by Beth Keating
News
DisneyBizJournal.com
October 25, 2020
Fresh on the heels of announcing both the closing date of the Taste of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival and the kick-off date for the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, Disney has also released the dates for the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts.
Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog
The Food and Wine Festival kicked off with the reopening of the Disney World Parks back in July, with an open-ended closing date. The wrap-up date is now set for November 22. The Taste of Epcot International Festival of the Holidays will open just a few days later, running from November 27 - December 30, 2020. The third festival, the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, is scheduled for Jan. 8 – Feb. 22, 2021.
At the Festival of the Holidays, everyone’s favorite Holiday Cookie Stroll will be returning, and Disney has just released the list of the festival kitchen booths that will be celebrating traditions from around the world (full menus will be released soon). This year’s booths include:
• American Holiday Table (American Adventure)
Enjoy a seasonal salute—dig into traditional dishes reminiscent of grandma’s cooking at the American Adventure Pavilion.
• Bavaria Holiday Kitchen (Germany)
Willkommen—help yourself to heartwarming holiday dishes and refreshing beverages at the Germany Pavilion.
• Citrus Blossom (Showcase Plaza)
Toast the holidays with breathtaking beverages that include the Orange Cream Shake in a Souvenir Orange Bird Sipper Cup (non-alcoholic).
• Festival Favorites (World Showplace)
From blackened bass to duck confit, from frozen s’mores to tropical eggnog—come and get your very own favorites!
• Holiday Hearth (World Showplace)
Discover the hearth you’ll call home, with special desserts, milkshakes, hot cocoa and so much more.
• Holiday Sweets & Treats
Rock around the Christmas tree with goodies sure to top the “nice” list—at Promenade Refreshments.
• L'Chaim! Holiday Kitchen (Between Morocco and France)
Propose a toast to life—sink your teeth into classic deli noshes with a side of New York flair.
• Le Marché de Noël Holiday Kitchen (France)
Feast on très magnifique fare, wine and specialty cocktails from the France Pavilion.
• Mele Kalikimaka (Showcase Plaza)
Savor the flavor of fabulous, festive food and beverages from the islands of Hawai‘i.
• Posadas Holiday Kitchen (Mexico)
Feliz Navidad—celebrate with mariachi dancing and south-of-the-border fare at the Mexican Pavilion!
• Prost! (World Showplace)
Spread some holiday cheer with a cool brew from some of the finest regional breweries.
• Sapphire Holiday Kitchen (Morocco)
Spice up your life with the exotic flavors of North Africa—visit the Morocco Pavilion for intriguing cuisine!
• Shanghai Holiday Kitchen (China)
Have yourself a merry little meal—tempt taste buds with popular plates and potables from the China Pavilion!
• Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen (Japan)
Please your palate with an array of festive dishes and drinks served at the Japan Pavilion.
• Tuscany Holiday Kitchen (Italy)
Mangiare—savor a seasonal take on some of the world’s best-loved food and beverages at the Italy Pavilion!
• Yukon Holiday Kitchen (Canada)
Jingle your bells with delightful dishes and libations from the Great White North—at the Canada Pavilion.
Additional Locations will also be available at:
• Funnel Cake
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a new holiday classic: Sweet Potato Casserole Funnel Cake.
• Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
Salute the season with the usual selection of coffees, plus the tasty Caramel Tinsel Latte and Donut for the holidays.
• Refreshment Outpost
Chow down on this year’s holiday surprise: Warm Brown Sugar Stuffed Pretzel with Soft-Serve Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce. (Sorry, guess it’s not a surprise now.)
• Refreshment Port (Showcase Plaza)
Savor the flavor of holiday poutine and toast the season with specials like T.G. Lee Eggnog with Spiced Rum.
Sadly, the much-beloved Candlelight Processional will not take place during this year’s festival due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There will, however, be appearances by Santa and seasonally-dressed Disney friends throughout the park, as well as holiday cavalcades. The family can also join the new “Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition” and embark on a scavenger hunt around the World Showcase to retrieve some of the traditions that Olaf has managed to lose on his way to show Elsa and Anna.
While the annual awe-inspiring (and crowd-inducing) gingerbread displays will not take place in the Disney World Resorts, there will be a “Gingerbread City” at EPCOT, made by the Disney chefs and depicting some of our nation’s landmarks. Holiday music will be provided by JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season; the Voices of Liberty-Voices of the Season; Las Posadas with Mariachi Cobre; and the JAMMitors.
The Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts will kick off January 8 and paint its way through February 22, 2021. There will be more than 15 “Food Studios” serving culinary masterpieces that are as much works of art as they are delicious dining opportunities. One of the highlights that guests look forward to every year is the opportunity to watch an array of skilled artists at work around the World Showcase, and even purchase some of the artwork to take home.
Festival of the Arts also gives guests a chance to participate in the creativity, with special photo locations that allow visitors to step into life-sized scenes of iconic works of art, try their hand at an over-sized collaborative paint-by-number mural, or even join a scavenger hunt searching for Figment. Live music from favorite EPCOT musical artists Mariachi Cobre and the JAMMitors will add to the festival atmosphere.
Disney guests will need both park admission tickets and park reservations to participate in the festivals. As with all things park-related at this point, COVID-19 may change some of the scheduled plans. Keep up to date as the festivals get closer by checking back on the Disney website.
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Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.
