As we head toward the first day of fall, Food & Wine season at EPCOT is in full swing! We recently made our first visit to this year’s festival at EPCOT and put together a few tips to help you make the most of your day!
First off, what is the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival?
The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is an annual food festival held at EPCOT in Walt Disney World each year from late summer to fall. The park is packed with several Global Marketplaces offering dishes and drinks to try from all over the world.
In addition to all the food, the festival also includes the Eat to the Beat Concert Series! Held at the America Gardens Theatre in the American Adventure pavilion, this performance series includes a packed lineup of musical guests throughout the festival.
When is it?
The festival runs from August 27 through November 21, 2026. In addition, a new interactive exhibit will open on September 18 called “Cheers to Cheese!” at CommuniCore Hall that celebrates… cheese!
Tracker Tips: EPCOT Food & Wine
Image Source: Disney Parks Blog
- 30 Items for 30 Years!
This year marks the festival’s 30th anniversary. To celebrate, 30 items from across the event’s history have either returned or been reimagined just for this year. Keep an eye out for them with the special “30th” icon in the festival booklet!
- Make a Foodie Plan!
There are SO many food and drink options to try during the festival run; you would have to go several times over to eat everything. We suggest looking through the festival booklet and picking out 10–15 items you think are must-tries, and focusing on those. Anything else you get beyond that is a bonus!
Image Source: Disney Parks Blog
- Save Time, Wear a Gift Card!
Consider grabbing a gift card wristlet if you’ll be spending time eating your way through the festival at multiple booths. It’s a great way to avoid continuously pulling your wallet or phone out every time to pay for your plates, and you can always load it with more cash when you run out! They’re available for a minimum $15 activation fee, but you can put any amount greater than that on the gift card. - Keep an Eye Out for Future Food Booths!
Some food booths don’t open until later in the festival! If these menus feature any of your favorites or new curiosities you want to try, keep that in mind when planning your visit to EPCOT. Specifically, Coastal Eats and Earth Eats both won’t open until October 2.
Image Source: Disney Parks Blog
- Get a Guaranteed Spot for Eat to the Beat!
If you want guaranteed seating at an Eat to the Beat concert, book a dining package! There are three showtimes for each concert nightly; if you want to avoid the long standby line, booking an Eat to the Beat dining package is your best bet. That way, you don’t have to worry about potentially missing out on the show, and you get a delicious meal! - Have Dietary Restrictions? Speak Up!
Ask at the booths if you have dietary restrictions! The Cast Members may be able to either modify a specific dish to fit your needs or direct you to try an option that is aligned with your diet or can be changed. We had to do this often during our visit to the festival, and Cast Members are always happy to help!
Image Source: Disney Parks Blog
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Visit During the Week Rather Than the Weekend!
The festival can get super packed on the weekends, thanks to locals visiting when they’re off work or out of school. You’ll have much better luck with lines and waits for food booths and musical performances if you visit EPCOT on a weekday instead!
- Take Part in the Scavenger Hunts!
There are two scavenger hunts available for guests to participate in during the festival’s run: Emile’s Fromage Montage, a food hunt featuring cheesy dishes; and Remy’s Ratatouille Hide and Squeak.
Image Source: Disney Parks Blog
With the Fromage Montage, you can stroll your way through select Global Marketplaces to collect stamps in the festival passport for each cheesy dish you try. Collect all the stamps, and you’ll earn a special treat when you’re done!
Image Source: Disney Parks Blog
For Remy’s Ratatouille Hide and Squeak, you can search for hidden statues of Remy throughout World Showcase with a themed map and corresponding stickers. Once you find all of the statues, you’ll earn a keepsake prize!
Do you have any extra tips for making the most of Food & Wine this year? Let us know on social media, and check out our experience at the festival this year in the video above!
