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Each year Walt Disney World Resort hosts the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, typically in the fall. The festival offers guests the opportunity to sample food and drinks from over 25 different countries. The 2023 Epcot Food and Wine Festival is sure to be even better than previous years, with new dishes and booths being added to the line-up!
To make sure you get the most out of your festival experience, I’ve put together a list of the Top 10 things you need to know about the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.
10 Tips for the 2023 Epcot Food and Wine Festival
Tip #1: The 2023 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will take place from July 27th through November 18th. This is one of the longest festivals to date at Walt Disney World, so you will have plenty of time to sample all the food and drinks on offer! My favorite time to visit is when the weather has started to cool down, at least a little bit. If you can visit during the week, you might have lower crowds as the weekends are typically the busiest.
Tip #2: There will be a number of pop-up kiosks featuring foods from regions that are not normally represented at Epcot. Be sure to take a look at the booth menus ahead of time so you can plan out what items are on your must-try list. Don’t miss out on something you want to try just because you don’t know where to find it. You can grab a festival passport when you enter the park to keep track of what you’ve tried or view a digital version in the My Disney Experience app.
Tip #3: The festival exclusive gift card wristlet is an easy and convenient way to set a budget for all of the items you want to purchase. Plus, having the gift card on your wrist makes it easy to access and scan at the food booths. You’ll be able to set the amount on the gift card when you purchase it.
Tip #4: I think one of the best things about the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is the opportunity to try new foods and drinks that you may not have otherwise had the chance to sample. Be sure to step out of your comfort zone and try something new! If you’ll be eating and drinking around the world with a group, you can share the foods you get so that you can taste a sample of something new.
If you’re not a fan of trying new things, don’t worry – there will also be plenty of familiar favorites available. There’s something for everyone at the festival!
Tip #5: In addition to food and drinks, the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival also features the Eat to the Beat Concert Series featuring a number of artists. This series features a different musical act on most nights, so be sure to check the schedule and make time to catch a show! The artists perform at three different times each night. These concerts are free with your park admission. 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.
Tip #6: With the exception of an Eat to the Beat Dining Package (if seeing that particular artist is really important to you), I do not recommend making a dining reservation at Epcot during any of the festivals. There are so many options available, between the food booths and quick service locations, that you really don’t need to take the time out of your day for a full sit-down meal.
Tip #7: If you’ll have little ones with you, you can purchase Remy’s Hide & Squeak ($9.99) from one of the participating gift shops (Port of Entry, Creations Shop, and World Traveler at the International Gateway) when you arrive at Epcot. This scavenger hunt will help keep them entertained looking for Remy while you make your way around the World Showcase. Once it’s completed, they can turn it in for a fun prize to keep at Disney Traders or World Traveler at the International Gateway!
Tip #8: The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is the perfect opportunity to do some souvenir shopping! From cookbooks to kitchen gadgets, there’s sure to be something for everyone on your list. The unique items available make great gifts – or you can keep them for yourself!
Tip #9: Make sure you stay hydrated, especially if you’re planning to enjoy several cocktails. Even though the weather might be a little cooler, it’s still easy to get dehydrated when you’re visiting the parks. You can get free ice water at most of the quick service windows or bring your own water bottle and refill it as needed. I always have Liquid I.V. packets in my Disney park bag to keep me hydrated. You can use my code DEVINEFAIRYTALE to save on their website before your trip!
Tip #10: The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is one of the most popular events at Walt Disney World, so be sure to make your plans early! Check out this post to find out how to make your park pass reservations ahead of time.
I hope this list has helped you get excited and prepared to visit the 2022 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival! What are you most looking forward to trying at the festival? Let me know in the comments below!
P.S. If you’re going to be at Epcot, make sure you know how to ride the newest ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind!
