REVIEW: “El Artista Hambriento” Food Studio – Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

WDWNT on January 16, 2017

Welcome to a food studio review for the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, taking place in the park Friday-Monday from January 13th through February 20th, 2017. This review will cover “El Artista Hambriento” (which translates to the Hungry Artist for those wondering) kiosk, which is located towards the Mexico pavilion in World Showcase, just before the bridge to La Cantina de San Angel.

El Artista Hambriento

REVIEW: “El Artista Hambriento” Food Studio – Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

Food:

  • Choriqueso Taco served with Chihuahua Cheese, Red and Green Peppers over a Corn Tortilla and garnished with Poblano Peppers and Micro Cilantro – $6.95
  • Flank Steak Huarache served with Black Beans, Salsa de Chile de Arbol, Frisee Lettuce, Queso Fresco, Red Cabbage, Shredded Carrots and Chipotle Mayo – $8.50

Beverages

  • Passion Fruit Coconut Margarita – $13.75
  • Mandarin Ginger Margarita – $14.25

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Choriqueso Tacos – $6.95

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I usually do not enjoy food or drink items from this booth (which has existed under different names at other Epcot festivals and remained standing with other options in-between the events), but these tacos were fantastic. Yes, it is a little on the ams size for the price, but these corn tortilla tacos covered in guacamole are just about perfect. This was one of, if not the best, food items we had at the entire event.

Flank Steak Huarache – $8.50

REVIEW: “El Artista Hambriento” Food Studio – Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

This dish wasn’t bad, but there’s no way to pick this up and utensils will have a hard time cutting through the flatbread. The steak was seasoned nicely, bit overall this was nothing special. For the price, this is actually one of the bigger festival entrees though.

Mandarin Ginger Margarita – $14.25

REVIEW: “El Artista Hambriento” Food Studio – Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

It’s hard to like a $14.25 margarita, but these margaritas were really fine. I’m still not entirely sure how they are getting away pricing these this way, but if you really want a margarita at Epcot, I’d choose the mandarin ginger flavor over the other option.

Passion Fruit Coconut Margarita – $13.75

REVIEW: “El Artista Hambriento” Food Studio – Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

I ordered this margarita over the other because I typically enjoy a good coconut-flavored alcoholic drink. That being said, I am also not adverse to passion fruit, but I think this one was just too sweet for me (including the cinnamon sugar rim). I got about half way through before trading this Josh who ordered the Mandarin Ginger Margarita (isn’t he sweet?). Again, if you can feel good getting a margarita at these prices, go for it.

REVIEW: “POP Eats!” Food Studio – Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

WDWNT on January 16, 2017

Welcome to a food studio review for the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, taking place in the park Friday-Monday from January 13th through February 20th, 2017. This review will cover “POP Eats!” kiosk, which is located at the front of World Showcase, just off to the right side towards the Canada pavilion.

POP Eats!

REVIEW: “POP Eats!” Food Studio – Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

Food:

  • Shrimp Ceviche with Lime Mint Foam (GF) – $6.00
  • Sous Vide Venison with Butternut Squash Purée, Pomegranate Reduction, Pickled Turnip and Juniper Berry Powder (GF) – $7.50
  • Almond Frangipane Cake layered with Raspberry Jam and Chocolate (V) – $4.25
  • Pop’t Art: Modern-design Sugar Cookie with Chocolate Hazelnut Filling (V) – $4.00
  • Goofy White Chocolate Puzzle on an Artist Palette – $6.50

Beverages:

  • Cloudem Silver Sparkling Wine – $9.00, In a Souvenir Glass – $16.50
  • Popping Bubbles Cocktail – $9.50
  • Dasani Bottled Water – $3.00

REVIEW: “POP Eats!” Food Studio – Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

This is the only booth that has the festival’s souvenir cup, available only with the sparkling wine.

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Sous Vide Venison with Butternut Squash Purée, Pomegranate Reduction, Pickled Turnip and Juniper Berry Powder (GF) – $7.50

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The vision was cooked well and tasted great, but some in our group felt there was too much salt on this dish. I thought that the butternut squash puree went nicely with it. If you like venison, this is a solid option, but it is nothing out of this world.

Shrimp Ceviche with Lime Mint Foam (GF) – $6.00

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While a little on the strange side, the shrimp ceviche with lime mint foam was pretty good. The foam flavor doesn’t overpower anything in the dish and the shrimp tasted fresh. Not the best shrimp dish I’ve ever had, but not the worst either.

Almond Frangipane Cake layered with Raspberry Jam and Chocolate (V) – $4.25

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This dessert is brilliant in its simplicity. The chocolate icing, exquisitely moist cake, and raspberry jam mix for one of the best festival treats I have ever had. I know it probably sounds dumb to enjoy a fairly regular cake item at an event with rarer dining delicacies, but it was just made so perfectly. I will be ordering this over and over for the next few weeks.

Pop’t Art: Modern-design Sugar Cookie with Chocolate Hazelnut Filling (V) – $4.00

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This item is the same as the one we reviewed from the one offered at The Painter’s Palate, which we already reviewed, but with a different decorative icing on it.

It looks like a Pop Tart, but it’s a sugar cookie… I’m sure kids will like this, but this dessert just confuses me. It wasn’t bad, I’m just not sure why it exists. It even has a filling like a Pop Tart (chocolate hazelnut flavored) but again, it has the flavor of a sugar cookie filled with icing.

Goofy White Chocolate Puzzle on an Artist Palette – $6.50

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This is essentially the same as the Figment version which we reviewed already, but this version has Goofy featured on the white chocolate puzzle.

Perhaps the most fun item of the festival is this white chocolate Figment puzzle. Not only do you get to put the Puzzle together, but you can than create your own edible art with it. This should be something that any child will just have a blast making (and eating). Plus, how adorable is it?

The chocolate was of a good quality too, so you’ll be happy to know that it tastes as good as it looks.

This time, we were given a paint brush to decorate the chocolate, but the sprinkles and candy were simply thrown underneath instead of in little containers like the “paint”.

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Popping Bubbles Cocktail – $9.50

REVIEW: “POP Eats!” Food Studio – Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

The Popping Bubbles cocktail is a dry sparkling wine with flavored “bubbles” dropped into it. That’s it. The wine itself wasn’t sweet, but whenever you get a sip with the “bubbles” in it, it makes the wine taste just way too sweet. This was just OK, but if you like a sweet wine, you will probably enjoy this.

Canada Pavilion Totem Poles Being Replaced

WDWNT on January 16, 2017

On January 20th, 2017, two new totem poles will be in place at the Canada pavilion at Epcot’s World Showcase. The process of replacing the original totems has already begun.

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The new totem poles are once again made by artist David Boxley, who produced the originals.

The Git Hoan dancers (People of the Salmon) will perform in a dedication ceremony for the new totems on the 20th, before performing for the Epcot International Festival of the Arts on the 21st and 22nd.

REVIEW: Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt – Epcot International Festival of the Arts

WDWNT on January 16, 2017

Much in the same vein as the annual Egg Hunt and Remy’s Hide and Go Squeak at the Food and Wine Festival, Epcot’s new International Festival of the Art has a paid scavenger hunt event. This particular one features Figment, the park’s mascot of the last nearly 35 years, in a hunt through pieces of artwork hanging around the World Showcase area.

Maps are available at various locations around the park for $6.99 plus tax each. Various merchandise discounts are taken on this item, including the current 20% for Walt Disney World annual passholders.

Basically, Figment is hiding in art all around the World Showcase countries, and you’ll need to spot him if you are participating.

The map and stickers that one receives are very similar to the other hunt events that we mentioned above. As you find Figment in art, just take the corresponding art piece sticker and place it in the frame with the name of the country that you found it in.

Above are the stickers that you can apply to the map, featuring the art without Figment as not to spoil the surprise.

Upon completion, whether you finish or not actually, you can get a Figment art magnet. The is basically what you are paying $6.99 for, and there are four total that you can receive when you go with your purchased map to Disney Traders, located at the very front of the World Showcase promenade, just across from the Pluto meet and greet. It’s a pretty nice prize if you are a Figment fan and will probably have many of you purchasing four maps to collect them all.

Overall, this was my absolute favorite of all of these hunts that I have done (and I have done all of them over the years). The paintings are not super-easy to find, and the creation of witty and cute Figment versions of each of these real-world paintings is the kind of Disney details that we all crave from the parks. Kids and adults alike will have a tremendous amount of fun doing this, and for $6.99, it offers one of the cheapest activities (and souvenirs) that one can partake in at Walt Disney World. I can’t commend Disney enough for putting this together so masterfully for a really wonderful festival offering.

SPOILER WARNING!

For those of you who won’t be making it out to the festival (or hate surprises), I have included pictures below of all of the art with Figment hiding in it. Please also note the amazing Figment frame that some of the art comes in!

PHOTOS: Walt Disney World Adding Anti-Theft Devices to Theme Park Stores

WDWNT on January 16, 2017

In what has to be seen as a sign of the times, Walt Disney World is adding anti-theft measures to some theme park stores starting this week.

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MouseGear was the first store to receive these devices which indicate if a guest is leaving the store with an item that still has an anti-theft tag on it.

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You undoubtedly have seen these devices at your local mall, but this marks a milestone for Walt Disney World.

Anna Kendrick In Talks To Play Female Santa Claus In Disney’s “Nicole”

WDWNT on January 16, 2017

Anna Kendrick is in talks with Disney to play a female Santa Claus in the upcoming movie “Nicole”.

From The Wrap:

Anna Kendrick is in negotiations to star in Disney’s Nicole, a tale of a female Santa Claus.

Marc Lawrence is attached to direct, while Suzanne Todd, who worked with the studio on Alice in Wonderland, is producing.

Lawrence also wrote the script, whose details are being kept on ice. The twist, however, is that it is a holiday family adventure that centers on the coming of a female Santa.

Disney has done well in the past with tales of old St. Nick, having a hit franchise with the Tim Allen–starring Santa Clause trilogy, which launched in 1994.

Sources say Nicole is not a musical, but Kendrick may end up indulging her musical side.

Source: The Wrap

Lucasfilm Will NOT Digitally Recreate Carrie Fisher As Pricess Leia In Future Star Wars Movies

WDWNT on January 16, 2017

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Over the last few days there were rumors that Disney and Lucasfillm were negotiating with the estate of Carrie Fisher with possibly using her likeness in future Star Wars movies through the use of digital special effects.

Yesterday Lucasfilm made the following statement on StarWars.com:

We don’t normally respond to fan or press speculation, but there is a rumor circulating that we would like to address. We want to assure our fans that Lucasfilm has no plans to digitally recreate Carrie Fisher’s performance as Princess or General Leia Organa.

Carrie Fisher was, is, and always will be a part of the Lucasfilm family. She was our princess, our general, and more importantly, our friend. We are still hurting from her loss. We cherish her memory and legacy as Princess Leia, and will always strive to honor everything she gave to Star Wars.

So that should put to rest any rumors as to whether we will see Carrie Fisher recreated digitally in future movies.

As to whether we will see Princess Leia in future Star Wars movie portrayed by another actress is another story.

Source: StarWars.com

REVIEW: “The Painter’s Palate” Food Studio – Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

WDWNT on January 16, 2017

Welcome to a food studio review for the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, taking place in the park Friday-Monday from January 13th through February 20th, 2017. This review will cover “The Painter’s Palate” kiosk, which is located in The Odyssey Festival Showplace.

REVIEW: “The Painter's Palate” Food Studio – Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

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Food:

  • Margherita Flatbread with Basil Pesto and Balsamic Drizzle (V) – $5.25
  • Trio of Savory Croissant Doughnuts – $9.50
    • Whipped Herb Cream Cheese with Sea Salt (V)
    • Chicken Mousse with Fresh Herbs & Everything Bagel Seasoning
    • Spicy Tuna with Sriracha Mayonnaise and Sesame Seeds
  • Mary Blair White Chocolate Art Painting with Chocolate Easel (GF) (V) – $7.00
  • Pop’t Art: Abstract Designed Sugar Cookie with Chocolate Hazelnut Filling (V) – $4.00
  • White Chocolate Figment Puzzle on an Artist Palette – $6.50

Beverages:

  • Pomegranate Mule featuring the Ginger People Ginger Beer and Van Gogh Vodka – $9.50
  • Breckenridge Nitro Vanilla Porter – $4.00
  • Young’s Double Chocolate Stout – $4.00
  • 3 Daughters Queens Court Strawberry Blonde Nitro – $4.00
  • Neapolitan Beer Flight – $9.00

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Trio of Savory Croissant Doughnuts – $9.50

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  • Whipped Herb Cream Cheese with Sea Salt (V)
  • Chicken Mousse with Fresh Herbs & Everything Bagel Seasoning
  • Spicy Tuna with Sriracha Mayonnaise and Sesame Seeds

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The trio of savory croissant doughnuts is perhaps the most interesting and unique item at the festival. The everything bagel seasoning seemed to end up on two of the three somehow, and I’m ok with that. The whipped herb cream cheese and spicy tuna were both excellent, but the chicken mousse is a real head-scratcher since it didn’t really taste like chicken. I will warn you that they can be a bit messy, but otherwise worth ordering.

Margherita Flatbread with Basil Pesto and Balsamic Drizzle (V) – $5.25

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 Perhaps a little heavy on the balsamic, the flatbread is fine and at least a good value for the size of it. Nothing special, but a decent snack.

Pop’t Art: Abstract Designed Sugar Cookie with Chocolate Hazelnut Filling (V) – $4.00

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It looks like a Pop Tart, but it’s a sugar cookie… I’m sure kids will like this, but this dessert just confuses me. It wasn’t bad, I’m just not sure why it exists. It even has a filling like a Pop Tart (chocolate hazelnut flavored) but again, it has the flavor of a sugar cookie filled with icing.

White Chocolate Figment Puzzle on an Artist Palette – $6.50

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Perhaps the most fun item of the festival is this white chocolate Figment puzzle. Not only do you get to put the Puzzle together, but you can than create your own edible art with it. This should be something that any child will just have a blast making (and eating). Plus, how adorable is it?

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The chocolate was of a good quality too, so you’ll be happy to know that it tastes as good as it looks.

Mary Blair White Chocolate Art Painting with Chocolate Easel (GF) (V) – $7.00

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One of the more photogenic items will be the vast array of chocolate art on chocolate easels. At this kiosk, you can obtain the Mary Blair “it’s a small world” version.

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Again, I think is quality chocolate, but you may find it hard to eat something so pretty.

Neapolitan Beer Flight – $9.00: Breckenridge Nitro Vanilla Porter – $4.00, Young’s Double Chocolate Stout – $4.00, 3 Daughters Queens Court Strawberry Blonde Nitro – $4.00

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The Strawberry Blonde Nitro was a favorite of nearly everyone in our group for its natural sweet flavor. I personally loved the Double Chocolate Stout, but these types of drinks are usually my speed. The Nitro Vanilla Porter was also solid, so I’d suggest going for the flight over individual, larger beers here.

Pomegranate Mule featuring the Ginger People Ginger Beer and Van Gogh Vodka – $9.50

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The Pomegranite Mule was quite refreshing, with a flavor akin to a sangria. You get a fair sized drink with this one and it was our favorite drink that we’ve had so far, so we recommend that you try it should you stop by this location during the festival.

REVIEW: “The Artist’s Table” Food Studio – Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

WDWNT on January 16, 2017

Welcome to a food studio review for the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, taking place in the park Friday-Monday from January 13th through February 20th, 2017. This review will cover “The Artist’s Table” kiosk, which is located in The American Adventure pavilion in World Showcase.

The Artist’s Table

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REVIEW: "The Artist's Table" Food Studio - Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

Food:

  • Roasted Pork Roulade with Marble Potatoes, Baby Carrots and Red Wine Sauce featuring Melissa’s Produce – $6.50
  • Pan-Seared Scallop with Chorizo, Roasted Red Pepper Coulis and a Parmesan Crisp (GF) – $6.25
  • Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookie – $5.50

Beverages:

  • Callebaut Belgian Sipping Chocolate Flight: White, Milk, Dark (non-alcoholic) – $8.00
  • Callebaut Belgian Sipping Chocolate: Dark Chocolate with Chambord – $9.75
  • Perla Santa Coffee-flavored Wine – $9.50
  • Dasani Bottled Water – $3.00

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Roasted Pork Roulade with Marble Potatoes, Baby Carrots and Red Wine Sauce featuring Melissa’s Produce – $6.50

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The roasted pork roulade ended up being one of my favorite non-dessert dishes from the festival so far. The pork is cooked perfectly, offering tender and juicy bites. The vegetables get some of the billing as they are from Melissa’s Produce, and they deservingly get this recognition as they are quite tasty. The portion size is also solid for the price and I thought that the two marble potatoes had a nice flavor.

Pan-Seared Scallop with Chorizo, Roasted Red Pepper Coulis and a Parmesan Crisp (GF) – $6.25

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The scallop is very good, but also very small. I would order this gain, but it purely to enjoy the flavor for a brief moment before it is gone after two bites. Epcot often does a nice job cooking these, and the scallop dishes at each festival always end up being a favorite, so it is nice to know that this one does not deviate from the pattern. It does take a pretty picture though…

Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookie – $5.50

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I was thoroughly surprised by how good this cookie was, but also the time that went into making it is impressive. When we got the cookie, the “paint puddles” were not all dripping down the cookie, but carefully placed by a chef at the booth upon ordering. Every item at this festival requires some time to prepare for perfect presentation, and even this jumbo chocolate chip cookie is no exception. If you are in the mood for a chocolate chip cookie, this will hit the spot.

Perla Santa Coffee-flavored Wine – $9.50

REVIEW: "The Artist's Table" Food Studio - Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

I really enjoyed this coffee wine, although it is probably much like dozens of other drinks I have had at such events. It reminded me of many of the alcoholic coffee drinks that the various Joffrey’s booths around the park have sold at some of the other festivals (basically a coffee liqueur flavor), and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If you like coffee drinks, this is a fun option.

Callebaut Belgian Sipping Chocolate Flight: White, Milk, Dark (non-alcoholic) – $8.00

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This trio of drinking chocolate is unbelievably rich in flavor and so much so that it felt like we were drinking chocolate syrup out of the bottle. While I have enjoyed versions of these drinks from Amorette’s Patisserie and Ghirardelli, I didn’t think that these were nearly as good. The portion sizes are large enough to share between 2-3 people (simply because I can’t imagine that anyone could possibly have more than a few sips of such a thick and rich chocolate flavor).

Callebaut Belgian Sipping Chocolate: Dark Chocolate with Chambord – $9.75

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No, we didn’t take a few sips and then remember to take a picture… this is the entire serving. While either of these sipping chocolate options are more unique than the wine, I think they are way too rich. If I had to choose one, the alcoholic version was better. Again, it is a really, really small drink, but it is pretty good. It’s really your decision if you can feel alright with paying $9.75 for this.