Each year, the festival features marketplaces with ethnic cuisine samplings from the top "foodie" cities of the world. More than 25 international marketplaces will be represented with three new tasting marketplaces — Hawaii, Caribbean Islands and Portugal — plus popular returning marketplaces with new menu offerings. After its hiatus, the Scandinavia marketplace will return with a fresh new Xante Sunshine cocktail made from Xante pear and cognac liquer; and, the Canada marketplace will introduce apple ice wine. If you can't decide, perhaps these 5 "must see" food booths picked by About.com's Disney World contributing writer, Samantha McNesby will inspire you.
The 45-day festival, featured in our "Wine Lovers Guide to Disney World," also features wine and beer tasting seminars, a lineup of winemakers from around the globe and an impressive list of guest chefs, elegant dinners, grand tastings and pairings.
Highlights include:
- Celebrity chef appearances starring top culinary chefs like Jeff Henderson, Cat Cora, Alan Wong, Gale Gand, Suvir Saran, Jamie Deen, Rock Harper, Celina Tio, Robert Irvine, Andrew Zimmern, Buddy Valastro, Warren Brown, Art Smith, Keegan Gerhard and more.
- HGTV home entertaining seminars will be held for the first time ever each Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
- The Cranberry Bog display by Craisins will tell the story behind the cranberry's rich agricultural heritage.
- The Festival Welcome Center will again host daily wine seminars, bottle signings, author events and culinary demonstrations.
- Eat to the Beat! concerts will again entertain guests three times nightly at America Gardens Theatre.
World Showcase will be the backdrop for performers from many countries as they sing, dance, perform arobatics and comedy for the festivities.
Along with the entertainment showcased at Epcot pavilions and special exhibits, festival guests can enjoy Eat to the Beat! concerts performed each evening at America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase. The evening concerts are scheduled daily at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. and are included with regular Epcot admission. The 2011 lineup includes:
- Taylor Dayne - September 30 - October 2
- .38 Special - October 3-5
- Jon Secada - October 6 & 7
- Roger Hodgson - October 8 & 9
- Billy Ocean - October 10-12
- Starship starring Mickey Thomas - October 13-16
- Sugar Ray - October 17-19
- The Orchestra starring former members of ELO - October 20 & 21
- Howard Jones - October 22 & 23
- Boyz II Men - October 24-26
- Gin Blossoms - October 27 & 28
- Sister Hazel - October 29 & 30
- Hanson - October 31 & November 1
- The Pointer Sisters - November 2 & 3
- Night Ranger - November 4-6
- Air Supply - November 7 & 8
- Richard Marx - November 9 & 10
- Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - November 11-13
Information
Entrance to the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, plus select wine and beer seminars, cooking demonstrations, culinary exhibits and all attractions are included with regular Epcot admission. In addition, each guest will receive a complimentary Marketplace Discovery Passport to be stamped at each international marketplace visited for the perfect scrapbook souvenir.The weekly Party for the Senses grand tasting, Food and Wine Pairings at select Epcot restaurants, Signature Dining, Epcot Wine Schools, Sweet Sundays and other specialty events require reservations and separate event admission. Tapa-sized portions of regional specialties run $3 to $8 each.
Additional festival details are available at www.DisneyWorld.com/foodandwine. Guests can call 407-WDW-FEST (407-939-3378) for information or make reservations for special events and programs. Guests planning to attend the concerts should keep in mind that while there is no additional charge for the concerts beyond Epcot admission, seating at the theater is limited.
