It’s the most wonderful time of the year! No, I’m not talking about Christmas (yet); I’m talking about the 2018 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. This annual Walt Disney World event has become famous for offering fantastic food and delicious drinks. It’s the perfect way to add some extra fun to your fall Disney vacation!
If you’re not familiar with the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, here are the basics:
- This festival is held at Epcot every fall. This year’s dates are August 30th – November 12th!
- Food & Wine booths are set up all around the World Showcase. Admission is included with your park ticket, but the food itself is extra (but totally worth it).
- Events are held in the Festival Center and at select restaurants.
Here are 8 reasons you should check it out for yourself!
1) The Food (Including Tasting Portions & Amazing Desserts)
The #1 reason to head to Epcot in the fall is for the food. While the World Showcase offers a great select all year round in its 11 different pavilions, the festival adds over 30 different booths to the mix. Items range from the famous “Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon to Belgian Waffles with Warm Chocolate Ganache. Fun Fact: This is a great place to use your Disney Dining Plan snack credits!
2) The Wine (Plus Beer, Cocktails & Non-Alcoholic Drinks)
You can’t have a food & wine festival without amazing drinks, right? One of the coolest things to do at Epcot is try drinks from around the world, ranging from African wines to a popular German grapefruit beer. There are even family-friendly drinks, such as the Mango Lassi from the India booth.
3) Live Music (Including 98 Degrees & Smash Mouth)
The Eat to the Beat Concert Series offers live concerts nightly during the festival. Admission is included with your Epcot ticket, so there’s no need to purchase separate tickets (although you can choose to book a dining package for VIP seating). This year will feature 32 different acts! These include Vertical Horizon, Sugar Ray, Jim Belushi & The Sacred Hearts, Air Supply, Kenny G, Hanson, Boyz II Men, and more.
4) Meet & Greets (Including Celebrity Chefs & Disney Friends)
Are you a Food Network fan? Have you always wanted to meet a celebrity chef (or maybe learn a few tricks from them)? Now’s your chance! The festival draws in chefs from around the globe, including Alex Guarnaschelli, Geoffrey Zakarian, Masaharu Morimoto, and Robert Irvine. You can also meet some of the Walt Disney World chefs that make magic happen daily. Plus, the World Showcase is the only place you can meet some of your favorite Disney characters in their native lands (like Snow White in Germany and Anna & Elsa in Norway). New this year is the Disney Du Jour Dance Party, where kids can dance to the music with their Disney pals!
5) Special Events (Including Cooking Classes & Incredible Parties)
Speaking of cooking, the festival offers unique cooking seminars and culinary demonstrations. Taste your way through a variety of lessons that will make you feel like a pro by the end of your trip! Adults will love the beverage seminars, while the kids will love Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak scavenger hunt and the Junior Chef Kitchen (or maybe make some candy sushi). You can even make an evening of it with Party for the Senses, a celebration of global cuisine featuring food, wine, and dancing.
6) Dining Experiences (Including Food & Wine Pairings from Around the World)
If you’d rather your food prepared for you, you can reserve a special dining experience. These range from Sunday Brunch with the Chef to international food & wine pairings. Choose from a Hibachi Experience, a Mediterranean Food & Wine Pairing, a Mexican Tequila Lunch, or a Parisian Breakfast. This is a great way to step out of Florida and feel like you’re on a mini-vacation to one of the countries you’ve always dreamed of visiting.
7) Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend (Including runDisney Medals & Fun for the Whole Family)
In the mood for a challenge? Check out the runDisney Wine & Dine Weekend! This annual event offers a range of races fit for any Disney fan. These include the Wine & Dine Half Marathon, Wine & Dine 10K, Fall Feast 5K, and the runDisney Kids Races. I’m so excited to participate this year and bring home my first runDisney medal! Afterwards, treat yourselves to the Food & Wine Festival booths at the post-race party.
8) One-of-a-Kind Souvenirs (Plus Limited Edition Collectibles)
During the festival, Epcot offers a wide range of themed souvenirs that will celebrate your trip. Popular items include mouse ears, lanyards, passports, wine glasses, and t-shirts. This is also where you can find limited edition Disney Trading Pins, the ones that are only sold during the festival and showcase unique designs. Don’t forget to pick up a complimentary festival passport to mark down all the great things you’ve tried!
Which of these experiences are you most excited for?
Ready to plan your visit? There’s still time! I’ll help you design the perfect fall trip that the whole family can enjoy. My services are included at no additional cost when you book your trip with me.
Get a Free Walt Disney World Vacation Quote!
Contact me via the big blue button to request a free eBrochure and quote. I’d love to help you make your vacation truly magical!
