EPCOT’s Meals & Wine Competition is its weakest occasion of the 12 months. We’ve been saying this for a number of years–that regardless of its recognition and standing as Walt Disney World’s flagship competition, it rests on its status and legacy because the oldest EPCOT occasion. There was some extent when this may’ve been a sizzling take or controversial opinion. Since 2020, it’s pretty simple–even when it’s a tricky reality for longtime WDW diehards.
The explanation that the EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Competition is the worst occasion of the 12 months is comparatively easy. It nearly fully revolves across the International Marketplaces at this level, with just about the whole lot else having been minimize because the ‘Style of’ occasions began in 2020. To make sure, there are different enhancements, however in addition they exist at each single different EPCOT competition.
The distinction is that every one of these different EPCOT festivals additionally provide meals, however have one thing else along with that. Meals and humanities. Meals and gardens. Meals and holidays. It’s not simply the opposite stuff being icing on the proverbial cake. I’d additionally argue that the opposite festivals arguably have higher delicacies. Flower & Backyard has develop into a powerhouse in the previous couple of years with recent and refreshing dishes. Competition of the Arts is ingenious and artfully offered.
In equity, EPCOT’s “worst” competition remains to be superb. Along with wanting to write down this submit for some time, I’ve additionally had a submit in drafts titled “EPCOT’s Festivals Are A Minimize Above.” That concept was prompted by the delicacies for Meals & Wine Festivals at Disney California Journey and even my beloved Tokyo DisneySea, whereas pale compared to the EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition from a culinary perspective.
Level being, I don’t need this to be a ‘grass is all the time greener’ submit. EPCOT remains to be a culinary powerhouse, and whilst cuts have been made in the previous couple of years, it’s honest to say the final couple of years (not 2024) have seen the very best menus ever at EPCOT’s Flower & Backyard Competition. The EPCOT Competition of the Arts likewise continues to impress, even with some cutbacks through the overhaul.
The fact is that EPCOT’s festivals have ebbs and flows. We’d yearn for the previous when wanting by way of the rose-colored glasses of nostalgia, however these occasions weren’t good both–and there are lots of methods issues have gotten higher over time.
The objective of this submit is to marry previous and current, with my ‘want checklist’ for issues I’d wish to see return to the 2024 EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Competition. The occasion is moving into a brand new period with the completion of CommuniCore Corridor and the top of the EPCOT overhaul, and I’d like for that to be accompanied by a banner 12 months for the large occasion. To that finish, right here’s what I’d wish to see change…
Fewer Heavy Dishes – One other submit concept that has been caught in draft purgatory for some time is “Too Many Disney Selections Are Made From Consolation.” The overall thought of that’s that decision-makers seemingly don’t account for the climate realities of Central Florida when planning issues from their air-conditioned workplaces and convention rooms.
The concept for that submit was born after consuming a half-dozen new dishes ultimately 12 months’s Meals & Wine Competition throughout 110° (not a typo) “looks like” warmth. However it simply as simply might’ve been written whereas getting rained on in Toy Story Land and having nowhere indoors to go (apart from restrooms) or whereas strolling across the many new areas which have extra-hot pavement because of no shade. The culinary group engaged on the next 12 months’s EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition menus needs to be doing so outdoors, in August and September whereas making an attempt dishes from their very own menus at random.
That might yield fewer stews, soups, meats and potatoes–and hopefully extra seafood and plant-forward (not pretend meat) dishes. There are limitless prospects for objects which might be refreshing and applicable for Florida’s limitless summers. It will be nice to see extra of these at an occasion that spans September. What I’d actually like to see is a couple of cubicles like EPCOT Farmers Feast at Flower & Backyard, which does rotating seasonal menus. It’s an excellent sales space and an excellent method!
Competition Heart – The opening of CommuniCore Corridor ought to handle this, however I nonetheless have lingering considerations that the occasions area inside that purpose-built pavilion within the heart of World Celebration received’t provide fairly as a lot because the Wonders of Life Competition Heart (particularly when paired with World ShowPlace and/or the Odyssey).
The Wonders pavilion was residence to quite a lot of surprising little surprises, equivalent to DCA’s pleasant Seasons of the Vine movie, Ghirardelli’s Chocolate Expertise, Junior Chef Kitchen classes, e book and wine bottle signings, buying, and a bunch of different issues I’m most likely forgetting because it’s been so lengthy since this area was used. (I assume there was a Disney Junior Dance Celebration and stuff with the forged from “The Chew” however I’m not 100% sure.)
Once more, lots of the Meals & Wine Competition choices will presumably return and take residence inside CommuniCore Corridor. That might be unbelievable. I’m simply skeptical a few of this ‘little stuff’ will make the transfer, as Walt Disney World received’t wish to dedicate prime actual property to 3rd celebration sponsors or minor choices. I hope to be unsuitable, and for the CommuniCore Corridor to be the very best competition heart but!
Celebration for the Senses – There have been lots of upcharge choices at previous variations of the EPCOT Worldwide Competition of the Arts, and I wish to say there have been extra in 2018 (the next 12 months is when development began and issues began to get barely scaled again) than every other 12 months in EPCOT historical past. Simply an enormous checklist of celeb chef and different meals or tastings, a few of which have been outdoors EPCOT at Signature Eating places and elsewhere.
Whereas it’d be good to see a few of these return, a lot of them have been tremendous restricted in capability and have been one-off choices. The most important exception to that was Celebration for the Senses, which was constantly some of the in style upcharge occasions happening at Walt Disney World. To my recollection, this was the most important of the upcharges on the EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition, at the very least as measured by dates and whole capability. Celebration for the Senses additionally had an enormous fan following, and is the occasion we’re requested about greater than every other.
Throughout Celebration for the Senses, a particular host leads the night’s festivities as friends eat, drink, and have fun. This normally options dozens of tasting stations and numerous dishes…and in addition a excessive price ticket, at $250+ per particular person. Truthfully, given how steep value will increase have been since 2019, if this does return it’ll most likely value over $400…at which level it’s a no-go for us. We’ll persist with the Meals & Wine Basic at Swan & Dolphin! Nonetheless, it’d be good to see this and the opposite dear particular occasions return. If not for us, for the longtime Meals & Wine followers who love these items.
Extra Ingenious Menus – Look, I’m a Disney blogger. I’ve taken a solemn oath to help french fries and mac & cheese. And even absent these commandments mandating that I like these dishes, I’m a sucker for comforting delicacies. The issue, as I see it, is that Disney has leaned approach too closely into consolation meals at these festivals. That’s not simply an EPCOT downside–DCA has accomplished the very same.
The “downside” right here is that Disney appears to be giving friends what they need, as an alternative of dishes they by no means knew they’d take pleasure in. We’ve written scathing evaluations of the french fry sales space, hen wings sales space, and donut sales space within the years these have been supplied. (Not a lot with the mac & cheese sales space, as these dishes have been unbelievable.)
We have been nearly alone in these assessments. The Fry Basket has garnered rave evaluations, and lots of pleasure amongst Walt Disney World followers. A few of the longest strains on the competition are for dishes or drinks which might be colourful or fashionable, having prolonged lists of components…nearly all of that are synthetic flavors and colours.
We’re hardly meals snobs, however that is alleged to be Walt Disney World’s flagship foodie occasion…french fries shouldn’t be the large new spotlight. (Sorry, not sorry.) There may be room for cute and/or comforting delicacies. Stuff like that’s lots of enjoyable! The SPAM Hash (RIP) on the Hawaii sales space was an excellent instance of this, the kind of dish that’s each comforting, enjoyable and distinctive.
That kind of dish needs to be the blueprint for Meals & Wine Competition, and Disney ought to provide objects which might be ingenious and attention-grabbing whereas additionally being approachable and in style. Issues that shock and delight friends’ style buds, introducing them to new dishes from all over the world…not issues that may be completely at residence on the youngsters menu at McDonald’s.
Bigger Menus – One straightforward technique to accomplish the above objective is making menus bigger. Or reasonably, restoring menus to what they have been just some years in the past. This has gotten particularly unhealthy as of 2024, with the primary two festivals of the 12 months eliminating 1-2 dishes per menu just about throughout the board.
The one exception to this has been the cubicles by third celebration working members. That’s just about the precise reverse of what we wish to see. If solely Italy can be so merciful to solely topic us to a few overpriced, microwaved dishes as an alternative of a half-dozen!
I assume this streamlining has occurred for the sake of effectivity, as strains have gotten longer as cubicles battle to maintain up with visitor demand. There are a couple of options to this, from higher staffing within the kitchens to fewer ordering stations (use the DCA system of permitting ordering from one kiosk for all of them) to introducing extra competition objects at counter service menus to unfold out demand.
Culinary Seminars & Demonstrations – Whereas the unique and dear choices like Celebration for the Senses and meals with celeb cooks have cult followings, the low-cost demonstrations are extra our velocity. In reality, these seminars are (have been) our favourite facet of the EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition.
At $15 to $20 every, they provide much more than the free seminars, and lots of instances the samples you obtain at these seminars are a greater worth than what you’d obtain if you happen to merely went round to cubicles and ordered objects. Along with the samples, you obtain primary background info and a few entertaining displays.
These seminars are usually not geared to the identical degree of foodie viewers because the particular occasion meals, nor are the samples of the identical caliber, however you get what you pay for. We have now accomplished a number of of those, and so they usually provide the very best worth on the EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition. These low-cost seminars provide a great primer to the subject coated, plus fairly good samples.
A few of these was once free approach again within the day, however I don’t recall any of those that present meals or alcohol being free in 2018-2019. And actually, that’s nice by us. As Walt Disney World has grown in recognition and the native viewers elevated, the identical followers with a surplus of time clogged up these occasions by ready in line for hours for them (over and over). Offering a slight barrier to entry eradicated that, and improved issues for vacationers with restricted trip time. (I’m guessing that’s going to be an unpopular opinion, however oh effectively.)
BeaverTails – This was supposed to occur final 12 months, however didn’t. For those who missed that curler coaster, try BeaverTails Are Gone Once more…Already?! My guess is that Disney’s culinary group didn’t notice BeaverTails was a protected trademark and have been going to make a knock-off model…however nonetheless name them “Beaver Tails” (with the area).
No matter what occurred, that is the 12 months to convey again BeaverTails. Hopefully Disney has labored out an settlement with the precise Canadian firm to convey the delicacy again after a two-decade hiatus. However even when not, make their very own knock-off model and simply name it one thing totally different. In some way, the folks demand these pastries!
For many who are unfamiliar with them, BeaverTails has been an iconic indulgence in Canada since 1978, and right this moment mix the unique recipe with premium high quality components. Served piping-hot, the hand-stretched whole-wheat pastries are each crispy and chewy on the identical time. BeaverTails actually are iconic in Canada, having been eaten by Matt Damon, Ron MacLean, Ed Sheeran, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, and U.S. President Barack Obama. BeaverTails have been even featured in an episode of South Park.
Pumpkin Mousse – Much more than BeaverTails, this is the dish I miss most from EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition previous. The “Pumpkin Mousse with Ocean Spray Craisins and Orange Sauce” was so beloved that Disney even shared the recipe on-line for Thanksgiving 2011. That very same 12 months, we ended up having a half-dozen of those (not going from reminiscence, however my photograph archive) over the course of our October journey.
Partly, that was as a result of it was scrumptious. However it was additionally low cost. This unhealthy boy value $1.50 the primary 12 months it was supplied. That’s not a typo. One greenback and 50 cents. I’d fortunately pay double that for it right this moment and order simply as many in 2024! If truth be told, I’d most likely be paying triple that quantity given value will increase–nevertheless it’d nonetheless be value it. This pumpkin mousse was superb, and that’s not simply our bias for all issues pumpkin speaking.
Oh, and whereas we’re at it, convey again the Cranberry Bathroom. That Ocean Spray sponsorship actually was fruitful in additional methods than one!
Culinary Hall – Also referred to as the Rosewalk, that is the walkway between the Creativeness Pavilion and World Showcase. It’s simply been redone for what feels just like the third time since 2019, and has been residence to meals cubicles or seating areas for earlier festivals. The Culinary Hall was residence to the “Subsequent Eats” space that debuted in Future World again round 2017 with a small area dedicated to the now-defunct ABC tv sequence, The Chew.
In typical TV style, these cubicles impressed a sequence of spinoffs, and that has led us to the 2 teams of cubicles in Future World, these with “Eats” within the title and people with “Studio” within the title. The “Eats” cubicles have been all behind the previous Innoventions West constructing. The “Studios” have been within the Culinary Hall.
The entire Subsequent Eats and Culinary Hall areas contained among the finest cubicles on the 2019 EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition–to the purpose that we really useful beginning on this space when you’re nonetheless actually hungry and getting extra selective as you get to the weaker, much less bold International Marketplaces in World Showcase. These cubicles have been a combination of ingenious, enjoyable, and scrumptious–precisely what the EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition is at its finest.
To finish this on a constructive observe, final 12 months’s occasion type of revived the Subsequent Eats and Culinary Hall–at the very least in spirit–with the debut of the Disney100 marketplaces (Char & Chop, Wine & Wedge, Bubbles & Brine, and Swirled Showcase). The primary three of these have been actually robust, and Walt Disney World bringing again cubicles of this type or the Culinary Hall/Subsequent Eats space can be an enormous win. Whereas we’re at it, transfer Flavors from Fireplace again to its correct residence over right here, and restore the expanded menu!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What would you wish to see introduced again to the 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition? Excited to lastly have a competition heart once more in CommuniCore Corridor? Assume that’ll lead to among the “extras” being restored? Any hopes for International Market cubicles or menu objects? Assume any of the opposite demonstrations or seminars will return? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to suggestions about your experiences is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!