We’re with some friends at the Cast Member Preview for the reopening of EPCOT AND EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival. We’re reporting on the new procedures for old-favorites like Spaceship Earth and experiencing new processes like the Digital Guidebook.

Disney has now integrated virtual lines for gift shops to reduce crowding and will continue to use a modified version for Rise of the Resistance in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We just learned that four Food and Wine booths at EPCOT will be accessed using virtual queues at Food and Wine Festival.

Festival World Showplace (the big blue tent near the UK Pavilion in World Showcase) is an indoor venue hosting four marketplaces this year: Appleseed Orchard, Wine & Dine featuring Festival Favorites, Desserts & Champagne, and Mac and Cheese Hosted by Boursin Cheese. Unlike the gift shops, it appears you must enter the virtual line whether World Showplace is crowded or not.

To enter the line, head to the Showplace and give the Cast Member your name and number. You will receive two text messages. One that informs you that you made a reservation and another that notifies you when they are ready to have you enter.

It took 15 minutes for us to receive the second notification at Cast Member previews. The Cast Member said guests have a two-hour window to return to World Showplace.

The inside is a real treat because it’s air-conditioned and has some well-spaced-out seating and tables. It’s a great place to chow down on mac and cheese and take a load off!

Disney World continues to make changes and updates while they are in the process of re-opening. We will be sure to keep you updated as we continue to experience everything new happening the theme parks. Keep following along with us as we discover the new processes and procedures!

Check out all the festival booths and menus at EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival in 2020!

What do you think of the new virtual line system at Disney World? Let us know!