Florida’s famous culinary celebration has once again arrived at Disney World. What we’re referring to is the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. This special event, which is included with park admission, lets guests experience all sorts of fun food-themed events. Let’s not forget that eating and drinking is definitely a big part of it.
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In 2019, the festival runs from Aug. 29 through Nov. 23. Whether you've tried Epcot’s food and wine pairings a hundred times before or will be visiting the festival for the first time, here are 10 things you don't want to pass up.
10 World Showcase Booths
We’re starting with the basics because if one thing is more important than everything else, it is this.
Scattered across the World Showcase are kiosks filled with delicacies from countries including Morroco, Japan, France, Canada, and more. Most of the foods at these booths are served in snack-sized portions, and each cost around $4 to $8, so you can sample more than one dish.
If you’d rather not dig out cash or a card every time you’re at a booth, Disney sells festival gift cards that make it easy to pay and keep track of how much you’re spending. It's a win-win situation.
9 Celebrity Chefs
Though there's a ton to eat, there's also a ton of people to meet.
A giant lineup of famous chefs including Robert Irvine, Cat Cora, David Burtka, and more will be attending the festival throughout its run. Some of these names will actually interact with guests, and all of them will perform culinary demonstrations or teach skills like food and beverage pairings.
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Though some of these experiences cost a little extra, they're definitely worth it if you want to elevate your food skills to the next level.
8 Eat To The Beat Concerts
The best way to enjoy your food is while listening to your favorite bands. That’s why, every festival season, Disney invites a star-studded lineup to perform as part of the free Eat to the Beat Concert Series.
The artists, known for various genres including country, pop, R&B, and rock, perform for two to three days at a time during the festival. Upcoming acts include Postmodern Jukebox, Sugar Ray, Boyce Avenue, Kenny G, Boyz II Men, and more.
Disney also sells a special dining package that will ensure you get a front-row seat to the concert that night.
7 Festival Merch
The best way to remember your day at Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival is by bringing home a few mementos for your own kitchen. This year, Disney has crafted specially designed mugs, tumblers, wine glasses, and rolling pins.
If you're instead looking for something to wear, Disney has released festival shirts, hats, and even a Pandora charm bracelet featuring an illustration of Chef Mickey. Don't forget about that fancy Minnie-themed MagicBand.
6 Future World Food
We already covered the international food booths in the World Showcase, but that's definitely not the only land to get a quick bite in. Though many guests skip right to the countries, those who do so are missing out on a selection of delectable drinks, snacks, and desserts in Future World.
Near Test Track, you can get a black and white coffee cocktail garnished with a fresh yeast donut and chocolate espresso bean crumbles. At the Wine & Dine Studio, you can get seared scallops with truffled celery root purée, brussels sprouts, and wild mushrooms. Let's also not forget Coastal Eats' lump crab cake with napa cabbage slaw and avocado-lemongrass cream. The options are endless.
5 Photo Ops
Of course you're going to want to take pictures of your food, but also keep an eye out for the gorgeous locations Epcot has curated as a backdrop for you and your friends' day at the festival.
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Disney stocks the Food & Wine Festival with beautifully scripted signs, character cooking-themed topiaries, and vivid backdrops. This helps further tie together the feel of the event. It also means your phone is going to fill up with snapshots very quickly.
4 Classes And Demonstrations
We briefly touched on this one already, but there are many extra-fee classes led by non-celebrity chefs that are just as interesting and worth checking out.
One 90-minute seminar teaches guests all about the flavors, textures, and aromas of popular cheeses. Guests will get to sample a selection of favorites alongside wine and craft beers. A different kid-friendly course teaches attendees how to roll their own candy-style sushi with the help of a Disney chef. The list goes on, so take a glance at it.
3 Kid Experiences
In addition to the candy sushi class, there's plenty for the little ones to do if you're bringing them along.
Future World is hosting the Disney du Jour Dance Party, in which a DJ spins groovy songs while Radio Disney artists jam along on the weekends. If you'd rather go a scavenger hunt, Epcot is hosting a Ratatouille-themed game that lets guests search through the World Showcase for items in an attempt to complete a map.
2 Half Marathon
If you're big on running, you can't miss Disney's Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend, which will last from Oct. 31 to Nov. 3 during the festival. This event, which features multiple races for people of all experience levels, allows guests to run through the Disney World alongside their favorite characters and fellow Disney fans.
Each event is stocked with plenty of entertainment and, for an additional fee, runners can celebrate at a 10th-anniversary post-race party in the park. The fun is unbelievable.
1 Epcot's Attractions
Yes, the Food & Wine Festival is an incredible experience on its own. However, you're in Epcot: an exciting park filled with rides and entertainment outside of the festival events. With that said, don't skip out on the chance to zip around Test Track or cruise over to Soarin' when you have a spare second.
If you eat around the World Showcase and then take a break for a few rides, you'll have the energy to go conquer a few Future World desserts. That's solid logic, right?