#TravelTuesday, Theme Parks Attract Guests with Food Festivals
Theme parks bring in many guests with their extreme attractions. To expand their audience, theme parks are focusing on food festivals to bring in new guests.
When planning a vacation, staycation or just a weekend getaway, theme parks are often a popular choice. The entertainment value that a theme park offers can’t be beat. Even though the thrill rides and shows are a big draw, theme parks are focusing on food festivals to bring a broader audience to the parks, in this week’s Travel Tuesday post.
Travel Tuesday- theme park food festivals, photo by Cristine Struble
Usually theme parks are visited by families and ride enthusiasts. From Disney to Universal, a wide range of people enter the theme park gates on a daily basis. Many of the visitors are expecting a memorable experience during their visit. From the thrilling rides to the entertainment, the guests want an Instagram moment to share with their friends.
While theme parks know how to provide the experience, many parks are adding to the visit with food festival events. Building on the success of Epcot Food and Wine, Disney has increased its food events. In addition, Sea World Parks have entered the food event space too.
Disney food festivals focus on creativity and delicious bites.
Epcot’s Annual Food and Wine Festival is the most well-known event by far. Held in the fall, the multi-week festival is an extravaganza of food, wine and spirits. From global cuisine in the World Showcase to Epcot grown produce, there is a plate, bite and drink for every palate and person. With so many food choices, this food festival is hard to complete in a single visit.
With the great success of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, Epcot expanded its food related events. The new festival, Epcot International Festival of the Arts had a culinary arts component. From molecular gastronomy to artful plating, the event showed that food can and is artistic. Many of the plates invited guests to think differently about the food that they eat.
Travel Tuesday theme park food festivals photo by Cristine Struble
Epcot has even incorporated food into the annual International Flower and Garden Festival. While the character topiaries and floral installations are the big draws, the edible flowers and farm to table plates educate guests. While the dishes are delicious, the educational aspects is equally important.
More theme parks add food festivals to their event calendars.
Since Disney experienced a great response with its food related events, Sea World added a brand new festival for 2017. The Seven Seas Food Festival showcased craft beer, sustainable seafood and world cuisine. The elevated flavors and carefully plated dishes shows that that Sea World is cultivated the educated foodie. Even those who don’t want to know what a sous vide short rib is want to eat the yummy food. Hopefully, this theme park food festival returns for another year.
Theme park food festivals photo by Cristine Struble
Other parks like Busch Gardens or Knotts Berry Farm all have used food tie-ins to increase its attendance. The food trend will continue to expand as consumers crave more exciting food choices. Just recently, Universal’s Volcano Bay announced an elaborate food menu for the water park.
Next: #TravelTuesday – Recreating Travel Memories At Home
Next time you visit your favorite theme park, you might put food or a food festival on the top of your list. Just remember to eat after riding the big, scary roller coasters. Check back for next week’s Travel Tuesday tip.