YAY! The first details have officially begun trickling out about the 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!
Be sure to stay tuned to our Epcot Food and Wine Festival Page for all the details. And join our DFB Newsletter to be the first to know about menus, booking dates, and prices!
Today, we’ve got updates on special events, Eat to the Beat Concerts, new and returning booths and menus, and more! Let’s go…
Scotland Booth Debuts; Brazil Booth and Others Return!
We’re excited to report that a new Scotland booth will be debuting at the 2013 Festival (could this have anything to do with Merida? Hmm…).
And I can’t wait to hear about the menu the Brazil booth will offer this time around!
Brazil Booth Sign
Epcot Food and Wine Festival Scotland Booth
Guests can indulge Innis & Gunn® Original Beer and Glenfiddich® Scotch Flight (12, 15 and 18 year), , including the Loch Lomond Cocktail featuring Glenfiddich® 12 year, at the brand new Scotland Marketplace this year! I can’t wait to see what traditional flavors they pair with the drinks.
Epcot Food and Wine Festival Brazil Booth
After a one-year hiatus, the popular Brazil booth makes its return! The Brazil Marketplace returns by popular demand with an exciting new menu following a one-year hiatus.
Epcot Food and Wine Festival Brazil Booth
Here are our pics and review from the 2011 Brazil Booth; and though Disney says the menu will be totally new, I’m hoping they bring back the frozen Caipirinha!
LeBlon Frozen Caipirinha at the Brazil Booth in 2011
Epcot Food and Wine Festival Hawai’i Booth
Once again, the fan-favorite Hawai’i booth makes its return with a similar menu to the past two years. You’ll find the Kalua Pork Slider again this year (get the recipe here to make at home!) along with the Seven Tiki Mai Tai. Perfect for relaxing on vacation…
Kalua Pork Slider with Sweet and Sour Dole Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise at the Hawai'i Booth
Epcot Food and Wine Festival Terra Booth
Returning for its second year, the Terra Booth will offer vegan goodies for Epcot guests. Check out pics and reviews from last year’s booth here — the Trick’n Chicken Curry will return in 2013.
Trick’n Chick’n Curry with Basmati Rice featuring Gardein Chick’n Breast at the Terra Booth
Epcot Food and Wine Festival Florida Local Booth
Also returning for a second year, the Florida Local Booth gives Disney visitors a taste from local Florida farms! Here are our reviews and photos from last year’s Florida Local Booth!
Florida Fresh Booth will return to the 2013 Festival
Eat to the Beat Concerts
Brand new bands
will debut this year at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival Eat to the Beat Concerts! Check out all of the confirmed 2013 Eat to the Beat Concert Dates here!
New to the festival this year are the Go-Go’s (Sept. 30-Oct. 1), Edwin McCain (Oct. 10-11), The Manhattan Transfer (Oct. 12-13), Spin Doctors (Oct. 31-Nov. 1), and Christopher Cross (Nov. 2-3)!
The Spin Doctors debut at this year's Eat to the Beat Concerts!
Celebrity Chefs are Back
Don’t forget to plan time to see your favorites this year! Returning and debuting are Chefs Warren Brown, Paula DaSilva, Gale Gand, Jamie Deen, Robert Irvine, Dean Max, Rock Harper, Jeff Henderson, Art Smith, Buddy Valastro, Allen Susser, “Cake Boy” Eric Lanlard, Duskie Estes and John Stewart, Donald Link, Bryan Voltaggio, and Emily Ellyn — among others!
Buddy Valastro at a 2011 Culinary Demonstration
You’ll be able to see these fan favorites at culinary seminars and special events throughout the Festival. Stay tuned to the 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Page for details on dates and booking information.
Special Events
Great news! Party for the Senses grand tasting events return again this year, and are currently scheduled for Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26, and Nov. 2.
Party For the Senses
Other premium events return as well, including the “3D” Disney’s Dessert Discovery on select Fridays (see a review here!), Cheese Seminars on Saturdays (see a review here!), and Sweet Sundays on Sundays.
Booking for these special events will begin in August (guests will be able to call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) to make reservations, and usually there are some available online as well). Be sure to join our DFB Newsletter and follow our Epcot Food and Wine Festival Fans facebook page to get the details FIRST!
The free Marketplace Discovery Passport will also return this year. Be sure to get your stamps at each international marketplace!
Food & Wine Festival Passport Stamp from Belgium
And we’re excited to announce that the CRANBERRY BOG WILL BE BACK!!! Yep — Ocean Spray is bringing back that sea of red in the middle of Epcot for the third year in a row. Can’t wait!
Want to Start Your Planning NOW?
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I am beyond excited right now!!!! Can.Not.Wait!!!!!!!!
Grace — Me, too!
Hope it’s not Haggis!!! Urgh 🙁
When will the 2013 Guide be published? I’m considering getting it, but I will be going to the festival on the first weekend (Sept 29 and 30).
My husband and I will finally be able to attend the festival for our first time this October. We’ll be following your updates very closely. We cannot wait!
Yum, can’t wait! It was amazing last year as my first year at F&W, and I’m so excited to be there again!
Scotland!! I’m so excited to try the Terra Marketplace this year, too. Thanks, AJ!
I have always wanted to come “home” for Food and Wine Festival. This is my first time (out of 8 trips so far) to finally go to WDW during this crazy exciting time. I’m beside myself with anticipation. Already preordered my 2013 guide, memorized my 2012 free guide and am anxiously hanging on every blog, email and word given by DFB!
Thanks so much AJ!
🙁
Sadly I won’t be at the F&W festival this year. I’m going to Disney the same time as the last three years (the week before Thanksgiving) but the way the dates fall the festival ends the weekend before I arrive.
Any idea if 3D Dessert Discovery will happen the first Friday of the Festival?
I hope it’s a good, spicy haggis with neeps and tatties, millionaire’s shortbread, and huge amounts of whiskey!
Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o the puddin’-race!
Aboon them a’ ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye worthy o’ a grace
As lang’s my arm.
Unlike Jennifer, I hope it is haggis. It has a bum rap. While Americans don’t often eat internal organs they are a staple of the diet in most of world. I’d love to see it show up at WDW, even if it won’t be very popular. Maybe some smoked kippers.
Glad to see Brazil back.
The terra booth surprised me with how good it was. I was not expecting much, and it turned out to have some fairly decent stuff.
I am so excited because this is our first time to go to Disney World while the festival is going on!
Hi aj,
Last year the AP folks were able to make reservations for demos and special events a few days prior to the general population. Will we be able to do the same this year?
Thanks.
Patti :o))
Lol!
Galloping Gourmand, I’m from Yorkshire! It may be a staple in most parts of the world but I think that only applies if you are of a certain age! My mum is 52 and loves liver, kidney, Braun and haggis. I’m 29 and really couldn’t think of anything worse than eating organs (other than maybe a pickled egg!)
With regards to F&W, I’ve been to WDW 15 times and never made it at that time of year! Every year I read AK’s reviews and get insanely hungry.
You’re doing an excellent job AJ! Keep it up! X
Jennifer — Ha ha! I’m trying to find out!
Alicia — The 2013 Guide should be published as soon as the final details are announced in July or August. Usually it’s early August.
Kendra — YAY!! Can’t wait to hear how it goes.
Sandy — Rock on! Looking forward to seeing you.
Amy — Fantastic! Have a great trip, Amy!
Angela — That’s SO wonderful! Thank you so much for your support. I know you’re going to have a fantastic trip!
JoAnn — That’s a bummer! You’ll be going during a magical time (and hopefully a not too crowded one, too!), though. 🙂 Hope I get to see you someday soon!
Stephanie — Usually they don’t schedule one the first Friday, but that could change. We’ll keep you upated.
Prof. Brainard — Cultural lessons!! Yes!!
GG — Glad you liked Terra! I’m eager to see what Brazil offers this year, too. Can’t wait for those menus.
David — Awesome!!! You’re going to have a blast!
Patti — Most likely, AP, TiW, and DVC members will be able to book a few days prior and at a discount for some events. Fingers crossed!
Jennifer — Thanks so much!! You’ve gotta get to the Festival, though! Next year, I hope!!
AJ, I’m trying! But I’m already over for three weeks in July 20th! So unless I win the euro millions lottery it’s a no go this year! Hoping for summer and October 2014 x
Really hoping the Dole Whip stand will be here as it was for the Flower Festival… Is there any confirmation of this yet?
Luv Desperate-for-Dole-Whips from the UK 😉
Hey…Haggis is delicious!! There are so many delicious foods from Scotland. I won’t make it to the food festival…but I am going to Scotland, so I’ll get to taste them there!
AJ, hoping to see you walking around with one of these
http://www.myeasytray.com/?lang=uk&PHPSESSID=fq4ocl4jvitfedi1lfrvk0bd52
Or you could get some of these specifically for the DFB
http://www.thediscountprinter.com/plates3.htm
I don’t think they had the passports the one other time I went to the F&W fest. Where does one get that?
Maggie — You can get passports at the Festival Center in Future World 🙂
We are going to go this year! I want to attend the Party for the Senses and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom. Have to start planning now!
AJ, any idea when we’ll see the Signature Dining Event Schedule? I can’t book my trip ’til I know when/if they’ll be having the Italian White Truffle Lunch this year!
Janet Sala — Last year they announced in July. I’m hoping for earlier this year, but we’ll see!
Thank you so much for the great and detailed reviews! My Fiance and I are planning for our honeymoon this fall and absolutely can not wait!
I’ve never been to Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival and am planning on it this year. How do the tickets/entry work? Do you have to purchase a special ticket for the festival or is it just a regular park ticket? Can you partake in all the tastings or do you have to pay individually for it? Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Rachel — You can see our Food and Wine Festival 101 Here! Also, considering picking up our DFB Guide to the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival here.
I’m planning a trip down there during that time, so what I’m wondering is how do the extra marketplaces and booths affect the rules for the Epcot Drinking Challenge? Are they consider bonus rounds, or can Scotland or Hawaii be done in place of England or U.S.? These are very serious concerns I have…. 😉
Do the restaurants in Epcot have any special offerings during the Food and Wine Festival? We are debating between 1900 Park Fare, a restaurant in Epcot or perhaps Yachtsman’s Steakhouse. Some of the reviews I have read on 1900 Park Fare have me thinking it would be a bad choice.
Please stop holding the marathon during Epcot Food & Wine Fest. At the very least stop holding it on the same weekend every year… They’ve ruined my anniversary weekend with their blocking of various roads causing transportation times to AKL trippling. Waiting 90 minutes for a bus to AKL from Epcot is NOT COOL.