Disney World vacations are truly a food lover's paradise. Sure you can feed your junk food addiction in the parks with corn dogs and ice cream while on the go. If you can spare a little time away from all the attractions, you can savor ethnic favorites and delicacies from every part of the globe.
If you are a Disney Foodie like me, October is one of the very best times of the year to visit the parks. It is also the reason why I usually find myself on a diet every September. There happens to be a couple of food events happening concurently that will make your taste buds very happy.
First, there is the EPCOT Food and Wine festival. It kicks off on Sept 27th and runs until Nov. 11, 2013. This year will be the 18th anniversary on this spectacular event. Kiosks abound thoughout Epcot where visitors can taste and sample foods from every place imaginable. Small taste testing portions of all types of foods are offered for between $4.00 - $8.00 (drink prices from $3-$6). Disney Foodie visitors can participate in specialized tastings, culinary demonstrations, Eat To the Beat concerts and VIP chef tours. The Festival Center Wine Shop offers one of the biggest selections of "souvenir bottles" sure to please every Wine lover. This is Disney's ultimate celebration of food.
If you don't want to pay the park admission to EPCOT but just want to enjoy great food, then be sure to check out Downtown Disney's FOODTOPIA which is celebrated Oct. 1st thru the 31st. Restaurants there are offering 3 course fixed menu specials and a non alcoholic drink ranging from $30 -$60 per person (taxes and gratuities are additional). You can enjoy chef's specials from Wolfgang Puck Cafe, Splitsville, Planet Hollywood, Bongo's Cuban Cafe, The House of Blues, Paradiso 37 and The Fulton Crab House.
Foodtopia menus at Downtown Disney are available from 5:30 - 7:00pm daily throughout the month of October. 48 hour advance reservations are required by calling 407/WDW-DINE. Guests can begin to make their FOODTOPIA reservations starting September 28.
But wait, there's more...If you're family would like to make a whole night out of FOODTOPIA, please know that any guest with a FOODTOPIA reservation is also entitled to a 20% discount on tickets to see Cirque du Soleil "La Nouba"!
As with everything Disney...So many choices and so little time. With two trips planned to Disney for October this year I plan on doing a LOT of eating - and a LOT of walking in the parks to make up for it all! Be sure to LIKE on our DiswithKids Facebook Page and follow my Disney Foodie adventures.
Update - 11/4/13 The spanakopita from Greece was my all time personal favorite from this year's Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Probably the closest I've had to the homemade one that my best friend's grandma used to make for me every Christmas.
