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Walt Disney World is gearing up for the return of the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, bringing new flavors, fan-favorite characters, and fresh entertainment across the resort.<\/p>\n
Chef de Cuisine Tony Marotta said the team spends nearly a year preparing for the festival. \u201cThis is a nine-to 12-month process to get a festival going. So we evolve and test items all year long,\u201d he said, calling it \u201cthe busiest festival of the year, also my favorite festival.\u201d<\/p>\n
Disney leaders said the festival will once again spotlight icons like Remy and Figment. \u201cWe want to, obviously, continue pushing our traditional Epcot classics, icons such as our Figment, such as our Remy, who\u2019s become a very big icon, and you see him around all throughout Food and Wine,\u201d said Valentina with Disney\u2019s PR team. Passholders can also expect exclusive new merchandise, including a limited-edition pin.<\/p>\n
Jeff Harmon, manager with Disney PhotoPass, said Figment will have a special role this year. \u201cFigment has packed his bag and is going to come to the Food and Wine Festival,\u201d Harmon said. He added that guests can also look for anniversary photo opportunities, including a magic shot inspired by A Goofy Movie\u2019s<\/i> \u201cLeaning Tower of Chiza.\u201d<\/p>\n
Beyond EPCOT, Disney\u2019s Hollywood Studios is rolling out new stage productions. A villain\u2019s show will feature more than 80 characters. \u201cWe have over 80 villains and high kicks featured in the show,\u201d said Matt Fiuza, senior art director for Disney Live Entertainment.<\/p>\n
A new production of The Little Mermaid<\/i> has also debuted. \u201cThis show, we took the opportunity to tell the full story of The Little Mermaid<\/i> from start to finish,\u201d said show director James Silson. Katrina Mena Rick, senior visual media creative producer, said the team also included a throwback. \u201cA nod to the nostalgia of the original show that used to be in this venue is we did bring into this production our black light puppetry, a black light scene of Under the Sea,<\/i>\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
EPCOT is also reimagining Test Track. \u201cIt\u2019s a brand new story for our guests. The ride experience is the same, but you\u2019re going to see a storytelling of the future of mobility, as well as touching on General Motors\u2019 century-long experience,\u201d said Kerry Chan, a project manager with Walt Disney Imagineering.<\/p>\n