Epcot Food & Wine Festival ~ 2017 November 29, 2017
Posted by nrhatch in Food & Drink, Music & Dance, Travel & Leisure.trackback
We decided to head to Epcot for the last Friday of the International Food & Wine festival (which ran from August 31st through November 13th).
No . . . that’s not a figment of your imagination ~> it is Figment!
On arrival, we meandered from Future World to World Showcase, stopping at Kiosks to check out the menu offerings (and plan our snack attack).
When we reached France, we headed straight for Les Hailes Boulangerie-Patisserie. Despite crowded kiosks outside, we sped through the line for Baguette & Pissaldiere ~ $8. Our favorite treat at Epcot.
After stowing the rest of the baguette for later munching, we wandered through a French store, then headed to Morocco for Musique Aramenco ~ lively musicians accompanied by a belly dancer in full regalia.
This is a G-rated blog, so I didn’t snap a picture of her. Instead, here’s the Moroccan marketplace where you can purchase your own belly dancing outfit.
When Musique Aramenco concluded their set, we retraced our steps to see Impressions of France ~ a lovely film with a beautiful and haunting soundtrack. It’s a fun way to see the sights and sounds of France, from the castles of the Loire Valley to Versailles to the Eiffel Tower to the vineyards. C’est bonne!
Time for dessert! We decided on a Belgian Waffle with chocolate ganache and whipped cream from the Belgium kiosk ~ $4. The soggy pastry base was underwhelming. Most disappointing food of the day.
We headed to the United Kingdom via Morocco to catch Quickstep ~ a lively quartet playing acoustic music from Scotland, Ireland, and England. Loved it.
After dancing with Quickstep, we needed to refuel. We wandered next door to Canada for Cheese Soup with a Pretzel roll for dipping ~ $5. YUM!
After supping on soup, we listened to Raffy ~ a high energy Canadian quartet. We loved the sax!
On the way to China, via Morocco, we stopped again to listen to Morocco Musique and smiled as the belly dancer gave free dance lessons to a pre-schooler.
We had planned to watch the Jeweled Dragon Acrobats. By the time we arrived, the area was Standing Room Only. So we admired the gardens instead.
Time for another snack. This time in India for Madras Red Curry (Cauliflower, Carrots, Chickpeas, and Basmati Rice) and Naan bread with 3 dippers (Coriander Pesto, Mango Salsa, and garlicky Pickled Garlic) ~ $9.50 for both.
Sorry . . . the dog ate my photo.
By this time, the air was getting chilly and the walkways were way too crowded, so we headed for The Seas with Nemo & Friends.
Crush escorted us inside . . .
While Bruce enjoyed swimming with the fishes outside . . .
After swimming the seven seas with Nemo and soaring through the air on Soarin’ (front & center for the first time!), we made one last stop at the Festival Center to see the Ghiardelli exhibit ~> The Chocolate Experience: From Bean to Bar.
On arrival, we each received a Ghiardelli Chocolate Square with Caramel. Yes, please! The exhibit included amazing chocolate sculptures featuring:
Beauty and the Beast . . .
Moana’s sidekicks . . .
Wreck It Ralph . . .
And the stars of Born in China . . .
Aah . . . that’s delicious!
Looks like fun!
We’re going to Hollywood Studios today for the pre-Christmas Festivities ~> Flurries of Fun . . . Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! . . . Sunset Season’s Greetings.
I’ll try to remember to shoot some shots of the Hollywood Hoopla.
That’s my kind of festival! Cheese soup…yum! Thanks for sharing your terrific photos, Nancy.
Loved the soup. I’ve had beer cheese soup before and cheese fondue and Welsh rarebit (beer & cheese) and . . . but never had cheddar soup. YUM! (No big surprise, eh?)
Sounds more like a food fest than a wine fest! Yum!
They have alcohol at ALL the kiosks . . . and, judging from the diminished sobriety of more than a few other visitors, many opted for adult beverages throughout the day. 😀
I’d go for the food though too.
Wine often gives me a headache ~ which doesn’t work well with crowds of people around me. And I can have a beer at home for a buck . . . the same beer at Disney is $8. So we tend to spend our bucks (and calories) on trying new-to-us food.
But when YOU come for a visit . . . we’ll raise a glass (or two)!
Your adventure sounds like so much fun. Food, drink + live music. I’ve read about this event for years, but you’re the first person who I know who’s been to it. Cool beans.
Like you, I’d read about the event for years and now we’ve been!
Yay! You make me want to return to Epcot! I love food festivals! What a great time!
We’ve enjoyed our Disney passes this year ~ Epcot is our favorite of the four parks. When the passes expire (in February), we’ll enjoy other (less choreographed) adventures. 😀
It sounds like so much fun. The food sounds good, the singers, dancers, and acrobats, even better.
Epcot is a great place to wander around . . . as long as the crowds don’t get “too thick.”
I’m hungry after reading your post! What a fun day you had. I haven’t been to Epcot since, um, well, at least 30 years ago. One of these days…you’re prompting me to want to go.
Food + Fun = Perfect Together!
Sorry for the delayed response . . . I found you in my SPAM folder. I don’t care what Akismet says ~> you are NOT Spam. 😀
UGh, thank you Nancy! I found out two days ago that all of my comments were being put in Spam. Two hours with WP later, it all got ‘cleared’ up. Sigh. Anywayyyyy, hope you’re enjoying your warm weekend. Chilly and brrrr here. I’m ready for a glass of wine in front of the fireplace. xo
Hope you enjoyed your glass of wine in front of the fireplace! When we lived up north . . . I lived from fire to fire. 😀
Looks as though you had really delicious fun there, Nancy. The live entertainment was the cherry on the top. 🙂
Epcot is a great place to wander ~ good food, good music, and good fun around every bend. We went to Hollywood Studios this week and enjoyed our visit, but Epcot is still our fave.
We let our Disney passes lapse this year and you’re reminding me why I always enjoyed them–and that I miss having them! I’ve only been to Epcot once, but I know I’d really enjoy making my way around the world. 🙂
If we lived closer to Orlando, we might renew our passes, but it’s quite a hike.
Hope the fires out there are under control soon!!!