An Epicurean Adventure: Our Unforgettable Journey Through Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival

Last week, my husband and I celebrated a significant milestone: our 12th wedding anniversary. To mark this special occasion, he surprised me with the most incredible gift – a magical day spent at one of our absolute favorite places, Epcot! What made this surprise even more perfect was that our visit coincided with Epcot’s renowned annual International Food & Wine Festival. This meant our romantic getaway would transform into a delightful culinary journey around the world, all within the enchanting confines of Disney.

Thanks to my wonderful mom, who graciously looked after our children (who, understandably, were not thrilled to be left out of a Disney day!), we had the rare opportunity to enjoy Epcot without any parental duties. It was truly a precious time for us to reconnect, unwind, and simply savor each other’s company. And of course, the highlight was indulging in an extraordinary array of delicious food and refreshing drinks, all while soaking in the vibrant outdoor atmosphere of the World Showcase.

A Culinary Expedition: Eating and Drinking Around the World

I’m excited to share some of the incredible culinary delights we experienced. We spent a significant part of our day meandering through the World Showcase, sampling dishes and beverages from various countries. The sheer abundance of choices at the Food & Wine Festival is truly astounding, offering everything from savory small plates to exquisite desserts and an extensive selection of drinks. Ironically, despite the festival’s name, “Food & Wine,” I didn’t actually have a single glass of wine throughout the day! While I absolutely adore wine, I also have a deep appreciation for quality craft beers. So, on this particular visit, I opted to explore the diverse beer offerings (along with our traditional, much-anticipated margarita stop in Mexico, of course).

This year, we decided to splurge on Disney annual passes for our family. This fantastic investment means we’ll likely be making another trip to Epcot before the festival concludes. I’m already looking forward to that next visit, where I fully intend to explore the impressive wine selections!

A Humorous Anniversary Mix-Up

Here’s a little anecdote that added some extra laughter to our special day: We spent the entire day enthusiastically celebrating what we believed to be our “lucky 13th” anniversary. We proudly announced it on Facebook and happily shared the news with everyone who inquired at Epcot, especially thanks to the “Happy Anniversary” celebration buttons Disney provides that we were both wearing. We felt that 13 years was a significant milestone, a big anniversary indeed!

Well, as fate would have it, later that evening, my brother (the resident family historian, apparently) gently informed us that it was, in fact, our 12th anniversary. Oops!

As my husband playfully joked, “After having three kids, you just lose track of what year you’re in.” It was a hilarious realization that only added to the charm of our already wonderful day. Despite the slight miscalculation, the sentiment of celebrating our love and partnership remained strong, and the joy of the day was utterly undiminished.

Our Flavorful Favorites: A Detailed Look at Our Epcot Food & Wine Discoveries

Embarking on this gastronomic adventure, we carefully curated our stops to experience a wide range of international flavors. Here’s a detailed look at what we ate and drank:

HAWAII

Kalua Pork Slider with sweet and sour pineapple chutney and spicy mayonnaise: This was an absolute standout, easily one of our top favorites of the entire day! The pork was incredibly tender and flavorful, complemented perfectly by the vibrant sweetness of the pineapple chutney and a delightful kick from the spicy mayonnaise. Each bite was a harmonious blend of sweet, savory, and spicy.
Kona Brewing Company Big Wave Golden Ale: This is a beer we genuinely love. Its refreshing, light-bodied character with subtle hop notes was the perfect pairing for the Hawaiian slider and a great way to start our festival journey under the Florida sun.

SCOTLAND

The Scottish pavilion offered a fascinating blend of traditional and contemporary flavors. We enjoyed:

Vegetarian Haggis with Neeps and Tatties (Griddled vegetable cake with rutabaga and mashed potatoes): This innovative vegetarian take on a classic Scottish dish was surprisingly delicious. The griddled vegetable cake was hearty and savory, beautifully paired with the earthy sweetness of rutabaga (neeps) and creamy mashed potatoes (tatties). It offered a comforting and authentic taste of Scotland.
Fresh Potato Pancake with Smoked Salmon and Herb Sour Cream: This dish was a delight. The potato pancake was perfectly crisp on the outside and tender within, providing a wonderful base for the rich, smoky salmon and the tangy, fresh herb sour cream. It was elegant and satisfying.
Seared Sea Scallop with Spinach-Cheddar Gratin and Crispy Bacon: This dish was a true revelation and one we absolutely LOVED! The scallops were perfectly seared, tender and sweet, creating a fantastic contrast with the creamy, savory spinach-cheddar gratin and the irresistible crunch of crispy bacon. Every element on the plate worked in perfect harmony.

CANADA: A Comforting Classic

No trip to the Epcot Food & Wine Festival is complete without a stop in Canada for their iconic Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup. Even on a scorching 90-degree day, with the sun beating down and us desperately seeking refuge in the shade, this soup is a non-negotiable indulgence. Its rich, creamy texture and intensely cheesy flavor are simply irresistible, offering a comforting warmth that transcends the weather outside. It’s a testament to how good some dishes are that you’ll brave anything for a taste!

A Refreshing Interlude at the Craft Beer Pavilion

Speaking of finding shade, we stumbled upon a true oasis: the Craft Beer Pavilion. This was a fantastic discovery, offering not just a much-needed respite from the heat with its blessed air conditioning, but also an opportunity to sample some excellent cold brews and enjoy an extra snack (as if we needed one!). We enjoyed the crisp and refreshing Goose Island, 312 Urban Wheat (which we absolutely LOVE!) and the light, crisp Florida Beer Company, Sunshine State Pils. It’s always a good idea to factor in a cool-down spot during a hot festival day, and this pavilion delivered perfectly.

PATAGONIA

Our stop in Patagonia brought us two robust and flavorful dishes:

Beef Empanada: The empanada was a delightful treat, featuring a flaky, golden-brown pastry encasing a rich, savory beef filling. It was perfectly seasoned and incredibly satisfying, a true taste of South America.
Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri Sauce and Boniato Puree: This skewer was cooked to perfection, with tender, succulent beef enhanced by the bright, herbaceous kick of chimichurri sauce. The creamy, slightly sweet boniato puree provided a wonderful earthy counterpoint, tying all the flavors together beautifully.

MEXICO: Our Essential Margarita Oasis

A visit to Epcot is never complete without our obligatory margarita stop in the vibrant Mexico Pavilion. This pavilion isn’t just about the fantastic drinks; it’s a sensory experience in itself. The dim lighting, rich decorations, and lively atmosphere make it a perfect escape from the Florida heat and a fascinating place to explore. The margaritas, of course, are always a highlight! My personal favorite is the unique Jalapeno-Cucumber Margarita, which offers a refreshing, slightly spicy, and surprisingly cool taste. This time, we also ventured out to try a frozen Tamarind Margarita, which was wonderfully tangy and exotic.

Beyond the drinks, the Mexico Pavilion is truly captivating. It’s filled with intricate artisanal crafts, live music, and a general festive ambiance that makes you feel transported. If you’re visiting with children, this pavilion is always a hit. It hosts a Kidcot Fun Stop where kids can pick up and color their own masks, adding a creative touch to their day. Plus, there’s a charming boat ride featuring Donald Duck, the Gran Fiesta Tour, which is suitable for all ages and usually has a relatively fast-moving line, making it a great family-friendly attraction.

AFRICA

Our journey continued to Africa, where we savored these exotic and flavorful dishes:

Beef Tenderloin Tips Berbere Style with Okra, Jalapenos and Tomatoes: This dish offered a wonderful blend of textures and spices. The beef tenderloin tips were incredibly succulent, seasoned with the aromatic Berbere spice blend, which provided a warming, complex heat. The fresh okra, bright jalapenos, and juicy tomatoes added vibrant freshness and a delightful crunch.
South African Bobotie with Turkey and Mushrooms: The Bobotie was a comforting and rich dish, featuring a savory mix of turkey and mushrooms topped with a creamy, custard-like layer. It was subtly spiced, offering an intriguing taste of South African cuisine that was both unique and deeply satisfying.

GERMANY: A Surprising Citrus Treat

The Germany Pavilion is consistently a favorite for its hearty food and excellent beer selections. By the time we arrived, however, we were feeling quite full from our global feast. Despite our full bellies, we couldn’t resist when we overheard several people raving about the grapefruit beer. Naturally, curiosity (and our adventurous palates) led us to grab a couple to try. And what a fantastic decision that was! It was surprisingly refreshing and utterly delicious, a perfect blend of crisp beer with a zesty, slightly sweet grapefruit finish. Apparently, these unique brews aren’t too difficult to find; we heard they could even be spotted at places like Walgreens and 7-11 (of all places, ha ha!). It just goes to show you never know what delightful discoveries await at the festival.

AMERICA: A Final Savory Bite

Before our day concluded, we managed to squeeze in one more savory item from the America area: a Florida grass-fed beef slider with pimento cheese. I only managed one bite, but it was absolutely delicious – tender beef paired with creamy, tangy pimento cheese. To wash it down, we enjoyed a refreshing New Belgium Brewing Company Snapshot. Unfortunately, I was so engrossed in the flavors that I completely forgot to snap a picture!

Looking Forward to More Global Flavors

As you can tell from our extensive culinary recap, we had an absolutely fantastic time celebrating our anniversary at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival. It was a day filled with delightful surprises, incredible flavors, and cherished moments of reconnection. We are eagerly hoping to get back to Epcot very soon, ideally before the festival officially ends on November 10th. There are still so many countries to explore and dishes to sample around the rest of the world showcase, and of course, I’m determined to try some actual wine on our next visit!

For anyone planning their own visit to this incredible event, or simply curious about the full spectrum of culinary offerings, The Disney Food Blog is an unparalleled resource. It provides comprehensive menus, photos, and tips to help you navigate the festival like a seasoned pro.

We wish you all a wonderful weekend filled with good food and great company!