Family, travel, mom blog | Theme Park Mom (Leigh Caldwell)

The free dining special is now in effect at Walt Disney World, where many guests who stay on the property get the Disney Dining Plan for free. There’s an abundance of great food to try, and that means there are a lot of heavy meals on the horizon.

But sometimes, you just want a sandwich. Here are four good sandwiches to buy with your quick-service dining credits at Walt Disney World.

1. Ham and Salami on Asiago Ciabatta at Sunshine Seasons (EPCOT)

This sandwich (shown above) is plenty big enough to split with another adult or a child. It’s topped with peppery arugula and sharp, creamy asiago cheese, which ties the whole thing together nicely. This wedge-shaped sandwich is served with a side of tangy potato salad, which is accented with pimentos and green olives. (more…)

The Greek food kiosk at the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival.

Editor’s Note: Please welcome guest blogger Zanna of Zannaland, and go check out her awesome blog!

EPCOT's International Food and Wine Festival is held each fall at Walt Disney World.

When you head to Epcot’s World Showcase and its 11 represented countries, one thing you will not do is go home hungry. Add to that over 25 additional international marketplace kiosks at the 14th Annual Food & Wine Festival, and you’ll be in gastronomical Utopia.  My family has been attending the Festival since its opening in 1995, so we’ve cultivated some favorites over the years – our “must-eats”.

5. Wellington, New Zealand – Location: United Kingdom Pavilion

This is a favorite with my husband and mother, both fans of the Lamb Slider with Tomato Chutney, while I enjoy the delicious Seared Sea Scallop with Vegetable Slaw and Lemon Oil. If you are a fan of lamb, you can also save room for the Lamb Chop in the Australian kiosk, over in the African Outpost area.

The beverages offered in New Zealand are: Villa Maria Wines: Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc, Private Bin Unoaked Chardonnay, Private Bin Riesling, and Private Bin Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon.

4. Paris, France – Location: France Pavilion
Now you can’t think French cuisine without thinking Escargot, right? The France kiosk will not disappoint. For fans of the dish, or daring first-timers, this is the perfect offering to try. The snails are prepared “en brioche” or baked in bread. So it’s really just like eating a delicious little garlic bread with a surprise inside. Believe it or not, the Escargot Persillade en Brioche is what my 10 year-old son looks forward to each year.

If snails aren’t your thing, there is also Cabernet Short Ribs with Mashed Potatoes and heavenly Chocolate Mile Crème Brûlée. Fans of the France Pavilion’s Grand Manier Slush and Grey Goose Citron Slush can enjoy a new treat: Parisien Cosmo Slush. Other beverage selections: Chardonnay (Bouchard Ainee & Fils, 2007), Merlot (Chateau Mezain, Bordeaux, 2007), and Sparkling Pomegranate Kir.

3. Hops & Barley – Location: Between the Morocco and France Pavilions
This is new location for this kiosk this year so New England fans make note! Our family is originally from Boston, so we are pretty much required by law to stop here. Luckily – it’s worth it! Here you can enjoy a Boston-style Crab Cake with Cabbage Slaw and Remoulade and a New England Lobster Roll – a must-have for “Lobstah” fans and newcomers alike.  This is also where you can imbibe the special Samuel Adams 14th Anniversary Festival Beer on draft.

Other Sam Adams selections include: Samuel Adams Boston Ale (draft), Samuel Adams Boston Lager (draft), Samuel Adams Octoberfest (draft), Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat (draft), Samuel Adams Light, Samuel Adams Cream Stout, Samuel Adams Pale Ale, Samuel Adams Honey Porter, and Samuel Adams Black Lager.

2. Montreal, Canada – Location: Canada Pavilion
Those familiar with the Canada Pavilion’s Le Cellier restaurant know how difficult a reservation is to come by. Now you need no reservation to enjoy the delicious Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup. You can also indulge in Maple Glazed Salmon with Lentil Salad, Spicy Chicken Sausage with Sweet Corn Polenta and Maple Sugar Candy – mmmm! Because of its offerings and location, the line for this kiosk gets long quickly so plan accordingly!

The beverage offered in Canada include: Moosehead Beer, Paul Bosc Estate Vineyard Chardonnay, Château des Charmes Riesling, Château des Charmes Vidal Icewine, and St. David’s Bench Vineyard Merlot.

1. Athens, Greece – Location: Canada Pavilion
Like the Canada kiosk, the queue for Greece sometimes looks like it could use a Fast Pass – but with good reason. For those just venturing into new culinary tastes, Greece is a perfect place to start. Greek Salad with Pita Bread, Spanakopita (Savory Spinach and Cheese Pastry) and Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki are pleasing to most all palates. Our family can find something everyone likes here, including the sweet and crunchy Baklava dessert.

Beverages offered in Greece include: Boutari Moschofilero, Boutari Santorini, Kourtaki Mavrodaphne of Patras, and Tsantali Rapsani.

There are endless choices from savory to spicy to sweet and a drink to pair with them all. Be adventurous, try a dish you’d never serve at home and see if your kids make it a new favorite. The Food and Wine Festival is a wonderful place to teach your children about other cultures and traditions. No matter what your tastes, your family will surely come up with its own “Top 5 Must-Eats” in no time.

The EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival runs Sept. 25 through Nov. 8, 2009, at Walt Disney World.