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5 Great Tips For Epcot’s Food And Wine Festival From Disney Fans

 


If you plan on heading down to Epcot’s Food And Wine Festival, please read this post. I’ve consolidated a few great tips from Disney fans to help you get through the park and enable you to enjoy as much as you can with as little effort as possible. My kind of vacation. 

5 Great Tips For Epcot’s Food And Wine Festival From Disney Fans

Epcot isn’t like any of the other Disney Parks. It has a very different vibe if you ask me. In fact, my husband and I say that the children get to enjoy all the other locations, but when we get to Epcot, it’s our time to shine. 

While I love rides and excitement, the mouse and all the wonders of a great fireworks show, nothing beats a delicious croissant in France or a cold, hard cider in England.

What can I say? I’m a foodie through and true. And if you know my husband, you will understand that he is 100 times worse than me. Food = life. 

Epcot's Food and Wine Festival France Appetizer

So, Epcot’s Food And Wine Festival is sort of the pinnacle event for Disney fans. It brings everything we love from one of our favorite places to visit on Earth and combines it with our top past-time – eating. Don’t judge me. BE ME. 

As you walk through the festival, understand that there IS NO judgment. You can eat your way throughout the world. In fact, Disney encourages you to do so!

There are maps and guides to help you make your way and if you are strategic about it, I bet you can get it done all in one day. Just be sure you get there nice and early and wear stretchy pants. LOL! 

around the world Epcot

But if you are looking for some tips to truly help you knock the Epcot’s Food And Wine Festival out the park, here is everything that I’ve learned during my recent visit.

Tip Number 1 – If You Want To Eat Everything, You Have To Be Willing To Share

Listen, fam. The portions available are pretty reasonable and if you are serious about eating around the world, you aren’t going to make it. I am just being honest with you.

I was able to eat 4 or 5 things and then I was done. I was so angry with myself. I failed! I didn’t even get to indulge in too many Disney desserts and isn’t that the whole point? 

If I could go back in time, I would grab a bunch of friends and buy one or two things from every country and then pick up a few forks to share. You do not need to get one of each. You won’t get past Mexico with that attitude. 

Remember, there will also be plenty of drinks at Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival that will capture your eye as well. Pace yourself. 

Mickey Mouse Ears

Tip Number 2: Get Some Tools

You don’t HAVE to do this but I thought this Epcot tray came in pretty handy. While enjoying the Food And Wine Festival, you will notice several stations selling this clear tray that has a space to set down your drink and your food option. This allows you to keep a hand free. 

That means that you can take photos, scratch your nose, wave hello to a passing friend, swat a fly. I don’t know what you want to do with that hand – the options are limitless. The tray equals freedom. Buy the tray. 

My children use the tray at home as they watch TV now and it’s super cute. I got them each one as a souvenir and it was the best thing I bought.

We don’t need another stuffed animal. My son cannot fit on his bed anymore because of all the plush dolls that border his pillows. But this tray? WORTH IT! 

Mickey Mouse Ears Epcot

I also want to note the new Mickey Mouse ears that just came out! Grab those too! The Metallic Silver is the latest color and I am obsessed!! All of our friends were gifted a pair and they were super sweet. 

Tip Number 3: Take A Break And See A Show

The Epcot Food And Wine Festival isn’t only about food and drinks. No way! It’s also about entertainment. While we were in town, we had the chance to see Plain White T’s. How cool is that? 

The Eat to the Beat Concert has several shows throughout the day and the performances are included with your ticket. So, there is no upcharge for programming. Seating is limited, of course. So, if you want to get great seats, plan to arrive a bit earlier and wait on line. 

Eat to the Beat Show Epcot

I ended up knowing a lot of songs from this band which was such a treat. It was a nice break in the middle of the day. The show actually gave my body a minute to digest which, in turn,  gave me the fuel I needed to get back up and right into the action again. 

What? I’m being honest. I had one goal in mind while visiting this park during and it was to eat all the food and take in all the flavors!

Also, in case you didn’t know – Epcot’s Food And Wine Festival adds in additional countries to their map during this time of the year. So, it’s not just the familiar ones you are used to – oh no! There are countries slated in with pop-ups all throughout the walkway. It makes it that much more exciting. 

Mexico Epcot Food and Wine

This year, there are more than 30 global markets to enjoy! Yahoo!

Tip Number 3: Know All The Details

Epcot’s Food And Wine Festival runs until November 23rd this year. So, you have a lot of time left to get down there and walk the walk. On average, the appetizer-sized portions that are served typically range in price from $4.00 – $8.00. You won’t find anything too far out of that span. 

If you are on the Disney Dining Plan, you will be happy to hear that many items are available for a snack credit. Isn’t that amazing!? 

Besides casually walking through the festival at your own pace, guests can sign up to enjoy seminars, tasting events, and delicious meals overseen by top Disney Chefs.

These special events need reservations ahead of time. If you’d like to sign up with your group, please make sure you call AHEAD – (407) WDW-FEST. 

France Epcot Food and Wine

Tip Number 4 – Kids Can Take Part In A Scavenger Hunt

Whenever we go to Epcot, we ALWAYS do the scavenger hunt with our kids. We buy them each a little passport and it gets them so excited to race from one country to the next. It literally drives them to catapult from one world to the next and that is not a lie. 

While we are trying to slowly enjoy Norway, they are rushing us to get to Japan because… STAMPS! And you know what? It works – because there’s nothing worse than a kid that doesn’t want to be where you are. A moppy, unhappy, kid that hates the current day. No thank you!

I much rather have an over-energetic kid who is super excited about whatever is happening. Mom truth bomb coming at you. Take my $12 or whatever it is. I literally don’t care. 

China entrance Epcot Food and Wine Festival

The Food and Wine Festival is no different. If you have children with you, do yourself a favor and get them involved in Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak scavenger hunt. 

Kids can search for 15 little Remy statuettes with maps and stickers available for purchase at Port of Entry, Pin Central, and World Traveler at International Gateway. Show your completed map to a Disney Trader and then pick a prize. You’re welcome. 

Tips Number 5: The Rides Are Still Open

I know I’ve been talking about the food you can eat while in Epcot, but please don’t forget that you are in EPCOT. There are still so many rides for you to enjoy. 

And while you will have to walk to the other side of the park to enjoy these rides, they are absolutely worth it. Don’t tell me you are going to spend the day in Epcot and not ride Soarin’ or Test Track? Impossible. 

Test Track Photo Epcot

Also what is up with my hair? Why do I look like Chewbacca? Star Wars is at Hollywood Studios – everything is colliding. It doesn’t make sense. 

Point being – take a break at one point and be a kid again. Disney is one of the most magical places on Earth. If you can’t tell from my blog, I sort of love the place. The rides make me feel like a kid again. Be a kid again. 

Will You Visit Epcot’s Food And Wine Festival This Year?

What do you think? Have I convinced you to give it a shot? Do you think these tips will help you get through the day with a plan in hand? Do you think you could eat something from every country with your group of friends and make it out on the other side in one piece? Challenge accepted! 

France GM and head chef Epcot

As a personal note, I have to say that the people from France treated my group with such kindness. If you had to visit anyone, I would tell you to go there. Not only was the food absolutely delectable, but I just love when I meet people and they turn out to be good eggs.

Very genuine individuals who loved what they did, had a passion for food, and truly wanted to make us feel at home. You cannot ask for more from a moment. 

In front of Mexico Epcot

I’m absolutely looking forward to returning for another round trip around the worlds. I know now that I have to pace myself and not wear jeans. I have all the ideas! I just need another plane ticket. 2020 is game on. 

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Tips

I partnered with Disney to host the Permission to Hustle conference at one of their resorts. They gifted my attendees passes to the Food and Wine Festival. All opinions are my own. 

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