Eat to the Beat Concert Lineup Announced

The Disney Parks Blog released the 2014 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival’s Eat to the Beat concert lineup today.  Here’s the full schedule of who is performing this year, with one open TBD spot to fill.

  • Sept 19-21 – Jo Dee Messina
  • Sept. 22-23 – The Pointer Sisters
  • Sept. 24-25 – Rick Springfield
  • Sept. 26-27 – Christopher Cross
  • Sept. 28-29 – Hanson
  • Sept. 30-Oct. 2 – Air Supply
  • Oct. 3-5 – STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas
  • Oct. 6-8 – Sugar Ray
  • Oct. 9-10 – Fuel
  • Oct. 11-12 – Sister Hazel
  • Oct. 13-14 – TBD
  • Oct. 15-16 – Billy Ocean
  • Oct. 17-19 – Night Ranger
  • Oct. 20-22 – Smash Mouth
  • Oct. 23-24 – Jim Brickman
  • Oct. 25-26 – Los Lonely Boys
  • Oct. 27-28 – Wilson Phillips
  • Oct. 29-31 – Dennis DeYoung, original member of STYX
  • Nov. 1-2 – 38 Special
  • Nov. 3-5 – Boyz II Men
  • Nov. 6-7 – David Cook
  • Nov. 8-10 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Looks like several returning acts and a few new ones. Anyone you’re looking forward to seeing?

Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto coming to Disney’s Polynesian Resort

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Those waiting for an East Coast version of the popular Disneyland Resort’s Trader’s Sam will not have to wait much longer.  The rumors are true! Coming soon to the refurbished Polynesian Resort (or Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort as the resort is going to revert to it’s original name come 2015) will be the new Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto.  This new lounge will serve tiki cocktails and Polynesia-inspired small plates to guests.

No more details were made available at this time, but the concept art above gives an idea of what we’ll see when the new lounge opens.

Anyone excited for the new Trader Sam’s?

“After Hours Wind Down” Coming to Epcot

A new nighttime adult-oriented offering is coming to Epcot.  The “After Hours Wind Down” starts April 17th and is currently scheduled to run through September 15th (shortly before the Food and Wine Festival starts.)  Official description of the event from the reservations page:

Following a fantastic fireworks spectacular, stick around Epcot as you take your pick from 4 exclusive lounges and satisfy your senses with tempting cuisine, as created by award-winning Epcot chefs and sommeliers.

The four participating locations will each offer a different drinking and dining experience (subject to change), and AJ of the Disney Food Blog shared some details on what might be available at each lounge:

La Cava del Tequila Mexico Pavilion  Guests can choose from one of the following beverage choices:

  • Tequila flight
  • Shot of Tequila Ambhar Blanco
  • Shot of Tequila Partida Reposado
  • Shot of Tequila Casa Noble Añejo
  • Shot of Mezcal Sombra Blanco

The food sampler will include Ceviche Acapulqueño (Shrimp cocktail Acapulco Style), Tlacoyo de Puerco (Marinated Pork served over a grilled corn dough), and Tostada de Tinga (Chicken tostada, garnished with mixed greens, creme fresco and avocado)

Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room – United Kingdom Pavilion

TBD  (note: we suspect this will include a beer flight offering or two)

Spice Road Table – Morocco Pavilion

The menu for this location may include Lamb Sliders, Chicken Rolls, or Moroccan Sausages paired with a white or red wine flight.

Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar – Italy Pavilion

The menu for this location may include traditional cured meats, cheeses, and Italian antipasti paired with Italian wine flights.

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Admission to the Epcot After Hours Wind Down costs $35 per guest, and tax and gratuity are not included. (At present, this event does not appear to be Tables in Wonderland eligible.) To make reservations (up to 180 days in advance) go to www.disneyworld.com/spring, call 407-WDW-DINE, or check in with Epcot Guest Relations during your stay to see if space is available.

 

Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival Underway at Downtown Disney

greenbeer

The “Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival” is underway at Downtown Disney and runs through March 17th. While Raglan Road is always a popular place to celebrate this time of year, and they feature several of their own events, other locations at Downtown Disney are “going green” as well.  Here’s a quick look at what they have to offer:

Paradiso 37Take a trip to the end of the rainbow where you can try out popular treats and Irish cocktails, like the large-and-in-charge specialty beverage known as The Giant Leprechaun.

Planet Hollywood: Add some glitz and glamour to St. Patrick’s Day at Planet Hollywood, where you can find food options like Irish egg rolls and festive libations including The Crazy Leprechaun, Planet Shamrock Jell-O Shots and the non-alcoholic Young Lad Irish Sour Apple.

Bongos: Groove to the beat of a different drum with seasonal items from this favorite Cuban café, with Havana-inspired offerings you won’t find elsewhere such as the Cuban Leprechaun Mojito.

Portobello:  Relish in Italian flavors at Portobello where you can enjoy a Fiddler’s Dream—mixed with Jameson honey simple syrup, Fever Tree ginger beer and a splash of lemonade.

Fulton’s Crab House: Sail into this seaside port to discover a St. Patrick’s Day specialty drink known as Limey Leprechaun, which includes Cuervo Gold, Midori, pineapple juice, sour mix and ice.

Wolfgang Puck Cafe: Waltz by Wolfgang Puck Café where the staff is kicking off the festivities with Shamrock Martinis, mixed with Midori, green crème de mint, ice cream and a chocolate swirl!

Forty Thirst Street: For a quick pick-me-up with just a hint a fun, drop inside this popular stop where you can fill up your mug with delicious Irish Cream Coffee.

Other festival features include live musical performances, special merchandise, and a family fun zone sponsored by Disney’s Muppets Most Wanted.  For more information, click here.

If you make it by the festival, send us a pic of what you’re drinking to @drinkingdisney on Twitter.

2014 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival News

The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival has slowly been morphing into a prettier Food and Wine festival…but we’re certainly not complaining.  This year’s event gets underway soon (March 5th) so here’s a quick look at what the festival will hold for those who are looking to drink Disney.

A new addition to the festival, Urban Farm Eats, will be serving up two vegan wines, The Vegan Vine Chardonnay and The Vegan Vine Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as a gluten-free beer by Anheuser-Busch, Redbridge.

Happy to report that a couple of favorites from last year will be returning.  La Vie en Rose frozen slush (Vodka, Grey Goose Orange, St. Germain Liquor, and White and Red Cranberry Juice), a popular and pretty drink served at L’Orangerie last year, will be available this year at Fleur de Lys. 

La Vie en Rose

The rum infused Dole Whip at the Pineapple Promenade will also return, but this year’s version offers a choice of either Myer’s Dark Rum or Parrot Cay Coconut Rum.  We’re happy to see this one is back, especially with a couple of rum options, but hopfully the rum/Dole Whip is proportioned better than last year where there was too much Dole Whip/not enough rum.

Dole Whip

If you were hoping to stop by the German-inspired Bauermarkt (or any German-inspired kiosk for that matter, as it seems a few of the marketplaces have undergone a name chance this year) you won’t be able to as it is missing from the 2014 line-up.  Disappointing for some we suspect, but hopefully you can find a suitable replacement for what you’ll be missing amongst the beer, wine, and cocktails listed below.

Intermissions Cafe

  • Hurricane Class 5 White Sangria, Florida Orange Groves (St. Petersburg, FL)
  • Garda Italian Wine Blend, Quantum Leap Winery (Orlando, FL)
  • Rogue Valley Pinot Noir, Quantum Leap Winery (Orlando, FL)
  • Martini Prosecco
  • Strongbow Cider, Bulmers Cider Company (White Plains, NY)
  • SweetWater Blue, SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, GA)

Pineapple Promenade

  •  Tropical Mango Pale Ale, St. John Brewers (U.S. Virgin Islands)
  • Once Upon a Vine’s The Lost Slipper Sauvignon Blanc

Buttercup Cottage

  • Berry Tea Cocktail — Twinings Cold Brewed Mixed Berry Tea with Florida Cane Vodka and Plant City Strawberry, Flavored with Raspberry and Açaí Syrup
  • Iron Horse Fairy Tale Cuvee
  • Deloach Pinot Noir

Fleur de Lys

  • Kir Imperial – Sparkling wine, Chambord and Black Raspberry Liquor
  • Rosé Pamplemousse Cocktail – Rosé Wine Mixed with Natural Grapefruit Syrup
  • Kronenbourg Blanc 1664 – Fruity White Beer with Citrus Notes

Taste of Marrakesh

  • White sangria
  • Guerrouane red
  • Casa Beer
  • Desert Rose — Sparkling Wine with Pomegranate Liqueur

Hanami

  • Kirin draft beer
  • Pineapple Paradise with Yuzu Slushie – Frozen blend of sweet sake, pineapple juice and crème, flavored with a hint of Yuzu citrus juice
  • Orange Mango Slushie – Frozen blend of Nigori sake, mango and orange juice

The Smokehouse:  Barbeques and Brews

  • Magic Hat #9, Magic Hat Brewing (South Burlington, VT)
  • Maduro, Cigar City Brewing (Tampa, FL)
  • Fat Tire, New Belgium Brewing Company (Ft. Collins, CO)
  • Billy’s Chilies, Twisted Pine Brewing Company (Boulder, CO)
  • Beer Flight – Magic Hat #9, Maduro, Fat Tire and Billy’s Chilies
  • The Original Rib Shack Red Wine

Primavera Kitchen

  • Placido Pinot Grigio
  • Placido Chianti
  • Bosco del Merlo Prosecco
  • White Peach Bellini – Prosecco and white peach puree
  • Strawberry Rossini – Prosecco and marinated strawberries
  • Frozen Italian Primavera – Assorted fruit slushy with limoncello and vodka
  • Moretti Lager
  • Moretti La Rossa

Lotus House

  • South Sea Storm – Guava juice served with light and dark rum
  • Plum wine
  • Tsing-Tao beer

Jardin de Fiestas

  • Tecate draft beer
  • White Mexican sangria
  • Franbuesa (raspberry) margarita on the rocks
  • Tequila flight – blanco, reposado and añejo

Florida Fresh

  • Hurricane Class 5 White Sangria featuring Simply Lemonade, Florida Orange Groves (St. Petersburg, FL)
  • Garda Italian Wine Blend, Quantum Leap Winery (Orlando, FL)
  • Rogue Valley Pinot Noir, Quantum Leap Winery (Orlando, FL)
  • Blonde Ale, Orlando Brewing Company (Orlando, FL)
  • Cotton Mouth Belgian Style Witbier, Swamp Head Brewery (Gainesville, FL)
  • Feast of Flowers Farmhouse Ale, Florida Beer Company (Cape Canaveral, FL)
  • Florida Avenue Blueberry, Cold Storage Craft Brewery (Tampa, FL)
  • Beer Flight – Blonde Ale, Cotton Mouth Belgian Style Witbier, Feast of Flowers Farmhouse Ale and Florida Avenue Blueberry

The 2014 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival runs from March 5th to May 18, 2014.

Holiday Drinks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Some new holiday cocktails have turned up at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the last few days. Gone are the Sleigh Ride and Snowball from Christmases past, and in their place we have the Gumdrop and Berry Merry Margarita.

drinks

We unfortunately did not have the chance to try these cocktails, but both look like they’d be on the sweet side.  If you’re spending the holidays at the World and have a chance to try either of  them, we’d love to hear what you think.

New Dawa Bar

A report earlier this week on WDW Magic has the newly rebuilt and relocated Dawa Bar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom opening soon (if it hasn’t already.)  The bar was relocated due to construction on the new home of the Festival of the Lion King.

The online menu remains the same as of this writing , but we hope to stop by later in the week to check out the new location and see if anything has been added or changed.  In the meantime, check out the pics over at WDW Magic.

(Update: Unfortunately illness prevented our visit to the Dawa Bar this week.   We hope to get some pics on our next trip in early 2014.)