What you should know before visiting the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival

It’s anything but sweater weather in Florida, but that didn’t stop eager Walt Disney World guests from lining up for crunchy treats like fall chili and grilled cider-brined pork tenderloin at the kickoff of the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival on Thursday.

This year’s festival is a fan favorite, offering more than 240 flavors from around the world at over 30 different Global Marketplace locations, based on geographic regions like Hawaii or Mexico, culinary themes like forest and field, or food types like French fries. Of course, some treats are light and refreshing, too, like Mango Peach Bubble Tea.

Here’s what you need to know about one of Walt Disney World’s most popular festivals.

What are the dates for the Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT in 2024?

This year’s Food and Wine Festival runs for almost three months, from August 29th to November 23rd.

What’s new at EPCOT Food and Wine this year?

This year, there are dozens of new food and drink offerings, including a variety of locally sourced hot dogs at Flavors of America, sweet potato mousse frozen with liquid nitrogen at Swirled Showcase, and alcoholic Greek melon lemonade at the Greece booth.

There’s also a new festival area, CommuniCore Hall, which opened in June, marking the end of EPCOT’s years-long transformation. CommuniCore Hall is home to the Macatizers kiosk, which specializes in macaroni and cheese, and the year-round fast-food spot Festival Favorites.

Is food and wine free at EPCOT?

As with all EPCOT festivals, the event is included in park admission, but food and drinks must be purchased separately.

What are the 4 EPCOT Festivals?

EPCOT’s four festivals are:

Is the scavenger hunt still available at EPCOT?

Two scavenger hunts are offered during the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival: Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak and Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit. You must purchase an activity card to receive a prize for both, but you can also take a leisurely, free look for hidden Ratatouille characters and decorated pumpkins throughout the park.

There is also the cheese challenge “Emile’s Fromage Montage”. Guests who order five cheese dishes from a set list will receive a free reward. The list of participating dishes can be found in the festival’s free brochure.

How long are the food and wine stands open at EPCOT?

The Festival Global Marketplace booths are open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., just in time to grab a last snack before Luminous The Symphony of Us, the nightly spectacle on the World Showcase Lagoon.

Many of the stands are located around the World Showcase, but some are spread throughout the park, such as Coastal Eats near Mission: SPACE and Earth Eats near The Land.

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How to get the most out of food and wine at EPCOT

1. Check the menus in advance

With so much food and drink, you’ll soon be full before you get far through the park. Check out Global Marketplace’s menus online or in the festival booklet to figure out what you’ll want to save room for.

2. Set a limit

Each meal or drink may not seem too expensive, but they add up. Consider limiting your spending by purchasing a gift card for an amount you’re comfortable spending. Once you’ve reached your limit, you can decide if you want to load more money onto the card. The remaining amount can be used for merchandise or other Disney expenses after the festival.

Plus, sharing dishes with your travel group allows you to try more flavors without spending too much money or getting too full. Friends can take turns paying the bill.

3. Try something new

Now is the time to step out of your comfort zone and try something you wouldn’t normally order at a restaurant.

Who knows? Maybe you’ll like the controversial Pickle Milk Shake at Brew Wing Lab or you’ll love the Paella Negra with squid ink rice, shrimp, scallops, octopus and garlic aioli at Spain Kiosk.

4. Take breaks

This festival may last well into fall, but most days it will still feel like summer. Take breaks along the way at air-conditioned attractions like Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros, Reflections of China, The American Adventure, Impressions de France, Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along and Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360.

Also make sure you drink plenty of water. Cups of cold water are available free of charge wherever drinks are sold.

5. Stay for a show

Every night until November 18th you can enjoy a live concert by artists such as The Fray, Tiffany, Aloe Blacc, Yellowcard and Boys II Men.

It is part of the festival’s Eat to the Beat series. Performance times are 5:30pm, 6:45pm and 8pm at the America Gardens Theatre.