I’ve just returned from a week-long trip to Orlando and the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival was in its second week, going full swing. Thirty six designated stations this year (although some are existing venues with festival offerings). There were a few repeats from last year and many new offerings as well.
Puerto Rico returned this year and judging from the long lines to the kiosk, it was missed by many. I had the Carne guisada con arroz blanco: Slow-braised beef with Puerto Rican-grown rice-delicious! Actually everything I sampled was very good. I even tried the CraB’less CraB Cake with pepper slaw and Cajun remoulade at Terra. I’m normally not a fan of protein substitutes but it was also delicious.
Be sure to stop at the Festival Center in Future World to pick up a “passport”. They are available at most of the kiosks and merchandise outlets, but a look around the Festival Center is a good way to start out and plan your strategy for all of that wonderful food. The first day I attended I stopped in to look at this year’s merchandise and Chef Robert Irvine was giving a food demo. That was a nice surprise.
The food booths are relatively close to one another and the lines, regardless of how long they are move very quickly. Pace yourself! It is very easy to bounce from one to the next in minutes and the next thing you know you’re full. I suggest having a sample or two, then stop to enjoy a beverage (if you have not paired one with the food item) and just sit and relax between “countries”.
Last year I had three days to cover the festival, this year I had seven. I managed to hit most of the booths in four days and I tried something at each one. The connection between your MagicBand and credit card (for guests staying at a WDW Resort) saves a lot of time and fumbling with cards and cash. There is also a miniature Disney gift card that is on an elastic wristband that you can load up with funds to wear on your arm.
Having a group of friends to do the festival with is ideal as you can all get something different and share to get a wider selection from each country. As I was traveling alone, I stuck with one choice needless to say I had to spread my time out so as not to get too stuffed right away.
The festival was originally started during the “off season” to bring additional guests to the park that normally would not travel at this time. Because of its increased popularity from year to year, more and more countries are added, the dates have been extended and the merchandise tie in grows, too.
Prices for items are quite reasonable, considering regular resort pricing and compares well with most other food events that I have attended. I do recommend going later in October or towards the end of the festival at the beginning of November. The last couple of years I have been in Orlando in late September, the temp has been quite high and it was very rainy and humid this year.
Between the concerts, the demonstrations, private tastings and all of those great food booths, there is definitely something for everyone. And if you have a particular favorite restaurant in the World Showcase that is usually very busy…this is a great time to enjoy it with far fewer guests.
