Walt Disney World has announced the dates for next year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Resort.
Mark your calendar: August 31 through November 13 will be a record 75 days of global culinary creations, celebrity chefs, premium events, Eat to the Beat concerts, and more.
When you come to this year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, you’ll need more than just your tastebuds. Your hands can play a key part in your Festival experience – and not just for holding your dishes. You can bring home some know-how from Disney and celebrity chefs, bakers and mixologists.
For the first time, the most delicious time of year at Walt Disney World has expanded into the resorts, with family-friendly experiences like Culinary Adventures with a Master Chef at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, where you’ll create dishes under the direction of a Disney chef. Budding culinary stars as young as nine-years-old can participate.
In Festival Center workshops like Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It! you can learn the secret of making sushi from celebrity Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Other classes include pasta making, wine pairing and crafting cocktails.
If your interests are more consuming than creating, you’ll have plenty to enjoy. Almost half of the dishes at the global marketplaces are new or reimagined, like the Greek vegan nachos.
Premium events like Party for the Senses and Rockin’ Burger Block Party feature new live entertainment.
And for pint-size foodies, Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak encourages exploration around World Showcase as they search for hidden statuettes of Chef Remy (a great reason to “eat around the world” during your scavenger hunt!) with a sweet surprise once you find them all.
Some experiences are an extra ticketed event. Find out more at epcotfoodfestival.com.
Chase today announced that as part of its multi-year agreement with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, U.S., it continues as the presenting sponsor of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Running for a record 62 days from September 14 through November 14, 2016, Guests attending the Festival will be able to discover delicious global cuisines, wines and beers, as well as enjoy tastings from celebrity chefs and music from legendary artists.
Chase debit and credit cardmembers, including Disney Visa Cardmembers, will receive exclusive access to the Chase Lounge1 at the Festival. The Lounge, located on the third floor of the American Adventure Pavilion within Epcot World Showcase, will offer cardmembers an inviting place to relax, enjoy complimentary, non-alcoholic refreshments, and access charging stations, among other amenities. It will open daily during the Festival from 11 a.m. until Park close.
At this years Festival, Guests can expect to:
Disney Visa Credit Cardmembers also have the opportunity on July 19 and July 20 to book reservations for special events offered at this years Festival before sales open to the general public on July 21. Call 407-939-1870 to book reservations with your Disney Visa Credit Card.
?We are thrilled to continue as the presenting sponsor of this years Festival and provide all Chase cardmembers an exclusive retreat at the Chase Lounge, said B.J. Mahoney, general manager, Chase Card Services. Not only will Chase cardmembers taste their way around the world, but they will be able to relax, recharge and refuel at the Lounge.
The sponsorship of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival extends Chases relationship with Disney as the issuer of the Disney Premier Visa Credit Card, Disney Rewards Visa Credit Card and Disney Visa Debit Card. Disney Visa Credit Cardmembers earn Disney Dream Reward Dollars on all card purchases. In addition, all Disney Visa Cardmembers have access to amazing perks 365 days-a-year, including a Disney Character Meet ‘n Greet at a private Cardmember location at Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort and special savings at Disneys U.S. Theme Parks, Disney Store and DisneyStore.com. Cardmembers can also choose from various Disney card designs.
For more information about the Festival, visit www.chase.com/epcotfoodandwine.
While there are plenty of events included with Epcot admission for the 21st Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, this year’s “premium events” include some don’t-miss options. Book your reservations when the phone lines open: 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) at 7 a.m. next week on Thursday, July 21. (Chase cardholders can book with limited availability beginning 7 a.m. July 19.)
Go to epcotfoodfestival.com to choose your lineup. Here are a few top picks:
Guests include:
Included in regular Epcot admission are the Back to Basics series, special book signings, Eat to the Beat concerts, cultural adventures, Festival Passport and attractions and park entertainment.
While new flavors will dance on your taste buds during the 21st Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, new music will have you dancing at your America Garden Theatre seats. Eight new acts join the Eat to the Beat concert series this fall.
Festival newbie Wang Chung kicks off the first two nights (these guys performed at my Walt Disney World Grad Night many moons ago). The other festival first-timers include BoDeans, Plain White T’s, Jeffrey Osborne, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Living Colour, Soul Asylum and Delta Rae. Wow – what a variety!
Here’s a look at the full lineup:
Performances are 5:30, 6:45 and 8:00 p.m. daily, and included in Epcot admission. (Lineup is subject to change; songs listed are for artist recognition only and may not be included in the concert play list.) The 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival runs September 14-November 14 at Walt Disney World Resort.
A new lineup of popular celebrity chefs and a series of first-time Disney resort cooking and dining experiences will add fresh culinary appeal to the 21st Epcot International Food & Wine Festival presented by Chase at Walt Disney World Resort.
The annual Disney tour of tastes from six continents, running 62 days from Sept. 14-Nov. 14, has become one of America’s top food festivals and features inspired flavors at more than 30 global marketplaces. For the second consecutive year, ABC’s Emmy Award-winning lifestyle series, “The Chew,” will arrive to produce a full week of programs on the show’s exclusive Epcot festival stage.
Culinary notables Geoffrey Zakarian, Maneet Chauhan, Duff Goldman, Elliott Farmer, Masaharu Morimoto and Graham Elliot will step up to the stove to host their first festival special events such as seminars and culinary demonstrations. Other chef icons like Robert Irvine, Cat Cora, Norman Van Aken, Elizabeth Falkner, Buddy Valastro and Jamie Deen will return in 2016 to entertain foodies and inspire their palates at premium events that include Party for the Senses grand tastings featuring reimagined entertainment.
First-time festival resort experiences include Brunch with a Twist at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa; Culinary Adventures with a Master Chef for a hands-on chef’s table experience in a professional working kitchen; The Secret of Flavor three-course lunch that gives guests a “sensory-food connection” at Yachtsman Steakhouse; and a tropical “Zombie” encounter during Behind the Scenes at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
“Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It!” hands-on workshops at the Festival Center will offer guests a chance to learn a variety of culinary skills from chefs, bakers, mixologists and other pros.
For a second year, global marketplaces will extend into Future World to offer a wider range of taste sensations. New this year will be: The Chew Collective in the Next Eats area of Future World; the Wine & Dine Studio and Chocolate Studio, also in Future World; plus Islands of the Caribbean marketplace in World Showcase.
Festival guests can pair wines, beers and ciders with savory and sweet dishes as they stroll the World Showcase Promenade using their complimentary festival passports as a guide.
New marketplace menus debut and festival favorites return – Hard soda float, anyone? Guests can choose a favorite hard soda to mix with vanilla ice cream for a sweet treat at Desserts & Champagne marketplace. A savory vegan dish will debut at the Greece marketplace, and the popular Farm Fresh marketplace will showcase Florida’s bounty with new savory dishes. Up to 47 percent of the menu food items are new or reimagined dishes.
Multiple new Eat to the Beat concert acts debut; fan favorites return to play 186 festival concerts, in all –Wang Chung (Everybody Have Fun Tonight!) will open the Eat to the Beat concert series Sept. 14-15. More new acts in the concert series lineup, including Delta Rae and Toad The Wet Sprocket – will rock their chart-topping tunes. Other popular acts, including Wilson Phillips, Boyz II Men and Jeffrey Osbourne, will return to the America Gardens Theatre stage this fall.
Celebrity chefs, wine experts and mixologists join the fun – Celebrities ranging from Rock Harper to master sommelier Andrea Robinson will share their food and beverage know-how during culinary demos, beverage seminars and a variety of other events spanning the festival’s 62 days.
The popular Festival Private Label California Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are back and available by the bottle or by the glass.
Ratatouille returns — Chef Remy of “Ratatouille” returns with his fun-for-the-family culinary scavenger hunt that features six brand-new collectible pins this year.
Festival Center cooks on all burners –Festival Center highlights will include new festival merchandise, the complimentary Back to Basics weekend series featuring epicurean tips and tricks from the pros, book and bottle signings and The Chocolate Experience: From Bean to the Bar, hosted by Ghirardelli and offering guest samples.
Plan for a premium adventure:
Rockin’ Burger Block Party and Party for the Senses grand tasting events will showcase creative bites and palate-pleasing sips from eminent chefs and beverage experts plus new live entertainment.
Intimate dining and tasting events to book will include the “Umami” Tokyo Pairing and other Epcot restaurant experiences as well as multi-course lunches and dinners at Disney Springs and resort restaurants.
Rest and recharge at the Chase Lounge – Chase debit and credit card members – including Disney Visa card members — will find complimentary non-alcoholic refreshments, a charging station and comfortable seating for a relaxing break at the Chase Lounge at American Adventure.
Included with Epcot Admission:
Back to Basics series, special book signings, Eat to the Beat concerts, cultural adventures, Marketplace 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.
The popular, affable co-hosts of ABC’s “The Chew” are returning to Epcot International Food & Wine Festival to tape a week’s worth of shows October 5-7 – look for Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Carla Hall, Clinton Kelly and Daphne Oz at Walt Disney World Resort as they explore the festival and beyond for the Emmy-Award-winning series. (The taped shows will air on ABC October 10-14 at 1 p.m. EST, 12 p.m. PT — check local listings).
Audiences will again get to be part of the taping as the co-hosts share festival highlights, recipes and dining from the four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks and Disney Springs.
The show will have a presence throughout the entire 62-day festival at The Chew Collective marketplace in the Next Eats festival area of Future World with two savory dishes – Grilled Beef Skewer with Romaine, Apricots and Feta Cheese, and Ricotta and Zucchini Ravioli with Rustic Tomato Sauce – and one sweet — Peanut Butter and White Chocolate Mousse with a Caramel Drizzle. You can pair tastes with this year’s exclusive new festival Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon that will be served at The Chew Collective.
And at the Festival Center, guests can watch screenings of “The Chew” show highlights, cooking and entertaining tips, and same-day episodes of “The Chew” Monday through Friday at 1 p.m.
Ahead of this year’s festival – the week of July 25 – fans can watch a re-broadcast of “The Chew” 2015 shows taped at Epcot as part of the network’s summer programming lineup (Monday-Friday, check local listings).
Instructions on how to obtain show taping tickets will be announced at a later date.
For updates about festival events and premium experiences, visit epcotfoodfestival.comthroughout the summer.
Disney has announced a few more details about this year’s 2016 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival.
This year’s festival will be longer than ever, at 62 days. The festival will begin this year on September 14th and run through to November 14th.
The global marketplaces will again extend into Future World, following the success of last year’s CHEW kiosks in that area of the park.
Here is the full update from Disney:
New marketplace menus debut and festival favorites return – Hard soda float, anyone? Guests can choose a favorite hard soda to mix with vanilla ice cream for a sweet treat at Desserts & Champagne marketplace. A savory vegan dish will debut at the Greece marketplace, and the popular Farm Fresh marketplace will showcase Florida’s bounty with new savory dishes.
Multiple new Eat to the Beat concert acts debut; fan favorites return to play 186 festival concerts, in all –Wang Chung (Everybody Have Fun Tonight!) will open the Eat to the Beat concert series Sept. 14-15. More new acts in the concert series lineup, including Delta Rae and Toad The Wet Sprocket – will rock their chart-topping tunes. Other popular acts, including Wilson Phillips, Boyz II Men and Jeffrey Osbourne, will return to the America Gardens Theatre stage this fall.
Celebrity chefs, wine experts and mixologists join the fun – Celebrities ranging from Rock Harper to master sommelier Andrea Robinson will share their food and beverage know-how during demos and premium events. At the new “Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It!” workshops, guests will put expert advice to use whether mixing cocktails, decorating cakes or using herbs to kick up a dish’s flavor.
The popular Festival Private Label California Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are back and available by the bottle or by the glass.
Ratatouille returns — Chef Remy of “Ratatouille” returns with his fun-for-the-family culinary scavenger hunt.
Festival Center cooks on all burners –Festival Center highlights will include the complimentary Back to Basics weekend series featuring epicurean tips and tricks from the pros, book and bottle signings and The Chocolate Experience: From Bean to the Bar, hosted by Ghirardelli and offering guest samples.
Rest and recharge at the Chase Lounge – Chase debit and credit card members – including Disney Visa card members — will find complimentary non-alcoholic refreshments, a charging station and comfortable seating for a relaxing break at the Chase Lounge at American Adventure.
Plan for a premium adventure:
Included with Epcot Admission:
Back to Basics series, special book signings, Eat to the Beat concerts, cultural adventures, Marketplace Passport and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.
The taste buds of many Disney fans are already doing a happy dances because Disney has announced the dates of the 21st Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. The Festival kicks off September 14 and runs through November 14 this fall. That means almost two additional weeks – from 53 days to 62 – of deliciousness, foodie fun, culinary events, celebrity chefs, seminars, music concerts and more.
For the first time ever, ABC’s “The Chew” left their studios last week in New York City and took their daily “party in the kitchen” to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Resort to tape five shows airing this week (October 12-16) on ABC.
Hundreds of enthusiastic fans cheered on Clinton Kelly, Carla Hall, Mario Batali and Michael Symon on the custom-built set with the backdrop of Spaceship Earth under Florida’s sunny skies. We had a special performance from the cast of Disney’s “Festival of the Lion King” from Disney’s Animal Kingdom. They opened one of the shows (airing this Thursday) with a powerful dance – just one of the many “only-at-Disney-World” moments the foursome experienced during their weeklong stay.
Wonder what each of the hosts did just after arriving? Carla said she headed straight for Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Kilimanjaro Safaris. Clinton racked up a big score on Toy Story Mania!, while Mario took the plunge on the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, both at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. And Michael took a leisurely boat ride through the hydroponic growing area at The Land pavilion in Epcot Future World.
As the Emmy-winning hosts created delicious treats on stage and showcased festival marketplace dishes, they also cooked up some fun with Mickey Mouse and Goofy for today’s show. On other episodes, they treated audiences to guest appearances by Iron Chef Morimoto, who just opened Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs; Alfonso Ribeiro (ABC’s “America’s Funniest Home Videos”); Bellamy Young (ABC’s “Scandal”); and Christina Milan (“Grandfathered”). They even stopped by for a nosh at the festival’s Rockin’ Burger Block Party, one of the 20th festival’s new premium dining events. Here’s a fun behind-the-scenes look at the production:
Disney News Today 