Monthly Archives: September 2019

When Walt Disney World Changes Hurt

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I’m not whining.  That’s not what this is.  I’m not complaining either.  I’m here stating facts:  I’m angry and need a bit of talk therapy.  You are my therapist today – I need a sympathetic ear about a few things I’ve got to get off my chest.  Time to clear the air, so to speak, which doesn’t mean I’ve lost any love for Disney.  The fact of the matter is that while I generally don’t mind change and often welcome it with open arms, sometimes change hurts.  This is one of those times.

I will freely admit to being extra excited about some of the new things at Walt Disney World. It was (my opinion) way past time for Illuminations to make way for something new and I cannot wait to see Epcot Forever and whatever comes after that. I’m excited about Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. If the Great Movie Ride was never going to be updated, then a completely new experience is the way to go! I love Toy Story Land and I’m happy about Galaxy’s Edge if for no other reason than that the Studios had become a shadow of its former self.

If I’m ambivalent about the Skyliner and Disney Riviera Resort, it’s because I almost always stay at Bay Lake Tower and don’t expect I’ll be experiencing them anytime in the near future. I also don’t care about new dance parties of any variety, but get that for many guests, these experiences are a welcome way to create fun memories.

Now to the news that has really made me angry as few things have before. A change that I believe will hurt for quite some time to come. The Burudika Band in Disney’s Animal Kingdom will end its performances on October 13th when their contract with Disney expires. The Harambe section of the park will never be the same! The band’s contribution to the atmosphere and the joy the performers brought to guests with every performance cannot be ignored. We at least stopped to watch them for a few minutes or, more often, spent a good bit of time enjoying their music while sipping a beverage at the Dawa Bar. Burudika is Swahili for “to be refreshed” and soaking up those moments of perfect relaxation in Harambe created some of our family’s happiest vacation memories. The band isn’t the only live entertainment being cut, but this is the one that irks me the most. I love Animal Kingdom. I think I might love it a little bit less now.

Well, there it is. I’ve moved on from anger to sadness now and I’ve got something in my eye which will prevent me from writing more. Thanks for being here for me today – you’ve been a great help by allowing me to get these feelings out. I’ll be back soon with a better attitude. Maybe.

Our 2019 Strategy – Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival

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We’ve never had a bad visit to Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival. It sometimes gets a bad reputation for rowdy crowds and over-imbibing merrymakers, but our experiences have always been positive. Bear in mind that we are firm believers in that early to bed, early to rise adage – especially at Walt Disney World, so we may be inadvertently avoiding the worst festival guests. That being said, we’re well into the planning homestretch for this year’s Food & Wine visit and I’m getting pretty stoked!

Our 2019 Strategy – Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival

While I don’t do as much extensive pre-festival planning as some, I always make sure to start my research on the Disney Food Blog’s festival pages. I find I rarely have to look anywhere else for the scoop on all things delicious and entertaining. This year I’ve got two major considerations as I build my must-try list: Limited festival time and a big appetite.

Our 2019 Strategy - Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival

Limited Festival Time

Because we’ll be at Walt Disney World for slightly less than four days, We’ll need to be strategic about making the most of our Epcot time. Fewer attractions and more World Showcase is the plan. The Eat to the Beat Concerts during our visit will feature Sheena Easton, Kris Allen, and Boyz II Men. Personally, of the three, I’d pick Sheena Easton if there’s enough time to watch a bit. In the 80’s I loved her music and for a time Sheena and I even sported the same hairstyle. (I’m humming the morning train song now as I type.)

Our 2019 Strategy - Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival

Big Appetite

As you may already be aware, our favorite son, Joseph, and I are running the Wine & Dine Challenge for the first time this year. Nothing like running 19.3 miles in two days to make a body mighty hungry! Also, burning lots of calories makes me feel less guilty about the food booth indulgences. Some of this year’s choices are outstanding and my wish-list top five include (in no particular order):

  • Brazil – Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans, Tomato and Onions
  • The Alps – Venison Stew with Crushed Potatoes
  • Flavors from Fire – The Steakhouse Blended Burger: Blended Beef and Mushroom Slider with Brie Cheese Fondue, Arugula, and a Truffle and Blue Cheese Potato Chip on a Brioche Bun
  • Spain – Seafood Salad with Shrimp, Bay Scallops, Mussels, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, White Balsamic Vinegar and Smoked Paprika
  • Thailand – Red Hot Spicy Thai Curry Beef with Steamed Rice

The only repeat is the Crispy Pork Belly – Raymond and I both love it so much that we once stopped in at Epcot and made our way to World Showcase just to split an order on a super-crowded Saturday night. We were on our way to dinner someplace like Yachtsman Steak House, but had to make time for that one dish. It was the only thing we did in Epcot that day. Even saying the words…crispy. pork. belly. Makes me happy.

While we may not get as much time at Food & Wine as we’d like this time, I plan on making the most of this limited opportunity. If I can manage to squeeze in an order of Morocco’s Spicy Hummus Fries or a bowl of Refreshment Port’s Duck Confit Poutine with Fig Demi Sauce and Brie Cheese Fondue, I’m going for it.

Are you a fan of Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival? What are your favorite dishes?