Review of Drinking around the World Showcase

Forever42

The best part of Disney is the food!
Joined
Apr 6, 2004
Messages
2,350
I had been toying with the idea of doing a Drinking around the World Showcase when we took Mike’s parents to Epcot. And yes, they were fine with this – they’re great to be around, a lot of fun, and they like it when I loosen up a bit! They also joined in a little, not trying something at every country, but just when it caught their eye.

We started at Canada, having an impromptu lunch at Le Cellier. That will be in another report. Here I had the Chateau Ste Michelle chardonnay ($7.75) and Johannisberg Riesling ($6.25). I enjoyed both very much, especially the Riesling, which I also have in my fridge at the moment. Our fabulous server recommended the Riesling to me without mentioning the winery, and I was happy to see that it was Chateau Ste Michelle. The chardonnay wasn’t as buttery as I’ve had before, but it actually went very well with the chicken sandwich I ordered. The Riesling was crisp and fruity, and may have even had a hint of floweriness in the beginning. I recommend trying anything from this winery, and there are quite a few restaurants around Disney that serve them.

Next up was the United Kingdom, where I decided to go ahead with the rest of the WS for drinks. Mike’s mother, Linda, and I hemmed and hawed over the beer cart at the beginning of the pavilion, and after talking with a lovely couple from Liverpool, she ordered the Strongbow cider ($5.25). After trying a sip, I did the same! It was a terrific drink, nothing like any American hard cider that I’ve had. The first taste is appley, and then it’s refreshing, smooth, and bubbly. No beer taste at all, thankfully. It’s a bit strong, but I always consider that an asset with Disney’s prices. You get an entire bottle, poured into a plastic beer cup.

Next was France, and after going through the perfume gardens, we wandered into the wine shop. After checking the menu there, Linda and I both had the Discovery Wine Flight ($6.00). Unfortunately, I wasn’t writing much down, but it had a chardonnay, a rose, and a red Beaujolais. Of the three, I liked the rose the best, as did Mike, who was tasting everything I tried, now that I’m thinking about it. The red had a nicely fruity nose, with full body, and I enjoyed it as well. We wanted to head into the pastry shop, but it was very busy and we were still full from lunch.

Moving on, we came to Morocco. I stopped first into the Tangierine Café to go back to the beverage and dessert area. Mike’s parents were perusing the dessert case, and I’m sad to say they didn’t try anything here. I had the white Moroccan wine ($4.00). It was different from other wines that I’ve had, and not really in a good way. This was the only beverage I didn’t enjoy. I should have had one of the coffees, but it being so hot, I wasn’t in the mood for a hot beverage yet.

We landed in Japan next, and the first thing that Terry, Mike’s dad, asked was “Is there a bar here?” so we headed up to the Matsunoma Lounge. I’ve never been here, but it was a very peaceful resting spot. We sat down and were brought menus and a sushi list. Both are short, and the menu has some appetizers, tempura entrees, and drinks. Linda and Terry had drinks with Captain Morgan’s rum, blackberry brandy, and juices ($5.50). Linda unfortunately knocked hers over about 1/3 of the way into it, and our server thankfully brought her another. I had a Midori cocktail ($6.75, I think), trying to have a drink or alcohol actually from the country I was in. Both of our drinks were excellent. I also had an avocado roll ($4.25), and Linda and Terry had the shrimp tempura appetizer ($5.00). Both of those were great as well, and we’ll have to head over to the Tempura Kiku at some point.

American Adventure - I don’t drink beer, so I skipped this country. The pavilion bores the heck out of me, anyway. I made up for it with a caramel apple martini at the Kona Café later that evening. Hey, caramel apples are American, aren’t they?

By the time we came to Italy, I couldn’t quite stomach another glass of wine. I’d had the limoncello in the past, and it is EXTREMELY strong. You’ll get your $5 worth out of that shot. We wandered through the stores here, and Mike and I hopped over to the stand to buy a bellini ($6, perhaps? The details started to get fuzzy), and a cannoli ($3.95). The bellini was a peach nectar and sparkling wine drink, and it came mixed in a bottle, much like you can find other mixed drinks in bottles in stores. It was very refreshing and pretty to look at. The cannoli was excellent, with chocolate chips in the filling. The pastry wasn’t greasy at all, and the filling was thick and rich. Linda had an Italian margarita ($6.75), which she declared too sweet, and didn't drink much of it. I think Mike finished it up for her.

When we came to Germany, I was ready for some wine again. I didn’t think I could handle the shots here. I decided on the White Wine Flight #2 ($10.25), which one of the girls brought over to the tables inside the wine shop. She poured each individually, which kept them chilled, and gave us time to enjoy each wine. I say “us” because at this point, Mike was sharing more than just a sip of my wines. Each of the four were enjoyable, especially the last. It had a long name, which I will write down the next time we’re there. It had a warm feeling to it, even though it was chilled, and the Cast Member serving us said that it had a bit of a cinnamon taste to it. The Germany pavilion has a lot of choices, and even if you don’t drink beer, you’ll be able to find something to drink.

In China, Mike and I walked over to the Lotus Blossom Café while Mike’s parents sat down. A younger Cast Member had a menu of new bubble teas, and we had a very pleasant conversation with her while we were ordering. We chose the new chocolate bubble tea ($3.29) and the Chinese wine ($4.00), which ended up being plum wine. The bubble tea wasn’t alcoholic, but it was very refreshing and light, with large black tapioca pearls at the bottom. They didn’t have much of a taste, but I liked the texture of them, somewhat like gummy bears. The wine was thick and sweet, and I liked it a lot. Linda compared it to cough syrup, but she doesn’t like sweet wines. Don’t pick this one if you don’t, either.

In Norway, of course we had to stop at Kringla Bakeri og Café, because we’ve never been! I chose the Viking Coffee ($5.75. With coffee liqueur and Bailey’s…not very Norwegian, but I don’t drink beer), and we decided to try a pastry. I was looking at the cloudberry horn, but Mike’s eyes went to the school bread. School bread ($2.29) it was! I chatted with the woman at the register while the Mike took a picture of the food. The man behind us said that his chocolate cake was jealous since we took our food’s picture, and asked Mike to take a picture of his food as well! The Cast Member I was talking to said that she was sad that the Ringnes beer was gone, and that they were hoping to try to get it back by August. This was a fun country, and we’ll come back sometime when I’m sober to try more pastries. The school bread had a somewhat savory taste to the bread portion (almost garlic, perhaps?), which sounds odd, but went fantastically with the vanilla custard filling and coconut on top.

Finally at our last country, Mexico, I decided to go for another Fiesta Margarita ($7.25). Mike sent my drunk self to hold a table for the rest of them while they ordered lime for Terry, and kiwi for Linda. Since I had had quite a bit to drink already, my margarita tasted great. I don’t think that when I’m sober, but that tends to happen. It was a good way to end the drinking tour. Terry wanted something light to eat, so Mike went to get him a Plato del Nino ($3.49) at the Cantina. It was a very small beef burrito, 12-15 chips, and a small soda. A decent plate if you want a small snack at a good price.

I had a wonderful time Drinking Around the World. I have a few tips, though:

1. Don’t do it alone. It’s much more fun if you at least have one person with you, even if they’re not drinking. You also need some sort of transportation back to where you live or are staying.

2. Eat a few snacks along the way. It’ll help keep you on your feet.

3. Have someone else handle your money. Mike took care of this for me, and I greatly appreciate it now.

4. Talk with the Cast Members! Ask them what they like to eat and drink. At the very least, you’ll hopefully get a nice conversation.

5. The most important tip – don’t do this if it’s your first time at Epcot. You will miss quite a bit of the park. I don’t remember some things that we did at the end, which is fine as we go often. But only do this if you’re comfortable with missing some attractions.

Photo gallery
 
Sounds like you had a great time.:D Like you, I enjoy wine and have thought of drinking wine around the world. I knew they had wine flights in Germany, but I wasn't aware that France also had wine flights. I look forward to trying theirs in a future trip.
If you haven't been during the Wine and Food Fest, you may want to consider it. It's a great time to go to sample many different wines and some great food.
Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful 'journey' around the world. :D
 
I enjoyed reading your review! I think you were pretty good with the details considering the amount of libations you partook of! ;) I've thought that doing the Drinking Around the World sounds like a lot of fun - especially if you are with a group - and your review makes me even more anxious to try doing it!

Great hints too, btw!
 
I'm starting to count down the days until the Food and Wine festival, believe me! ;) I've never been, and unfortunately for me, I'll have moved up to Gainesville by then. DBf will be staying in Orlando with his job, though, and I'm hoping I can find an office job without weekend hours required so I can drive on down every weekend.

I will have huge special reports for the Food and Wine festival! I'm hoping to go to at least one Party of the Senses
 

Your report was great! I think DH and I will try it this July. Taking your advice I think that we will start in Mexico and work our way around the World because we'll be staying at the BCV so it will be a short walk back if we end up in England!!!!
 
Wow. You made it all the way around. You're a better woman than I ;).

Here's a picture of our little "Drinking Around the World" attempt. We quit shortly thereafter as it was getting hard to walk straight!

drinking.JPG
 
My DW and I are going down this weekend, and we always drink our way around the world...just reading your review has gotten me so excited, as well as got my mouth watering...unlike you, I am a beer drinker...we always start in England, because it's the first stop as we enter from the international gateway...by the time we hit mexico, things are very foggy...lol

thanks for the great post... :)
 
Great report ~ Thanx for sharing.
 
'Drinking around the World' is an excellent idea! I might just try this myself next time! Thanks for the review!
 
Great report. I think I'm gonna try that with my wife next time. I just trying to remember the rhyme, "Beer before liquor, never sicker. Liquor before beer never fear." :)

robinb - Looks like you only made it half way :p
 
I would love to do this.... but I just can't seem to get past those Fiesta Margaritas in Mexico....yummy.... I think about those all the time...but what exactly is a "wine flight"? can someone describe....
 
I have been trying to find out what the party of the senses in for the food and wine festival, I call the Disney number and no one know about it. :D
 
I loooooove Strongbows cider! I'm so glad to know that they have it at the pavillion (we always get a draft of Harp). My husband introduced me to Strongbows when we were in London, and its been hard to drink any other cider since (although, Woodchucks Pear Cider is pretty good too).

Thanks for the really detailed reviews!
 
GailT, " Party for the Senses, a hip, hot celebration of the senses featuring more than 50 wines with flavorful foods Oct. 18 and 24, and Nov. 1, 8 and 15, for $85 in World Showplace." Dh and I have attended several Party for the Senses and feel it is well worth the money. Hopefully the price won't go up this year!
 
I can't wait to stay at a Disney resort (for the transportation) and Drink Around the World! DH and I did do the Wine and Food Festival last year, but drank moderately because we knew we would have to drive back to our hotel at the end of the evening.

Sometime when the Swan/Dolphin has a good discount rate going, we will definitely need to try this.
 
Oh, my poor liver! Loved this, especially having someone else handle the money!

When will there be more info about The F&WF??? Especially with the expanded dates, I don't want to miss booking! We are taking a cruise the last week of October and want one day there. Anyone remember what things generally happen on Saturdays and Sundays?

Carla
 












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