the disney food blog

food IS a theme park

Read the Latest Posts

Looking for something?

STAY CONNECTED

EPCOT Food & Wine Festival

2009 Food and Wine Festival update

By 19 Comments

2009 Food and Wine Festival

2009 Food and Wine Festival

Click the link for the full details and information about the 14th Annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival.

And here’s Disney’s Official Press Release on the 2009 Food and Wine Festival:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Epcot kitchens turn up the heat for a global tasting experience worthy of every palate Sept. 25-Nov. 8 at the 14th annual Epcot International Food &Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Resort. During the six-week, entertainment-packed event, park guests can taste fine cuisine and wines from the top “foodie” cities of the world.

Whether sampling bites of Camarões com Palmito (shrimp with palms) from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, or sipping the trendiest wine from Buenos Aires, Argentina, festival guests can enjoy the flavors of more than 25 international marketplaces dotting the World Showcase promenade. The festival will spotlight tastes from cities on six continents, including Bologna, Italy; Bangkok, Thailand; Wellington, New Zealand; Santiago, Chile; Marrakesh, Morocco; Shanghai, China; and, from the United States – New Orleans.

Tapas-sized portions of regional specialties run $2-to-$7 each, and recommended wines and beers make perfect pairings at each kiosk. Puglia, Italy, returns as a sponsor this year, presenting culinary demonstrations with regional chefs and showcasing “Adventures of Pasta and Olive Oils.” Live regional entertainment is scheduled throughout each day along the promenade.

Daily wine and beer tastings serve up sips from around the world, and culinary demonstrations dish up featured taste treats. A series of special culinary programs features a lineup of renowned winemakers, guest chefs and speakers participating in elegant dinners, luncheons, seminars and wine schools.

Live music kicks the festival up several notches each evening during the Eat to the Beat! concert series featuring acts from many musical genres including classic rock, jazz, R&B, funk and soul. Concerts are performed three times each evening at America Gardens Theatre along the World Showcase lagoon. Scheduled to appear for the first time on the Eat to the Beat! stage are: Richard Marx, Better than Ezra, Vanessa Carlton, John Waite and Billy Ocean. Returning acts scheduled are Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Starship, En Vogue, Sister Hazel, Kool & The Gang, Spyro Gyra, Jon Secada, Sister Sledge, Taylor Dayne, Boyz II Men, Night Ranger and Los Lobos.

Each fall, the festival attracts a diverse audience of more than one million guests ranging from wine connoisseurs and epicures to neophytes wishing to boost their wine IQs. Beer aficionados can raise their steins at several tasting locations, including Germany’s Biergarten, which specialize in brews from light to dark.

Festival highlights include:
The Festival Welcome Center, with a Champagne and Wine Bar, educational wine seminars, celebrity chef book signings, and festival keepsakes including exclusive festival pins and an official festival cookbook.

Some 250 chefs including Disney chefs and guest chefs from across the country conducting culinary demonstrations and hosting elegant dinners and tasting events. Guest chefs who appeared last year included Tory McPhail of Commander’s Palace, Rock Harper of “Hell’s Kitchen,” Robert Irvine from Food Network’s “Dinner Impossible,” plus Jeff Henderson, Todd English, Warren Brown, Mary Meyers, Jamie Deen, Iron Chef Cat Cora and many other culinary stars. This year’s lineup currently is being booked.

New culinary programs to feature Celebration Dinners, Culinary Adventure Signature Dining and Celebrating Family and Friends in the Kitchen. Popular returning events include French Regional Lunches at Bistro de Paris in the France pavilion, Epcot Wine Schools, Food and Wine Pairings and Sweet Sundays. The weekly Party for the Senses grand tasting event with tempting bites from eminent chefs, more than 50 wines and beers and live entertainment.

Festival guests can enjoy free admission on their birthdays as well as fresh Epcot experiences including the re-launched Spaceship Earth attraction in Future World and the high-tech, ultra-interactive Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure. Also in World Showcase, several new and updated restaurants welcome guests: at the Italy pavilion, Tutto Italia, with cuisine from different regions of Italy; at the Japan pavilion, Tokyo Dining and Teppan Edo restaurants; and at the China showcase, the redesigned Nine Dragons with a new menu.

Included with Epcot Admission:
Samuel Adams beer seminars, Authentic Taste seminars and Authors without Borders programs with special book signings at the Festival Center, Eat to the Beat! concerts, culinary and cultural adventures, and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.

Special Programming by Reservation:
The Party for the Senses grand tasting events, Food and Wine Pairings at select Epcot restaurants, Signature Dining, Epcot Wine Schools, Sweet Sundays, and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission.

Guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) for information and to make reservations for special events and programs. Festival details will be available by late July at www.disneyworld.com/foodandwine, and guests can book special events and programs beginning Aug. 11.

Rosie’s Victory Garden

By 4 Comments

Rosie's Victory Garden

Rosie's Victory Garden

One of the fun little “surprises” in Disney World is Rosie’s Victory Garden, tucked back by Rock n Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror, within the row of Sunset Ranch Market counter service restaurants. You can find the Victory Garden next to Catalina Eddie’s and not far from its “owner’s” restaurant, Rosie’s American Cafe.

The Victory Garden was common during World War II, when feeding the troops overseas meant rationing food back home. Victory Gardens, where civilians grew their own produce, became a sign of patriotism and national support. Rosie’s, of course, is named for

Butterfly in the Pepper Plants

Butterfly in the Pepper Plants

Rosie the Riveter–an icon created to represent the women who headed to work, replacing the men joining the armed forces. And this icon fits perfectly into a park themed after Hollywood’s golden age–the 30’s and 40’s. It brings yet another piece of cultural history to Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

The Victory Garden, however, isn’t an exhibition of plastic plants. It’s a real, live garden, growing peppers (all kinds), pineapples (though I’m not sure how historically accurate that is!), beans, and several other types of produce that weren’t far enough along for me to identify yet. Adding to the theme, Rosie’s garden tools are hanging on the side wall of Catalina Eddie’s, there are a couple of watering cans and a hose on the garden wall, and a couple of interesting garden additions–including a gas-masked scarecrow–offer eye-catching decor.

Patriotic Scarecrows

Patriotic Scarecrows

The next time you’re in the Studios, stop over by the Victory Garden to see how the bell peppers are coming along! Truly an interesting addition to a counter service dining experience.

Kungaloosh Recipe!

By 13 Comments

It’s been almost nine months since the last “curtain” on the Adventurer’s Club in Disney World’s Downtown Disney, and I figured some of us might be in withdrawal.

Radio-a-thon at Adventurer's Club in Disney World

Radio-a-thon at Adventurer’s Club in Disney World

Kungalooshes are few and far between these days (they pop up from time to time in Disney World, and you can get them at Trader Sam’s in Disneyland), but when it’s late…and you’re lonely…you can always mix up a pitcher at home.

Well, it doesn’t HAVE to be late…and you don’t HAVE to be lonely…:

Kungaloosh Recipe (Frozen)

1 cup Daily’s Strawberry Daiquiri Mix
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum
1/4 cup blackberry brandy

Toss it in a blender with enough ice to make it slushy, or serve over ice.

Kungaloosh

Kungaloosh

Kungaloosh Recipe (On the Rocks)

1 1/4 ounce vodka
1 1/4 ounce Malibu Rum
3/4 ounce Midori (melon liqueur)
2 tablespoons pineapple juice
1 splash cranberry juice

Mix well.

Kungaloosh Old Style from Trader Sam’s in Disneyland

These recipes are from All Ears Net. The Frozen version is the recipe used from about the year 2000 forward. (It’s certainly the one I remember.) And the on-the-rocks version is the recipe used in the 90s.

Kungaloosh!

What are your favorite Adventurer’s Club memories??

Contempo Cafe

By 1 Comment

Contempo Cafe

Contempo Cafe

The Contemporary Resort went through a re-model not too long ago, which included the destruction of the Concourse Steakhouse and the creation of the Contempo Cafe in its place.

Contempo Cafe isn’t significantly impressive at first look–it’s a standard counter-service place that happens to be in the middle of the Grand Canyon Concourse. What I love about it, though, is the ordering system that’s in place. The “TV Touchscreen Ordering” is, quite simply, a picky eater’s dream come true.

Instructions

Instructions

If you’ve ever seen Meg Ryan order food in When Harry Met Sally, you’ll know exactly what my dining companions must endure! I substitute this for that, I order most things without one or two of their essential ingredients, I need my sauces on the side…you get the idea. So what I love about the ordering system at Contempo Cafe (reminiscent of my beloved Sheetz Gas Station Made-To-Order service), is that you can make all the little specifications you want! It’s the ultimate “have it your way.”

So, if you’re a picky eater like me–or just like to try out touch-screen technology–

Ordering Screen

Ordering Screen

head over to the 4th floor of the Contemporary for a yummy flatbread (loaded or naked), a deli sandwich (build it as weird as you want it), or an omelet (with or withOUT those pesky veggies…).

Snack series: Turkey Legs

By 14 Comments

Turkey Leg

Turkey Leg

At over 1000 calories and 50 grams of fat (according to this MSN article), this “snack” could serve as two meals for most folks. So, as a result, everyone’s “down” on the turkey leg. All of the articles I see about these giant drumsticks profess shock that anyone could ever eat such a thing.

But I always thought that vacation was a little bit about letting loose, relaxing, maybe eating and/or drinking a bit more than you would normally… . Who doesn’t gain a few pounds on vacation?

Would love your thoughts–Do you stick to your diet at Disney? Email me at [email protected]!

Disney World Online Dining Reservation Info

By Leave a Comment

Disney Online Dining Reservations System

Disney Online Dining Reservations System

Keith at MouseMisers has posted his experience with the new Disney Dining Reservations system, currently available only to Travel Agents:

Walt Disney World launched the long awaited online reservation system for dining reservations. Originally due in 2008, it was launched late last night, currently for Travel Agents only. No indication was given when the tool will be made available to the general public, but my guess is 2 weeks of testing should do. Currently, only reservations May 26, 2009 and after are available in the system, so the logical launch date would be May 26, 2009. I guess we will have to wait and see.

Read more of his experience–and see screen shots of the system–on his blog.
mousemisers-logo1

Mid-Century Nostalgia

By 2 Comments

One of the Waiting Area Living Rooms

One of the Waiting Area Living Rooms

One of the unsung heroes of dining at Walt Disney World is the 50’s Prime Time Cafe, a diner where the food is decent, the servers are funny, and the decor is the real reason you’re there.

Reminiscent of their youth for those over 50 and the Wonder Years for those under 40, 50’s Prime Time takes pride in its less-than-chic furnishings. Knick Knacks prevail in colors like cornflower blue and avocado, and, more than once, you’ll hear “didn’t Mom used to have one of those?”

A Coveted TV Table

A Coveted TV Table

Arrive early and request a “TV Table.” This is a table for four or five that has a TV right next to it, so that you can watch the loop of black-and-white show snippets that includes The Mickey Mouse Club (what’s more fun than an egg race?), Spin and Marty, I Married Joan, The Dick van Dyke Show, and others.

The food here is less than stellar, usually on a par with a bad Denny’s, but you can score some pretty good fried chicken, chicken pot pie, and meatloaf. They recently took the best dish off the menu–a fried boursin cheese served with toasted baguette slices and grapes–but the atmosphere is almost enough to keep me coming back. Service is inconsistent and based largely on your waiter–who happens to be playing the part of your Aunt, Uncle, cousin, or brother and is at liberty to force you to eat your vegetables…no kidding. Be sure to ask if you can see the photo albums!

Chocolate Malt and Dessert Viewfinder

Chocolate Malt and Dessert Viewfinder

Dessert is another good reason to visit this restaurant. Again, the quality isn’t great, but Disney comes through on the themeing! Your dessert menu is a Viewfinder, and you get to feel like a kid all over again when you click through the enticing photos to “choose your poison.” FYI: the milkshakes are great, and the s’mores have a good reputation.

So, if you’ve got one of those free dining slots open, I suggest you pop on by 50’s Prime Time Cafe for lunch. While the food could be better, the experience can be a true Disney highlight.

Cheese Plate Series: Citricos

By 1 Comment

Citricos Cheese Plate

Citricos Cheese Plate

Ah, another cheese plate post (you can see the first in the series, Narcoossees, here). Let’s stick with the Grand Floridian and head to a restaurant that I truly love and think is one of the best in Walt Disney World.

Citricos has exceptional food and wonderful service. It’s consistent, which we always like. The cheese plate isn’t one of my favorites, unfortunately. There were other appetizers that were just as good, if not better. But the waiter this trip mentioned that they change out their cheese menu often, so perhaps it will improve in the future (this plate is from February 2009).

Cheeses
Lemon Ricotta (Cow’s Milk; upper right hand corner of photo)
Yours truly is NOT a big fan of ricotta, and this was probably my least favorite cheese on the list. I think the lemon taste, along with the texture, was what I least enjoyed. This was the only local cheese on the list and is from central Florida.

Corsu Vecchiu (Sheep’s Milk; lower right-hand corner of photo)
Anything they serve with honey is always going to be my favorite; I’ll just get that out into the open right now. This was the “moderate” cheese on the plate and was undoubtedly our favorite. This is imported from Corsica.

Oregon Blue (Cow’s Milk; lower left-hand corner of photo)
The strongest cheese, as usual, was a blue. From the Rogue Creamery in Oregon, this is an award-winning blue that’s aged for 90 days in Roquefort modeled caves. We enjoyed this–especially with the raisins. It’s one of the weakest blues I’ve had recently.

Citricos Cheeses

Citricos Cheeses

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER EBOOKS

Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.

View our ebooks now

POLICIES & CREDITS

Staff & Regular Contributors
Disclosure Policy
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
Partner With Disney Food Blog

Logo by J Kennedy

Disney Food Blog does not claim to represent the Walt Disney Company in any way and is not employed by or affiliated with The Walt Disney Company. For official Disney information, visit Disney directly.

Subscribe to our Feed via RSS
Subscribe to our Feed via email