There is just never a dull moment when it comes to bringing you the latest 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival news. 😀

Today, we’ve learned that there have been major updates to three of the festival’s Marketplace Booth Menus.

If you’re not familiar with the way that the festival works, the Marketplace Booths are the small kiosks that serve the special food and drink items throughout Epcot during the festival.

For many folks, these booths ARE the festival — and in 2017, you’ll be able to make stops at 35 booths total, to mark the 35th anniversary of Epcot.

So, what’s changing? Let’s take a closer look. And then check out some new FOOD PHOTOS that we’re also sharing!

Mexico

One of the festival’s most popular booths, Mexico has rolled out an entirely updated beverage menu.

Previously, they had planned to serve the following:

• Prickly Pear Margarita
• Classic Pomegranate Margarita
• Mexican-style Sangria
• Pacifico Lager with Floater

But that menu has changed a bit:

• Spicy Apple Margarita
• Classic Lime Margarita
• Mexican-style Sangria
• Corona Draft Beer with Floater
• Mexican Mule

There’s some cool stuff there! Raise your hand if you’re intrigued by the sounds of the Spicy Apple Margarita!

We recently had a chance to try the Mexican Mule at La Cava del Tequila, and it’s awesome, too.

With tequila in place of the traditional vodka, you get those wonderful flavors paired with the zip of ginger beer.

Almond Orchard

New-for-2017 booth Almond Orchard is also upping its game. Previously, the only food item here was the Banana Almond Sundae layered with Fresh Berries and topped with Dark Chocolate and Blueberry Almonds. While we enjoyed tasting it at the previews, we couldn’t help but wonder if it was worthy of a whole booth.

But now, that sundae has company on the Food Team. Here are the new dishes they’re rolling out:

• Cauliflower Risotto with Pulled Chicken, Artichokes, Spinach and Parmesan Cheese and Aged Balsamic
• Fire-roasted Tomato Hummus topped with Blue Diamond Salt & Vinegar Almonds and served with Blue Diamond Nut Thins^®
• Banana Almond Soft-serve Sundae with Fresh Berries and Crunchy Chocolate Oats (<— “Crunchy Chocolate Oats.” Sign me up.)

And while you can still get your fill of high-end Champagne at Almond Orchard, the previously planned Cold Brew Coffee with Almond Milk Foam has been replaced with a non-alcoholic Strawberry Smoothie made with Blue Diamond Almond Breeze^® Almondmilk. Hooray! Another option for the kiddos (and we’re hoping vegans too!).

Italy

Another festival favorite, Italy, has also undergone a major menu transformation.

The planned menu previously announced was:

• Crispy Calamari with Spicy Pomodoro Sauce
• Costoletta di Agnello alla Marchigiana: Braised T-Bone Lamp Chops and Potatoes with Vidalia Onions, Thyme, Bay Leaf and Lamb Jus
• Absolut Penne: Vodka Sauce with Shrimp
• Cannoli al Cioccolato: Chocolate-covered Cannoli filled with Sweet Ricotta, Chocolate and Candied Fruit

It’s now been replaced with:

• Crispy Calamari with Spicy Pomodoro Sauce
• Spezzatino con Polenta: Beef Stew with Parmesan Creamy Polenta
• Cannoli al Cioccolato: Chocolate-covered Cannoli filled with Sweet Ricotta, Chocolate and Candied Fruit

So, while we were excited that Italy was really stepping up its game this year…womp womp. We’re back to two items we’ve had at previous festivals and some calamari. Which is good, but not exciting. (And here’s a TIP: you can still find a “lamb T-bone” at the Australia booth.)

Finally, we’re also noticing that Farm Fresh has added a cider flight. And with interesting options such as Two Henrys Elderberry Cream Hard Cider and Gumption Citrus Freak Hard Cider, we’re pretty excited to see this.

See? This is why we tell you guys to stay tuned. 😀

New Food Photos!

But we’re also getting a first glimpse of a few more of the dishes that we can expect to see during our tour of the booths on opening day.

Don’t forget to stay tuned: Disney Food Blog will be on the ground August 31, bringing you more photos of actual dishes the day the festival opens!

In the meantime, we’ll share the Disney photos. We’re pretty excited to try the dishes!

We’ll be stopping at Farm Fresh for sure to sample the Crispy Chicken with Griddled Cornbread and Red Eye Gravy.

Next, we’ll head over to Hawai’i to try LOTS of new things. We’ve already shared with you how much we loved the Teriyaki-glazed SPAM® Hash with Potatoes, Peppers and Onions and Spicy Mayonnaise. But we’re also looking forward to trying the Tuna Tataki as well as the Passion Fruit Cheesecake with Toasted Macadamia Nuts.

Fans of the Bread Service at Sanaa will no doubt flock to the Warm Indian Bread with Pickled Garlic, Mango Salsa and Coriander Pesto Dips. Find it at the India Booth.

And finally, we know that lovers of Spanish cuisine will be anxious to try Spain’s Paella.

It’s almost here, you guys!

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Are you looking forward to checking out these new additions to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival? Let us know in comments!