Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival 2011

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Celebrating Culinary Adventures from September 30, 2011 – November 13, 2011

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is an autumn special event that transforms Epcot Theme Park into a food and wine lover's paradise with specialty food items, culinary events, sophisticated parties and live musical entertainment.

Try delicious regional foods, wines and beers from around the world at special marketplaces set up along World Showcase Promenade. Learn from renowned chefs and winemakers at special programs and demonstrations, and sample the finest cuisine from around the globe at spectacular culinary events.

When you arrive at Epcot, visit the Festival Welcome Center to plan your day. There you'll also find the Festival Wine Shop and the Wonders Bar—where you can purchase champagne and wine or attend official book signings with celebrity chefs and authors. The Stockpot shop offers marvelous merchandise, including the collectible marketplace cookbook. Plus, there is more to do than just enjoying great food and beverage. Enjoy the Eat to the Beat concert series and unwind with a stellar lineup of celebrated musical acts.

Epcot Theme Park admission is required. Some Epcot International Food & Wine Festival events require ticket fees in addition to admission to Epcot. Availability is limited for some events. Events may be rescheduled or cancelled at any time.

You can pick up a Food & Wine themed mini Disney Gift Card — a fast, easy and secure way to carry your money on your wrist, and simply the best way to experience the Festival. Just load or reload the card with any amount you desire from $5 to $1,500, swipe — and you're spared the trouble of getting out your credit card or cash any time you want to pay for food, merchandise and more. Get it throughout Epcot at ticket booths, Guest Relations, the Festival Welcome Center and a variety of locations in the theme park where food and merchandise are sold.

The thrills at the ultimate dining, drinking and music event don't stop. Discover the many taste adventures that await:

Marketplaces & Promenade

More than 25 international marketplace kiosks serve up tapas-sized portions of regional specialties. Explore countries on 6 continents through their most mouthwatering foods and beverages!

Eat to the Beat! Concert Series

Musical entertainment pairs perfectly with culinary fun during the nightly Eat to the Beat! Concert Series. Enjoy a varied lineup of classic rock, soul, R&B, jazz and funk hit-makers!

Seminars and Demonstrations

Learn from the masters with the Festival's exciting schedule of seminars and demonstrations featuring the fresh ingredients and secret techniques that go into some of the world's most extraordinary dishes and drinks.

Special Festival Experiences

A special series of programs and experiences brings you renowned winemakers, guest chefs and speakers. Wine and beer tastings let you sip from the best in the world while delicious experiences such as the Party for the Senses dish up unforgettable tastes.

Festival Welcome Center

The Festival Welcome Center hosts wine seminars and book signings and offers sparkling champagnes and wines at the Wonder Bar. It's also the place to pick up Festival keepsakes, including limited edition Festival pins and cookbooks. And while you're there, be sure to check out the lists of famous personalities who will be appearing plus the times of their scheduled signings.

Festival Shopping

Before and after the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, you can find merchandise that celebrates the 14th annual Food & Wine Festival. While you're in the park, visit the Festival Welcome Center, which offers commemorative gifts, specialty kitchen items, a book shop and a wine bar. You can also visit the shops located around World Showcase Promenade for additional Festival merchandise offerings and artisans.

Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon

Run Around The Parks, Dine Around The World. While you're here, join us for the Inaugural Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon, which will be run on a brand new half marathon course at the Walt Disney World Resort, at night! Race under the stars through Walt Disney World Theme Parks, and enjoy a private after party at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival exclusively for runners and their friends! Plus enjoy a full slate of weekend fun. Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 10:00 p.m.


Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend
September 30 – October 1, 2011

The Run Is A Beauty. The Party Is A Beast.
Join us for a special event that brings the spectacle of the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival together with the magic of a Disney race. Imagine running through the Disney Parks – at night! You'll race under the stars and enjoy world-class Disney entertainment along the way to help the miles fly by.

The highlights of your dream run? A private Epcot® afterparty and an exclusive finisher medal await you at the finish.
Weekend events will include:

Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon
Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Relay
Disney Family Fun Run 5K
Disney Kids' Races
Disney's Health & Fitness Expo
Finish Line Party
Stay tuned for more information our upcoming Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend events!

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

See.

Lots of adult stuff to do.

And I don't even cook.

[PigsDad Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PigsDad]

Eat to the Beat! Concert Series

Musical entertainment pairs perfectly with culinary fun during the nightly Eat to the Beat! Concert Series. Enjoy a varied lineup of classic rock, soul, R&B, jazz and funk hit-makers!

I'm glad to hear they are continuing with this. We were there for a week last year and saw Air Supply (quite good) and Sister Hazel (fantastic!). They performed two ~45 minute shows in the afternoon / evening, with each group playing 2-3 days. The size and acousitics of the amphitheater made for a nice atmosphere (sitting on a bench under a tree listening to great music).

The performances really added to the experience of the festival.

Kurt

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

How crowded does this event get? Are there lines/crowds at various tables, or is it more civilized than that?

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

How crowded does this event get? Are there lines/crowds at various tables, or is it more civilized than that?

I actually read a little bit about this festival on the various disney's boards this morning, and they say it's not too crowded at all. I was happy to hear that, because I'm considering going this year.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I actually read a little bit about this festival on the various disney's boards this morning, and they say it's not too crowded at all. I was happy to hear that, because I'm considering going this year.

It's the one thing that might ever get be back to Disney... I see it runs for 6 weeks, I guess that helps spread the crowd out. You go first, Ang. Let me know how you like it

[joycapecod Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close joycapecod]

How crowded does this event get? Are there lines/crowds at various tables, or is it more civilized than that?

Just thinking that it may not be horrible since the children are in school and they have not been back that long. Since this occurs right after school starts (within weeks) and ends not to many weeks ahead of the Thanksgiving break I am thinking many (or most) families would not pull their children out of school to go to Disney.

This seems to be more adult themed, right?

I am considering going along with my DB for at least a 3 or 4 days. I have a 2 bedroom at Bonnet Creek on hold for October 22 check in. There were at least 2 other 2 bedroom Bonnet Creek units available during the event available for between 12-15 TPU.

Joy

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

I actually read a little bit about this festival on the various disney's boards this morning, and they say it's not too crowded at all. I was happy to hear that, because I'm considering going this year.

It only gets crowded on the weekends when the locals show up but during the week it's not bad at all.

This seems to be more adult themed, right?

I am considering going along with my DB for at least a 3 or 4 days. I have a 2 bedroom at Bonnet Creek on hold for October 22 check in. There were at least 2 other 2 bedroom Bonnet Creek units available during the event available for between 12-15 TPU.

Joy

Yup, definetely adult oriented.
I stayed at BC last year and enjoyed the lazy river by day and Epcot by night. Definintely a good way to enjoy as the heat is gone by then.
October can be iffy. Sometimes it's cold and sometimes it's hot and the temperatures can flucutate from one day it's 90 degrees to the next 60.

It's the one thing that might ever get be back to Disney... I see it runs for 6 weeks, I guess that helps spread the crowd out. You go first, Ang. Let me know how you like it

You need to come down for yourself. Don't be a chicken.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

It's a great time to go, but you might check for the British school holidays before going as they tend to push up the crowds during those holidays.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

It's the one thing that might ever get be back to Disney... I see it runs for 6 weeks, I guess that helps spread the crowd out. You go first, Ang. Let me know how you like it

Done....I just booked Marriott Lakeshore Reserve with my otherwise useless AC. LOL.

Just thinking that it may not be horrible since the children are in school and they have not been back that long. Since this occurs right after school starts (within weeks) and ends not to many weeks ahead of the Thanksgiving break I am thinking many (or most) families would not pull their children out of school to go to Disney.

This seems to be more adult themed, right?

I am considering going along with my DB for at least a 3 or 4 days. I have a 2 bedroom at Bonnet Creek on hold for October 22 check in. There were at least 2 other 2 bedroom Bonnet Creek units available during the event available for between 12-15 TPU.

Joy

I'm going the same week as you. I'll be there from the 10/22 -10/29, although I might not go for the entire 7 days.

[joycapecod Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close joycapecod]

Angela,

We will likely not go for the entire week either. I only have the Bonnet Creek on hold. I will probably confirm tomorrow if I can get my brother to agree to the dates. I was cheap through RCI...12 TPUs; Disney was 25 and it didn't matter if it was a studio or a 2 bedroom...weird?


I am thinking Saturday thru Tuesday, fly home on Wednesday morning.

Joy

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

I miss it by 5 weeks.

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

I'm going the weekend beforehand.

I'm gonna miss you guys by a week.

I might have to call in "sick" and stay over.

It'll be my first stay in the SSR Treehouses. Very excited.

[joycapecod Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close joycapecod]

I'm going the weekend beforehand.

I'm gonna miss you guys by a week.

I might have to call in "sick" and stay over.

It'll be my first stay in the SSR Treehouses. Very excited.

WOOHOO, brother agreed to dates. So, I will confirm this Bonnet Creek unit.

Chris, call in sick or adjust your vacation dates. You can spend a night or two with us. There are on the two of us in a sleeps 8.

Joy

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

WOOHOO, brother agreed to dates. So, I will confirm this Bonnet Creek unit.

Chris, call in sick or adjust your vacation dates. You can spend a night or two with us. There are on the two of us in a sleeps 8.

Joy

Thanks Joy.

I reserved my unit 11 months ago with DVC so probably won't be able to change my reservation.

Also gotta work that weekend. I'll work on it though. Thanks for the offer.