Tuesday, November 4th, 2008
In our family we’ve always called it the “Food Festival”. No need to say where it was located, we all knew what we were talking about because for us there was no other. But of course there is more than just food and the full tile is the “EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival”. What’s amazing is that the event has grown since those days of the temporary looking food stands surrounded with lots of potted plants, to become the largest food and wine event of its kind in the world!
Here’s some of what it takes to make it happen:
Many may have forgotten that there was a bit of controversy when EPCOT opened because they were going to be selling alcoholic beverages in the park for the first time. I guess we got over that.
Monday, November 3rd, 2008
This sweet smokey salmon from Canada is always a favorite. But I always see people peeling off the skin and throwing it away. Don’t do that! You’ll miss out on some wonderful eating. I think it’s the best part.
Wednesday, October 29th, 2008
The inefficient Christmas light illumination of the menu boards was replaced this year. It was hardly noticed by many that each was powered by a solar panel on top. Though not a future technology any more, it was nice to see that some of what was demonstrated in the front of the park for 25 years had made it’s way into actual use there. We were not there after dark, so I’m not sure how well it works. I’ll post that as soon as we get a shot.
Monday, October 27th, 2008
We started another year as Disney Annual Passholders this past weekend with our benchmark event, The Food & Wine Festival. With all the news about gas tanks and the economy tanking I was wondering if it would impact attendance. It appears that Disney World is, in fact, the “Happiest Place on Earth” because the crowds seemed oblivious to any money problems and were larger than ever.
The food selection was good, though not much exotic fare. That would probably not be economically wise. Being able to graze a variety like this is an attraction though. Ordering was efficient and it was prepared well, served without much waiting. Line lengths varied and changed frequently.
Two things I’d like to see return are: a sample display so you didn’t have to try and catch a glimpse of what people carried away and a menu board above the kiosks so you didn’t have to wait for the area around the ground display to clear. Both of those were common in the early festivals.
Sure you don’t go for the bargains, it’s the experience of tastes, locales and people. But keeping the economy in mind here are some personal observations with taste and cost in mind.
Best values: The cheese plate from Ireland. Three large slabs of wonderful aged cheese, brown bread with Irish butter and a great spiced chutney to dip the cheese in. Durban spiced chicken with coconut milk infused root vegetables from South Africa. A nice skewer of tender moist chicken and a heap of tasty starches with a sweet/spicy kick. The lamb chop at Australia. A big (for lamb) tender chop and sweet jam that was like a meat lollipop worth the $5.
Worst value: Though it sounded great… the Praline (properly pronounced PRAW lean) bread pudding at the Louisiana exhibit. $2.75 for a scoop the size of a sample handed out at the grocery.
We enjoyed much more and I’ll have more to report when we return for seconds.
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