The EPCOT® International Food & Wine Festival is a tantalizing tradition that inspires imaginations and appetites alike. And it has something for everyone, whether you’re new to the festival and discovering it all or you’re a veteran attendee and scoping out the most unique flavors. We’ve put together this handy guide with tips for any level of familiarity, so you can be prepared for all the deliciousness the event has to offer as it runs from July 15 to November 20.* And remember, Cardmembers can redeem Disney Rewards Dollars toward the delectable dishes at the festival!0
First-Timer Tips
Never been to the EPCOT® International Food & Wine Festival? Get the most out of your first feast with some introductory info to start your appetite for fun!
Get the lay of the land
It helps to know the basic ingredients of the EPCOT® International Food & Wine Festival: To start, several Global Marketplaces throughout EPCOT®’s World Showcase feature small servings of meals, snacks and treats from across six continents. There are beverages that go with each marketplace’s theme—some for all ages, some adults-only. And all around the festival are special events, like the return of the family-friendly scavenger hunt and live entertainment, like JAMMin’ Chefs dropping a beat with pots and pans and Mariachi Cobre’s jubilant folk music.
Let your festival passport be your guide
Whether you’re on the lookout for your favorite foods or planning around dietary restrictions and preferences, looking ahead to which marketplaces you want to explore in advance is a great way to customize your experience to your taste. Check out the digital Festival Passport, available on the My Disney Experience mobile app**, so you can get all the details.
Don’t forget your complimentary photo
Stop by the private Cardmember location in EPCOT® for a souvenir photo to remember your first festival.00 You’ll find it in Future World, next to Journey Into Imagination With Figment. Show your Disney® Visa® Credit Card for entry, strike a pose and download anytime to see you and your crew next to Disney Characters.
Few-Timer Tips
Returning Guests know: A Disney vacation is just as fun when you’re rediscovering past favorites as it is when you’re exploring new ones! Here are some tips on maximizing your time and building on what you’ve enjoyed before.
Leave room for old faves and new discoveries
The Global Marketplaces often bring back the most popular drinks and dishes from previous years for fans to indulge in after a year of anticipation. But there are also many new options to scope out—so don’t be shy, ask the experts. Many Cast Members working throughout the EPCOT® International Food & Wine Festival have had a chance to sample the variety of offerings and have their recommendations. The snack or beverage you’d be least likely to try might be a surprise hit!
Listen to live local music
This year’s festival will feature a live music concert series presented Friday through Monday evenings. Check out local bands from across Central Florida playing popular songs on the America Gardens Theatre stage. Let them serenade you while you dine or take a breather between sampling new foods.
Save on limited-edition souvenirs
On a Disney vacation, collecting memories is a must. This year’s festival will offer special merchandise including wine glasses, headbands, spirit jerseys, ornaments and other tasty souvenirs you can only get during the event. Be sure to use your Disney Visa Card to save 10% on select merchandise purchases of $50 or more.00
Every-Timer Tips
If you make attending a yearly tradition and know the EPCOT® map as well as your own kitchen, here are some ideas to build upon your expert status and make this year’s festival feel all-new again.
Bring the whole family
The best part of achieving “expert” status: using your knowledge to introduce newcomers to the fun! Bring family, friends and little ones to their first EPCOT® International Food & Wine Festival and guide them through the highlights. Young Guests can get especially excited about the sweet treats and colorful beverages along the way, as well as the popular all-ages fun with Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt and Emile’s Fromage Montage, where you can purchase delicious cheeses and after five purchases, receive a bonus!
Check out new kiosks and dishes
This year’s Global Marketplaces will offer plenty of opportunities to sample all-new dishes. Check out up-to-date information on the My Disney Experience mobile app** and the official site to keep an eye out for unique menu additions.
Look out for colorful photo ops
Nothing compares to looking at photos from all the years you’ve visited, reminiscing on your favorite memories, seeing what’s changed (and what hasn’t). Make sure to snap some keepsake photos in front of colorful backdrops featuring this year’s special designs. Bonus points if you capture the same poses and group shots every year for a slideshow of classic pictures.
When you’re ready to book your vacation to Walt Disney World® Resort and visit the EPCOT® International Food & Wine Festival, you can use your Disney Visa Card and receive special vacation financing on select Disney vacation packages to help make your experience even sweeter.0 Bon voyage… and bon appétit!
