When I speak to adults now about Disney, they always refer to their children or their childhood memories. “I cannot wait until my child is old enough to go to Disney World.” “I went as a little kid, but I have not been back in fifteen years.” I find it such a shame that this is the case. Disney has done extremely well at marketing the ultimate family gathering destination; however, to me, they have missed the mark when expressing to adults how great of a vacation place it is.
With PGA golf courses, exquisite spas, and world famous chefs, Disney has what many vacation destinations desire and more. Their own brewery onsite at the Boardwalk Resort, hiking and fishing spots, luxury sleeping quarters... they truly have something for everyone.
When talking to others about how Disney is perfect for adults, the most popular activity that perks up the ears to is “drinking around the world”. I could talk about it for days; however, it is simply what it sounds like. You drink around the world, meaning you start at one end of Epcot’s World Showcase, and drink your way through each of the countries until you cover the entire world (showcase). Drunkenness is not taken lightly at Disney, so be prepared. Drink only what you can handle and what is acceptable to partake in with 50,000 little ones running around you at all angles. Be an adult, and drink wisely.
The Disney's Food and Wine Festival is the most hidden gem of the Epcot Park. While hundreds of parents are standing in line to see Mickey at the Magic Kingdom, only a couple miles away, there is fine dining and sought after liquor to be found.
I first heard of Disney’s Food and Wine Festival in 2005 when I was blessed with the experience of taking an internship there. With Disney’s strict, no underage drinking rules, I kept myself at a distance and did not go with my colleagues to explore the tastes of the worlds. I promised myself, however, that I would one day return to enjoy the delights of this celebration.
During the weeks of the festival, multiple countries are added to the World Showcase to enhance the food tasting and drinking experience. Find a passport in the gifts shops between Future World and the World Showcase to get stamped at each country and you’re off!
A must stop is Argentina’s grilled beef skewers with chimichurri sauce and boniato puree or Australia’s grilled lamb chop with potato-goat cheese salad and Shiraz reduction. Doesn’t sound like something you would eat every day? I didn’t think so either, but that’s the beauty of the Food and Wine Festival. I always love to get a Disney gift card, which happens to come on a handy scrunchy bracelet for the event and try new things. Before ever coming to one of the events, I had never tried lamb, chimichurri sauce, Korean BBQ, ice wine, or shrimp cake. It is all now included in the best food I have ever had.
In addition to the food and wine specials throughout the park, the entertainment is enhanced through Epcot’s Eat to the Beat series. Artists like Boyz 2 Men, Sugar Ray, and Hansen all take the stage various nights throughout the festival. Entertainment is included in the cost of the theme park ticket! Here is a list of festival's line up this year.
Each year I seem to get a bit nostalgic around the time of the Food and Wine Festival. This year will mark nine years since I made the moved down to Orlando for the semester. It was one of the greatest experiences I have had in my lifetime. I have made the trip for the festival by myself, with my cousin, and with my husband. Just a few weeks short, I did not make it for the festival this year; however, visiting the celebration gives me a bit of home from the semester of my life.
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