Disney’s International Food & Wine Festival Returns for 19th Year
by Kimberly Wilson

September 19, 2014

Disney’s International Food & Wine Festival Returns for 19th Year

Who says adults can’t have fun at Disney World? Not only can you have fun, but you can enjoy all the food and drink to your hearts content. Now in its 19th year, the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is a 53-day festival, running Sept. 19- Nov. 10, and kicking off at Disney’s Epcot theme park.  The festival will showcase authentic dishes from approximately 22 nations, food and drink demos, events with star chefs and a lineup of live bands. It looks like dreams do come true at Disney World!

The festival will also feature exotic marketplaces from Puerto Rico to Patagonia that offer exciting taste treats to satisfy any palate. This year, Patagonia makes its first appearance at the World Showcase, serving dishes inspired by the foods of Argentina and Chile. 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 19th annual event:

  • A record 53 days long, the festival began in 1996 with a first run of 30 days

  • 35 new marketplace dishes; more than 250 food-and-beverage menu items total – each tapas-sized portion or drink priced $3-$8

  • More than 300 national and international wines

  • 200-plus chefs will present culinary demonstrations and cook for festival events

  • Nearly 400 culinary demos, beverage and mixology seminars take place during the 53-day festival

  • More than 1,200 fireworks exploding each night over World Showcase Lagoon in  “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth”

  • 159 Eat to the Beat! concerts performed; 5 bands appearing for the first time at this year’s festival

  • More than 60 wineries represented at festival marketplaces. For the first time ever, festival guests can sip Dom Pérignon at the Desserts & Champagne Marketplace

  • More than 40 breweries from around the world, including local craft beer operations, will be represented at festival marketplaces

  • 100,000-plus desserts including the Dessert Trio at Desserts & Champagne Marketplace

  • 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

Admission to the festival is included with your Epcot passes, which start at $94 for a one-day pass. The festival offerings – tapas-sized plates, wine and beer – are sold separately. For more details on the festival, or to purchase tickets visit: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/epcot-international-food-and-wine-festival/

Kimberly N. Wilson is a NYC-based lifestyle/travel/entertainment writer and digital strategist. She’s a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, and completed her JD at the Howard University School of Law. Follow her on Twitter @kimberlynatasha.


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