My favorite Walt Disney World event is quickly approaching-- the 18th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival presented by Chase is running from Sept. 27-Nov. 11, 2013. 2013. The 46-day festival, the longest to date, will be serving up authentic cuisine from six continents as well as wine, beer and inventive new cocktails.
I know I'm counting down the days -- what about you!?
In the meantime, here are some fun facts about the 18th annual event:
- More than 300 national and international wines
- A record 46 days long, the festival began in 1996 with a first run of 30 days
- More than 220 food-and-beverage menu items, each tapas-sized portion or drink priced $3-$8
- 100-plus celebrity chefs and 160 Walt Disney World chefs
- More than 300 wine and beer seminars take place during the 46-day festival
- More than 1,200 fireworks exploding each night over World Showcase Lagoon in “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth”
- 138 Eat to the Beat! concerts performed; 6 bands appearing for the first time at this year’s festival
- The festival’s Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog is refilled three times during the course of the 46-day event, using a total of 910,000 cranberries or more than 3,000 pounds of the sweet-tart fruit
- 1.5 million sumptuous samplings throughout the festival
- 300,000 wine servings — if laid end-to-end the number of wine glasses used would reach from Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista to the Disney Cruise Line terminal at Port Canaveral, Fla.
- 360,000 beer servings, enough to fill the aquariums 5 times over at Rainforest Café at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- 100,000 dessert servings including the dessert trio of Cherry Pistachio Mousse, Orange Cupcake and Hazelnut Cheesecake.
- More than 500 pounds of watermelon is expected to be tasted at the “3D” Disney’s Dessert Discovery parties
- More than 80,000 servings dished up of the most popular savory item at the 2012 international marketplaces: the “Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter Sauce from Canada
Colleen
My mom would really enjoy something like this. I'm not much of a wine drinker but she would have a great time.
Rachel @ Following In My Shoes
I've wanted to attend this BECAUSE of your past blog posts. It always looks/sounds amazing!
Robin Gagnon {Mom Foodie}
It's cool that it runs that long. Gives people a better opportunity to schedule in a visit.
Kathleen
We went to this the last weekend the year before last, and while it was crowded, we absolutely loved it. The boys had a blast exploring new foods.
Angela
I just love the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot. Sure wish I could make it there this year!
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins
My husband would love something like this because he loves wine and food lol.
Lisa
This looks like a ton of fuN!
Tricia @ Night owl mama
such interesting facts I love reading things like this
Marcie W.
My mom is a big Epcot fan but I have never been. I would sure love to take her to this festival and have some kid free fun!
Jenn- The Rebel Chick
Ohhhhh this sounds like it is going to be an amazing event.
Tammy
I've never been to Epcot during that time, but I have always wanted to - I'd enjoy it so much!
Toni
I was just reading all about this the other day somewhere...I told my husband I am going to go one year to this.
Emily
One day I will attend this!
Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy.com
We went one year and it was crazy busy. If we go back, we will not take the kids.
LyndaS
I would so LOVE to go there if WDW wants to bring me along as "press." I love Epcot is my favorite theme park.