I’ve been drooling ever since my fellow author Pam Brandon shared an easy recipe from the new cookbook coming to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. This 46-day festival begins on September 27, and I can’t wait to enjoy several trips around the world. As time ticks toward the start of the event, I caught up with Disney Design Group artist Randy Noble to learn more about this year’s featured artwork.
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“This year’s artwork is based on artwork created by Walt Disney Imagineering that you will see throughout the event,” explained Randy. “The art has a humorous point of view, which is different from the imagery found in the previous year’s events. For this whimsical image, I used pastel colors to create a softer look for the overall image. If you look carefully, you will spot Remy from Disney•Pixar’s ‘Ratatouille‘ in the top of the chef’s hat.”
The bumbling, yet-unnamed chef inspired a new item for the festival this year – a seven-inch bobble figurine of the chef. The figurine was sculpted by artist Robert King and looks awesome (especially the details on Spaceship Earth!). Look for this chef artwork on additional items like a reusable tote bag and more.
While the chef is a new character for this year’s event, we are also introducing a small art program featuring Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy as chefs. The character artwork was created by Disney Design Group artist Brian Blackmore, with digital rendering done by artist Dan Salgo. You may recall similar artwork introduced last year in the Italy Pavilion at Epcot.
Another character returning this year is a 12-inch Duffy the Disney Bear dressed in a new chef outfit. He joins other new items like a Mouse ear headband with a chef’s hat, a new cranberry bog pin featuring Chip ‘n’ Dale, and a new three-inch Vinylmation figure designed by Disney artist Thomas Scott. The limited edition Vinylmation figure features Gusteau from “Ratatouille” and will be packaged in a mystery box. The more common figure (edition size 2,250) will be in full color, while the monochromatic variant figure (edition size 250) will be rarer to find.
Stay tuned for additional updates as we get closer to the start of the festival.
Read on for more news about this year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival:
Comments
Hi! Do you know if there will be an annual pass holders pin? Also wine glasses?
@Tammy – Yes, there will be wine glasses and an annual passholder pin – http://www.disneyparksmerchandise.com/pins/2013-epcot-international-food-wine-festival-annual-passholder-pin/
Yay! I love it when this annual post comes around!!!
Can you give an example of what type of merchandise will be included in the small art program featuring the Mickey/Donald/Goofy chef art?? (Deluxe print?!?!)
I like that figure–specifically the Spaceship Earth base!
@Jonathan – Glad to hear you liked the article. I spoke with the team who said the character chef image will appear on shirts for adults and youth. It will also be used on a shirt and coin for Annual Passholders.
When we were there last year I got this thing of butcher salt at the festival welcome center. We are almost out and I was wondering if there was a way to get that again or if they were going to sell it online? We are going to be there in September but are going home the 7th. Would the festival welcome center be open that early?
@Jennifer – I spoke with the development team. It appears that they don’t currently have butcher salt called out for the Festival Center. That may change yet at this point there are no plans. Unfortunately, the Festival Center won’t be open until the start of the event on September 27. I’m sorry that I don’t have better news for you.
Thanks for the peek! I am already loving the merchandise. It’s a chef thing! Not that I am one…but that I am surrounded by them at work. I of course am going to have a purchasing battle royal between the festival merchandise and the Wine & Dine runDisney merchandise! Oh la la what is a runner to do?
Is there a map available to download? We are going the first opening weekend and its my Dads first time. We want to get a head start on reading up on whats there.
@Amanda – I hope you have a wonderful time! Please visit http://www.EpcotFoodFestival.com which is the official site for the event. I don’t believe a map is available yet.
You should also read articles from my fellow Disney Parks Blog author Pam Brandon who has shared several stories in recent weeks – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/author/pbrandon/
Finally, you can join others in a conversation about the event on Twitter by using the hashtag #EpcotFoodFestival. There is an official Facebook fan page too – https://www.facebook.com/EpcotFoodandWine
Thanks for the amazing post and your subsequent comment post on the annual pass holder pin. Waiting to be surprised by the DVC pin holder. Cannot wait for our trip in October
Is there any way we could purchase the Vinylmation by calling someone in merchandise? Ratatouille is one of my favorite movies! Sadly, I will not be able to attend the festival. Thank you.
@Veronica – You may try contacting the Merchandise Guest Services team. Yet they may not have access to Vinylmation figures until after the event has finished (and if any inventory is remaining).
The figurine looks awesome! Just a question, how much will it cost?
@Rob – The chef bobble figure will have a retail of $34.95 (plus tax). Please note that all retails are subject to change without notice.
When will these items be available online?
@Claudia – The Disney Parks online store is considering offering some select items online for a limited period. I don’t have many details at this point as we are still a month and half away from the start of the festival. I intend to have a follow up article (or two), so please stay tuned.
I love this year’s artwork for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival!
Thanks for the heads up! With regard to the artwork, do you know what sizes (prints, prints on canvas, etc.) will be available? We’re looking forward to our 5th Food and Wine!!!!
Any word yet if the Food and Wine merchandise will be available to purchase online?
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