Guide to EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is a must-visit event for food lovers and culture enthusiasts alike. This festival offers a unique chance to explore global cuisine with a variety of food and drink options from around the world.

This year’s EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival runs from August 29, 2024 to November 23, 2024.

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As you plan your visit, you will find plenty of culinary delights, entertainment, and exclusive offerings that will make your experience memorable. From tasting new dishes to enjoying fun activities, you’ll create lasting memories at Walt Disney World, while indulging in the flavors of various cultures during your time at EPCOT.

Get ready to savor delicious dishes, sip on fine drinks, and enjoy a lively atmosphere during the 2024 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival. This is an experience that will satisfy both your taste buds and your desire for adventure. When you’re planning your fall Walt Disney World adventure, you’ll want to make sure to plan some time to see this!

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival Highlights

• In 2024 the festival runs from August 29, 2024 to November 23, 2024.
• The festival showcases global cuisine and drinks at Global Marketplaces throughout the World Showcase.
• You can enjoy entertainment and fun activities unique to the festival.

Festival Overview

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is a popular event that showcases global cuisine and celebrates culinary arts. It offers guests a chance to explore food, drinks, and entertainment while enjoying EPCOT’s unique atmosphere.

Here’s a look at some of our favorite parts of the festival in 2024 on YouTube:

Festival History

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival began in 1996 as a small event. It has since grown into one of the largest food festivals in the country. This festival highlights international flavors and celebrates culinary traditions from around the world.

The festival attracts a diverse crowd that includes both families and Disney Adults. With a special emphasis on Disney fans that appreciate trying out new food & drink items from Disney!

Locations and Venues

The festival takes place primarily in EPCOT’s World Showcase. This area features pavilions representing different countries, where you can sample cuisine from around the globe. The food booths start as soon as you enter World Showcase, and there are a few dotted closer to World Nature and World Discovery as well.

Notable venues include the America Gardens Theatre, where live performances enhance the experience. The Festival Center is another key location that hosts seminars and showcases culinary demonstrations.

Communicore Hall also plays an important role, acting as a hub for guest services and festival merchandise. You’ll also find some special “Macitizers” here!

Each venue adds to the excitement and variety of the event, making it a must-visit for food enthusiasts.

Planning Your Visit

To make the most of your time at the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival, plan ahead. Knowing about tickets, where to stay, and how to navigate the park can enhance your experience.

Admission and Tickets

To enter the festival, you will need a valid admission ticket to EPCOT. Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. Consider buying a Disney Gift Card for easy spending on food and drinks.

A Festival Passport is also useful. It allows you to track your tastings, find out about events, and discover food booths. Look for special dining packages that include reserved seating for events, which can save you time and ensure you don’t miss out on popular experiences.

Accommodations and Transportation

Choose a hotel close to EPCOT for convenience. Walt Disney World offers many options, from budget-friendly to luxury. Staying on property can give you early park access, allowing you to beat the crowds.

For transportation, use the Disney bus system if you stay at a Disney resort. Rideshare services or personal vehicles are also options. Keep in mind that parking fills up quickly during the festival.

Park Strategies and Tips

Planning your visit around peak times will help you enjoy the festival more. Weekdays are usually less crowded than weekends. Arrive early to experience more before larger crowds show up.

Consider making a list of food and drinks you want to try. Use the Festival Passport to track your progress. Sharing dishes with friends will allow you all to sample a wider variety.

Don’t forget to take breaks to rest. Finding a quiet spot might help you recharge and enjoy the atmosphere. Heading over to the Brew Wing Lab at The Odyssey is one of my favorite places to take a break in the air conditioning.

There are also lots of great break areas throughout the World Showcase, so take your time to stroll and sit and enjoy the scenery from Italy, or stop for a break in Germany to grab pretzel bread. Any of the World Showcase countries have tucked away areas and quiet spots that are perfect for a break.

Culinary Delights

At the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, you can explore a variety of foods and drinks from around the world. You’ll want to try all of the different global market offerings, must-try dishes, new booths, fun culinary demos, and favorite festival items.

Here are some of our favorite picks from around the World Showcase!

Global Marketplaces

The festival features Global Marketplaces that showcase flavors from various countries. You can sample unique dishes like Passion Fruit Cheesecake from the Hawai’i booth. This is always one of my festival favorites!

Or the Belguim Waffles from Belguim! Each marketplace presents a menu filled with cultural favorites, making it easy to taste your way around the globe.

Signature Dishes and Beverages

Many signature dishes and beverages make the festival special. You should definitely try the Brazilian Cheese Bread from Brazil and the Truffle Mac and Cheese from the Macitizers at CommuniCore Hall. These dishes bring comfort food to a whole new level!

For a refreshing drink, sample the various Craft Beers and Wine Flights available at the festival. Each of the Global Marketplace locations also serve a variety of drink options that are specific to their region. Pairing a drink with your food will enhance your tasting experience.

New Experiences

Each festival introduces new and featured booths to keep things fresh. This year, look out for Bramblewood Bites, which offers exciting dishes not seen before. You can find innovative items like the Pear and Almond Frangipane Pâte Brisée from Milled & Mulled, perfect for dessert lovers.

Also, the Coastal Eats Menu features a Roasted Warm Lobster Tail this year, which is new to their menu at Food & Wine Festival, but one of my favorite special festival treats to get from the other EPCOT festivals!

Festival Favorites

Certain dishes have become fan favorites through the years. Items like the Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce and Cheddar Cheese and Bacon Soup are must-try classics that can’t be missed. Their consistent popularity speaks to their quality and taste.

There are also new additions added to the Festival Menus each year. This keeps returning visitors excited about trying something new while still enjoying those beloved favorite dishes.

Entertainment and Activities

EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival offers various ways to enjoy live music and fun activities. You can experience concerts, join scavenger hunts, and participate in special events that make the festival memorable.

Eat to the Beat Concert Series

The Eat to the Beat Concert Series features live music from popular artists. Performances take place at the America Gardens Theatre. You can enjoy a mix of different genres, including pop, rock, and jazz.

Concerts run multiple times a night, and no extra ticket is needed. Grab dinner from the festival booths and enjoy listening to the music. Popular acts may attract larger crowds, so arrive early for good seats. Check the schedule to see which artists will be performing during your visit.

Scavenger Hunts

During the festival, Remy’s Ratatouille Hide and Squeak is a fun scavenger hunt for all ages. You’ll search for hidden Remy figurines scattered throughout the park. To participate, purchase a map and a sticker set at select locations.

As you find each Remy, you mark your map. When you complete the hunt, return to receive a special prize. This activity is enjoyable and brings an interactive element to your experience. These is a great activity that the kids can help direct with some help from the parents!

Special Events

Various special events take place throughout the festival, adding excitement to your visit. One highlight is Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit at EPCOT, which is a seasonal scavenger hunt from September 27th through November 1, 2024. You’ll search for hidden pumpkins around the park.

Exclusive Festival Offerings

EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival features unique experiences to enhance your visit. You can find exclusive merchandise, participate in tasty challenges, and join informative beverage seminars.

Festival Merchandise

During the festival, you can shop for exclusive merchandise that celebrates the event. This includes items like themed shirts, hats, and pins that reflect the festival’s spirit. Many fans look for specific items that are only available this time of year.

Some popular products also feature favorite EPCOT cuisines and characters. Prices for merchandise typically range from $10 for small items to $50 for clothing. If you want a souvenir from your experience, visiting the festival shops is a must.

Emile’s Fromage Montage

Emile’s Fromage Montage is a fun way to explore different cheese dishes throughout the festival. To participate, you can collect a festival passport and try various cheese offerings at select booths.

For each cheese item you taste, you will receive a stamp in your passport. Once you collect all the stamps, you can return to a location for a special prize. It’s a great excuse to sample unique dishes while enjoying the festival atmosphere.

Making the Most of Your Festival Day

When planning your visit to the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival, make a list of your top food booths you’d like to visit. Check out the full list of Global Marketplace booths on the Walt Disney World website.

After you’ve narrowed in on the booths you want to focus on, plan your route around the World Showcase. Should you start in Mexico and work your way around the showcase clockwise? Or start in Canada and work counterclockwise?

This comes down to personal preference and whether your party has more favorites to one side of the park than the other. There are great cuisine options throughout the whole world showcase, so my favorite way to tour during EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is to start on one side and make my way around the entire World Showcase. Trying different snacks along the way!

Avoid visiting on the weekends if you can, as the festival becomes busier with locals stopping by as well – and if you can visit in the middle of the festival as opposed to right at the beginning or end, it should be lower crowds as well. 

Recommended EPCOT International Food & Wine Tour Plan

You’ll need at least one full day to see as much as possible at EPCOT! During the festivals, I like to spend most of my time in the World Showcase. However if you’ll have little ones along, don’t miss the World Nature area – which has tons of great stops for younger children.

If you’ll have little ones along, don’t miss the Living Seas in World Nature which has a fun slow moving ride that features Nemo and friends. Then after you get off the ride, there’s a real aquarium where your kids can see some of their favorite aquatic animals up close!

My preferred touring plan for the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival has you starting at World Nature right as the theme park opens, and then as the World Showcase opens up typically at 11am, heading to the Mexico Pavilion. (Every single pavilion has their own Global Marketplace… with the exception of Norway and the United Kingdom! So if you want some food from Norway, stop by Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe for the School Bread.)

From Mexico, make your way around through Norway, China, and Germany. I find that when I start the World Showcase I make my way through quicker than starting on the opposite side. Don’t get caught up with margaritas in Mexico though if you want to keep moving!

Germany is a great country to stop and take a break if you need to – with plentiful seating areas and bathrooms that are easy to access. Then continue around through Italy, The American Adventure, and onto Japan.

Japan is one of our favorite pavilions to stop and spend some time in. There is quiet koi pond that is great for some down time and my kids love shopping in the store here. Don’t forget to stop by their Global Marketplace on the way out!

After Japan is Morocco, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada. There are a number of stand alone booths between the different countries on this side as well too, so I find that this side of the World Showcase takes more time to work through if you’re stopping at all of the Global Marketplace stops.

After you make it back around to the entrance of the World Showcase, make sure to stop by the Brew Wing Lab at the Odyssey if you didn’t already on your way in! They have some festival staples and it is a location I always like to stop at multiple times on my trip.

Plan your Disney Day! Visit these helpful guides to plan your day at EPCOT.

• Planning Your Day at EPCOT
• Kidcot Fun Stops in EPCOT
• EPCOT After Hours Party
• Best Table Service Meals in EPCOT