The months of September and October are one of my favorite times to visit Walt Disney World for a variety of reasons, but near the top is the experience of Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival. For someone planning their first visit to this celebration, it can be very overwhelming. I was in those same shoes once, and definitely missed out on some great opportunities that first time. I’ve since been back several times, and now feel confident in passing along the tips that can help a Food & Wine novice enjoy this fun time.
- My biggest tip is to know before you go. There are many publications put out each year with what the current year’s festival is offering, right down to what food is being sold at each food booth around the world. Research will go a long way in making sure you get the most bang for your buck. If using a Disney specialist to book your trip, that person can also be a wealth of knowledge. The MyDisneyExperience website is a great resource of what type of experiences can be booked and enjoyed at this festival.
- Set a budget. I would even go one step further and pre-load a gift card specifically for the Food & Wine festival. It is very easy to spend a little here and a little there, and once the final bill is tallied have a huge panic attack at the bottom line total. Anyone who goes to Disney understands that Disney is not cheap, and they make it very simple to go “cashless” with the invention of the Magic Band. I love Disney, but I do also understand the need to stay aware in the Disney bubble of my spending habits.
- Avoid the weekends. Epcot is a huge destination for locals Friday-Sunday, so if at all possible plan to visit during the week for festival activities. You will find the crowds less smothering and the availability of offerings more obtainable. This is especially important for anyone trying to experience Food & Wine for the first time, or those trying to navigate with children.
- Enjoy the freebies. Yes. There are free things at Food & Wine, so be aware and take advantage of them. The Festival Welcome Center is a great place for free offerings. Learn how chocolate is made through The Chocolate Experience. Cool down and watch the current show in the Festival Theater. Get a piece of free chocolate at the Ghirardelli store or admire the scenery carvings made entirely from chocolate – they are amazing. The biggest freebie might be the Eat to the Beat concerts. Big name musical groups and singers perform three times every evening, and it doesn’t cost anything extra. For guaranteed seating, Disney offers a dining package for purchase at a number of Epcot restaurants, but if you are more interested in hearing the music than seeing the performers up close, this can be experienced from anywhere in the American pavilion proximity. I’ve been at Food & Wine while the Plain White T’s were performing, and the music could be heard from the opposite side of World Showcase.
There are dozens of additional activities at Food & Wine that can be purchased as well. For a minimal cost, there are beverage and cheese seminars offered in the Festival Center. In the previous years, I have signed up for a few of the beverage seminars and have considered them very worth the money. Generally, the presenter is someone working within a specific winery and is extremely knowledgable and excited to share things about wine-making in general and specifically wine-making in their location. Along with this information, samples of their wines are provided. The seminars usually last around 45 minutes, and cost around $20/person.
For a larger price tag, Disney offers full food & wine pairings at some of their restaurants. I have experienced a Parisian breakfast, a Mediterranean pairing in Morocco, and most recently, an Italian 6 course food & wine paring luncheon. I have enjoyed all of them, and all have been led my a sommelier familiar with the wine of that country. Prices will differ for each of these, as well as the length of time needed for the experience.
In addition to these experiences that I’ve loved and recommend, the festival also offers a Wine & Dine Half Marathon weekend for the Disney race lovers, Monday night tailgate tastings for the football fans, and specially ticketed events such as Party for the Senses. For those just looking to enjoy an afternoon at the Food & Wine, there are culinary demonstrations, mixology classes, cake decorating and experiences for the kiddos such as Candy Sushi in The Land. Disney’s festivals are truly meant to cater to all ages, and with a little pre-planning and prioritizing, it can be an extremely enjoyable and satisfying experience.
