Navigating Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival

Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival is one of Disney World’s most highly anticipated annual events, drawing foodies and Disney enthusiasts from all over the world. With dozens of global marketplaces, unique dining experiences, and exciting entertainment, it can be overwhelming to decide how to make the most of your visit. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to enjoy the festival to the fullest—from must-try booths to insider tips that will help you skip the lines and maximize your time.

What is Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival?

Running from late summer through the fall, the International Food & Wine Festival transforms Epcot into a global celebration of culinary delights. The festival features food and drink booths from around the world, each offering small plates, snacks, and beverages that represent their unique cuisine.

In addition to the food, the festival also includes:

Seminars and Cooking Demonstrations: Learn from world-class chefs and beverage experts through various cooking demos and mixology seminars.
Eat to the Beat Concert Series: Enjoy live music from top artists performing every evening at the America Gardens Theatre.
Festival Merch: Don’t forget to pick up exclusive merchandise and souvenirs designed just for the Food & Wine Festival.

Plan Ahead with a Festival Guide

To make the most of your day, grab a festival passport or check the My Disney Experience app for the latest information on food booths, menus, and entertainment schedules. The festival passport will give you a complete overview of all the Global Marketplaces, including what’s being offered at each booth, so you can decide where to go first.

Pro Tip: Check out reviews and rankings of the top food booths from previous festivals to help you narrow down your must-try dishes.

Best Food Booths to Try in 2024

While every year brings something new to the table, certain booths are always crowd favorites. Here are a few to look out for:

Hawaii Booth: Known for its Kalua Pork Slider with sweet-and-sour Dole Pineapple Chutney, the Hawaii booth consistently ranks as one of the best stops for savory and flavorful bites.
Canada Booth: Don’t miss the famous Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup served with a pretzel roll, a returning favorite from Le Cellier Steakhouse.
France Booth: The Crème Brûlée with House-Made Raspberry Jam is a must-try dessert, and don’t skip the classic Beurre Blanc sauce served over escargot.

Pro Tip: Start with the most popular booths early in the day before the crowds arrive. Alternatively, visit them during off-peak meal times (around 3-4 PM) or visit the park on a weekday to avoid long lines.

Use Your Disney Gift Card for Convenience

Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival is all about trying small plates and drinks from as many booths as possible. To streamline your purchases, consider loading up a Disney Gift Card or the special festival-themed gift card wristlet available at the park.

Pro Tip: Preload your gift card with your food and beverage budget for the day to keep track of your spending. It’s easier and feels a little more magical than pulling out your credit card or cash at every stop!

Maximize Your Time with a Strategy

Since Epcot is large and the festival booths are spread out, it’s important to have a strategy. Start in either the World Showcase or Future World and work your way around the park to avoid doubling back.

Pro Tip: Make use of the Eat to the Beat Concert Series schedule. Plan your booth visits around concert times to grab food and enjoy the entertainment without feeling rushed.

Festival Tips for Families and Large Groups

If you’re visiting with a family or group, share dishes to make the most of the festival. Many of the small plates are portioned perfectly for sharing, so you can taste more offerings without feeling too full.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget that many booths offer kid-friendly options, making the Food & Wine Festival an excellent experience for younger visitors too. Look for booths with snacks like mac and cheese or pastries.

Don’t Miss the Beverage Offerings

In addition to food, the festival is also famous for its wide selection of craft beers, wines, and cocktails from around the world. Be sure to visit the Brewer’s Collection for a variety of German beers, or head to the Shimmering Sips Mimosa Bar for a refreshing twist on the classic mimosa.

Pro Tip: Pace yourself! While it’s tempting to try everything, remember that you can sample smaller portions of alcoholic beverages to keep from overindulging.

Capture the Magic with Festival Merch

Exclusive festival-themed merchandise, including limited-edition pins, apparel, and kitchenware, is always a hit. If you’re a fan of Disney souvenirs, be sure to visit the dedicated merchandise booths early before popular items sell out.

Pro Tip: Check for passholder-exclusive items if you’re a Disney Annual Passholder. These can make great keepsakes to remember your Food & Wine Festival experience.

Get Insider Tips with the My Disney Experience App

The My Disney Experience app is your best friend during the festival. Use it to check wait times for food booths, see the daily concert schedule, and view the menus for each Global Marketplace.

Pro Tip: Some booths may offer mobile ordering, so keep an eye on the app to order ahead and skip the line entirely.

Food & Wine Festival for Vegans and Vegetarians

For plant-based eaters, the Food & Wine Festival has a number of vegan and vegetarian dishes on offer. Look for the plant-based icons on the menus or check out popular vegan booths like the Earth Eats Marketplace.

Pro Tip: Ask the cast members at each booth for recommendations or modifications to make your dish plant-based or allergy-friendly.

Food & Wine Scavenger Hunt for Kids

The Food and Wine Festival offers an engaging scavenger hunt designed especially for kids: Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak! This activity is available for purchase and encourages young guests to explore the festival while searching for 14 Remy statues around the park. The purchase includes a map and stickers to mark their progress.

Pro Tip: Encourage your kids to work together to find all the statues, once the map is complete you can visit a participating booth to pick up a special prize!

Conclusion

Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival is a foodie’s paradise, offering a unique chance to explore the world through food, drink, and culture. With our guide, you’ll be able to navigate the festival like a pro, trying the best booths and making the most of your time. Whether you’re there for the food, the entertainment, or the exclusive merch, the Food & Wine Festival has something for everyone.

Ready to dive into the best culinary experience Disney has to offer? Plan your visit to Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival and savor the magic one bite at a time!

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