2012 Epcot International Food & Wine By The Numbers

The start of the 17th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival has begun at Walt Disney World, bringing food and wine lovers from around the world together for an incredible series of events. I thought I'd share some fun festival facts with you to help get you in the mood!

Friends and Family Come Together Over Food

• More than 300 national and international wines
• A record 46 days long
• More than 76 kinds of international foods, each appetizer-sized portion priced $3-$8
• 160 of America's most celebrated chefs and Walt Disney World chefs
• More than 300 wine and beer seminars
• More than 1,200 fireworks exploding each night over World Showcase Lagoon in "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth" grand finale to the festival
• 138 Eat to the Beat concerts performed
• 33,000 bottles of wine and champagne
• 1.5 million sumptuous samplings throughout the festival; 600 items tasted during VIP Chef Tours
• 300,000 wine servings
• 360,000 servings of beer
• 100,000 desserts including Yogurt Panna Cotta with Orange Cake, Raspberries and Pomegranate; Lemon Custard Verrine with Blueberry Compote; and Dark Chocolate Mousse with Chili and Salted Caramel (Desserts & Champagne marketplace). More than 500 pounds of watermelon to be tasted at the 3D Disney's Dessert Discovery parties.
• More than 5,000 pounds of lobster for Linda Bean's Perfect Maine Lobster Rolls and Linda Bean's Lobster Claw Cuddlers at the Hops & Barley marketplace plus Lobster and Scallop Fisherman's Pie at the Ireland marketplace.

New from the Desserts Booth
This year guests can scan a QR code with their smart phones and it will take them to a special website designed to help them navigate the festival like a pro. The site offers daily information about what special events are happening in the park, what time they're going on, and if it's included in your theme park admission. There's map of the Marketplace Booths along with menus that can be searched by food, beverage, country or ingredient. The site offers several festival recipes and fun facts about the foods represented this year. If your headed to the festival hoping for some great music, this handy little app has a guide for the Eat to the Beat Concert series as well!


Food & Wine Festival is my favorite time of year to enjoy Walt Disney World with friends and family alike. I can't wait until I can join in the fun as well. Are you headed down for the festival this year? What you you most looking forward to? Leave a comment and let me know!