International Food & Wine Festival Underway at Epcot

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival began on October 1 and will continue all the way until November 14. This is definitely one of my favorite times of year at Epcot because there is so much going on, so much to see, and so much good food to taste. This year the festival celebrates its fifteenth year and the festivities are not limited to World Showcase; even Futureworld is decked out for the occasion.











With so many special events taking place throughout the course of the festival, it is really helpful to know a little about the various programs to help better plan your visit. In Futureworld be sure to stop by the Festival Welcome Center located in the old Wonders of Life pavilion.





The Festival Welcome Center is open daily from 9am to 9pm and is home to many special festival experiences. Culinary demonstrations take place daily at 1pm, 3pm, and 5pm. These are 45-minute demonstrations that cost $9 to $13 per person and allow you to pick up a few tips from a featured chef and wine presenter and then taste the demonstrated dish and wine pairing.

The wine and beverage seminars take place daily at noon, 2pm, 4pm, and 6pm and cost $8 to $12 per person. These are also 45-minute presentations featuring a winery principal or beverage expert and allow you to sample various selected wines and beverages.

Authors Without Borders takes place on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 12:15pm and 4pm and is free of charge. These 30-minute presentations allow guests to listen to renowned authors from both the food and beverage industries.

The Authentic Taste Seminars likewise take place only on Fridays thru Sundays and are free of charge. These 30-minute talks discuss the origins, properties, and histories of pure organic ingredients.

Also taking place at the Festival Welcome Center are the celebrity book signings, bottle signings, and meet and greets. In addition there is a 7-minute documentary entitled “Seasons of the Vine” that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the process of wine growing. In addition, there is the Stockpot Shop which features a wide assortment of commemorative items (including the always-popular festival cookbook) and The Cellar, a wine shop that boasts a selection of over 300 wines.

There are a variety of other special culinary and beverage programs offered throughout the festival, such as wine schools, cheese seminars, and tequila tastings. All of these can be experienced for an additional cost. For more information on these and other programs you can visit the festival website:
www.disneyworld.com/foodandwine