Today marks the first day of the 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Resort!  And this year attendees have more time than ever to wine, dine and discover as the festival runs a record 62 days long from Sept. 14, 2016 through Nov. 14, 2016. 

For the first time, this popular festival is expanding beyond the theme parks and into the resorts with interactive dining experiences that allow guests to taste and cook alongside our world-renowned chefs.  These culinary adventures are perfect for attendees to take advantage of during their spare time, as they are conveniently located at or near select Disney convention resorts:

*Note: Due to popularity, premium events and some culinary programs require advance reservations and separate event admission purchase.

Over at Epcot**, attendees can build their culinary resume by attending various demonstrations, talks and seminars in their free time.  They can become wine connoisseurs at Beverage Boot Camp; masters in mixology at Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It or they can sharpen their kitchen skills at various cooking demonstrations. 

At this year’s festival, attendees can enjoy 39 new or re-imagined marketplace dishes and 47 new cocktails and beverages as they stroll the World Showcase Promenade using their complimentary festival passport as a guide. Some of our favorite new dishes include an elegant seared scallop with truffled root puree at Wine & Dine Studio and the mojo pork with black beans and rice at Islands of the Caribbean marketplace. Additionally, attendees can now choose a favorite hard soda to mix with vanilla ice cream for a sweet treat at Desserts & Champagne marketplace.

As an added bonus, Chase debit and credit card members and Disney Visa card members can rest and recharge at the Chase Lounge at American Adventure, which will provide complimentary non-alcoholic refreshments, a charging station and comfortable seating for a relaxing break. 

Savor nightly performances from pop and rock to new wave and swing with the “Eat to the Beat” concert series. The series will play 186 festival concerts and will include popular acts such as Wilson Phillips, Boyz II Men, Plain White T’s, and Delta Rae. The Emmy-Award Winning ABC Series, “The Chew” will also be returning for the second year in a row to tape a week’s worth of shows from Oct. 5-7.  The co-hosts will explore and share festival highlights, recipes, and dining at the four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks and Disney Springs. 

These events happen every fall season at Walt Disney World Resort and if you can’t make it out to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival this year, consider hosting a customized festival-themed event that will take attendees around the world (or even just around the United States!) through food and wine! Our Disney Meetings team can create individualized, unique and memorable events custom-made to fit the group, size, budget and imagination.

We're eager to help you create the perfect meeting or private event for any size group, theme and objective. To speak with a Disney Meetings representative about our pricing and options available at our Disney Parks & Resorts destinations in Florida, California, Hawaii, or at our international destinations, please Contact Us or Submit a Request for Proposal. Or, Sign Up to stay in touch and continue learning more about Disney meetings and events.

Do you plan on attending the 2016 International Epcot Food & Wine Festival during your meeting or convention? Tell us on Facebook and Twitter!

**Note: Theme park admission required.