants from the Inside Out Emotion Garden at Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival.
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Photo Gallery: 2015 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Food Kiosk Menus
Take a look at some of the menus from around World Showcase during the 2015 Flower & Garden Festival.
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Photo Gallery: 2015 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival
Take a look at some more photos from around the 2015 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival.
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Photos: Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival
Here are some photos from around the 2015 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival.
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