A Heartfelt look back at Soarin' (or Soarin' Over California)

Soarin' to tower, we are clear to take-off!

Welcome to my first post of 2020! On the penultimate day of 2020 no less!

This was written early this year at the start of quarantine. I didn't know if I'd have the motivation to actually post it, but I have realized that these blogs are more therapeutic than anything. I actually started this post al the way back in March in honor of Soarin' Over California returning at Disney California Adventure for their Food and Wine festival, but that unfortunately was cut short. I hope everyone is safe, and I hope this entertains you for a 10 min read!

Soarin' Over California

Mark Sumner an imagineer on the Disney's California Adventure project, had an idea for the ride mechanism of a planned flight simulator in the Condor Flats section of the park. Using an old an erector set. While playing around with the set, he had designed the basic ride mechanism for Soarin' Over California. This design allowed for guest to be seated on the ground floor and lifted into an OMNIMAX screen, to give them the sensation of flight, and illusion that they were being transported to each location.

(Image from: wdwthemeparks.com)

The Condor Flats section of the park, while lacking theming, would pay homage to California's love of aviation. What better way to pay homage than to fly guests through California's beautiful landscapes and national parks? Some locations included the Golden Gate Bridge, Malibu, Napa Valley, Monterey Bay, Los Angeles, Yosemite, and Disneyland, just to name a few. The queue line would match the theming to Condor Flats and be a tribute to California aviation.

Disney approached longtime Hollywood composer Jerry Goldsmith about composing the ride score and loading music. You might recognize his name or some of his works which include Planet of the Apes, Mulan, The Mummy, Air Force One, Alien, and of course the iconic theme of Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Do you know the theme song of Star Trek: The Motion Picture? Yup, he wrote that. After riding the vehicle test, Goldsmith came off the ride crying, telling the Imagineers that he wanted to be a part of this experience so much that he would score this attraction at no cost. Disney still compensated him for his work. This would be one of the last projects he ever worked on before his death in 2004.

Jerry Goldsmith (bottom center) with some space guys. (Photo: CBS)

The ride opened with the park on February 8th, 2001. While the opening of Disney's California Adventure was lackluster to say the least, some park guests said that Soarin' Over California was one of, if not perhaps, Disney's best rides.

Fun fact: Did you know that there is a hidden Mickey on the golf ball that is shot at you when you fly over the golf course?

Really hard to make it out, but there is a Hidden Mickey on the golf ball that is hit at Palm Springs (Photo: findmickeys.com)

Soarin'

Now how did this attraction soar over to Epcot? At that time, Epcot needed more attractions to draw crowds, like the Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster did for MGM in the mid to late 1990's. Soarin' Over California was so well received by guests that Disney executives almost immediately wanted to make a clone of the ride at Epcot. At this point in the history of Epcot, around 2004, the park itself really did not know what it wanted to be thematically. For example, the Living Seas would become the Seas with Nemo and Friends, while you still had the Wonders of Life operating in its unchanged state teaching about the human body from 1989. However, Disney saw a good opportunity to tie the ride into an already existing Future World pavilion.

The Land pavilion was selected to receive the new ride, along with an update of the interior of the building itself. The show Food Rocks! (formerly Kitchen Cabaret) closed in January of 2004 in order to accommodate space needed for the queue line and the 2 new theaters.

The Soarin' exit takes up where the entrance to Food Rocks was (most notably: same area where the fastpass kiosks were). Also look at those sick Land trashcans.

Construction began almost immediately after the closure in order to make the expected opening date of May 5th, 2005. This was to coincide with the Happiest Celebration on Earth event, celebrating Disneyland's 50th anniversary. The ride's name was shortened from Soarin' Over California, to Soarin'. Since the ride experience took place in California, the queue line would be themed to an airport, and now you would be "catching a flight" to California.

Now, I have many stories about my time at Walt Disney World, but this one memory is one that will stick out. One day, in March of 2005 on our annual family vacation, my cousins and I were headed to Journey into Imagination when a cast member approached and asked us "would you like to test a new experience out?" Before he had time to finish his sentence, I excitedly told him, "YES!". I immediately knew what we were being asked to test. We were then directed to wait by the restrooms behind Journey into Imagination for a cast member to take the group of about 20 park guests backstage to the Land. When he opened the doors, the queue line was still filled with tarp and painting was still being finished. We were told to go all the way down to the next cast member. When we got to the front of the line the cast member greeted us and welcomed us to Soarin'! At that time, he instructed us to go to Concourse B, as Concourse A was not operational that day. Once we were given our seating assignments, I saw the now iconic Patrick Warburton preflight instructional video for the very first time.

We buckled in and proceeded with our first flights aboard Soarin'. Now I have experienced many rides in my life, but this was the first time I experienced a ride where people started clapping, cheering, some crying. It was the first time I realized that other people had the potential to think of attractions the way I viewed them, as unique and an art from much like film or shows. Rides can be beautiful because they are experienced with other people. The thing I remember most is seeing not only my cousins enjoy Soarin', but to see my grandparents enjoy themselves, and my Grandpa asking if we can ride it again.

Soarin' would continue to be soft opened for park guests until grand opening. Just like it's opening at DCA, it was a hit at Epcot. 

Here's a little trivia for you: When cast members refer to your flight number 5505, that's a direct reference to the month, day and year that Soarin' opened in Walt Disney World. They still refer to that flight number to this day.

Soarin' Around the World

At some point during the construction of the Walt Disney World's Soarin', it was brought up that a film that fit better in Epcot was an option, but was decided that it would wait. In 2015 at the D23 Expo it was announced that Soarin' Around the World would open at both Epcot and Disney California Adventure, as well as opening at Shanghai Disneyland in Spring of 2016.

Like the title implies, we visit locations from all over the world like Paris, Fiji, Monument Valley, Neuschwanstein Castle as well as many others. You will notice more CGI were used in the film, as well as a very familiar score. The score was written/arranged by Bruce Broughton but used the same melody and just adapted Jerry Goldsmith's wonderful score. 

Did you know: Bruce Broughton has written some of your favorite Disney Parks, Epcot, and Disney films scores and music? I've bet that you've heard some of his works which include: Le Visionarium (The Timekeeper theme), Honey, I Shrunk the Audience, Spaceship Earth (2008), The Rescuers Down Under, Ellen's Energy Adventure (Universe of Energy 1996-2017) as well as many others heard around the parks!

From January 2016 up until June 2016, the Disney California Adventure converted the original film to digital 4k, while Epcot's Soarin' remained under refurbishment until the reopening date. 

Finally, on June 17th, Soarin' Around the World opened at Disney California Adventure and at Epcot. The Shanghai Disneyland version of the ride, named "Soarin' Over the Horizon" opened on June 16th. Unlike the original, the ending actually matched the location you were seeing the film in, instead of always ending in Disneyland. For example when watching the film at Epcot, the ride will end flying over Epcot (minus the construction walls).

(Photo: BuzzFeed)

But like the original, the ride was again an instant hit. Guests loved that there was a new film to refresh the attraction. 

In 2016, a version at Tokyo DisneySea was announced, and finally opened in 2019. This time it was renamed as "Soaring: Fantastic Flight". This version had a minor change to the film, which saw the replacement of the Eiffel Tower scene with a Tokyo Tower scene.

Soaring Fantastic Flight at Tokyo DisneySea (Photo: japan.travel)

In a surprising but not unwelcome announcement, the Disney Parks Blog announced that in July 2019, Disney California Adventure would be showing the original Soarin' Over California for the month. Due to wait times and popular demand, this showing was actually extended a month into August 2019.

Again, Disney Parks Blog announced that for the DCA Food and Wine festival, Soarin' Over California would return, and did briefly, but was cut short unfortunately due to the current Covid-19 pandemic.

The impact of Soarin' Over California

Soarin' was revolutionary in the amusement park industry. While there were similar rides to Soarin' like Back to the Future the ride, none have had the industry wide effect that Soarin' Over California had. Not only did it spawn numerous knock-offs at other parks and locations, it made the industry rethink what a thrilling attraction could be. No longer did a thrill ride need to be fast or have over 3 inversions to be thrilling. The best examples of such attractions at Disney Parks are Flight of Passage and Rise of the Resistance.

Personally, this ride has had a profound effect on me, something I wasn't aware of until I became an adult.

Seeing and hearing people clap and cheer at the end of each ride cycle made me realize that other people see the beauty in this unique multimedia experience that we call rides. Soarin' made me want to be serious about pursuing a career in the Amusement/Hospitality industry. Especially in 2020, I thank God that I am still able to have a job that makes family's happy everyday.

Ironically, in January of 2016 I was in Anaheim for a work conference, and I was lucky enough to catch the Soarin' Over California one last time. Since Soarin' Around the World was announced in 2015, I had thought that the last time I would see the original in Nov 2015. So to my surprise, I got to see the original one last time at Disney California Adventure and it was quite an emotional experience. I remember when I exited the ride, I had that same feeling of joy and wonder when I first rode it as a teenager, 10 years prior.

We Go On: IllumiNations - 30 Years of Nighttime Fun

I would like to take this blog to explore the nighttime entertainment at Epcot for the last 30 years and why Epcot and Epcot Center, were and for the next few days, are my favorite time at any Disney park.

IllumiNations (1988)

The word IllumiNations and Epcot have been synonymous since 1988. Epcot has gone through 4 name changes, and a form of IllumiNations has been playing throughout that entire time. Even before IllumiNations, a New World Fantasy and Laserphonic Symphony led the way to the amazing nighttime shows that we've had for the past 31 years.
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First, a little backstory that may be a bit change of tone, but necessary to tell the whole story.
I was raised by my grandparents from early childhood out of necessity, but my parents were still apart of my life. We, like many families joined the Disney Vacation Club in 1994, so we could make family vacations every year to Florida. My grandparents, aunts and cousins and my mom and dad, would all get a grand villa at Old Key West and have a fun week, usually spring break. This was one of the times of the year I was able to have normalcy in my life. That is what Disney was to me. Normalcy.

Around 1999, my dad got sick. For the next four years he was in and out of the hospital, and we as a family went Disney still but he was only able to go once maybe twice. The last time he was able to go was 2000. There are so few experiences at Disney left from the year 2000 that I was able to experience with my father, and it to this day, makes every showing of IllumiNations so wonderfully bittersweet.

After my father passed in 2002, my family went on an impromptu trip to Walt Disney World for the Fourth of July that year and I made sure that we watched IllumiNations.

Believe it or not, that's not the biggest reason why I love IllumiNations and Tapestry of Nations so much, that would be because of my Grandfather. We did everything together at Disney. He is a champ.
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IllumiNations (1988-1996)
IllumiNations 25A (1996-1997)
Illuminations 25 B (1997-1999)

(I found these in a WDW book from 1992!)

I'm a 90's kid, and I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that IllumiNations from this time doesn't get enough love. My Grandpa especially loved these versions of IllumiNations and I remember how (low key) we always had to make time to see IllumiNations, his favorite being the 1997-1999 version. These versions took musical compositions from famous composers around the world. The most unique of them was IllumiNations 25A which had music composed specifically for it. If you you are lucky enough to be at Epcot during one of it's major birthdays, like Epcot 35th, the anniversary tag (addition to the regular show) features some of this music. This show also had the most, "unique" ending in that an arrangement of the "Circle of Life" ended this show. The 25B version featured again, classical music compositions and was the version I always listened too on the WDW official album!

Then the Millenium Celebration...

Walt Disney World: Millenium Celebration

I remember vividly watching the Walt Disney World planning video for that was sent to homes during this time, and there was a preview of the additions that were being added in 1999, which included both Tapestry of Nations and IllumiNations 2000: Reflections of Earth. Basically they are hype videos and are everything! I was so excited. I watched this ALL THE TIME after I got home from school. I couldn't wait until we went on our yearly trip to see it in person.


For the next section, I highly recommend you listen to this: 

Tapestry of Nations

Tapestry of Nations was, by far, my family's favorite parade. It is so cherished and fondly remember by Disney fans that were able to see it, almost everyone that I talk to says that it is one of, if not their favorite parade that Disney has ever done. Besides, Spectromagic in the Magic Kingdom, I would have to agree.

Both IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth and Tapestry of Nations have the central theme that is celebrating our past, the past 2000 years of humanity and the earth in general.

As soon as I see it on some home videos, or more often hear it play throughout Epcot after IllumiNations is over I just tear up and want to dance. It was so short lived (1999-2003) and I probably had only seen this 5-6 times, yet it has a resounding impact on me. I remember vividly my Grandpa especially do a little happy dance while the puppets went by. The puppets would reach into the crowd to interact with the children. It was amazing.

The bread and butter of the parade was the music and the joyful atmosphere it created. I have never seen a parade bring so much joy to myself and other parade goers, it's insane. Everyone was dancing, some singing along with the music or trying to reach out and touch the giant puppets/marionettes. The music for both Tapestry of Nations, IllumiNations and the theme of the Millenium Celebration "Celebrate the Future Hand in Hand" were all written by Gavin Greenaway (Hans Zimmer also contributed) and are now ICONIC Epcot music.

Tapestry of Nations ran twice a night, and each performance their was actually two going on at the sametime. If you timed it correctly and sat by either Morocco or Mexico (depending on which way the parade was going). Sadly, the parade ended in 2003 (then under the name Tapestry of Dreams).

Tapestry of Nations sets up IllumiNations as this sort of acted as the pre-show to IllumiNations. It is missed dearly by many park goers. My Grandpa to this day will tell you this was his favorite thing at Walt Disney World.

IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth

I say a lot of things are my favorites in Walt Disney World, and I don't know if that's because of bad writing or I love a lot of things, or maybe both, but when I say that IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth is my favorite thing at Walt Disney World, I really do mean this. There is not another thing in WDW that makes my heart so happy than watching IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. I fully expected this to end, so, when I can, I've tried to see it as much as possible.

If you've ever wondered what those 19 torches are that light the perimeter of World Showcase Lagoon, they represent the past 19 centuries. They remain lit, until the iconic words of Jim Cummings echo throughout the Lagoon:

Good evening. On behalf of Walt Disney World, the place where dreams come true, we welcome all of you to Epcot, and World Showcase. We’re gathered here tonight, around the fire, as people of all lands have gathered for thousands and thousands of years before us, to share the light, and to share a story. An amazing story as old as time itself, but still being written. And though each of us has our own individual stories to tell, a true adventure emerges when we bring them all together as one. We hope you enjoy our story tonight: Reflections of Earth. (cue all the readers blowing out the torches).

For the next section, I highly recommend you listen to this (I have added time stamps for the corresponding events): 

Chaos (0:26):

As the drums get faster and faster a single firework from the American Plaza Theater is launched. An explosion, followed by fireworks that explode on the lagoon and a roaring fire, the universe is being made.

The music is sporadic and loud, with crashing cymbals throughout. After witnessing the universe for a brief second being made, we suddenly focus our attention on earth burning with another blast from the inferno barge. This time it burns brighter and, hotter. With one long blast earth is made.

Space (2:09):

We see Earth finally in the distance floating through the stars (that are lit on the surface of the water). The music slows, a vast contrast from the harsh staccato notes from before. The music changes and a beat starts.

Life (3:39):

The fountains turn green, representing life on earth. We see animals, water and forests. We see a horse running and it becomes a painting.

Man and Adventure (4:16):

A cave painting to be exact, and as other paintings are made on the wall of these caves, we look towards the opening of the cave, to the new horizon. The music crescendos, and the fountain lights up blue. The globe shows us different people from around the world, different vessels and innovations.

Suddenly half of the countries silhouettes are bright with lights lining the buildings, then the other half. If anyone remembers the previous IllumiNations, you'll definitely love this tribute to the shows that ran before. On the earth globe you'll see different countries and cultures. Fireworks explode above the globe.

The globe turns darks as the lagoon starts sparkling with lights on the water. The globe shows an artists pallet. We see the fountains light up pink, green, orange, yellow, these colors our the colors they use to paint a picture in the night sky.

First the pink fireworks shoot straight up, then towards the globe, away from the globe, and again straight up. This repeats with green, orange, and yellow. All of the colors then start shooting up in a circle around the globe, and a few fire over the globe.

The globe then shows people who have impacted the world like Martin Luther King Jr, Amelia Earhart, John F. Kennedy and Walt Disney.

We zoom in on earth.

Home (8:00)

All the countries are lit, and fireworks burst over the lagoon and twinkle in the night sky. All the lasers shine and the music starts to slow.

Celebration (8:34)

Probably the coolest effect in the entire show, usually surprising guests, fireworks are launched from the perimeter of the lagoon (near the guests) and shoot off towards the center. The music in this section is iconic. In the past it has been used in numerous marketing materials, to hype people about Epcot.

The fireworks dance in the night sky, as video of Tapestry of Nations is shown. A true celebration of the last 19 centuries.

As it culminates the perimeter fireworks are fired again, and the music ends.

Meaning (9:30)



My favorite movement in IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, by far. The song "We Go On" is played in this section, and acts as the grand finale. The lyrics to this song, and the post show song Promise are powerful and ring true the original concept for Epcot. The smoke clears, as Kellie Coffey starts to sing.

With the stillness of the night
Their comes a time to understand
To reach out and touch tomorrow
Take the future in our hand

Small torches on the surface of the water light up.

We can see a new horizon
Built on all that we have done
And our dreams begin another
Thousand circles 'round the sun

All of the 19 torches surrounding World Showcase Lagoon suddenly start burning in unison. At this point, I'm a mess.

We go on
To the joy and through the tears
We go on
To discover new frontiers
Moving on
With the current of the years

The earth globe starts to open up, and we see the 20th torch, emerging from the center.

We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on
With a spirit born to run
Ever on
With each rising sun
To a new day
We go on

The 20th century torch now aflame, every country shining bright.

Then, 3 sets of fireworks shoot from the 20th torch on the earth globe.

We go on...

Blinding fireworks fill the night sky. Truly a sight to see. Followed by one more perimeter firework, and a thunderous ending.

Immediately following IllumiNations the song Promise is played. Again it is sung by Kellie Coffey, and all the torches, including the earth globe remain burning during it.

This song in the last few years has really hit me hard. I've ugly cried before. The lyrics are so fitting to how I feel about these shows, and Epcot in general.

Promise

Every evening
Brings an ending
Every day becomes a legacy

Every sunset
Leads to morning
With the promise of opportunity

We can reach for the stars we find along the way
Dreaming as we learn to love everyday

Promise 
You will take my hand
As tomorrow comes 
We'll go on

We'll go on
Growing closer through the years
Moving on
Through the good times and the tears
Ever on
Another thousand circles 'round the sun
If two can be as one
We'll go on

There is music
If you listen
In the rhythm of each breath we take

Destinations
Undiscovered
Revelations from every choice we make

And I know
There are diamonds dancin' in the sky
All we have to do 
Is open our eyes

Promise
We'll walk side by side
As a new day dawns
We'll go on

We'll go on
Growing closer through the years
Moving on
Through the good times and the tears
Ever on
Another thousand circles 'round the sun
A new life has begun
The two of us as one
We'll go on

Moving on
Through the good times and the tears
Ever on
Another thousand circles 'round the sun
A new life has begun
When two of us are one
And we live to keep the promise

We'll go on
Ever on
We'll go on


And of course, the icing on top is Tapestry of Nations is played while everyone is heading out of the park.

IllumiNations in any form will always have a special place in my heart. Through the good times and the tears, we'll go on!

Also please check out this the following link, of CLIFFLIX's IllumiNations Reflections of Earth 2017. It's in 4K and the best on YouTube: CLIFFLIX IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth

Which Epcot Festival should you attend?

Let's face it, Epcot is now the festival park. Nearly 3/4's of the year Epcot has festivals going on. This past year Epcot celebrated 4 different festivals which were:

Epcot International Festival of the Arts in the winter, Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival in the spring, Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in late summer/fall, and Epcot International Festival of the Holidays in late fall.

The popularity of Food and Wine has made all the other festivals step up their game, especially in terms of food booths. A little background, during the festivals there are booths (often referred to as outdoor kitchens) that will have pairings of food and wine, beers and libations themed to that certain booth.

In general, each of the festivals have special food booths, photo opportunities, a limited edition Magic Band and merchandise as well as a concert series or musical act at the American Gardens Theater at the American Adventure in World Showcase. My goal is to help you figure out which festival is the right one for you. Here are my thoughts!

Epcot International Festival of the Arts (January 18th - February 25th, 2019)

The Festival of the Arts, which debuted in 2017, is the newest of the festivals. Our group was lucky enough to go the the first year of the festival, and to be honest it really surprised me. I thought it would have it's lulls and start off slow, but it was more than I was ever expecting.

This festival is the underdog of the four of them. It's the most interactive and engaging of the festivals and does a great job of allowing guests to do things that they normally wouldn't do. Travel around World Showcase to find many giant photo opportunities, listen to performers from past and present Disney Broadway shows, but most unique of all, the ability to be able to paint or draw pieces of art and have it displayed for all other festival goers, whether it be a huge paint by numbers paintings that you and your fellow Walt Disney World guests paint, or sketches of Wall-E and EVE for Valentines day!

And the finished product! (below)

Many of the Disney artists that make art in the parks and resorts or sell for merchandise are on hand for meet and greets, as well as get some background about some of their works.

(Photo cred: Disney Parks Blog)

I am head over heels for the Epcot Center concept paintings.

I would "oceans eleven" this painting of Horizons at night ;)

The standouts in terms of foods that we must have, are actually at the same booth, Taste Track next to, you guessed it, Test Track. The savory option here is the Lobster Bacon Macaroni & Cheese served on a Warm Bread Cone, which fans of Food and Wine or Epcot in the 80's will remember as the Handwich. Also at Taste Track is the Paintbrush Churros dipped in colorful white chocolate which is good taste, but really just there to show off to your jealous followers on Instagram, both pictured below.

(Photo cred: EasyWDW)

Disney on Broadway concert series are the musical acts located in the American Garden Theater at the American Adventure. Acts like Kissy Simmons and Alton Fitzgerald White, who performed songs from “Tarzan,” “The Lion King,” “Aida,” “Aladdin,” and “The Little Mermaid.”.

While the booths have very colorful and fun food and drinks they don't match those at Food and Wine or Festival of the Holidays. The food and the concert series are really the only area that is still lacking in my opinion, but the activities sure make up for it. This festival is an Instagrammers paradise, so if you like to take washed out photos of churros in front of a bathroom, you do you. If you are visiting in January or February don't miss the Festival of the Arts.

Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival (March 6th - June 3rd, 2019)

Debuting in 1994 this is the oldest of the annual festivals at Epcot. If you have been to Walt Disney World during the spring break season, you have probably attended the Flower and Garden Festival. In recent years, Flower and Garden has started to add more booths and food options, but not as many as Food and Wine as the focus is on the beautiful flower and garden displays.

The topiaries and gardens are among the best at any theme park I've ever seen. Epcot's beauty shines during this festival. Every walkway and path is adorned with patterned flowers.

My favorite food that is available at the Flower and Garden festival is located in Japan; Frushi! It is great for non-adventurous eaters (like myself) and adventurous alike, the Frushi is fresh fruit wrapped up like sushi (minus the fish) and featured with a strawberry dipping sauce and a little whipped cream (featured below).

Also the Beijing-style candied strawberries at the Lotus House are pretty killer. You can taste the sesame seeds which help give it a sweet and salty taste, if you dig that, which I do, this is a dessert for you.

The Garden Rocks concert series invites bands and vocal talent to present mini concerts every night of the festival. In the past, bands have included: Herman's Hermits, Starship featuring Mickey Thomas, Simple Plan, and The orchestra of ELO among many others! Many are rock groups from the sixties and seventies.

I don't think that there is a more beautiful theme park than Epcot during the spring. The flower creations around the walkways and entrance to World Showcase are truly beautiful! If you love gardening and flowers this is the festival for you.

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival 
(Projected dates: August 29th - November 23rd, 2019)

The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival debuted in 1995 as the brain child of the now President of the Walt Disney World Resort, George Kalogridis. This festival is hands down the most popular of the four and for good reason. There are now 37 food locations/booths (not including other offerings at permanent locations) that adds many new countries and more food options from the already permanent countries of World Showcase.

There are many food seminars, and food demonstrations, as well as wines to buy and other merchandise in the Festival Center, however with the new Play Pavilion it may no longer be in this location in the future (which previously was the Wonders of Life pavilion R.I.P!)

The food and wine is of course the main draw and it does not disappoint. My favorites include:

Loaded Mac n' Cheese (most recently seen at Active Eats)

Cripsy Pork Belly at Brazil (personally my favorite booth at Food and Wine currently)

My absolute favorite Schinkennudeln from Germany. It's basically like super rich ham and mac and cheese.

And don't forget our favorite drink is of course the famous Dole Whip with Meyers Dark Rum at Refreshment Port.

The Eat to the Beat concert series is very popular as many well know performers or bands come down to perform annually. Send me free stuff Sugar Ray!

The only downside to Food and Wine is the crowds and it can be a BIG downside if you go at the wrong time. It used to be considered off season, but with this and Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party going on during the same time, it has become extremely busy on the weekends. Usually the lines at Food and Wine aren't as bad on the weekdays, but it's a zoo on weekends. Also try to avoid the RunDisney event that usually takes place at the end of the festival, as that is crowded as well.
If you love food, and drinks, and tapas, this is a not to be missed festival.


Epcot International Festival of the Holidays (November 29th-December 30th)

Back in 2016, Holidays Around the World was re-imagined into Festival of the Holidays. I hadn't attended any Holidays at Epcot before 2017, and I immediately loved it. This year's Festival of the Holidays will be shortened due to the Food and Wine Festival being extended to mid November.

The biggest draw of Festival of the Holidays has been, and will be the Epcot Candlelight Processional. Celebrities and Disney Legends will narrate the biblical story of Christmas with choir and orchestra. Narrators have included Neil Patrick Harris, Whoopi Goldberg, Gary Sinise, Jodi Benson among many others. While this isn't an extra charge, the auditorium dose not hold many so if you want a seat at one of the performances you will have to wait in line as it is first come, first serve. If you absolutely want to guarantee a seat, consider doing the Candlelight Processional Dinner/Seating package. I forget what restaurants participate, but you pay for dinner and get a reserved seat for a performance.

(Photo cred: Disney Parks Blog)

My Favorite part of Festival of the Holidays is the storytellers that tell their traditions. My personal favorite is Japan and how they celebrate the New Year. Many of the countries have traditional

This festival has considerably less booths than Food and Wine, with something around 13 locations, but has a lot of holiday comfort food!

Our favorite of course is of course the Slow-Roasted Turkey from the American Holiday Table at the American Adventure. It is classic Thanksgiving dinner and perfect for the holidays!

The next time you are in Disney for the Holidays be sure to check out Festival of the Holidays!