
Welcome to Walt Disney World 1995 and the 50 Days to 50 Years series! Today we are excited to feature our next guest blogger, Kristen from Cooking with Mickey. She is a gal after my own taste buds. Today’s tour is a gourmand’s Dream. Get ready to drool!

Walt Disney World 1995
Today we’re going back to 1995! Many things occurred at Walt Disney World in 95′ such as the openings of Blizzard Beach, ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter, and the Fairy Tale Wedding Pavilion, reopening of Tomorrowland after a long much-needed refurbishment and Epcot Center’s name change to Epcot ’95.
However, I’ll be taking you on the culinary journey Walt Disney World experienced in 1995.

‘Ohana
On April 12 ‘Ohana restaurant opens in Disney’s Polynesian Resort. This very popular restaurant overlooks the Seven Seas Lagoon and guest often request a window seat for the view of Wishes! at Magic Kingdom. ‘Ohana is a Polynesian-inspired all-you-can-eat restaurant served family-style. Menu includes fried port dumplings, coriander chicken wings, marinated skewers of meat served table side, vegetables, and Thai noodles. For dessert, bread pudding with banana foster sauce topped with ice cream. Kids can enjoy coconut bowling and hula dancing.

California Grill
On May 15 California Grill restaurant opens at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Guests love this restaurant for it’s fine California cuisine and top of the resort view of the Magic Kingdom. California Grill has a wonderful observation deck where diners can step outside and enjoy the firework show. For those who enjoy seeing their food made the restaurant has an open kitchen so you can see all the action going on. This signature dining experience offers a seasonal changing menu of flatbreads, unique salads, beautiful sushi, seafood and meat dishes. For dessert, try the Tanzanian Chocolate creme brulee.
More changes are coming! On May 18 the Walt Disney World Food and Beverage division previews changes in cuisine to Disney executives. This is the start of Disney dining as we know it today.

Casey’s Corner Opens in Walt Disney World 1995
On May 27 Casey’s Corner opens in Magic Kingdom. The former name was Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner, which has remained the same at Disneyland. Casey’s Corner is a popular stop to grab a bite to eat while watching parades and Wishes! due to it’s location on Main Street U.S.A. For food, drink, and fireworks there is no better place to stop. Not into the fireworks or parades? Enjoy the piano man as he plays on and off throughout the day or step inside, sit on the bleachers and enjoy some old baseball clips.
Last but certainly not least! The debut of the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. This was just the start to the festival we all know and love today. It’s is without a doubt my favorite special event at Walt Disney World but that should be pretty obvious to those who read my blog.
There are so many unique and special dining experiences that can be enjoyed at this yearly event. Whether you are a foodie or just someone who likes to eat and drink there is something for you. Yearly offerings include culinary demonstrations, wine seminars, book signings, signature dining experiences with top Disney chefs and more.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
By far the most popular and fun things to do at the Food and Wine Festival is hopping from booth to booth and trying new cuisines and beverages from countries all over the world. More than 25 different countries are represent across the World Showcase. The International Marketplaces debuted in 1996 and those countries that have represented their culinary masterpieces since the beginning include Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco and Poland.
The booths are always changing, new ones are added every year, some are for one year and some even return after years of not being represented. This year Portugal, Hawaii, Caribbean and Craft Beers are new and Scandinavia is returning after a ten-year hiatus.

For those of you that have never experienced the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, you must plan a trip to Walt Disney World for this amazing culinary experience that Disney has done so well. It’s become something that people plan vacations around because it offers something for everyone. Whether you like the sweet, savory or just want to drink, have money to burn or are on a budget there is something you can enjoy.

50 Days to 50 Years
This year Walt Disney World not only celebrates 50 years but 26 years of this delicious festival. 2This October I’ll be celebrating 50 years of Walt Disney World, 30 years since my very first trip, 6 years of this festival that I enjoy so much and the first annual Cooking with Mickey Foodie World Tour.
Kristen Hoetzel
Cooking With Mickey
Twitter @CookingwMickey
Magical Journeys Travel Agent
For Walt Disney World Pricing: http://www.magicaljourneystravel.com/kristen
If your foodie appetites have not been sated, tomorrow, DJ of The World of Deej will serve up 1996. Cheers!
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