As a passholder, Food & Wine festival is my favorite time of year. Mixing together Disney, good food and yummy adult beverages is an equation for a happy Caitlyn! Ray and headed to Orlando last weekend for a concert and [might] have fit in two visits to Epcot for the 20th Food & Wine Festival. I have yet to visit every post for treats (and may not ever, there are quite a few!), but here is what I love thus far! *Biggest tip I can offer…do not bother with beverages at the individual kiosks. Make a visit to the country’s regular bar/restaurant for a full size beverage; you will get more for your money.
Dominican Republic: Frozen Dominican Pina Colada featuring Ron Barcelo Blanco Rum — tasty but not worth the $; Elchon Asado, Roasted Pork with Mangu, Pickled Red Onions and Avocado — a must! This one is one of my favorites, so tasty and a good-sized portion.
The Cheese & Wine Studio is new this year for the F&WF. If these two things are absolute favorites of yours, it is wort the visit. The wine & cheese plate were delicious, but I would have rather to save it for another kiosk. *These double kiosks are great for making a pit stop to enjoy your toes in the grass (not exaggerating, you can do that there!) and have some kid-free moments.
The big pavilion near Test Track is where you can find all the craft beers your heart desires. Ray and I both got a flight for each of us, and we got to tasting! Funny enough, we loved three of the four brews. Ray favored more of the Florida Harvest brews and my Irish blood preferred more of the Craft Beers. My favorite was the Funky Buddha Vanilla Espresso Porter.
I don’t think I could have fit more awesomeness into one picture! Mexico, a must stop. I did only try one item…but the Pastel de Elote con Queso: Sweet Corn Cheesecake is ahhhhmazing. I will definitely be getting this tasty treat again. Hawaii — Aloha!! Their Kalua Pork Slider with Sweet and Sour Dole Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise is so incredibly good that I have already visited twice. And will be visiting again. You’re doing yourself a disservice if you do not try it! For a dessert, we both tried the Cream Soda Float with Caramel Ice Cream — we were not disappointed. 😉
Yay Florida…you were crazy hot that day we visited…so hot I purchased an umbrella and rocked it. But Ray rocked it a little better…
Post concert, Ray & I visited the new Disney Springs (previously Downtown Disney…I may still call it this for years to come…). Downtown Disney has been under construction for too long (#sorrynotsorry) but we are starting to see some of the new additions. Ray and I had one mission…a drink at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar; definitely worth the visit. The wait time was substantial, but you can give them your number and they can text you when there’s opening to visit. Tables are first come, first serve for you to order from a few appetizers and a good list of drinks. I tried their version of the Moscow Mule and it was delish.
Fast forward to yesterday —-> it was the Fall Dapper Day at Hollywood Studios (post to come), Ray, Matt & I rocked it out. Of course we made a visit to Epcot for dinner!
We all had a craving for some German beer and I could not refuse stopping at the Poland kiosk; their Kielbasa & Potato Pierogi with Caramelized Onions and Sour Cream paired perfectly with my Schofferhofer Grapefruit brew.
And the icing on the cake was finally getting into La Cava del Tequila in Mexico. For Dapper Day, I did a spin on Day of the Dead…love me some sugar skulls. It was only fitting to enjoy a margarita with my favorite Ambahr Blanco tequila.
*another passholder perk, for every three visits you receive a cute commemorative port wine glass, hurry before they run out!
Are you planning a visit to the Food & Wine Festival this year?
Christina
So. Effing. Jealous. Glad you had fun and ROCKED your outfit! 🙂
Caitlyn
Thanks girly!
Ray
Great introductory post on Food and Wine Festival. That picture of me with the umbrella. Hahahaha.
Caitlyn
Gracias señor 🙂 That pic had to be included!
Nichole
Dapper Day sounds awesome! I haven’t been to the Food and Wine Fest in three years, and every year I say we’ll go again. I need to make this happen!
Caitlyn
Yes, make it happen! So much good food 🙂
Aileen
We are headed to Disney in 2 weeks and are considering making this a part of our day at Epcot. Just unsure how it would work with our 4 kiddos in tow. Any suggestions??? This mama loves good food and my husband and I are really interested in working into our day! Thanks!
Caitlyn
Yes, it will be a little challenging with your little peeps, but I suggest still making it happen! You can grab a ‘passport’ book at the beginning, pick a few things from there you want to try and just take turns between you & hubs waiting in line. Doing the lines with a stroller or kids won’t be easy. The cute rat from Ratatouille is hidden throughout the kiosks, so make sure your kids are on the lookout for him!
Tia
This has been on my list of to-dos for years. You have inspired me to get season passes and go next year for sure.