Is The Epcot Food And Wine Festival Worth It
The Food and Wine Festival in Epcot can be very expensive which leads many to wonder if it is worth the price. I think it absolutely is!
Yes, the food is not the best value if you are paying cash, but you can actually get some really good value if you are on the Disney Dining Plan. The food quality I find is higher than your average quick service restaurant in Walt Disney World making it a better value a lot of times. Plus there are just so many unique and interesting flavors that you cant get anywhere else.
For those reasons, yes the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is worth it at least for one day.
That said there are some items that are over-priced and not worth it, so study up ahead of time on the best snacks to try so you get your moneys worth when you go. Our post on the Top Snacks at Epcot Food and Wine will help you to do that, and make sure to read through the full menus to see what jumps out at you.
Take An Air Conditioning Break
The Food and Wine Festival in Epcot opens at 11 am every day and goes through the hottest part of the day. Since Disney World is located in sunny Florida, and the majority of the festival is outside you are going to need some breaks in between the snacks. This doesnt apply to just the Food and Wine Festival, but any visit to Walt Disney World.
Most of World Showcase is exposed to the sun and the Food and Wine Festival booths are not usually in a shaded area. That means finding an air-conditioned shop or attraction is crucial to cooling down and getting through the day.
Our favoriteFood & Wine Air-Conditioning Break Locations are:
- Mexico Gran Fiesta Tour: Usually a short line and the whole pavilion here is air-conditioned with a beautiful scenery.
- The American Adventure The American Adventure: This is a glorious 30-minute seated break, and youll even learn something about American history!
- Japan Mitsukoshi store: there is lots to do inside this huge store in World Showcase including pearl hunting and trying unique Japanese sweets.
- France Impressions de France: a 20-minute ride through the French countryside.
That leads us to our next Food and Wine tip:
Historical Food And Wine Information
Lots of people plan their Disney World trips a year or 2 in advance and to help with that, weve moved historical information about how a regular Food and Wine Festival typically looks to this section.
We dont have a crystal ball or any knowledge that any of the things below will be returning in the future, but just in case they do, we wanted to make sure you could see some of what has been offered in the past.
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Eat To The Beat Dining Packages
Getting to see one of the Eat to the Beat concerts is a highlight of any trip to the Food and Wine Festival, however, getting a good seat can be a challenge. If you dont want to have to wait with the crowds you can sign up for an Eat to the Beat Dining Packages which will give you reserved seats for the concerts.
Reserve a dining package from one of the 14 participating Epcot restaurants for Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner and get reserved seats for the show the same night as your dining package.
Prices vary widely depending on which restaurant you choose and which meal (dinners are more expensive of course. Prices start at $49 per person and go all the way to $82 per person. Appetizer, Entree, Dessert, and Drink are all included in the packages. You must choose a dining reservation that starts at least 2.5 hours BEFORE the concert start time.
Biergarten Restaurant Germany Pavilion
Lunch: $68 for adults $19.25 for kids Dinner: $78 for adults $22 for kids
Tutto Italia Ristorante Italy PavilionLunch: $64 for adults $22 for kids Dinner: $70 for adults $25 for kids
Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria Italy PavilionLunch: $54 for adults $20 for kids Dinner: $57 for adults $24 for kids
For The Best Experience Invest In Your Accommodations
People travel near and far for the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. When choosing to attend the festival, keep in mind that there are several accommodation options available, ranging from super expensive to fairly affordable, and keep in mind that if youre at Walt Disney World for the festival, the consensus is that splurging on the pricier, but well-worth-it resorts is your best bet. Why? Experts Delashaw and Kris Morton, a former Disney World cast member and travel blogger of Nomad By Trade, agree that youll have the best festival experience staying at Disneys Yacht and Beach Club Resort or the BoardWalk.
Morton told TravelAwaits, If youre really focused on dedicating your time to everything Food and Wine, consider booking a stay at one of the BoardWalk-area resorts. Theyre pricey, but staying there will keep you close to the food and allow you to enjoy the wine and other drinks without worrying about driving home.
Delashaw said, In regards to staying at an Epcot-area resort, there is nothing more magical than being able to walk over to Epcot within a moments notice at any time during your stay.
Both experts said that the two resorts boast a major convenience factor. Theyre less than a 10-minute walk to the festival and save you the time of having to shuttle there and back.
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Disney Food And Wine Festival 2020 Events
During the Disney Food and Wine Festival, there are a number of events that do not require any advance registration. Additionally, there are events that do not require an additional cost on top of valid theme park admission. Download the free, official Disneyland app to keep track of all the events at the Food and Wine Festival so you can plan the ultimate foodie experience!
Heres a sampling of no-cost events at the Food and Wine Festival that have not required reservations in the past:
Epcot Food And Wine Festival Tips
- Wear very comfortable shoes to any Epcot festival. You will log an insane number of miles walking from one booth to the next in your quest for delicious food. Check out this post if you need any tips on the best shoes for Disney
- If you are on the Disney Dining Plan, save your snack credits for the Food and Wine Festival it can save you a bundle
- Consider skipping lunch and dinner in favor of the Global Marketplaces, there is more than enough food available to keep you full all day
- Bring a lot of sunscreen There are sections of Epcot with little shade, and that sun is bright!
- If you want lower crowds, avoid attending the Festival on Friday or Saturday evenings. This is when the locals tend to flock to the festivals
- Worried about keeping the kids entertained while you sample foods from around the world? Intersperse trips to the Global Markets with rides and other entertainment for the kids
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The Smores Whoopie Pie
The Smores Whoopie Pie-lon: Smoked Chocolate Cake, Graham Cracker, Marshmallow, Chocolate Ganache and Candied Bacon. This whoopie pie was smoky and sweet, with just enough graham cracker crumble to make it decadent. A soft marshmallows between two chocolate cakes. yum! We shared this treat, but frankly, it was good enough we could have eaten it on our own.
Disneyland Food And Wine Festival Food Booths 2022
While the food booths for the 2022 DCA Food and Wine festival have not been announced, we can tell you what we do know about 2022 DCA food booths! All of Disneyland Food Festival 2021 booths were celebrating California cuisine with fresh, vibrant and fun menus. When the DCA Food and Wine festival begins, they will have the Disneyland Food and Wine Festival passport. This will be your mini pocket guide to all food booths and where to find them!
Like mentioned above, that last Disneyland Food and Wine Festival took place in 2020 and offered 16 different food booths.
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Make A Stop At The Festival Welcome Center
Like the festival passport, most people probably pass this up, but Disney expert Testa is here to tell you exactly why you shouldnt.
Check out the Festival Welcome Center! Not only will you find festival merchandise, Global Marketplaces, and see where the culinary demonstrations and seminars are held, but its a great opportunity to enjoy the air conditioning and take a break from the Florida heat!
Disney Food And Wine Festival 2016 Dates Schedule
2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival The 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival is on its way! Mark your calendars for September 14 through November 14! Featuring fantastic special events, culinary and beverage demonstrations, celebrity chefs, and the ever-popular World Showcase Marketplace tasting booths, this is a not-to-be-missed opportunity!
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Mix It Make It Celebrate It
Challenge your senses as you expand your culinary skills and beverage know-how!
Working side-by-side with chefs, beverage experts, and other kitchen wizards, attendees can roll up their sleeves for a hands-on lesson that teaches one of many different culinary or beverage skills. Each 75-minute guided, interactive experience offers a multi-sensory smorgasbordfrom whipping up sweet treats and savory sensations to exploring cocktails, spirits, and wines.
Recipe For Lobster Roll
I have had this recipe for lobster roll from Epcot since 2013. Over the years the recipe for lobster roll has changed up. For example, this years lobster roll has a drizzle of herbed mayonnaise.
For this recipe for lobster roll, I am posting the 2013 version from Epcot. So enjoy this Epcot foodie favorite!
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER EPCOT FOOD AND WINE RECIPES:
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Epcot International Food And Wine Festival Merchandise
The 2021 Food and Wine Festival will include all-new branded merchandise including pins, a food tray, a spirit jersey, a ball cap, and more. Branding for 2021 includes a Beauty and the Beast collection
and a Figment collection.
Plus, guests can purchase a themed gift card wristlet that can be loaded with cash for some efficient purchasing power!
Disneyland Food And Wine Festival Overview 2022
If youre looking to visit Disneyland this upcoming spring, youll be pleasantly surprised with the 2022 DCA food festival. Not only is it the perfect place to try small plates of delicious food, it is also family friends and offers free cooking seminars! This Disneyland food festival is completely free with your California Adventure park admission.
While there arent a ton of details out quite yet, we will continue to update this article with all the newest info as it is released. We are sure that the 2022 Disneyland Food and Wine Festival is going to be better than ever. Mostly because the 2021 Disneyland Food and Wine festival was cancelled. That means Disneyland has a whole year of magic to make up for!
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Ready To Plan For Your 2019 Epcot Food And Wine Festival Trip
Order the DFB Guide to the 2019 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book today! This 250+-page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever.
Your purchase includes several bonus items as well including a full daily schedule of events at the Festival and a printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World!
Order your 2019 edition today! Dont miss a moment of the fun!
Disney Food And Wine Festival 2020
While 2020 dates for the Disney Food and Wine Festival have not yet been released, it typically begins March 1. Up until recently it was only open on weekends to Park guests, but as of 2019 it enjoyed a much longer run from March 1 through mid-April weekdays and weekends. Get Away Today is telling us all about the Disney Food and Wine Festival so you can make your 2020 vacation plans.
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When Is The 2020 Disney Food And Wine Festival
- Free Disney Planning Video! Which Character Meal is Right for You? Sign up to receive news, tips, offers and other great Disney food information. The 2020 Epcot Food and Wine Festival kicks off July 15th when Epcot reopens and will continue until November 22nd, with more than 20 signature booths.
Eat To The Beat Concert Series
Although the official Eat to the Beat concert series will not be returning in 2021 Disney still have some amazing entertainment in store for us at the 2021 Food and Wine festival!
JAMMin Chefs This funky drumming crew breaks it down as they drum up fun in the kitchen using pots, pans and other unlikely instruments.
Enjoy an exuberant performance of world-famous, traditional folk music.
Voices of Liberty Get swept away by inspiring vocal performances celebrating Americas spirit and beauty.
America Gardens BandstandThe 2021 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival opens with America Gardens Bandstand presented by Florida Blue Medicare, a live music concert series Friday through Monday evenings. Watch as local bands from across Central Florida take to the stage at America Gardens Theatre, playing popular songs of yesterday and today.
Explore show dates and bands:
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When Is Disney Food And Wine Festival 2017
And thats why Im excited to share the dates for next years Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Resort. Mark your calendar: August 31 through November 13 will be a record 75 days of global culinary creations, celebrity chefs, premium events, Eat to the Beat concerts, and more. Keep checking the Disney Parks Blog for more …
Epcot International Food And Wine Festival 2021 Dates & Overview
For 2021, the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival began July 15 and will continue through Nov. 20. The event features its signature global marketplaces, live music, scavenger hunts and more. It’s our favorite way to try new foods and flavors from all over the world!
One of the best parts about one of EPCOT’s most popular events is that you can experience the bulk of the festival with your regular Disney World tickets. However, you will need to foot the bill for your eats and drinks, which can add up if you have a hearty appetite like us frogs. For the most part, kiosk food prices usually run between $4 and $9, with beverages varying from $3 to $10.
Before you dive in to all of the delicious details, let us tempt your tastebuds with this video that showcases the sights and sounds of this year’s festival.
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Do You Need A Separate Ticket For Epcot Food And Wine
If youre a first-timer the number one question is whether or not you need tickets for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. No, you do not need a separate ticket to go to Epcot Food and Wine. Admission to the Food and Wine Festival is included with your regular Epcot park ticket.
Simply put, if you have a ticket to get into Epcot, then you can get into the Disney Food and Wine Festival no problem, so you dont need a separate ticket for the event.
Epcot International Food And Wine Festival 2021 Kids Activities
Even though “wine” takes up half of the festival’s name, the tadpoles aren’t left out! There are several family-friendly activities that any frog at any age can participate in.
Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt
Embark on a Ratatouille-inspired scavenger hunt around the park and win a special prize. Be on the lookout for statuettes of Remy hidden throughout World Showcase. You can purchase the map and stickers from select merchandise locations. We got ours from Disney Traders at the entrance to World Showcase.
Past Event Activities for Kids
During previous years, the Food and Wine Festival hosted a kid-friendly seminar and a dance party. These did not hoppen in 2020, but we’re giving them a mention in case they return later in 2021.
- Candy Sushi: This tadpole-friendly seminar debuted at the 2018 festival and returned in 2019. Attendees were able to learn how to roll their own sweet sushi treats with a Disney Chef at The Land pavilion.
- Disney du Jour Dance Party: The Disney du Jour Dance Party in Future World expanded to all seven days of the week for the 2019 festival. A live DJ spun some tunes during the week, while stars from Radio Disney and Radio Disney Country artists, such as Meg Donnelly and AJ Mitchell, performed live on the weekends!
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Ready To Plan For Your 2017 Epcot Food And Wine Festival Trip
Order the DFB Guide to the 2017 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book today!This 250+-page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever.
Your purchase includes several bonus items as well including a full daily schedule of events at the Festival and a printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World!
I Wish The Schfferhofer Wild Cherry Hefeweizen Beer That I Tried At The Germany Pavilion Was Always Sold At Epcot
At the Germany pavilion, I thought it was only fitting to try its $9.75 beer flight. While I liked all three drinks that were included, my favorite by far was the cherry-flavored Hefeweizen made by Schöfferhofer.
The drink was sweet and refreshing with a strong cherry flavor that overpowered the beer which I personally liked. I thought it added a unique twist to a standard and classic German drink.
You could also buy the drink on its own. A six-ounce cup costs $5, while a 12-ounce cup costs $9.50.
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