10 Tips for the 2025 Epcot Food and Wine Festival

The 2025 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival is right around the corner, and it’s one of the tastiest events on the Disney calendar! From August 28 to November 22, guests will have nearly three full months to sip and snack around World Showcase. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned festival-goer, these food and wine festival tips will help you make the most of your visit.

With dozens of Global Marketplaces, exclusive entertainment, and so many must-try bites and beverages, it’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed. That’s where this guide comes in. I’ve rounded up ten tried-and-true tips that will help you plan smarter, save time, and savor more of what the festival has to offer.

10 Tips for the 2025 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival

From scoring your favorite bites to beating the crowds, these tips will help you feel confident, prepared, and ready to take on everything the 2025 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival has to offer.

Visit on Weekdays or Arrive in the Evening

Timing can make a big difference in how enjoyable your festival day is. Weekends at EPCOT during the Food and Wine Festival are very popular, especially with locals. That means bigger crowds, longer lines, and fewer places to sit and relax.

If you can, plan to visit on a weekday, especially Tuesday through Thursday. Crowds tend to be lower, and you’ll have a more relaxed atmosphere to explore. If weekdays aren’t an option, arriving in the late afternoon or early evening is a smart alternative.

My favorite time to visit is when it starts to feel like fall and the weather has started to cool down, at least a little bit.

Grab a Festival Passport and Preview Menus Online

One of the best ways to start your day is by picking up a 2025 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival passport. This free booklet is available at the park entrance and around the World Showcase. It includes a list of all Global Marketplaces, menus, and information about entertainment and events happening during the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival.

If you like to plan ahead, check out the menus online before your visit. You’ll find all of the food and beverage options listed on Disney’s Food and Wine Festival page, as well as the My Disney Experience app.

Planning your “must-eats” ahead of time makes it easier to organize your day and avoid decision fatigue once you’re walking from booth to booth.

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Use a Disney Gift Card Wristlet and Set a Budget

Food and drink items at the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival typically cost between $5 and $10 each, and it’s easy for those little bites to add up. One of the easiest ways to manage your spending is by using a Disney Gift Card Wristlet.

These small gift cards attach to your wrist for hands-free convenience and can be reloaded as needed. Before your visit, decide on a spending limit and load that amount onto the card. It’s a fun, visual way to track what you’re spending without reaching for your wallet every few minutes.

This combo of convenience and control is one of the top EPCOT Food and Wine Festival tips if you want to enjoy your day without worrying about accidentally overspending.

Try New Booths and Menu Items

One of the most exciting parts of each festival season is discovering what’s new for 2025. Disney introduces fresh dishes, seasonal ingredients, and sometimes even brand-new booths, so it’s worth stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something different.

Your festival passport will highlight which items are new this year. Make it a goal to sample at least one brand-new dish and one new-to-you booth that you’ve never tried before. It’s a great way to keep the experience exciting, even if you’ve attended in past years.

While it’s totally okay to revisit your favorites (looking at you, Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup!), don’t miss the chance to expand your palate.

Share Dishes to Maximize Your Tastings

The best way to sample a wide variety of foods without overdoing it is to share dishes with your group. Most festival items are small-plate servings, perfect for one or two bites, which makes them ideal for splitting. Sharing allows you to taste more items across the many booths without feeling overly full too quickly, and it stretches your budget further.

Think of it as building your own tasting menu. Maybe you grab one savory dish at the Mexico booth, a sweet treat from France, and a drink from Japan. By sharing, everyone gets to try a little bit of everything, and you’ll experience more flavors in one visit than if you were dining solo. It also makes the festival more interactive and fun. You can compare notes with your group, swapping favorites, and even rating dishes as you go.

If you’re visiting with kids, this strategy also works well. They can try new foods without committing to a whole plate, and you won’t feel like you wasted money if something isn’t their favorite. Sharing isn’t just practical, it makes the festival feel like a true culinary adventure.

Catch an Eat to the Beat Concert

One of the standout features of the 2025 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival is the Eat to the Beat Concert Series. These nightly concerts take place at the America Gardens Theatre and are included with your park admission.

The lineup includes well-known bands, nostalgic throwbacks, and some incredible local talent. Performances happen three times each evening, and there’s no extra ticket required unless you want reserved seating. If you’re a music lover or want a break between tastings, check the concert schedule and plan your day around a show.

Guests start to line up for the general seating well ahead of the performance time, so if you want to be sure to have a seat, be prepared. If you want to be sure to have a seat for a certain concert, you can make a reservation for the Eat to the Beat Dining Package. Just like regular dining reservations, this can be booked 60 days in advance through your My Disney Experience account. This option is available at a few select locations for lunch or dinner and each location has a set menu and price. You can view the options on Disney’s website.

Your dining reservation confirmation will include your concert time. After dining, you will receive Eat to the Beat concert badges that you will show to enter the theatre in a separate queue from the standby queue. Guests will still be seated on a first-come, first-served basis, but you are guaranteed a seat.

Keep Little Ones Entertained with Remy’s Hide & Squeak

If you’re visiting with kids, Remy’s Hide & Squeak scavenger hunt is a fun way to keep them entertained while you snack your way around World Showcase. For $11.99, you can purchase the map and stickers from gift shops like Port of Entry, Creations Shop, or World Traveler at the International Gateway.

Kids will love spotting tiny statues of Remy hidden throughout the pavilions. Once completed, they can turn in their finished map at Disney Traders or World Traveler for a prize. It’s a win-win. They stay engaged, and you get more time to explore the booths without fuss.

Shop for Unique Souvenirs and Gifts

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival isn’t just about the food, it’s also a great time to shop for unique gifts and Disney merchandise. You’ll find festival-exclusive items like cookbooks, mugs, wine glasses, kitchen tools, and even apparel that makes the perfect souvenir.

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or picking up gifts for someone else, the merchandise during this festival tends to be more foodie-focused and one-of-a-kind. If you see something you like, grab it—these limited-edition items can sell out quickly.

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Stay Hydrated While You Snack and Sip

The Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2025 dates run during some of Florida’s hottest months. Even though the festival extends into November, the heat and humidity can be intense, especially in September and early October.

It’s easy to forget to drink water when you’re distracted by all of the delicious food and drinks. Make hydration part of your plan by bringing a refillable water bottle and using the refill stations throughout the park. Quick-service restaurants also offer free cups of ice water if you ask.

If you’re sampling alcohol, alternate between beverages and water to help avoid dehydration and a midday energy crash. Staying hydrated helps you feel better and enjoy the full experience from day to night. I also recommend packing Liquid I.V. hydration packets in your park bag to help replenish electrolytes and avoid headaches later in the day.

Book Early and Stay Close to the Action

Because the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival is one of the most popular events of the year, it’s smart to make your plans early. Walt Disney World resort availability may fill up fast on weekends or during holiday weekends.

If you want to stay within walking distance of EPCOT, consider booking a room at one of the resorts along Disney’s BoardWalk, like the Beach Club Resort, Yacht Club, or BoardWalk Inn. These resorts give you easy access to the International Gateway entrance, which puts you right into the middle of the festival in minutes. This convenience can save you time and energy, especially after a long day of tasting and strolling through the World Showcase.

2025 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Frequently Asked Questions

• When is the 2025 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival?
  • The EPCOT Food and Wine Festival 2025 dates are August 28 through November 22. That’s nearly three full months to enjoy all the flavors, music, and global fun EPCOT has to offer.
• Is the festival included in my park ticket?
  • Yes! Entry to the 2025 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival is included with a regular EPCOT park admission. Food, drinks, and special events like dining packages are additional costs.
• What time do the festival booths open?
  • Festival booths open daily at 11:00 AM and most remain open until park closing. This allows plenty of time to snack and sip at your own pace, even if you arrive later in the day.
• Can I use Disney Dining Plan snack credits?
  • Yes, some food and drink items qualify for Disney Dining Plan snack credits. Look for the DDP icon on menus or in the festival passport to see what’s eligible.
• Are there allergy-friendly or vegetarian options?
  • Yes! Many booths offer allergy-friendly, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten/wheat-friendly menu items.

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Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like the 2025 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival. With food from every corner of the world, tasty drinks, live music, and a festive atmosphere, it’s one of the best reasons to visit Walt Disney World in the fall. Using these practical Food and Wine Festival tips, you’ll be able to explore, eat, and enjoy without stress or second guessing. Plan ahead, pace yourself, and don’t forget to try something new along the way.