We’re just ONE DAY away from the start of the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival!

We’re so SO excited to try all of the amazing eats that are sure to come at this fan-favorite festival, but we’ve noticed something a little bit different about Food and Wine compared to the last year of festivals. There’s one MAJOR space that WON’T be in use at this festival! 

During every festival since the parks reopened last year (2020 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, 2020 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays, 2021 EPCOT Festival of the Arts, and 2021 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival), the World Showplace space has been used to house entertainment and several booths.

However, for this festival, NONE of the booths are located inside World Showplace! Interior booths can be found around the festival at locations like The American Adventure Rotunda Bistro and the Brew-Wing booth at the EPCOT Experience in the Oddysey building, but there are none in the HUGE World Showplace space. So, why isn’t this space in use? 

Well, let’s take a look at what World Showplace was used for prior to the park closures. In the past, booths haven’t been located in this space during festivals because it has been used for events like Party for the Senses, demos, and private events. With the global health crisis, these seminars and events weren’t taking place.

Still, Party for the Senses has not been announced to return for this Food and Wine Festival either, so will the space go empty? Maybe. Food and Wine lasts just shy of 130 days and a lot could change in that time. Perhaps Disney is keeping their options open in case they DO bring back these events or seminars later in the season. 

Beyond that World Showplace is tucked down a pathway between the Canada and U.K. Pavilions. When we’ve stopped in during past festivals, we’ve noticed the booths tend to be a bit more deserted even in the AC and as lines remain LONG outside. Its out-of-the-way entrance is great for special events, but not so great for guests trying to stumble upon all the booths. 

So, a reason behind there being no booths in World Showplace might have something to do with the booths not getting enough traffic (and therefore, making less money) and/or with Disney wanting to keep options open for an event space.

If events DO return to World Showplace, you can bet you’ll hear about it here. As always, keep an eye on DFB for all the latest news and updates from Disney World!

Click here to learn more about the booths coming to Food and Wine!

Are you excited about the festival? Tell us in the comments!

The post Why Isn’t This HUGE Space Being Used for 2021 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival? first appeared on the disney food blog.