EPCOT’s Meals & Wine Competition is its weakest occasion of the yr. We’ve been saying this for a number of years–that regardless of its reputation and standing as Walt Disney World’s flagship pageant, it rests on its repute and legacy because the oldest EPCOT occasion. There was a degree when this may’ve been a scorching take or controversial opinion. Since 2020, it’s pretty simple–even when it’s a troublesome reality for longtime WDW diehards.
The rationale that the EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Competition is the worst occasion of the yr is comparatively simple. It virtually fully revolves across the World Marketplaces at this level, with just about every part else having been lower because the ‘Style of’ occasions began in 2020. To make sure, there are different enhancements, however additionally they exist at each single different EPCOT pageant.
The distinction is that every one of these different EPCOT festivals additionally supply 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 might additionally argue that the opposite festivals arguably have higher delicacies. Flower & Backyard has grow to be a powerhouse in the previous few years with contemporary and refreshing dishes. Competition of the Arts is creative and artfully introduced.
In equity, EPCOT’s “worst” pageant continues to be excellent. Along with wanting to jot down this put up for some time, I’ve additionally had a put up in drafts titled “EPCOT’s Festivals Are A Lower 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’ put up. EPCOT continues to be a culinary powerhouse, and whilst cuts have been made in the previous few years, it’s truthful to say the final couple of years (not 2024) have seen the perfect menus ever at EPCOT’s Flower & Backyard Competition. The EPCOT Competition of the Arts likewise continues to impress, even with some cutbacks in the course of the overhaul.
The fact is that EPCOT’s festivals have ebbs and flows. We’d yearn for the previous when wanting via the rose-colored glasses of nostalgia, however these occasions weren’t excellent both–and there are lots of methods issues have gotten higher through the years.
The aim of this put up is to marry previous and current, with my ‘want record’ for issues I’d wish to see return to the 2024 EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Competition. The occasion is entering 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 yr for the massive occasion. To that finish, right here’s what I’d wish to see change…
Fewer Heavy Dishes – One other put up concept that has been caught in draft purgatory for some time is “Too Many Disney Choices Are Made From Consolation.” The final 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 put up was born after consuming a half-dozen new dishes eventually yr’s Meals & Wine Competition throughout 110° (not a typo) “seems like” warmth. Nevertheless 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 yr’s EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition menus must be doing so exterior, 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 countless prospects for gadgets which are refreshing and acceptable for Florida’s countless 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 number of cubicles like EPCOT Farmers Feast at Flower & Backyard, which does rotating seasonal menus. It’s an important sales space and a superb method!
Competition Heart – The opening of CommuniCore Corridor ought to handle this, however I nonetheless have lingering considerations that the occasions house inside that purpose-built pavilion within the middle of World Celebration received’t supply 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 house to a wide range of sudden little surprises, similar to DCA’s pleasant Seasons of the Vine movie, Ghirardelli’s Chocolate Expertise, Junior Chef Kitchen periods, 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 house was used. (I suppose there was a Disney Junior Dance Occasion and stuff with the solid 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 will likely be implausible. I’m simply skeptical a few of this ‘little stuff’ will make the transfer, as Walt Disney World received’t need to dedicate prime actual property to 3rd social gathering sponsors or minor choices. I hope to be unsuitable, and for the CommuniCore Corridor to be the perfect pageant middle but!
Occasion for the Senses – There have been lots of upcharge choices at previous variations of the EPCOT Worldwide Competition of the Arts, and I need to say there have been extra in 2018 (the next yr is when development began and issues began to get barely scaled again) than another yr in EPCOT historical past. Simply an enormous record of celeb chef and different meals or tastings, a few of which had been exterior EPCOT at Signature Eating places and elsewhere.
Whereas it’d be good to see a few of these return, lots of them had been tremendous restricted in capability and had been one-off choices. The most important exception to that was Occasion for the Senses, which was constantly some of the standard upcharge occasions going down at Walt Disney World. To my recollection, this was the largest of the upcharges on the EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition, at the very least as measured by dates and whole capability. Occasion for the Senses additionally had an enormous fan following, and is the occasion we’re requested about greater than another.
Throughout Occasion for the Senses, a particular host leads the night’s festivities as company eat, drink, and rejoice. This normally options dozens of tasting stations and numerous dishes…and likewise a excessive price ticket, at $250+ per individual. Actually, 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 keep on with the Meals & Wine Traditional at Swan & Dolphin! Nonetheless, it’d be good to see this and the opposite expensive particular occasions return. If not for us, for the longtime Meals & Wine followers who love these items.
Extra Creative Menus – Look, I’m a Disney blogger. I’ve taken a solemn oath to assist 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 manner too closely into consolation meals at these festivals. That’s not simply an EPCOT drawback–DCA has accomplished the very same.
The “drawback” right here is that Disney appears to be giving company what they need, as an alternative of dishes they by no means knew they’d get pleasure from. We’ve written scathing evaluations of the french fry sales space, hen wings sales space, and donut sales space within the years these had been supplied. (Not a lot with the mac & cheese sales space, as these dishes had been implausible.)
We had been just about 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 pageant are for dishes or drinks which are colourful or fashionable, having prolonged lists of elements…virtually all of that are synthetic flavors and colours.
We’re hardly meals snobs, however that is purported to be Walt Disney World’s flagship foodie occasion…french fries shouldn’t be the massive new spotlight. (Sorry, not sorry.) There’s 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 important instance of this, the kind of dish that’s each comforting, enjoyable and distinctive.
That kind of dish must be the blueprint for Meals & Wine Competition, and Disney ought to supply gadgets which are creative and fascinating whereas additionally being approachable and standard. Issues that shock and delight company’ style buds, introducing them to new dishes from world wide…not issues that might be completely at house on the children menu at McDonald’s.
Bigger Menus – One simple solution to accomplish the above aim is making menus bigger. Or moderately, restoring menus to what they had been only a few years in the past. This has gotten particularly dangerous as of 2024, with the primary two festivals of the yr eliminating 1-2 dishes per menu just about throughout the board.
The one exception to this has been the cubicles by third social gathering working contributors. That’s just about the precise reverse of what we need 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 number 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 pageant gadgets at counter service menus to unfold out demand.
Culinary Seminars & Demonstrations – Whereas the unique and expensive choices like Occasion for the Senses and meals with celeb cooks have cult followings, the low-cost demonstrations are extra our pace. Actually, these seminars are (had 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 occasions the samples you obtain at these seminars are a greater worth than what you’d obtain in case you merely went round to cubicles and ordered gadgets. Along with the samples, you obtain fundamental background data and a few entertaining displays.
These seminars will not be 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’ve got accomplished a number of of those, they usually usually supply the perfect worth on the EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition. These low-cost seminars supply an excellent primer to the subject coated, plus fairly good samples.
A few of these was free manner again within the day, however I don’t recall any of those that present meals or alcohol being free in 2018-2019. And truthfully, that’s effective by us. As Walt Disney World has grown in reputation 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 (again and again). 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 yr, however didn’t. Should you missed that curler coaster, take a look at BeaverTails Are Gone Once more…Already?! My guess is that Disney’s culinary group didn’t notice BeaverTails was a protected trademark and had been going to make a knock-off model…however nonetheless name them “Beaver Tails” (with the house).
No matter what occurred, that is the yr to carry again BeaverTails. Hopefully Disney has labored out an settlement with the precise Canadian firm to carry 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 completely different. Somehow, the individuals demand these pastries!
For individuals 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 elements. Served piping-hot, the hand-stretched whole-wheat pastries are each crispy and chewy on the identical time. BeaverTails really 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 had 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 yr, we ended up having a half-dozen of those (not going from reminiscence, however my picture archive) over the course of our October journey.
Partially, that was as a result of it was scrumptious. Nevertheless it was additionally low cost. This dangerous boy value $1.50 the primary yr it was supplied. That’s not a typo. One greenback and 50 cents. I might fortunately pay double that for it right this moment and order simply as many in 2024! Essentially, I’d most likely be paying triple that quantity given value will increase–but it surely’d nonetheless be price 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, carry again the Cranberry Lavatory. 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 house to meals cubicles or seating areas for earlier festivals. The Culinary Hall was house to the “Subsequent Eats” space that debuted in Future World again round 2017 with a small house dedicated to the now-defunct ABC tv sequence, The Chew.
In typical TV trend, 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 had been all behind the previous Innoventions West constructing. The “Studios” had been within the Culinary Hall.
The entire Subsequent Eats and Culinary Hall areas contained a few of 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 World Marketplaces in World Showcase. These cubicles had been a mix of creative, enjoyable, and scrumptious–precisely what the EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition is at its finest.
To finish this on a optimistic notice, final yr’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 had been actually sturdy, 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 house 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 pageant middle once more in CommuniCore Corridor? Assume that’ll lead to a few of the “extras” being restored? Any hopes for World Market cubicles or menu gadgets? 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 fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
