Ghirardelli makes a stop at Epcot Food and Wine
The Festival Center at Epcot is a giant building tucked away between the Universe of Energy and Mission Space. Tucked away as best a giant building can be, with some strategic landscaping and other giant buildings on either side for disguise. Apparently the future consisted of large buildings and not tiny houses… but I digress. The festival building is the building formally known as The Wonders of Life Pavilion. I’m all in with Wonder… and Life, but this “demoted from the ranks” pavilion, like Pluto or Lake Champlain, didn’t really draw our families attention during the yearly visits in the 2000’s, we never made an appearance at this pavilion.
That is… not until 2016 when taking a break from the food and the wine we decided to see what the festival building had in its friendly confines (Cubs reference). I would say it is exactly as described. A festival center. There were more people hanging around than I expected. The gift shop was doing a brisk business, appeared to be few tables available in the cafe… unless this was also the Chew stage… I didn’t look close enough to make the differentiation. I had spotted my Festival Center destination and now wasn’t the time to be window shopping.
I was truckin by the cafe when my eyes noticed the Ghiradelli sign. Nothing fancy or in huge letters, but the title of the exhibit and name of the sponsor. Always eager to learn about chocolate and nab a complementary Ghirardelli square (my favorite is the salted caramel) there is no time to waste.
In Disney terms it would be considered a fairly simple straightforward display. Around a center console and along the wall is a brief outline of the process from which chocolate is derived. Good… interesting… you won’t have to jockey for position to read the story. That’s ok.
Along another wall is a series of what I would refer to as dioramas. Each of these dioramas feature scenes containing chocolate sculptures of characters from Disney movies or newly acquired movie franchises… you may know where I’m going with that one… may the force be with you.
From the Festival Center events page, it states the following about the display of chocolate figures… “enjoy amazing chocolate sculptures created by the master chefs at Walt Disney World Resort.” I really enjoyed these sculptures and took a lot of photos. Unfortunately what I didn’t take was the a photos of the creators names of these chocolate masterpieces. You will need to go read those for yourself.
I recommend a side trip to the Festival Center to check out the Ghiradelli carved chocolate scenes. It’s something a bit different than the typical attractions, and it shows the skill and creativity of the these individuals. Maybe I’m not an impartial subject since it reminds me of the sculptured butter cow my Grandma would take me to see each year at the Illinois State Fair. Who doesn’t love carved butter in the shape of a cow. Isn’t it poetic.
The display was enjoyable to my wife and I and there are plenty of photos following that shows my favorites (which is pretty much everything), but we weren’t dragging any kids away from a Frozen meet and greet. Not sure how entranced kids will be with this display. Sure they would like the molded chocolate characters and the nod to Star Wars, but they may not appreciate the talent required or materials used. Certain that they would eat the complimentary chocolate square though.
A Bug’s Life…
Not from A Bug’s Life…
Ratatouille… I enjoyed the movie, but there is something about Rats and food that gives me the willies, though I would eat a rat made of chocolate.
Star Wars…
Last but not least are a couple with a shout-out to the theme park coaster attractions.
You might be interested in
Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen is a Table Service dining experience and does require advance reservations. When it’s time for your dining experience, your Skipper Server will greet you and gave you a quick tour of the restaurant before seating you at your table. The theming of the restaurant is unique and it is much larger than expected, with three separately themed dining areas. The service is up to Disney standards and the menu offers a variety of distinctive selections, including African, American, Asian, and Latin cuisine. Currently the lunch and dinner menus are the same with an 11:30 am opening time for lunch and dinner beginning at 3:00 pm.
And, of course, a family favorite is the Skip’s Mac & Cheese, consisting of Spiced Ground Beef, Pasta, and Béchamel Sauce served with Broccoli. You will find the meals to be very delicious and perfectly prepared! 
And, if you are like me, you can’t ever pass up dessert, especially with the delicious selections offered… I chose the Kungaloosh! OH MY… This African-inspired Chocolate Cake with Caramelized Bananas served with Cashew-Caramel Ice Cream topped with Coffee Dust was oh so absolutely delicious and was actually very light. Just enough for one (okay, maybe two)! 
