{"id":49497,"date":"2016-09-29T12:00:05","date_gmt":"2016-09-29T16:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/?p=49497"},"modified":"2022-05-04T20:08:39","modified_gmt":"2022-05-05T00:08:39","slug":"tips-for-the-epcot-international-food-wine-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/tips-for-the-epcot-international-food-wine-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"
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While there are many reasons I love to visit Walt Disney World in the fall, The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival<\/a> is definitely at the top of the list. \u00a0The festival, commonly referred to as “Food & Wine,” is in its twenty-first year and this is the longest it’s ever run – a full 62 days! The Epcot Food & Wine Festival has already kicked off and is in full swing.\u00a0 Ultimately, Epcot celebrates the tastes of both food and drinks from around the world, and brings bit of many cultures to us in one place. \u00a0 To get the most out of Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival, read our tips!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The World Showcase in Epcot is made up of eleven pavilions representing different countries – all of which have dining venues, but during Food & Wine, you can taste offerings from another thirty countries!\u00a0 That’s a lot of food or drinks – so first off, do not think you can conquer everything in one day.\u00a0 While there will be many factors that play into when you attend the festival, if you can at all, go during the week!\u00a0 The crowds are always heavier in the evenings, and then more so on the weekends.\u00a0 It’s a huge draw for Floridians and rightly so!\u00a0 You’ll be able to get more done on weekdays so plan accordingly.<\/div>\n
There are also lots of special events going on throughout the two month festival – take a look at calendar of events here.\u00a0 Admission to Epcot is required to take part in festival activities, and special events are both free, and by ticket-only, so do your research!<\/div>\n
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You’ll also want to review the menus<\/a> ahead of time.\u00a0 They are set a bit ahead of the festival start so you can go old school and print them out, or save them to your smart device. Make sure to look them over and get an idea of where you’ll want to try things.<\/div>\n
Food offerings are served in a trial size, so portions are small and you’ll need to sample a few items if you’re trying to make a meal out of them.\u00a0 If you order several different items, there’s usually enough to share a few items between guests so that everyone can taste something.\u00a0 If you know you will really like something, or it’s a favorite from trips past, then order your own. \ud83d\ude09<\/div>\n
In addition to the food, alcoholic beverages such as wine, craft beer, and even ice pops are available at the marketplace booths.\u00a0 There are also options available for vegans, vegetarians, and there are gluten-free options (although not as many as for those who aren’t.)<\/div>\n
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Now that you’ve done your research and know what you want even before you’ve arrived, when you do arrive, it’s a good idea to stop at the Festival Center.\u00a0 The Festival Center<\/a> is in the old Wonders of Life Pavilion on the east side of Future World and it’s where you can get your bearings about what’s going on at the festival, get your event guide and festival passport, and check out the special event merchandise.\u00a0 You can also purchase food and wine here, visit The Chocolate Experience: From Bean to Bar – Hosted by Ghirardelli\u00ae Chocolate Company, enjoy celebrity chef meet and greets and collect autographs, as well as pick up your Hide & Squeak game from Remy’s Ratatouille<\/em>.<\/div>\n
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(c) Julie Dobrin<\/em><\/div>\n
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There are a few things that you can bring from home that will help make your day(s) at the event go smoothly.\u00a0 Pack some rain gear – whether it be your poncho or more!\u00a0 In 2014, we were in the World for the very first day of the festival and were leaving the next day, so we didn’t have flexibility with changing plans because of the weather.\u00a0 It poured almost the entire day!\u00a0 While it definitely deterred some crowds, we had umbrellas and some basic rain gear and we lasted nine hours at the festival – with kids to boot!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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We also found that because we had a large crowd, establishing a “base” worked well for us and adults would take turns running to booths and bring back items.\u00a0 Luckily, we had brought a tray to carry multiple items and I can’t recommend this enough.\u00a0 The festival does sell a square “tray” with a built-in cup “holder\/area.”\u00a0 But if you’re trying to carry back multiple items, bring your own tray.\u00a0 If you’re carrying multiple drinks, you are limited to two per person, but the cardboard trays from your local coffee shop do the job and are really light in a backpack.\u00a0 We even found some trays online that you can carry\/hold with one hand and there is an area for food, a small holder for silverware, and a cub holder.\u00a0 They aren’t self-standing so you can’t then easily put them down and not hold onto them, but they are great for walking around the festival, especially if you cannot find a place to “park.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Also, if you’re pushing a stroller, be sure to have a couple of couple-holders, preferably the style that won’t spill so you can still push!\u00a0 Many festival goers are not above eating on trash cans so having some antibacterial wipes or something to put down is great to have if this is your only option.\u00a0 The festival does seem to have brought more tables in over the last two years (high-top style tables for standing).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Festival tray versus one brought from home<\/em><\/div>\n
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Thank goodness for rain ponchos!<\/em><\/div>\n
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One way to expedite the process of buying your items at the booths is using your MagicBand! The touch-to-pay system is quick & convenient!\u00a0 You can also purchase a small Disney gift card that comes with a wrist band if you find that easier for budgeting purposes.\u00a0 Just remember, you cannot purchase a gift card with a gift card, if you’re one to bring a ton!\u00a0 You can also purchase a\u00a0Tasting Sampler <\/a>which is a lanyard with rip-off vouchers for either 8 ($59) or 16 ($109) food or beverage items from the marketplace locations. \u00a0If you are smart about your purchases, this can be a savings!<\/div>\n
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(c) Julie Dobrin<\/em><\/div>\n
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(c) Julie Dobrin<\/em><\/div>\n
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In addition to the great food & drinks, the merchandise is often too cute to pass up!\u00a0 It’s best to purchase this merchandise when you see it as it will sell out!\u00a0 If you’re an Annual Passholder, there is currently a special offer where you can pick up a special edition glass tumbler after visiting the festival three times.\u00a0 The process has evolved since last year, and your MagicBand will let them know how many visits you’ve made and you can simply go and collect one per passholder.<\/div>\n
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Dated merchandise (c) Julie Dobrin<\/em><\/div>\n
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I would highly suggest going into the festival with an open mind and a willingness to try new things.\u00a0 I know I am set in my ways and can be a bit close-minded about foods, just by what I “think” it is.\u00a0 Again, sharing items makes trying things easy without waste!<\/p>\n

Another tip is to seek out the standard offerings the World Showcase has to offer.\u00a0 Often, these quick service locations or kiosks don’t have the lines that the festival booths do.\u00a0 If you’re not a regular, there will be options that are new to you – and of course favorites for those who are!\u00a0 I love alternating some of my favorites with new items!<\/p>\n

Speaking of lines, check to be sure how many lines there are to order and pay.\u00a0 Some booths may have one on each side of its location, and one may be much shorter than the other!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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There are also two exclusive lounges that are a nice place to take a rest if you’re a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Member or Chase Visa cardholder.\u00a0 The DVC Lounge is located in the upstairs of the Imagination pavilion and the Chase Visa Lounge upstairs in the American Adventure pavilion.\u00a0 Both are great places to cool off, charge your phone, and people watch if the festival crowd is getting to be too much.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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If you will be attending Food & Wine with children, make it interesting for them as well! \u00a0Our kids look forward to it every year, and I don’t even think they try any of the food! \u00a0They enjoy the atmosphere and the people watching as much as we do. \u00a0We keep them entertained around the World Showcase with our own games. \u00a0Finding hidden Mickey’s never gets old for them, nor does walking through the pavilions (this is where those trays come in really handy), and snacking on many treats from the different countries. \u00a0If your child(ren) isn’t an adventurous eater, go for things at the booths like the desserts, or again – stop at the permanent quick service locations for the kids!<\/div>\n
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Having a stroller even as your kids outgrown them at home is a must! \u00a0There’s not only a lot of walking in Epcot, but standing as well! \u00a0Even if they walk most of the time, that occasional rest in the stroller is always nice, as is the storage it can provide. \u00a0And while going earlier in the day or during the week is key for avoiding long lines, it’s really the best time to attend with younger ones. \u00a0The crowd can get a bit rowdy as the day goes on.<\/div>\n
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If all else fails, give them a Mickey bar!\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
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Whenever you get to go to the Epcot Food & Wine Festival, do your homework, have a game plan, be open-minded, and enjoy yourself! \u00a0It’s two full months of a culinary celebration from around the world, in one place!<\/div>\n
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What’s your favorite dish at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival? What are you most looking forward to this year?\u00a0 And what are your best tips? Share in the comments.
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