I’ve got some great news! For those of you considering heading to Orlando to enjoy the 2010 Epcot Food and Wine Festival, now you’ve got an extra incentive to make your plans! The Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts have just announced their first Annual Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic, which will be taking place on October 8th and 9th, 2010! There are also some incredible hotel deals to go along with it. Here are the specs:

When:

Friday, Oct. 8 and Saturday, Oct. 9
4:30pm – 5:30pm = Beverage Seminars (Wine Blending, Riesling, Sake, Champagne, Beer, Mixology)
5:30pm – 9:30pm = Tasting Stations Open on Causeway (incredible tastes from the Swan and Dolphin’s famous restaurants)

Location, Location, Location:

For those who haven’t been there, the Swan and Dolphin resorts are located next to Disney’s Boardwalk Resort and Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts in the Epcot Resort Area. This means you can walk to the Swan and Dolphin from both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

So, if you’re hanging around the Epcot Food and Wine Festival on October 8th or 9th, take the ten-minute stroll over to the Swan and Dolphin and check out the new event!

Full Address:
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd.
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830

Tastings and Samplings:

Culinary tasting booths and beverage sampling areas will be set up along Crescent Lake on the Swan and Dolphin Causeway for both nights of the event.

Food samplings will include “Steamrollers,” a creative take on molecular cuisine, from celebrity chef venue Todd English’s bluezoo; “Pick Your Own Filet” from Shula’s Steak House; a simple yet flavorful hand-crafted pasta from Il Mulino New York Trattoria and more. Each day of the event will feature a different selection of food.

Beverage stations will offer mini-learning experiences and feature offerings such as wine, sake, beer and cocktails using liquid nitrogen. Finally, guests can delight in a selection of desserts from the only two-time World Pastry Champion, Laurent Branlard, the hotel’s executive pastry chef.

You can choose to purchase a $50 wristband for unlimited tastings around the lake, or purchase tastings a la carte for $2 per item. To pre-purchase 25 tastings, you can get 25 tasting tickets for $45.

Seminars:

The Swan and Dolphin have complimented their first annual event with six exclusive seminars led by outstanding members of their food and beverage staff, including the executive chef of Todd English’s bluezoo and three Certified Wine Sommeliers. Purchasing an advance ticket for the event will gain you access into one seminar of your choice, but be sure to book early! These will sell out fast! To purchase your ticket and book your seminar, call 407-934-1609. Click the image below for a larger version.

Seminars -- Please click for Larger Image

Througout the event, you’ll be serenaded by entertainment from Pieces of a Dream, The Latin Jazz All Stars and The Groovemasters.

Reservations and Tickets:

You can either purchase advance tickets or a hotel package for the event, or you can show up that weekend and enjoy a la carte!

Tickets and Reservations
Tickets to the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic are available as part of a hotel package or individually. Seating for the seminars is limited and reservations are suggested.

• One and two night hotel packages are available starting at $169* per night (!!!) and include a hotel room, a beverage seminar for two plus unlimited food and beverage samplings at the Food & Wine Classic stations (food and beverage stations will be different each evening). Call 1-888-828-8850 for package reservations and refer to rate code FWCLAS.
• Advance purchase, event-only tickets (i.e., no hotel room included) are available for $50 and include one seminar and unlimited food and beverage samples on the causeway. To attend both nights of the event, you’ll need to purchase a ticket for each night. To purchase advance tickets and reserve your seminar spot, call 407-934-1609.

Show Up and Pay as You Go

If you prefer to just head over to the event without advance tickets, food and wine samplings can be purchased a la carte on the day of event. Tickets are $2 each or 25 tickets for $45; or you may purchase a bracelet for $50 which allows you unlimited food and beverage samples.

Stay tuned for more information about this cool new event!

For reservations, please call 1-888-828-8850 and refer to rate code FWCLAS.
For seminar reservations only, please call 407-934-1609.

* Hotel Package includes room at a special rate of $169 plus taxes and $10 mandatory resort service package for overnight guests, complimentary admission to the Friday and/or Saturday seminar of their choice plus admission for two to the nightly Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic taking place between 5:30 and 9:30 Friday and Saturday night on the Swan and Dolphin causeway. This package can be booked for one or two nights. One night deposit required at time of booking, 5 day cancellation period-based on room and rate availability.

Thanks to our Swan and Dolphin Resort partners for this information!