Welcome to the first edition of the Explorer’s Journal, the official blog of Navigating Adventure Travel!
First Blog and you know what we must start with… food and festivals!
Each coast is having their own festivals so lets dive in the flavors and fun.
I’m going to start us off over on the west coast at the Disneyland resort, specifically at Disney’s California Adventure park for the Food and Wine Festival. Starting March 3, 2023 through April 25,2023 Disney invites you to embark on what they are calling an Epicurean Adventure. The highlight of this festival is celebrating all that California has to offer for culinary arts.
The biggest draw for my fellow foodies is going to the festival food booths. There will be 12 booths this year that will offer small bite portions of dishes and also delicious cocktails, beer and wine. The wine float cocktail looks like an incredible sunset. The sip and savor pass will again be available for the booths , which grants you 8 pull tabs to go to 8 booths at the festival. These can save you money vs ordering individually.
Pro-tip. Do not pull your tabs until you get to that booth or it will be invalid!
I’m also very excited for some celebrity chefs that will be making appearances at some special events occurring during the festival. Kurt Russel will be showcasing his wine brand GogiWines! More will be announced as the festival goes on. I love that he named one of them "Golide" after his lifetime partner Goldie Hawn.
Of course, Disney will have some special events for the smallest dreamers. Alice’s UN-birthday party will be making a return and they will be able to have cupcake decorating experience. Arrive about 45 minutes early to sign up for your slot!
The festival also marks the temporary return of Soarin’ over California. I cant wait to small the oranges over the orange groves again! Easily one of my favorite rides in Disneyland.
There will also be special merchandise to commemorate this festival, including spirit jerseys and various tumblers.
Let’s navigate ourselves over to Orlando, Florida home of the Walt Disney World Resort.
Specifically let’s put ourselves in Epcot for the 2023 Flower and Garden Festival! This festival will be running from March 1,2023 until July 5,2023.
At this festival there will be some returning favorites you won’t want to miss such as the Honey-Mascarpone Cheesecake and the Vegan (Impossible) boneless Korean Short-Rib, but there are also almost 50 new foods to try. I personally think the Citrus baked brie sounds incredible.
With a rotating menu, you also wont want to miss the Epcot farmers feast. The menu will rotate as the seasons do, so check back often!
Until April 8, 2023 it is currently featuring a Char grilled Bison Rib-Eye with a cream leek fondue and whipped red wine goat cheese. This is truly a foodies delight!
Forget the basic chicken tenders and fries this isn’t your parents theme park food!
As far as some intriguing drinks they have the Ghost Mary available which features a cucumber vodka from Boyd and Blair, tomato water, celery salt, peppers and horseradish. What a spin on the traditional drink!
If you aren’t a fan of alcohol, they also have a Froot Loops shake to try. When I was pregnant with my first child, I craved froot loops so I can’t wait to try this! They also have an Orange Lemon Smoothie in a souvenir Orange Bird Sipper. Wherever you go there is an equally amazing non-alcoholic drink for you to try.
The Epcot Flower and Garden festival also features some incredible topiaries featuring your favorite character but presented as beautiful statues made from various plants. There are also some must see gardens and blossoms and more all around the park.
I am now both starving and have a serious case of wanderlust. If you are too, and you want to take a bite out of this adventure, send one of our travel advisors a message and we can help you book your trip so all you have to do is show up and much away your worries. Oh, and ride some world class rides, meet some of your favorite characters and escape into the rest of the magic that is a Disney vacation!