November 18, 2015

Eating Around Walt Disney World:
The Walt Disney World Food and Wine Festival

Enjoying Cinderella Time at Cinderella’s Disney World Castle

 Pictured: Mike (Martese’s husband), Martese, Cinderella, Me (complete with my Cath Kidston fanny pack), and Natasha.

It was the weekend of The Walt Disney World Wine and Dine Half Marathon. My daughter, Martese, and her friend Natasha, having met during their stint as Disney college interns in 2010, were participating in the November 7th race. To add to the festivities, November 6th marked Martese’s 25th birthday. I was along for the fun “ride”. :o)

Natasha surprised Martese, when she arrived, with birthday decorations in her hotel room, complete with Disney Pop Century Resort‘s colorful and tasty Tye Dye Cheesecake (pictured below).

The Magic Kingdom

We happily skipped through our first day, enjoying the Magic Kingdom.  In-between all of the smile inducing Disney World rides and entertainment, Martese, our own personal Disney Travel Agent, had made reservations for our eating pleasure. We ate well this trip!

Try the grey stuff, it’s delicious!  
Martese indulging in a Grey Stuff Cupcake at Beauty and the Beast’s pretty Be Our Guest Restaurant. 

Martese and Mike relax on the
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover.

Mike sips on a cool lemonade in Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom.

In addition to having Disney royalty ( several of the Disney princesses) visit our table,  we were treated to culinary treats at
Cinderella’s Royal Table.

When we entered the castle at dusk for dinner,
it looked like the above photo.
We were in awe of the magnificent lights that adorned the castle, as we exited from dinner (below photo).

Epcot

By day two, my hubby, Dale, had joined us,
and we were about to embark on the Holy Grail of Disney dining,
the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival!

Our day began with a strawberry Pop-Tart Breakfast Sandwich
at the Pop Century Resort’s cafeteria. It was quite good!

The entrance of Epcot announced that good things were in store!

We arrived early in the day to begin sampling the many treats.
The lines became much longer as the day wore on.

Martese and I had made our “taste lists” ahead of time,
so that we knew just what we wanted to tackle.
We would buy an item of choice and then we would all sample it.

Martese’s first item was this offering from Hawaii,
Pork Sliders with Pineapple Chutney.
She loved it. I thought it was just okay.

I had been longing for the always epic, Dole Whip,
and they were available at Epcot this day,
along with another treat, a cronut.
I was anxious to try this cross between a croissant and a doughnut.
It did not disappoint.
It reminded all of us of my recipe for Biscuit Doughnuts, here.

Canada’s offerings were next on our list,
and were a big hit with all of us!
The Cheddar Cheese Soup and Wild Mushroom Beef Filet were two of the best offerings of the day!

Dale wishes our “little girl” a Happy Birthday, as we strolled through Epcot’s World Showcase.

Mike sipping on a cool Frozen S’more on this hot Florida afternoon.

France offered Crème brûlée and Croissant aux escargots.

Both were good, but the croissants were a bit heavy on the garlic,
and I have yet to find anyone in the world who can beat the delicious creme brûlée served at our hometown restaurant, Johnny’s Bistro!

Natasha enjoying her Belgium Waffle with chocolate sauce and whipped cream from where else? Belgium.

The Lobster Rolls were done just right in the America area of Epcot.

Australia’s Shrimp on the Barbie was done to perfection.
I devoured them so quickly that I forgot to snap a photo.
 I did, however, purchase a cookbook with a photo of this epicurean treat.

As the day grew longer, so did the lines. There were a couple items on our list that we left untasted. Thanks to my trusty cookbook, I can still test them out, if the urge strikes.  Also,on Pinterest there are many of these recipes.
To follow my Disney Recipes and Food category, click here.

To read about all of 2015’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival offerings,  click here.

Birthday Dinner on The Boardwalk

After a full day at Epcot, we all looked forward to our dinner at
The Flying Fish on The Boardwalk.
This was Martese’s birthday, and we were celebrating in style.

We all relax by the water, as we wait for our reservation time.

The Flying Fish beckons hungry diners.

All relaxed and enjoying our dinner.

We declined dessert at The Flying Fish, so that we could partake in  scrumptious Mickey bars back at the hotel.
Happy Birthday, Martese!

Hollywood Studios

By our third day, our numbers had grown by three more!  Our eldest son, Trevor, and his family drove up from southern Florida to join us.  :o)

The youngest in our group enjoys a breakfast muffin at
Starring Rolls Cafe. 

Lunching at Pizza Planet.

I rode my favorite Walt Disney World ride, The Great Movie Ride, twice , and spotted Annette Funicello’s handprints.

Dale and I “drive” a classic car to my favorite WDW restaurant,
The Sci-Fi Cafe.

Are Trevor and Tanya discussing the hidden meaning
behind this Sci- fi movie clip?

All ready for some Sci-Fi Cafe food and fun.

Hollywood Studio’s amazing The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights features over 5 million Christmas lights.
This is the last year for this spectacular display.

Trevor poses in front of a really big Big Wheel at the Pop Century Resort.
I remember when a Big Wheel was once Trevor’s favorite mode of transportation!  :o) 

Chefs, Chip and Dale, pose with half-marathoners Natasha and Martese before their race.

Magic Kingdom One Last Time (for this trip)

We are anxious for the Pooh Character Breakfast at the Crystal Palace.

The wonderful thing about Tiggers…

Winnie the Pooh pauses for a selfie with Mike.

Always delicious, Mickey waffles are the star on this brunch plate,
along with
yummy Pooh’s Puffed French Toast, bacon, potatoes, fresh fruit,
and a refreshing iced tea.

Signing off

Check Out Some of My Other Disney Related Blog Posts

My 2015 Girls’ Weekend at Disneyland, click here.

My 2014 Family Walt Disney World Vacation, click here.

Cooking a Vintage Italian Disney World Dish, click here.

Thanks so much for reading and have a magical day! :o)

Annette

I attempt to post my blog bi-monthly, but with the holidays approaching, I will be on a once per month mode.  Look for my next post on, or around, December 10.

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Planning a Disney Vacation?

Our Daughter, Martese, is a Magic Maker® for Off to Neverland Travel. She is very Disney knowledgeable and an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner for any of the Disney destinations, and Disney vacation locations.
Martese’s vacation planning services are totally FREE!!!

Contact Martese to assist in your next Disney vacation.
Website: marteseehm.offtoneverland.com, or click here.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Martese-Ehm-Off-to-Neverland/258249034343274, or click here.

This Mickey cookie cutter made the trip home with me.  :o)