The eighth annual Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic is Friday and Saturday, Oct. 27 and 28. However, if you haven’t already bought your tickets, it’s only on Friday — the Saturday event has already sold out.
The resort’s food and beverage director, Tony Porcellini, said he’s expecting about four thousand attendees over the two days, tasting samples of food from the various on-site restaurants, sipping wines, and attending seminars.
That’s a big change from the first year that the Swan and Dolphin held the event to feed off of the larger and more popular food & wine festival occurring a scones’ throw away at Epcot.
That first year, the event was contained to the pedestrian causeway that links the two hotels. Now, it spreads out onto both properties and even indoors for some events, like the new-this-year Bubble Lounge. That’s a speakeasy-style venue featuring all sparkling wines. (Bubble Lounge — get it?)
Most attendees are content to wander about and try the foods from restaurants such as Shula’s Steak House, Todd English’s bluezoo, Il Mulino Trattoria and Kimonos, among others.
There are also themed areas, including: Carnival Corner, with funnel cakes and corn dogs; Chinatown, with duck baos and dumplings; and a Beer Garden for pretzels and schnitzel.
The classic is from 5:30 to 9 p.m. both days with seminars beginning at 4:30. Get more information and tickets (for Friday) at the official website.
Check out the video that I did with our friends at icFlorida for other details.