How I Plan For Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival

By: Nick, co-writer of the Disney Musings Blog

It seems that every year Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival gets bigger and requires more forethought and planning. The dates for the Festival are September 27th- November 11th.
I usually check out what the Disney Parks Blog, the Disney Food Blog , the Food Festival Blog, and The Tips From the Disney Divas and Devos Blog, have posted for the latest information and tips for planning.

Here's what we do to plan.

To start, there are several tastings, seminars, and special events, many of which require reservations.
Pick which ones you'd like to attend, and call 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378).
I check out park hours during my visit. I'm a morning person, so the plan is to go to one of the other parks with early Extra Magic Hours, have lunch at that park, and take an afternoon break. We'll then visit Epcot during the evening. If possible, we avoid the weekends. That's when a lot of locals go and it gets VERY crowded.
On 2 days, usually Friday and whichever day Epcot has early EMHs, we'll hit the food booths early, and visit another park in the evening.

Also, as soon as the menus come out for the booths, we'll go through it and decide what interests us.
I make a copy of this paired down list, and pair it down even further by highlighting the must haves.
Pacing yourself is key, for a variety of reasons, which is why I pick those must haves. 

Financially, this is an expensive event if you plan to try a bit of everything. Sure, on the surface, $3-$7 for a sample may not seem like much, but this adds up quickly!
As for paying at the booths, we get gift cards. It's quicker than cash, and an easier way to keep track of what you are spending. They sell little ones with wrist bands, so they are also convenient.

Then there is the alcohol, which can add up even faster than the food.
I have tried the suggested food and wine pairings in years past, and then had a beer or 2, and then a mixed drink. This is a bad idea. Trust me!

We'll be at the Festival during it's opening week, so stop by the Disney Musings, Disney Food Love, and the Epcot Food and Wine Addicts Facebook pages for photos and reports.

I hope some of these tips help, and perhaps we'll see you at the Festival! Enjoy!

Portions of this article were originally posted on the Disney Musings Blog.

2013 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Fun Facts

You can sip new wines, beers and cocktails, taste flavors from around the globe, and eat to the beat of live entertainment at the 18^th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival from September 27-November 11, 2013.

This 46-day festival at Epcot serves up authentic cuisine from six continents; wine, beer and inventive new cocktails; nightly Eat to the Beat! concerts with entertainment ranging from rock and soul to funk and blues; cultural exhibits of more than 25 international regions; and regularly scheduled performances by acrobats, musicians, dancers and comedy troupes.  Exotic marketplaces from Scotland to Brazil offer exciting treats.  The festival is believed to be the largest food and wine event of its kind in the world, beginning at the Festival Welcome Center in Future World and fanning around the promenade encircling World Showcase Lagoon.

Here are some facts about the 18th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival:

•  More than 300 national and international wines
• A record 46 days long, the festival began in 1996 with a first run of 30 days
• More than 220 food-and-beverage menu items, each tapas-sized portion or drink priced $3-$8
• 100-plus celebrity chefs and 160 Walt Disney World chefs
• More than 300 wine and beer seminars take place during the 46-day festival
• More than 1,200 fireworks exploding each night over World Showcase Lagoon in “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth”
• 138 Eat to the Beat! concerts performed; 6 bands appearing for the first time at this year’s festival
• The festival’s Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog is refilled three times during the course of the 46-day event,  using a total of 910,000 cranberries or more than 3,000 pounds of the sweet-tart fruit
• 1.5 million sumptuous samplings throughout the festival
• 300,000 wine servings — if laid end-to-end the number of wine glasses used would reach fromWalt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista to the Disney Cruise Line terminal at Port Canaveral, Fla.
• 360,000 beer servings, enough to fill the aquariums 5 times over at Rainforest Café at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• 100,000 dessert servings including the dessert trio of Cherry Pistachio Mousse, Orange Cupcake and Hazelnut Cheesecake. More than 500 pounds of watermelon is expected to be tasted at the “3D” Disney’s Dessert Discovery parties
• More than 80,000 servings dished up of the most popular savory item at the 2012 international marketplaces: the “Le Cellier” Wild   Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter Sauce from Canada

Storyteller's Cafe at Disneyland Resort's Grand Californian for Breakfast

By Nicholas Maglio, co-writer of the Disney Musings Blog

My wife, Barbie, her cousin Jill, Jill's husband Zach, and I had breakfast at the lovely Storyteller's Cafe at Disneyland Resort's Grand Californian this past February.

We all chose to partake in the Farmer's Market Buffet which was $25.99 for adults. The children's price was $11.99.
The buffet included bacon, sausage, an omelet station, scrambled eggs, potatoes, fresh fruit, and a "baker's bonanza", cereal, salmon, etc., waffles are available from the kitchen upon request.

There are also entrees such as The American Breakfast: Two Eggs, Country Potatoes, seasonal Fruit, and Toast with choice of hickory smoked Bacon, Ham or spicy Chicken Sausage. Served with a glass of Juice, Steak and Eggs, several omelets, pancakes, french toast and waffles.

The characters are rotated out, and only a couple are out at a time. While we were there we saw, Chip, Terk from Tarzan, and, Koda and Kanei from Brother bear.

Barbie, Chip and me

Terk and me

Sadly I missed one of my favorite characters, Meeko. We also missed Dale and Pluto.

While the characters here are not as well known and numerouse as those at Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Resort, the food is much better.

Final analysis, if you want a very good meal, in a beautiful restaurant, with a smattering of characters, this buffet is for you. Stop back soon for a look at Goofy's Kitchen.

This article was originally posted on the Disney Musings Blog, which Nick co-writes with his wife, Barbie.

Dinner at La Hacienda de San Angel in Epcot's Mexico Pavilion

La Hacienda de San Angel in Epcot's Mexico Pavilion 

By Nick Maglio: Co-writer of the Disney Musings Blog

Located across from the Aztec Pyramid in the Mexico Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase, La Hacienda de San Angel has a prime location on World Showcase Lagoon.

Open from 4:00pm–9:00pm for dinner each evening, this is, and please, don't spread this around, as we don't want EVERYBODY knowing, a GREAT spot to watch Illuminations! Let's get to our experience, and I'll be making suggestions along the way.

We had an 8:00pm ADR, and arrived a few minutes early. Suggestion 1- Make a later ADR within an hour of Illuminations.

We were immediately called, and escorted to a dining area nowhere near the large windows looking out over the lagoon.

 I asked if there was anything available by the windows, and was told it may be a few minutes. We waited only about 10, before we were again called, and this time we were brought into a much lovelier dining area overlooking the water. Suggestion 2 - Ask for a window seat.

The regular menu. Our friend Kandi is a vegetarian, and asked for vegetarian suggestions.

 

Our server brought a Vegetarian Menu. Suggestion 3, if you have a special dietary needs, don't hesitate to bring this to your server's attention. This one really applies to ANY Walt Disney World restaurant.

My friend John and I shared the "La Hacienda," $49.95. It came with New York strip, chicken al pastor, chorizo sausage, vegetables, rice and beans. Everything was perfectly cooked, and flavorful. The corn was amazing!

My wife had Tacos de Vegetales, grilled vegetables and queso fresco on flour tortillas served with roasted corn $18. She really enjoyed it, and says she can't wait to go back.

Our friend Kandi had the Enselada de la Casa, Spinach salad with queso fresco, tomatoes, pomegranate, pine nuts, and avocado with mustard vinaigrette dressing for $14.

Just as we were finishing dinner, the lights dimmed and the music from Illuminations began to play.
We had front row seats for one of the most beloved shows at Walt Disney World.

After a great show, we had dessert. Our friends shared the Corn Ice Cream. Yes, Corn ice cream! It came with popcorn, and was sprinkled with paprika. I cannot recall the cost or exact name. We had a taste, and it was very good.

My wife and I shared the Empanada de Manzana, puff pastry filled with sauteed caramel apples, served with dulce de leche ice cream and cajeta (caramel sauce) $7.95, which was also very good.

This was a really great meal, and a really great location from which to view Illuminations, and look forward to our next trip and visit to La Hacienda de San Angel.

This review was originally posted on the Tips From the Disney Divas and Devos Blog, where Nick is a contributing writer as well as his blog, Disney Musings.

Pot Roast with Mashed Potatoes, 50s Prime Time Cafe

Full Menus for 2013 Epcot Food & Wine Festival

You can find a complete list of Marketplace Menu, including wine, beer, and cocktails, for the 2013 International Food & Wine Festival below:

Terra:

• Trick’n Chick’n Curry with Basmati Rice featuring Gardein™ Chick’n Breast
• Chili Colorado with House-made Chips and Cashew Cheese featuring Gardein™ Beefless Tips*
• Chocolate Cake with Coconut Mousse and Passion Fruit Sauce
• Fresh Watermelon Juice
• Napa Smith Organic IPA
• The Vegan Vine Chardonnay
• The Vegan Vine Red Blend

Brazil (All-New Menu):

• Seared Scallop with Ragout of Tomatoes, Peppers, Hearts of Palm and Steamed Rice
• Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans, Onions, Avocado and Cilantro
• Cerveharias Kaiser Brewery Xingu Black Beer
• Carnaval Moscato White
• Frozen Caipirinha featuring LeBlon Cachaça

Argentina:

• Beef Empanada
• Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri Sauce and Boniato Purée
• Pascual Toso Sparkling Brut
• Terrazas Reserva Malbec
• Terrazas Reserva Torrontes
• Kaiken Cabernet Sauvignon

Australia:

• Garlic Shrimp with Roasted Tomatoes, Lemon Myrtle and Rapini
• Grilled Lamb Chop with Mint Pesto and Potato Crunchies
• Pavlova (Crispy Meringue Shell with Fresh Driscoll’s® Berries and Vanilla Custard)
• Rosemont Estate Pinot Grigio
• Wolf Blass Gold Label Chardonnay
• Rosemont Estate Merlot
• Penfolds Bin 8 Cabernet Shiraz

Great Food and Fun at Downtown Disney's Splitsville Luxury Lanes

There is a new bowling facility, or, some may say- a new restaurant- in town. Splitsville Luxury Lanes, recently opened in Walt Disney World's Downtown Disney West Side.

With 2 floors, 30 bowling lanes, several bars, pool tables, live music, and plenty of seating, Splitsville offers Walt Disney World guests entertainment from 10 a.m. until 2 a.m., 7 days a week.

On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, adults can party kid-free on the second floor, reserved for guests 21 and up from 10:30 p.m. until closing.

My wife and I decided to check out the food and fun on a damp and chilly afternoon during our trip in January.

I haven't gone bowling in years. We have a few lanes within a 10 mile radius, but they are usually crowded, noisy, and smelly.

This was not like any bowling alley I've ever been to. In fact, if I was a local, this would be a regular hang out.

The equipment is state of the art. I am used to having to wait for what seems like an eternity to get my ball back, and have the pins reset. No issues here. I would turn around, and the ball would be back! 

And then there is the food!

Throughout the day, there is a full menu, and you can be served at booths, the second floor balcony, or at tables at your bowling lane. There is a wide variety of food, including standard bar fare such as nachos, pizza, and sushi. Yep, sushi.

My wife and I ordered a Spicy Tuna Roll.

Now, I won't say it was the best roll I ever had. I have to confess, I'm not a fan of the sushi I've had in Walt Disney World. There are several excellent sushi restaurants within 5-10 minutes of where I live in New Jersey, so I never see a point in getting it in Disney World.

But I would absolutely get sushi at this bowling alley again!

 
But the real standout was the pizza! We got the Margherita, which is Mozzarella cheese, Roma tomatoes, basil, and tomato sauce on a honey wheat crust.

This was the best pizza we've had in Disney World.

Yes, better than Via Napoli!
On a side note, we also ate at Via Napoli on this trip, and feel the quality has slipped. The pizza was not nearly as good as on previous visits.

The pizza at Splitsville was reasonably priced, and easily (along with the tuna roll) filled us up.

There is even a little shop inside, called "Memory Lanes".

Now, you might ask, is bowling something you should do on an expensive vacation?

Good question. 

And I see your point. 

But, if you need a break from the parks, want to get out of the rain or extreme heat, or if you want a good meal while visiting Downtown Disney, I absolutely recommend stopping by Splitsville Luxury Lanes!

Portions of this article were originally posted on Disney Musings Blog, which Nick co-writes with his wife Barbie, and on the Tips From the Disney Divas and Devos Blog, where Nick is a contributing writer.