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The Epcot Food and Wine Festival has begun, and you know we had to pop over for the day to experience an opening weekend as pass holders do!
The Epcot Food and Wine Festival has always been one of our favorites because we generally spend time there for both our birthdays – mine in August and Mark’s in November and it has become a staple in our yearly plans. This year, the festival started later than it had been over the last few years. Typically, it’s already in full swing before my birthday, but this year, it began August 29 and runs through November 23, 2024. Even though it’s been cut a bit shorter this year, they REALLY brought it with the new booths this year!
But First – I found the most PERFECT shirt on Etsy to wear for the Food and Wine Festival!
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It is impossible to see and experience everything at the festival in one day, so we just took a quick trip around the world to try some of the new items and some of our old favorites that are back again, and we barely scratched the surface. But we have a few more quick trips planned before it ends this year, and we can’t wait to try what we missed this time around.
Have you ever heard of people drinking (and eating) around the world at Disney?
That’s at the World Showcase! Epcot’s World Showcase has eleven permanent countries centered around a beautiful lagoon. During festivals such as Food and Wine, they add dozens of food and drink stands throughout the showcase.
What are the eleven countries represented in Epcot?
Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, United States, Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom, and Canada are the permanent countries represented in Epcot at Walt Disney World.
This year, the festival has 33 Marketplaces across six “continents” with hundreds of delicious and inspiring foods, drinks, and desserts. This festival allows you to explore the world’s finest food, wine, and entertainment on a smaller scale while enjoying the World Showcase at Walt Disney World’s Epcot theme park.
What are some of the additional stands represented during Food and Wine?
This year they also feature these stands: Macatizers, Festival Favorites, The Fry Basket, Flavors from Fire, Brew-Wing Lab, Australia, India, Refreshment Outpost, Refreshment Port, The Alps, Spain, Greece, Belgium, Brazil, Hawaii, Bramblewood Bites, Miled & Mulled, Forest & Field, and Earth Eats with specialty stands such as The Noodle Exchange for Vietnamese and Thai food, Coastal Eats for seafood, Swirled Showcase for Dole Whip, and Simmering Sips for Mimosas. These booths change for each festival, and new ones are introduced each year. (not all were pictured – thanks Florida rain!)
How does the Food and Wine Festival work?
The entry price for Epcot festivals is included in the admission ticket, but the food prices are not. Upon entering Epcot for any Festival, you want to grab a “passport” and look through the menus. Once you know the items you’d like to try, start walking! The Epcot loop is about 1.2 miles, and we usually walk around it at least twice to see all the options and work off some of the calories. We always start in Mexico – yes, we are those people! (Unless we come in the back entrance, it’s France!)
Hot Tip: Go into the Port of Entry gift shops or the official Festival gift shops, buy a wristband gift card, and load it up with funds. Most items are $5-15 at the stands, and it’s super easy to order and scan your wristband gift card instead of pulling out cash or swiping a credit card dozens of times – plus, you can set a budget much easier!
Each stand will also have a menu to show you the items and pricing with ingredients. Plus some photos of the food and drinks. Next, you stand in line to place your order, get your receipt, then hand it to a lovely cast member, and they give you the food when it’s ready. Your next step is to find a table (or a trash can- IYKYK) and enjoy it! Don’t forget to snap a photo, as the food and drink are usually worthy of an image. Then, at the night’s end, it helps you remember what you tried. Plus, you can mark it on your passport!
Most of the stands are smaller portions and shareable. Two or more people can sample dozens of different culinary creations. As I’ve said, we usually attend the festival 2-3 times during its run and make an effort to try new things each time. That is how we can successfully fill up our passports!
Even the Florida rain can’t stop the fun
During this quick visit, we made stops at Coastal Eats, Mexico, India, Italy, America, Japan, Greece, France, Brew-Wing Lab, Flavors from Fire, and Earth Eats!
As always, Mexico and France were our favorites, along with the Wine Flight from Greece. The Mango Lassi with Sōmrus Chai Cream Liqueur drink from India was the best! We accomplished a lot between heavy downpours of rain – but tis the season, and when you come prepared with a poncho, the rain can’t stop your hunger!
Tips and Tricks for the Festival
Festival Gift Cards: Purchase a festival-themed gift card that can be worn around your wrist. It’s a convenient way to budget and track your spending.
Stay Hydrated: With all the walking and sampling, it’s easy to forget to drink water. Bring a refillable water bottle, and take advantage of the water stations throughout the park.
Take Breaks: The festival can be overwhelming with so much to see and do. Plan breaks in between tastings. Resting in shaded areas or riding on one of EPCOT’s slower attractions can help recharge your energy.
Check Out the Displays: The festival is more than just food and wine! Explore the themed displays and exhibits that highlight different cultures and culinary techniques.
Buy the Merchandise: The festival features some of the most fun and exclusive Disney Merchandise you’ll find anywhere. Each store and several booths feature items like apparel, home goods, kitchenware, ornaments, and more.
The 2024 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival promises to be a delicious adventure filled with new flavors, fun activities, and Disney magic. We can’t wait to go back and complete our passports at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival this year! Will you be attending the festival this year?
Are the wristband gift cards reloadable and can they be used outside of Epcot and after the festival? I’m so out of the Disney loop nowadays. 🙂
Yummy😋