8 Great Things Going On at the 20th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Center

The 20th Anniversary Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is fast coming upon us (2015 dates run from September 25th until November 16th) and while the Marketplace Booths located around World Showcase Lagoon don't open until 11:00AM there's still plenty of Epicurean fun when Epcot Park opens up at 9:00am. Located on the East side of Future World The Festival Center is tucked neatly between Ellen's Energy Adventure and Mission Space, in the old Wonders of Life building. This Festival Center is the Headquarters for all things Food & Wine Festival related.





Marketplace Passports

The Marketplace Discovery Passport is one of frequent Festival visitors favorite free souvenirs. This handy little booklet is a guide to the Marketplace booths where you can record what you tried and how it tasted! You can find the Discovery Passports at the Festival Center as well as select locations throughout the Park. Be sure to get your Passport stamped at each Marketplace with unique world designs.

Remy's Ratatouille Hide & Squeak

While grown-ups are collecting passport stamps, the kids can get in the action and follow Remy on his ratatouille adventure via a savory scavenger hunt! To start, purchase a map and stickers from special Festival merchandise locations including Festival Center, Pin Central, Port of Entry or World Traveler at International Gateway. Next, start hunting for the little statuettes of Remy placed all around the World Showcase. When you've found all of the Remy's and matched up the ingredient stickers on your map, take your finished map back to one of the locations and you'll get a special surprise from Chef Remy!


Don't Forget Your Marketplace Passports


The Chocolate Experience: From Bean to the Bar - Hosted by Ghirardelli(r) Chocolate Company

A fan favorite year after year, guests can indulge in the sights, smells and flavors of chocolate. Beautiful display pieces sculpted entirely from chocolate by the Walt Disney World pastry chefs will delight and explore the journey chocolate must take to get from the bean to the bar. Sample select chocolates will be available and my favorite, buy a decedent cup of gourmet drinking chocolate. Chocolate lovers won't want to miss this festival folly.

Intermissions Cafe

The Intermissions Cafe at the Festival Center will be open for guests featuring a fine selection of wine, cheese, sandwiches and salads. It's a great place to grab a quick bite in the morning or to end the night with a snack and a glass of wine before heading back to your resort.


Amazing Chocolate Sculptures


Back to Basics

Epicurean tips and tricks delivered by the pros can raise your home cooking and entertaining to a whole new level. Free Back To Basics sessions happen every Friday through Sunday during the Food & Wine Festival. Demonstrations occur at 12:15 PM, 2:15 PM, 4:15 PM and 6:15 PM each weekend day and take place on the Spotlight Stage within the Festival Center.

Seasons of the Vine

Returning once again to the Festival Center this film was one of the attractions at Disney's California Adventure when it opened in 2001. Running 7 minutes in length, it shows continuously throughout each day of the event and gives Guests a look into the world of winemaking showcasing the art and science of what goes into every delicious bottle.


Wine & Champagne Tastings


The Stockpot Shop & Wine Shop

Festival posters and cookbooks, culinary essentials for your kitchen, tee shirts, festival art, gear, and Duffy Bears, spices and selections of delicious treats that have been used in the marketplace recipes, it's all available at the Stockpot Shop. While just across the aisle the festival Wine Shop is the place to purchase bottles of your favorite sips of the season.

Book & Bottle Signings

Chat with a celebrated culinary authors, personalities, and wine makers when they appear at the festival center to sign your purchased books or merchandise. Be sure to check the daily schedule for a list of the celebrity authors and signings while you're there. More information can always be found when you visit the Festival Center Information Desk.


Back To Basics With Culinary Demos


Once you have finished exploring the Festival Center, if you still have some time before to kill before World Showcase opens, head right on over to 'The Land' Pavilion . Hop on the 'Living With the Land' boat ride for a relaxing journey through the food system and a ride-thru tour of Disney's experimental greenhouses and aqua farms. You can also sign up here for 'Behind The Seeds' and take an in-depth walking tour through the greenhouse.

For ALL of the latest news and stories about the 20th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival be sure to visit our friends over at the Disney Food Blog. They very kindly let us use their pictures for this story, and are the leading authority on all things Disney food! Check out all their Food & Wine Festival Coverage HERE.