Food and Wine 2014

The 2014 Food & Wine Festival is looming (Sept 19th-Nov 10th).    Remember when it used to be only 3 weeks?



Now that the list of kiosks and menus is out,

 food-wine-marketplaces

 I've been working diligently to make my list of must haves and wanna tries.     Note: This takes several trips!


  Must haves:
 
Belgium: Belgian Waffle - chocolate -or- berry compote ?? Mmm, undecided, probably....both!  Potato and Leek waffle? Undecided.

Canada: Cheddar cheese soup & Filet Mignon. Definitely.

France: Beef Bourguinon and Creme Broulee. Absolutely.

Hawaii: Pork Slider. Another definite.

Hops & Barley: Florida Beef slider and carrot cake.

Mexico: Rib-eye taco, sweet corn cheese cake.

Scotland: Vegetarian Haggis. I was very pleasantly surprised by this last year.  And the Crannachan (new).

Fife & Drum: Ghirardelli Sundae.  Uh oh. Trouble here. I love Ghirardelli's

Intermissions Cafe: Key Lime tart.

  Wanna Tries:

Desserts: Frozen s'mores (beverage). Sounds interesting.

New Zealand: Venison sausage. Not me, Hubby wants to try it.

 Puerto Rico: Sorullitos and bolitas de queso.

Refreshment Port: Croissant doughnut and the Dole Fruit Squish'em. 

   AND don't forget: 

Only a few Must Sees this year:

Richard Marx  (Oct 13-14)  My sis and I see ALL of his shows everytime he's here (which is not often enough).

Wilson Phillips (Oct 27-28) Missed 'em last time.

.38 Special  (Nov 1-2)  Love the boys from Jax! Donnie Van Zant will be missed!

Star Wars Weekends 2014

May 16 - June 15

Disney Hollywood Studios: Star Wars Weekends

NEW this year:

the "Star Wars" Dine-In Galactic Breakfast! at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant. 

At dinner, Disney characters get dressed up for Jedi Mickey's "Star Wars" Dine at Hollywood & Vine. 

Both of these exciting new character dining experiences will be offered only from May 4 through June 15, 2014.

Check it out here: May-the-fourth-be-with-you

Disney Parks Video

Disney Picture of the Day

Hilarious

Food & Wine 2013

Did the Kiosk & menu list come out later this year?
Seems like it to me, but then I (ever hopeful) begin looking for it in June!

Alas, this year I have some dietary restrictions. No spicy stuff. No coffee. No wine. Bummer.

But.
Terra will have fresh watermelon juice and the Refreshment Port will have Orange Dole Whip.

So here's the rest of my list (yes, I learned many Food & Wines ago to make a list - and also to get the wristband card!):

Brazil: x

Argentina: grilled beef skewer

Australia: Pavolova (sounds good)

Mexico: Taco de ribeye (yesss!) & rice pudding

Singapore: Lemongrass Chicken Curry (maybe)

China: Chicken potstickers & Silky Spun Ice in 3 flavors
(new, sounds yummy)

South Korea: x

Africa: Spinach and Paneer Cheese Pocket

Cheese: x

Brewer's Collection: x

Germany: Schinken Nudel, Roast Bratwurst & Apple strudel

Poland: Zapiekanki

Italy: x

American Adventure Coffee Cart: x

Hops & Barley: x

Florida Local: Beef Slider

Japan: Green tea Colada (maybe)

Morocco: Baklava

New Zealand: x

Belgium: 2 Belgian waffles this year! Must try BOTH:
              1 with warm chocolate ganache
              1 with berry compote
The Chilled coffee with Godiva chocolate is off my list. Major Bummer. otherwise, definitely.

France: Braised short ribs, Creme Broulee

Ireland: warm chocolate pudding (maybe)

Canada: Cheddar cheese soup, Filet mignon

Greece: Griddled cheese, spanakopita

Refreshment port: pineapple fritters (sounds interesting), fried chicken chunks with pineapple sauce (maybe), orange dole whip

Desserts & Champagne: cherry pistachio mousse (sounds good)

Hawaii: pork slider (definitely)

Scotland (NEW): vegetarian haggis, Banoffee tart (maybe)

September 27th - November 11th

Let the Farce Be With Us!

It's almost time for Stars Wars Weekends!

Where: Disney's Hollywood Studios

  When: May 17- June 9  2013/ Fri-Sat-Sun

All Photos: WDW

October 31st

On a stormy Halloween night in 1939, five people stepped aboard a Hollywood Tower Hotel elevator and into a nightmare.

So begins the ride spiel for the best ride at WDW.

... and on October 31, 1995

The first Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

takes place at Magic Kingdom Park.

 

So began the most fun event with the best parade held at the MK.

Food and Wine 2012

 The kiosk and Menu list is finally out!

 2012 Epcot F & W Festival Marketplace booths & menus

New kiosks this year are Florida and Terra.

I learned years ago that having a PLAN will save lots of time AND $$.

And yes, I've already made my list:

 

Argentina
Beef Empanada
Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri Sauce and Boniato Purée

Australia
Lamington

Beverage Selections: Rosemount Estate Traminer Riesling

Belgium
Belgian Waffle with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream
Guylian Belgian Chocolate Seashell Truffles

Beverage Selections: Godiva Chocolate Liqueur Iced Coffee

Brewer’s Collection

Canada
Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup
Chicken Chipotle Sausage with Sweet Corn Polenta and “Minus 8″ Onion Jam
“Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter Sauce

Beverage Selections: Neige Première Apple Ice Wine

Caribbean Islands

Ropa Vieja with Cilantro Rice
Jerk Spiced Chicken Drumstick with Mango Chutney

Beverage Selections: Bacardi® Torched Cherry Frozen Cherry Limeade

Cheese

China
Mongolian Beef with Chinese Steamed Bun
Pork Pot Stickers
Chicken Satay with Spicy Peanut Sauce and Pickled Vegetables
Mango Tapioca Pudding

Craft Beers

Desserts & Champagne
Yogurt Panna Cotta with Orange Cake, Raspberries and Pomegranate
Lemon Custard Verrine with Blueberry Compote
Dark Chocolate Mousse with Chili and Salted Caramel

Beverage Selections: Nesquick Frozen Chocolate Foam & Nesquick Frozen Strawberry Foam

Fife and Drum

 

Florida <– New!
White Corn Arepa with Mangalitsa Pork Rilette and Zellwood Sweet Corn Salad
Beverage Selections:
Florida Orange Grove Key Limen / Florida Orange Grove Hurricane Class 5, Florida White Sangria

France

 

Germany
Schinken Nudel (Pasta Gratin with Ham and Cheese)
Roast Bratwurst in a Pretzel Roll
Apple Strudel with Karamel-Vanilla Sauce

Greece
Greek Salad with Pita Bread
Griddled Greek Cheese with Pistachios and Honey
Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki
Spanakopita

Hawaii
Kalua Pork Slider with Sweet and Sour Dole Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise

Hops & Barley

Ireland
Kerrygold Cheese: Aged-Irish Cheddar, Dubliner & Cashel Blue with Apple Chutney & Brown Bread
Warm Chocolate Lava Cake with Bailey’s Ganache

Beverage Selections: Bunratty Mead Honey Wine & Bunratty Potcheene Chilled Irish Coffee

Italy
Ravioli di Formaggio All’emiliana (Baked Cheese Ravioli, Creamy Beef Bolognese, Parmesan, Mozzarella)
Salsiccia e “Papacelli” Napoletani (Sweet Sausage, Red Pepper, Ciaibatta Bread)
Cannoli al Cioccolato (Chocolate-Covered Cannoli filled with Ricotta, Chocolate, Candied Fruit)

Beverage Selections: Prosecco Zardetto

Japan
Sukiyaki Beef Pan (Marinated Thin Sliced Rib Eye with Sauteed Onions and Teriyaki Sauce in a Bun)

Mexico
Taco de Filete with Cascabel Pepper Sauce and Scallions Served on a Flour Tortilla
Natilla de Cajeta (Caramel Custard Served with Sauce)

Beverage Selections: Lime Strawberry Margarita On the Rocks

Morocco
Kefta Pocket (Ground Seasoned Beef in a Pita Pocket)
Baklava

New Zealand

Poland
Zapiekanki-Toasted Mushroom, Caramelized Onion and Cheese Bread with House Made Ketchup

Scandinavia
Singapore

South Africa
Seared Filet of Beef with Smashed Sweet Potatoes and Braai Sauce
Spinach and Paneer Cheese Pocket

South Korea
Lettuce Wrap with Roast Pork and Kimchi Slaw

Terra <– New!
Trick’n Chick’n Curry with Basmati Rice featuring Gardein Chick’n Breast
Chili Colorado with House Made Chips & Cashew Cheese, featuring Gardein Beefless Tips
Chocolate Cake with Passion Fruit Sorbet and Coconut Foam

PS: I have an Eat to the Beat list, too!

Eat to the Beatles

Epcot's Food and Wine Festival is one of my most favorite things at WDW and the Eat to the Beat concerts are part of that.

There are some that I enjoy more than others (Richard Marx!),

some that I miss (The Ventures),

and some that have never been, but would absolutely love to see (The Everly Brothers, Huey Lewis and the News).

Have you heard the rumor that the  sons of the Fab Four  might form a band? Can you imagine the crowds that THEY would draw? Of course, they would more than likely play the Amway Center before America Gardens Theater, but wouldn't it be great if they would come over and sing some of their dads' songs?

 James McCartney, Dhani Harrison, Zak Starkey, Sean Lennon

Disney World 2012

2012 Major Disney World Events

March 7-May 20

9th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

Flower Power concerts!!

May

a partial (phased) opening of the new value resort, Art of Animation

May 18-20  &  May 25-27

June 1-3  &  June 8-10         

Star Wars Weekends 

 May the Force be with us!

Sept 28-Nov 11

17th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

International food kiosks!        

             Eat to the Beat concerts!!

September - November

Mickey's Not-so-Scary Halloween Party

Boo to You  ...  and you !!

October 1st

Epcot's 30th anniversary 

November-December

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

aaaaaaand ...

the (phased) opening of the new expanded (almost doubled)

Fantasyland

Be Our Guest!

a new Test Track experience

Splitsville

(a 50,000 sq ft upscale bowling alley/entertainment center)

Sounds Great!

....  But  .....

whatever happened to Hyperion Wharf  ??

Food & Wine 2011

 
The International marketplace kiosk menus are  posted here.

Ummmmm. What's on my list this year?


Argentina:
  Beef Empanada
  Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri Sauce and Boniato Puré

Australia:
  Lamington Cake

Belgium:
  Belgian Waffle with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream
  Guylian Belgian Chocolate Seashell Truffles
  Godiva Chocolate Iced Coffee
 
Brazil  (NEW):
  Feijoada - Brazil's National Dish 

Canada:
  Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup
  Chicken Chipotle Sausage with Sweet Corn Polenta

Caribbean  (NEW):
  Vieja Ropa
  Frozen Dragon berry Colada
  Frozen Rock Coconut Mojito

China:

  Xinjang BBQ Chicken stick

  Caramel-ginger Ice cream 
  Green tea Plum Wine Cooler

France:
  Coq au Vin
  Créme Brulée au Chocolate au Lait

Germany:
  Goulash Suppe

   Neurnberger sausage in Pretzel roll

  Apple strudel w/ caramel and vanilla sauce

Greece:
  Griddled Greek Cheese with Pistachios and Honey

Hawaii  (NEW):
  Kalua Pork Slider with Sweet & Sour Dole Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise
  Seven Tiki Mai Tai

Hops & Barley:
  Pumpkin Mousse with Ocean Spray Craisins and Orange Sauce

Italy:
  Ravioli Di Formaggio all'Emiliana
  Cannoli al Cioccolato

Ireland:
  Warm Chocolate Lava Cake with Baileys Irish Cream Ganache

Mexico:
  Rib eye Tacos
  Flan
  Lime Strawberry Margarita on the Rocks

Morocco:
  Harissa Chicken Roll
  Baklava

New Zealand
Poland

Portugal  (NEW):
  Linguica Sausage with Onions, Peppers and Olives

Scandinavia:
  Swedish Meatballs with Lingonberries
  Rice Pudding with Driscoll's® Only The Finest Berries™
  Xante ????

Singapore:
  Beef Rendang (coconut braised beef) with Jasmine Rice
  Singapore Sling

South Africa:
  Seared Filet of Beef with smashed Sweet Potatoes and Braai Sauce
  Bunny Chow (Vegetable Curry served in a Bread Loaf)

South Korea:
  Boolgogi BBQ Beef with steamed Rice and KimchiMyung Jak
  Bokbunjajoo (New Raspberry Wine)
  Bohae Bokbunjajoo (Black Raspberry Rice Wine)

USA (Fife & Drum)
 Frozen Red Stag Lemonade by Jim Beam

Yes, I'm already saving up for this.
And yes, it just might take TWO visits.


Eat to the Beat Concerts

Ooooh, the Gin Blossoms.

Richard Marx will be back   YAY !!

Good Night Grad Night

Last night was the last Grad Night at WDW's Magic Kingdom, a tradition since 1972* that will be missed by future high school seniors.
 
Why would Disney cancel such a popular event?

"Because of concerns about scheduling and handling extra spring attendance at the Florida theme park....increased spring attendance has made it difficult to schedule the separate-ticket, after-hours events."


Grad Nights necessitate closing the Magic Kingdom at 7p.m., not a popular move with the folks paying to stay in the resorts (and who would spend more bucks at the parks than than the kids).

So now Disney World will offer Florida school groups a one-day, one-park ticket for $55 as a future alternative.

Aha. Disney has figured out that instead of having busloads of kids come in for 5 hours on four nights of the year and closing the MK to thousands of resort guests, it might be better (=more profitable) for these kids to come on personal graduation trips, most likely with their families.

Hey, I'm not complaining and neither are most of the Cast Members who worked these usually raucous events.

* In 2009 Disney tried it out at the Studios, but apparently there were mucho complaints about that because of fewer rides and attractions.

Star Wars Weekends 2011

Star Wars Weekends return to Disney's Hollywood Studios on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from May 20th-June 12th.

The new and improved Star Tours will also return as a 3-D attraction.

C-3PO, also known as Anthony Daniels, will be the featured guest for at least the first weekend.

Personally, I'd love to see THIS guy:

Food & Wine 2010 Review

My son and his bride planned their trip to visit us (and Mickey) during the Food & Wine Festival this year.

I picked up a couple of "Passports" and we stopped at all of the kiosks to get the stamps, plus the Festival center to get the final one.

Although we didn't sample everything, here is our review of those we did:

On a scale of YUMMY to YUCKY

YUMMY:

*** The waffles (Belgium) - Unanimous approval
*** Braised short ribs (France) - seconds-worthy
*** Cherry Colada (Puerto Rico) - OLE!!
*** Chicken Chipotle Sausage (Canada) - even hard-to please hubby liked this
*** Vidal Icewine (Canada) - better than last year; hubby liked this, too

** Creme Brulee au Chocolat (France)
** Pecan Bread Pudding (Hops & Barley)
    *note: the 1st one was quite good, the 2nd one was slightly less so & had only one pecan
** Rosemount Traminer Riesling (Australia)
** Ginger Ice Cream (China)
** Chocolate Lava Cake with Baileys Irish Cream Ganache (Ireland)
** Bunratty Meade Honey Wine (Ireland)

* Godiva Iced chocolate (Belgium) - might've liked it better if the ice had been crushed

* Spanish Almond Cake (Spain) - pound cake with almonds, but tasty
* Bohae Bokbunjajoo/blackberry rice wine (South Korea) - too strong for me, but the Boy liked it

SO-SO:

* Esquites (Mexico)- eh
* Churro (Mexico) - not crispy, almost on the yuck list
* Wafu Ribettes (Japan) - eh
* Pork Pot Stickers (China) - not hot, not as good as last year
* Kinjiang BBQ Chicken Stick (China)- eh
* Green Tea Plum Wine Cooler (China) - not as good as last year
* Lettuce wraps with pork & kimchi sauce (South Korea)

YUCKY:

- BBQ short rib (South Korea) - even tho the sauce was tasty, overall very disappointing
- Heirloom Tomatoes (US) - didn't even finish this
- Bison Chili (US) - unanimous vote for the yuck-o-meter
- Cheese Fondue (Charcuterie & Cheese) - bleech

We got the gift cards on the wrist bands this year and I have to say that they were a unanimous hit! We'll definitely use them next year (for which we're already saving $$$$).

Food and Wine 2010

The Marketplace list has been released.

What!!
No Boboti ?!?  No Durban Spiced Chicken (South Africa) ?!?
No Frozen Baileys (Ireland) ??


But wait.
The Godiva Iced Chocolate Coffee (Belgium) does sound good!
Ireland will offer a warm chocolate lava cake with Baileys Irish Cream Ganache.

And as long as the Green Tea Plum Wine Cooler (China) and the Pecan Bread Pudding (Hops & Barley) are as delicious as they were last year, I'll be happeee!!

Star Wars Weekends Are Back

Star Wars Weekends return to Disney's Hollywood Studios on May 21-23,  May28-30, June 4-6, and June 11-13.

This year they're saluting the 30th anniversary of "The Empire Strikes Back" ( the best of the series, IMHO).


And this year you can meet a new character:

 R2-MK

Jedi Mickey's new droid

And the Jedi Training Academy, always fun to watch, will 'double the villainy' as the young Padawans face off against Darth Vader and Darth Maul.


Photo:
Orlando Attractions

Food & Wine in '09

I'm laughing because as I was typing the title, I kept hitting $ instead of & ... and as anyone who has been to Epcot's Food and Wine Festival knows, $ might be more appropriate!

Anyhooo ...

The 2009 Food and Wine ( September 25th - November 8th) Food Kiosk list has been released ... see it HERE

There have been a few changes:

No Durban Spiced Chicken skewers at the South Africa kiosk;
(guess I'll have to go to Boma's )

No Frozen Bailey's at Ireland's booth.
(there's an $8 saving)

OH. Waitaminnit.

South Africa is offering something new:
South seared beef tenderloin with sweet potato puree and mango barbecue sauce.

And there are new kiosks from Thailand and Rio de Janerio.

So much for saving any $$.

Peter and the Noonatics

If it's Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot, it's Flower Power time!

If it's Flower Power time, I gotta see Herman's Hermits!

These guys always put on a good show.
No, wait. A great show!

They always look like they are having as much fun as the audience.

H H always pack the America Garden Theatre.
And part of the pack are the Noonatics, members of Herman/Peter Noone's fan club.

The first several rows, stage right, are reserved for these folks, and let me say this, they are almost as much fun to watch as Peter/Herman and the Hermits.

Photo from Peter's website: PeterNoone.com

Mickey -vs- (Bloody) Mary

Halloween Horror Nights are Universal Studios' annual paean to scary things.

And I do mean scary.

This year's theme is
Reflections of Fear

Featuring Bloody Mary and a host of scarifying Urban Legends.

Nope. Not for wussy me. Nuh-uh.

Although .... I would love to see the Rocky Horror Picture Show Tribute. Maybe Time Warp with Frank 'n Friends.

And Bill and Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure sounds like fun.

But. You have to go through the Scare Zones to see the shows.

So. Nope.

I'll be over at Mickey's place, front row at the Boo To You Parade.

Photo: Jack Spence / Allears.net

Epcot's Food & Wine (and Baileys) Festival

Epcot's annual Food and Wine Festival is not for anyone
   1) on a diet and
   2) on a budget.

And I'm not even talking about the special events like the Gala Dinner following the Bocuse D'Or (tickets are $450).

I'm talking about the kiosks located all around the World Showcase that offer samples of entrees, desserts, wine, beer, etc.

The hubby and I went yesterday for the 'soft opening'.
We stopped at 5 of the 26-or so kiosks; we shared goodies and spent $30.
Just about 1/4 of that was for the Baileys frozen coffee at the Cork (Ireland) kiosk. Which, BTW, was worth it.

When my sis comes down in a couple of weeks. I get to do it all again.
And sis, we're each getting our own Baileys.

MNSSHP

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

This annual event occurs on select nights September through October at WDW's Magic Kingdom and is one of the funnest things ever!

The biggest question is NOT whether to Go or Not Go - But whether or not to dress up.

This will be the 4th year in a row that my sis and I have been.

We love seeing all of the innovative costumes ...
my last year's favorite was Larry the Cable Guy & Son (who was about 2) with matching shirts, hats, and sideburns.

We love watching the dance parties ...
Oogie Boogie on down!

We love the trick or treating ...
which usually turns out to be a competition to see who can get the most chocolate goodies. (some sisterly things never change)

We love the 'Happy Hallowishes' fireworks and the Villains!

We love the 'Boo to You' parade ...
this is absolutely the best parade at WDW
and my personal favorite thing about MNSSHP.

The parade is preceded by the Headless Horseman galloping through the park - a must see!

2008 Dates:

September 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 28, 30
October 2, 5, 7, 9, 10, 13, 16, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 30, & 31

Official MNSSHP Info Here

Photo: AllEars.net