Hostess with the Mostess – Top 5 Magic Kingdom Snacks

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Time for another Hostess with the Mostess countdown!  In my last post, we ventured into the wonderful world of water rides. We took a much needed and refreshing look into my favorite watery attractions at Walt Disney World. I even shared some of my tips for staying dry on those rides. If you missed it, you can check it out right here.

What Disney favorite do I have planned this week? Well, my husband and I were recently talking about our favorite Disney snacks. I was listing off all of the yummy foods in the Magic Kingdom that I am excited to get on our next trip. Much to my surprise, there were several on my list that he has not tried yet! Not only is this a shock because I have been married to him for years without knowing this but it is a real problem because he is missing out! So when we go on our next trip, I am making sure he tries all of my favorite snacks!  I have tons of food on the list for my husband to try. But today, I am going to share just five of my favorites with you. Here are my Top 5 Favorite Snacks at the Magic Kingdom.

 5. Pot Roast Mac and Cheese

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Yes. It is as amazing as it sounds. If you have never experienced this cheesy savory dish, get ready for some spot on comfort food. Located at the Friar’s Nook in Fantasyland, this wonderful hidden treasure tastes like it came straight out of Mom’s kitchen. The tender pot roast and the mac and cheese flavors combined are absolutely delicious! The cheese is in no way an understatement and does not disappoint, however it is super rich, so be prepared because you may need a buddy to help you finish! This snack would have made it further up on my list if it was not for my sweet tooth.

4. Cinnamon Roll and LeFou’s Brew

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I told you the cinnamon roll would make another appearance. I have two snacks for my number four, but they go so well together I had to include them both.  The warm and gooey goodness of those giant cinnamon rolls paired with the marshmellowy mango amazingness of LeFou’s Brew cannot be beat. It’s just a little taste of heaven! I remember how much I disapproved of Disney taking the cinnamon rolls out of the Main Street Bakery and putting them in Gaston’s Tavern. But now, I am thankful. The two snacks are paired so perfectly, putting them in the same spot just makes sense!

3. Nutella and Fresh Fruit Waffle

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This snack is yumminess on top of more yumminess. Stop by Sleepy Hollow in Liberty Square to claim this tasty treat. They offer many waffle options, but the best waffle by far is this one. Picture a crispy golden waffle, slab on some chocolate hazelnut spread, and sprinkle on some strawberries, bananas, and blueberries.  Fold it up, take a bite, and you have yourself an irresistible delicacy. To make the experience even better, go to the porch on the side of the Hall of Presidents. There are two rocking chairs waiting for you and your glorious waffle to come and sit, relax, and enjoy.

2. Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich

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The Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich deserves the number two spot. You may want to call me an ice cream cookie sandwich connoisseur. I love them so much and I am always trying news ones that cross my path. This sandwich is the best one I have ever had.  Not only is it huge and enticing, but the vanilla ice cream is creamy and delicious and the chocolate chip cookies are so soft and chewy.  This special treat is so scrumptious that they sell it in two places! You can find it at Sleepy Hollow in Liberty Square and the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor on Main Street U.S.A.

1. Pineapple Dole Whip

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I am sure most of you saw this coming! The Pineapple Dole Whip from Aloha Isle in Adventureland is my number one favorite snack. This soft serve treat packs a powerful punch of pineapple flavor and it is wonderfully refreshing on a hot Florida day. Yes, it is delicious, but there is another reason why the Dole Whip made it to number one. It just screams Disney! I get a Pineapple Dole Whip every trip and have been getting them ever since I could remember. The taste has never changed and it is a “Disney Must Have” in my family.

Those are my top five favorite snacks in the Magic Kingdom. Do not forget to vote and please comment if you have another favorite that was not mentioned. I would love to hear about what you think and what snacks you would put on the list!

Speaking of snacks, are there any Food and Wine Festival fans out there? If you are going to the Food and Wine Festival remember pick out your favorite foods! I will be doing a Food and Wine countdown next month and of course, as always, I want to hear from YOU!

Here is my Extra Magic Tip of the week: If you are looking for healthier snack options, stop at the Liberty Square Market Place. They have delicious baked potatoes, fresh fruits and vegetables, yogurt and much more!

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VIDEO: Go Behind The Scenes With This “Doctor Strange” Featurette

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Marvel has just released a brand new featurette taking us behind the scenes with the cast and crew of the next Marvel movie, “Doctor Strange”:

Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) loses his ability to operate after a terrible accident, but finds new purpose when a mystical being known as the Ancient One reveals that Dr. Strange is the newly designated Sorceror Supreme.

“Doctor Strange” open November 4th.

Source: Marvel

Half of Walt Disney World Vacationers Cancelling Trips Due To Zika

According to a recent survey, “about half” of the people surveyed who are planning trips to the Orlando area said they have canceled or decided not to visit Walt Disney World due to the threat of the Zika virus.

Bloomberg reports:

Zika cases in Florida may be causing vacationers to reconsider plans to visit resorts including Walt Disney Co. parks in Orlando, according to BTIG LLC analyst Rich Greenfield, who cited a survey of travelers.

About half of roughly 800 people planning trips to the area said they have canceled or decided not to visit Walt Disney World due to the threat of the virus, based on a 5,000-person survey earlier this month by CivicScience, a Pittsburgh-based consumer polling and research firm cited by Greenfield in a research note Thursday.

With growth at Disney’s ESPN network slowing and the company’s film studio and consumer unit facing tough comparisons, the company is relying on the parks to drive growth in fiscal 2017, wrote Greenfield, who has recommended selling the stock since December 2015.

As of last month, Disney had “not seen an impact from Zika,” Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger said on an Aug. 9 earnings conference call.

Disney, based in Burbank, California, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

While the survey suggests travelers have Zika fears, it’s not clear that will show up in Disney’s attendance numbers, Greenfield wrote.

“Given how meaningfully the cancellation/deferral rate appears to be, this is clearly a key question Disney should be pushing management to talk about,” he wrote.

Disney shares were little changed at $92.25 in New York. The stock is down 12 percent this year as of Wednesday.

PHOTOS: A Guide to Epcot Food & Wine Festival 2016 Merchandise

If you are anything like me, you are probably just as excited for all of the new merchandise coming your way from the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival as you are for some off the food and drinks you’ll be enjoying there. Well, to help you in your shopping, we have devised this little guide to all of the merchandise at this year’s event. Enjoy!

Festival Posters

Food and Wine Festival 2016 Poster, $24.99

Food and Wine Festival 2016 Poster, $24.99

Food and Wine Festival 2016 Figment Poster, $24.99

Food and Wine Festival 2016 Figment Poster, $24.99

Food and Wine Festival 2016 Poster, $24.99

Food and Wine Festival 2016 Poster, $24.99

Limited Release and Limited Edition Pins

Limited release Figment logo pin, $14.99

Limited release Figment logo pin, $14.99

Limited edition Frozen pin, $15.99

Limited edition Frozen pin, $15.99

Limited edition Three Caballeros pin, $15.99

Limited edition Three Caballeros pin, $15.99

Limited edition Three Caballeros pin, $15.99

Limited edition Three Caballeros pin, $15.99

Limited edition The Emperor's New Groove pin, $15.99

Limited edition The Emperor’s New Groove pin, $15.99

Limited edition Bento Box pin set, $59.99

Limited edition Bento Box pin set, $59.99

Limited edition Bento Box pin set, $59.99

Limited edition Bento Box pin set, $59.99

Logo Merchandise

Festival baseball cap, $29.99

Festival baseball cap, $26.99

Festival long sleeve tee, $36.99

Festival long sleeve tee, $36.99

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Festival "toothpick holder", $9.99

Festival “toothpick holder”, $9.99

Festival dish towels, $21.99

Festival dish towels, $21.99

Festival wine tervis, $24.99

Festival wine tervis, $24.99

Festival tumbler, $21.99

Festival tumbler, $21.99

Festival v-neck tee, $32.99

Festival v-neck tee, $32.99

Festival garbage can salt and pepper shaker, $9.99

Festival garbage can salt and pepper shaker, $9.99

Festival mug, $14.99

Festival mug, $14.99

Festival tee, $36.99

Festival tee, $36.99

Festival magnet, $9.99

Festival magnet, $9.99

Festival stemless glass set, $26.99

Festival stemless glass set, $26.99

Festival tray, $6.99 - cutlery set, $14.99

Festival tray, $6.99 – cutlery set, $14.99

Festival ornament, $12.99

Festival ornament, $12.99

Festival plate, $14.99

Festival plate, $14.99

Festival wine bag, $34.99

Festival wine bag, $34.99

Figment Food & Wine Festival Collection

Figment oven mit, $14.99

Figment oven mit, $14.99

Figment magnet, $9.99

Figment magnet, $9.99

Figment t-shirt, $24.99

Figment t-shirt, $24.99

Figment garbage can salt and pepper shaker, $9.99

Figment garbage can salt and pepper shaker, $9.99

Figment mug, $14.99

Figment mug, $14.99

Figment ornament, $19.99

Figment ornament, $19.99

Figment apron, $26.99

Figment apron, $26.99

Ladies Figment shirt, , $29.99

Ladies Figment shirt, , $29.99

Brews Around the World Collection

Brews t-shirt, $27.99

Brews t-shirt, $27.99

Brews t-shirt, $27.99

Brews t-shirt, $27.99

Brews baseball cap, $29.99

Brews baseball cap, $29.99

Brews glass, $14.99

Brews glass, $14.99

Brews glass, $14.99

Brews glass, $14.99

Brews ornament, $19.99

Brews ornament, $19.99

Brews ornament, $19.99

Brews ornament, $19.99

Annual Passholder Exclusive Merchandise

Keepsake box, $19.99

Keepsake box, $19.99

Keepsake box, $19.99

Keepsake box, $19.99

Keepsake box, $19.99

Keepsake box, $19.99

Passholder shirt, $27.99

Passholder shirt, $27.99

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There is also a pin and a coin available, pin is $15.99 and the coin is $24.99.

Dooney & Bourke

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Festival Exclusive Wines

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Happy shopping everyone!

VIDEO: New Trailer Released For Disney’s “Moana”

moana

Walt Disney Animation Studios has just released a brand new trailer for it’s upcoming animated feature “Moana”. Check it out!

Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across the vast Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped – and no one knows why.

From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated feature film about an adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people. During her journey, Moana (voice of Auli’i Cravalho) meets the once-mighty demigod Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), who guides her in her quest to become a master wayfinder. Together, they sail across the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds, and along the way, Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and discovers the one thing she’s always sought: her own identity. Directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “The Princess & the Frog”) and produced by Osnat Shurer (“Lifted,” “One Man Band”),

“Moana” sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016.

Source: Walt Disney Animation Studios

PHOTO REPORT: Magic Kingdom 9/15/16 (Big Thunder Refurb, Haunted Mansion, Electrical Parade Farewell, ETC.)

The Halloween season is in full swing at the Magic Kingdom, as are several large refurbishments as the resort prepares for what should be one of the busiest holiday seasons ever. While the summer was slow, the new attractions and other enhancements that took place this Summer should finally bring in some guests and the Magic Kingdom is getting ready for it (as well as its 45th anniversary). Now on to our latest photo report…

Merry Cranemas

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The painting of Cinderella Castle and the installation of the holiday lights continues on a daily basis.

New D-Tech on Demand Phone Cases

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A number of new D-Tech on Demand phone cases can be found at the Tomorrowland Light and Power Company at the exit of Space Mountain.

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Some phone cases are only available during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

This and That

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The newly painted rocks in Tomorrowland can be seen from the Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover.

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The Chewbacca stein is now available at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies in Tomorrowland.

Construction Along the Rivers of America

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If you take a ride on the Liberty Square Riverboat, be sure to ask about the trivia sheets. Guests can fill out the sheet with answers found along the Rivers of America for a prize they can redeem at the end when they return to the dock.

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Work on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is visible from the Riverboat.

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For a better look, we also have a video to share with you. Sadly, I did not see anyone working on the finale scene of the ride, so I am afraid to report that we may not see the new explosive finale for the ride in this refurbishment…

While on the Riverboat, we also floated by the ongoing facade refurbishment of the Haunted Mansion:

New Prop at Pirates of the Caribbean

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The glass Mermaid cage that was added to Pirates own the Caribbean a few weeks ago was moved a little closer to the beach for some reason.

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The pirate Mickey plush has finally arrived at the Magic Kingdom.

Frontierland Hoedown

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Some of the dancers in Frontierland Hoedown are now disguised as custodial cast members…

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Some festive fall decorations are popping up in Liberty Square.

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Man, everyone has this hat now…

Cinderella Castle

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The Cinderella Castle big fig has returned after a few years of absence, however, it is a bit pricey for the size.

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It’s still no match for the real thing though…

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The Main Street Electrical Parade Says Goodbye

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The end of the Main Street Electrical Parade at Walt Disney World is drawing near as the parade gets in just a few more performances before the final night on October 9th.

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Love it or hate it (personally I always preferred SpectroMagic), the Main Street Electrical Parade has been a staple of Walt Disney World since 1977. October 9th will certainly be a historic evening to say the very least.

Captain’s Grille at Disney’s Yacht Club to Close for Major Overhaul in 2017

With the ongoing expansion of the Yacht and Beach Club Resort Convention Center at Walt Disney World, it only makes sense that other enhancements around the hotels would also be taking place to coincide with this ongoing work. The first of those major enhancements will be a remodeling of the Captain’s Grille restaurant at the Yacht Club Resort beginning in early 2017.

Captain's Grille at Disney's Yacht Club

Captain’s Grille at Disney’s Yacht Club

While no dates have been provided as of yet, the refurbishment will likely last for around 6-8 months and include a major remodeling of the restaurant’s interior and a pretty significant overhaul of the existing menu. It is unknown what the menu changes might be exactly, but one would assume that the popular (yet mostly unknown to the average guest) breakfast buffet will return.

Captain's Grille at Disney's Yacht Club

Captain’s Grille at Disney’s Yacht Club

Servers at the restaurant have been made aware of the closure over the last few weeks, but that information has not been deciminated to guests through any official avenues by Disney as of yet.

Captain's Grille at Disney's Yacht Club

Captain’s Grille at Disney’s Yacht Club

While Captain’s Grille continues to be a hidden gem of Walt Disney World dining, the interior of the restaurant is undoubtedly aging, a product of early-1990’s design. The restaurant has never undergone a significant remodeling in that time and has, for the most part, looked the same for over 25 years now.

The restaurant will likely see a surge in customers as the nearby convention center is expanded over the coming years. Guests at the facility will be in need of dining options, and Yacht and Beach are fairly short on dining capacity and counter service options. Captain’s Grille typically does not require an advance dining reservation (as it is rarely busy), but it does get a fair amount of foot traffic from the current convention center already.

Stay tuned for more information on this story as it becomes available.

ON SALE: Pick Up A New “Great Movie Ride” Shirt and Many Others for Just $14.00

It’s a good time to go shopping in the WDWNT store at TeePublic. Why? Well, first off, we have this awesome new t-shirt celebration the Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios…

"Make the Movie Ride Great Again" T-Shirt

“Make the Movie Ride Great Again” T-Shirt from WDWNT

Besides that, there’s also a huge sale going on where you can get any of the shirts in our store for just $14.00 each. Even better, every purchase you make helps keep WDWNT.com going and supports all of the great coverage we provide every single day. Gear up with stylish Disney fan apparel while supporting the Worldwide Leader in Disney Parks News? DOES IT GET ANY BETTER? Actually it does, when you get complimented on wearing these amazing shirts at the parks…

The sale ends Friday at midnight EDT, so don’t delay!  Get your WDWNT gear now! And in case you haven’t seen some of our other recent shirts, check out these beauties:

WDW News Today 9th Anniversary Shirt

WDW News Today 9th Anniversary Shirt

California Bears Shirt

California Bears Shirt

Hollywood Studios Hardhats Shirt

Hollywood Studios Hardhats Shirt

Seven Test Track Tribute Shirt

“Seven?!?” Test Track Tribute Shirt

“World of Color – Season of Light” Announced for Disney California Adventure

From the Disney Parks Blog:

The most wonderful time of the year returns to the Happiest Place on Earth with Holidays at the Disneyland Resort, November 10 through January 8! The festive season will bring jolly new experiences plus returning festive favorites.

At Disney California Adventure park is the all-new nighttime spectacular, “World of Color – Season of Light,” celebrating the warm and heartfelt spirit of the holidays. “World of Color – Season of Light” will take guests through a sparkling winter fantasy, combining classic holiday songs with memorable moments from treasured Disney animated films to create an experience filled with magic.

Also new for 2016, the Festival of Holidays invites guests to celebrate the season like never before at Disney California Adventure park. The entire family will delight in diverse cultural holiday celebrations, including the popular Disney ¡Viva Navidad!, and the global sounds of special guest musical groups will ring throughout the festival. Guests will enjoy delicious, internationally inspired food and beverage at 14 themed festival marketplaces, and the young and young-at-heart will celebrate with some of their favorite Disney Characters. Princess Elena of Avalor will make herDisneyland Resort debut during Festival of Holidays, and after Holidays at the Disneyland Resort conclude January 8, she will remain at Disney California Adventure park to continue visiting with guests.

Over at Disneyland park, the holiday season brings the return of fan favorites including the popular Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, featuring magical snowfall moments that conclude with “Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks. Also returning for Holidays at the Disneyland Resort this year will be “A Christmas Fantasy” parade, “it’s a small world” Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday.

Looking for Santa Claus? He and his sleigh full of mischievous elves will visit Redwood Creek Challenge Trail for this holiday season, where guests will join the festive fun with a series of holiday-themed activities along the trail. And when Santa visits Disneyland park, guests will be able to find him in a special location in Critter Country.

PHOTOS: First Look at Booth Menus for 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival

The 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is about to begin, and we have photos of all of the booth menus!

Farm Fresh - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Farm Fresh – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

New Zealand - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

New Zealand – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Australia - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Australia – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

South Korea - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

South Korea – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Africa - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Africa – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Brewer's Collection - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Brewer’s Collection – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Germany - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Germany – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Kahlua-tini Iced Coffee - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Kahlua-tini Iced Coffee – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Frozen Strawberry-Lemon Sunset - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Frozen Strawberry-Lemon Sunset – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Tiki Torch - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Tiki Torch – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Italy - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Italy – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Poland - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Poland – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Poland Detail - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Poland Detail – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Hawaii - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Hawaii – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Patagonia - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Patagonia – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Desserts & Champagne - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Desserts & Champagne – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Belgium - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Belgium – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Canada - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Canada – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Scotland - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Scotland – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Ireland - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Ireland – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

France - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

France – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Brazil - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Brazil – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Morocco - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Morocco – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Greece - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Greece – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Japan - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Japan – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Hops and Barley - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Hops and Barley – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Germany - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Germany – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

China - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

China – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Cool Post - Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Cool Post – Epcot 2016 International Food & Wine Festival

Craft Beer - 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival

Craft Beer – 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Craft Beer - 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Craft Beer Menu – 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Wine & Dine Studio - 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival

Wine & Dine Studio – 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival

Wine & Dine Studio Menu - 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival

Wine & Dine Studio Menu – 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival

Greenhouse Guru - 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival

Greenhouse Guru – 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival

The Chew Collective - 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival

The Chew Collective – 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival

Mexico - 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival

Mexico – 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival