Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival

If you need another reason to visit Florida every fall, Epcot gives you very, very tasty one with the International Food & Wine Festival.  Orlando in the fall is spectacular.  The weather is still sunny and the temperatures average the mid 80’s.  The International Food & Wine Festival at Epcot in Walt Disney World is the perfect event to enjoy the beautiful weather and treat your palate.  

Epcot is really two parks in one.  The first part of Epcot opens early and hosts great rides like SOARIN’ or Test Track.  There is lots to see and experience as Epcot has a lot of interactive exhibit like attractions including its own aquarium. 

The second part of Epcot is called the World Showcase and it opens daily at 11 am.  You can enter the World Showcase from the main entrance passing through the first part of Epcot or you can enter through the Boardwalk Hotel Area entering between the France and England pavilions. 

We visited the 2014 International Food & Wine Festival on a Tuesday.  The weekdays are less crowded so if you can try going during the week.  We entered through the main entrance and arrived in time for the 11 am opening of the World Showcase. 

 

 

The festival consists of gourmet food stands from various countries around the world.  The participating countries offer some enticing and drool worthy appetizer size portions ranging from $3 to $8 a piece.  Wine & beer pairings range from $2 to $32 for the Dom Perignon. 

We started at the New Zealand stand.  The smell of garlic drove us to choose the Mussels and we were not disappointed.  Buttery, garlic breadcrumbs cover some pretty meaty mussels

Next we stopped in Poland and sampled one of my favorites: Pierogies and Kielbasa. We complimented it with a sample of Okocim beer.  Excellent choice if we don't say so ourselves. 

After passing many countries we decided to sip on a Sam Adams Oktoberfest and the Lobster Alfredo at the American Stand.  Again it was a tasty delight. The cheese plate was also really good and although we didn’t try it, the carrot cake looked amazing.

We gave ourselves a treat you can get at Epcot year round in the France area.  The Grey Goose Grand Marnier Orange Slushy is a must have whenever you visit Epcot. It is like an adult creamsicle and it is delicious.  People will stop and ask you where you got it so be prepared.  You can find it on the lake side across from the restaurant. 

    

Another favorite at the International Food & Wine Festival is the Filet Mignon in Canada.  Canada has a very popular booth with the filet and cheddar cheese soup.  The soup never disappoints and is creamy and delicious but the filet is melt in your mouth good with buttery mushrooms. 

The International Food & Wine Festival at Epcot is a must see event during your Orlando Vacation.  It is a delicious afternoon that you will want to include in your next trip to Orlando.  Visit the Blue Ribbon Management website and find the perfect vacation home for your Orlando stay and enjoy all of the culinary delights Epcot has all year round.