Around the World in One Night (Epcot's Food and Wine Festival)

As promised in my earlier post about the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon, I am pleased to introduce you to the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival!

The International Food and Wine Festival runs for about a month and a half, the dates vary slightly every year. This year it runs from September 30th to November 13th.

Around thirty countries are represented. The food and drinks are shipped from their respective countries. The park is alive with demonstrations specific to different cultures. They also have the Eat to the Beat! concert series which features many well known bands.

After the Wine and Dine Half Marathon you are granted admission to your own private Food and Wine Festival Party. Most rides are ready for use and all countries are open for business. Included with your run admission is a $10 gift card which you can spend however you like. Of course my sister and I spent ours on food and drink.

First stop, and our meeting place after the run, was Belgium. It was pretty cool to say to my sister, 'I'll meet you at Belgium after the run!' (She's faster then me so about seven miles in she took off and I proceeded with my run/walk.)

Why did we go to Belgium??? Well for Belgium Waffles and Mussels in a garlic cream sauce of course! The waffle was slightly crispy on the outside and nice and soft in the middle.

And the mussels? Oh. My. Gosh. Yum. I contemplated getting another plate. I also converted my sister to a mussel lover. Go me! :)

Then we hit up New Zealand for some pan seared scallops. They were just as good as the mussels. Of course my mouth watered so much and I was dying in anticipation that I forgot to take a picture of them. Maybe I should go back. I'd do that for you guys...

I also forgot to take a picture of the kielbasa and potato croquette we got from Poland. That was amazing as well. Other countries have such great food.

We had $4 left to spend and couldn't decide where to go. But as we walked by the South Korea booth the smell of BBQ sucked us in.

The kimchi was a little too spicy for me, but my gosh were the BBQ ribs amazing.

The night was perfect with most people walking around in just shorts and a tank top. The park was a glow, each country with their own special touches on display. It's a totally awesome festival. Amazing to think you can experience some of what our world has to offer just by walking a one mile path around a lagoon.

Have you every been to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival? What was your favorite country? If you could go to any country right now and grab a bite to eat, where would you go?