5 Disney World Culinary Experiences for Grown-Ups

When you think of food at Disney World you may instantly think of Mickey Mouse-shaped treats, the iconic spring rolls from Magic Kingdom, or even Disney’s recent Michelin star win. While those things are all great, there’s a whole other world of food at Disney that most visitors are not aware of, and that’s hands-on foodie experiences. Think everything from wine tasting with a master sommelier to having lunch overlooking the savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. If you’re a foodie going to Disney World anytime soon, you’re going to want to make time for these five foodie experiences.

Learn how to taste wine with a master sommelier 

Did you know that there are less than 300 master sommeliers in the entire world, and one of them has a restaurant right in the heart of Disney Springs? At Wine Bar George, you can take a 90-minute class with master sommelier George Miliotes to learn how to taste wine like a pro. Classes are on select days throughout the month and cost $110. 

The class includes a blind tasting of six hand-selected wines that can range from $15 to $300 a bottle. Each wine selected varies by event, so there’s usually no overlap between one class and the next. Throughout the class, you can ask Miliotes as many questions as you want about wine and his experiences, plus enjoy a cheese and charcuterie board. 

Take a cake decorating class at Amorette’s Patisserie

If you’ve ever seen the viral cake decorating videos on TikTok or Instagram and wanted to learn how to make your own, then step into Amorette’s Patisserie at Disney Springs, which hosts daily cake decorating classes. The 90-minute small-group class allows you to step into the pastry shop and learn from a Disney pastry chef how to make the shop’s iconic dome cakes that resemble Mickey or Minnie Mouse. While you’re decorating your cake, you’ll be able to sip on coffee or tea. After the class is over, your dome cake is boxed up for you to take back to your accommodations to enjoy later in the day.

The class is $199 for two people decorating one cake, and reservations are required. Since the classes are at 9:15 a.m. each morning, the bakery is also happy to store your cake after the class so you can explore Disney Springs. Just be sure to pick it up before leaving.

Attend Sangria University at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort 

Every Saturday and Sunday, Sangria University is held at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. During the 90-minute class held at the resort’s Three Bridges Bar and Grill, you’ll learn the history of the Spanish drink, then mix up your own custom sangria. The personalized drink includes your choice of base wine, fruit mix-ins, and a shot of secondary alcohol, like bourbon or gin, to swirl together. The class also includes a flight of four sangrias — red, white, rosé, and sparkling — for everyone to enjoy. 

At the end of Sangria University, you’ll get recipe cards featuring the Three Bridges sangria recipes, which you already tried with the sangria flight. You’ll also get a certificate saying you went through the class and know how to make a good sangria. Prices for the class range from $69 to $79 per person and vary by date.

See the Harambe Wildlife Reserve from a new perspective with Savor the Savanna

One of my favorite attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is Kilimanjaro Safaris where guests are put into safari vehicles to see the African animals. One unique way to see the animals that call the savannas of the Harambe Wildlife Reserve home is with the Savor the Savanna tour. The separately ticketed event starts at $189 per person and lasts about two hours.

The tour starts with a ride on a private safari vehicle just for guests doing the tour. During the ride, you’ll have an animal expert guide sharing all of the fun facts you could want to know about the creatures that live at the park and how they are cared for. Then you’re dropped off at an exclusive dining pavilion overlooking the savanna where you’ll indulge in a snack meal with cheese, meats, bread, hummus, curry chicken, other savory options, a selection of desserts, and a few beer and wine selections. 

Taste tequila and mezcal from Mexico at Epcot

Agave-based spirits have a long and storied history, and at Epcot you can learn about that saga by signing up for La Cava Experience. The agave spirits tasting is led by a certified tequila ambassador, who guides you through a hand-picked selection of five tequilas and one mezcal. For true enthusiasts, this is exciting because some of the tequilas are not available anywhere else in the world but at this tasting.

During the $180, hour-and-a-half class, you’ll also have some snacks like guacamole and chips, but don’t let that be the only thing you eat or drink before or after the class. Since you’re tasting so many tequilas, be sure you go into the class with a full stomach.