Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival is HERE! This is one of my favorite events at Walt Disney World and I am so excited it’s back again. This event takes place from July 27th – November 18th, 2023. If you are wanting to attend this great event, all that is required is valid theme park admission as well as a theme park reservation in order to enter the theme park.

Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival features over 30 signature global marketplaces and is found all around the park. Not only can you find these great marketplaces, but live entertainment, and fun for the entire family.

When visiting Epcot, you’ll want to pick up a festival passport located at the front entrance of the park and at the guest relations locations. The festival passports show all the food and drink booths, merchandise locations, and entertainment that are scheduled each day. They are super helpful when planning your day around the park.

Entertainment

 Eat to the Beat Concert Series features great bands and singers performing nightly at 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM, and 8:00 PM throughout the festival at the America Gardens Theater.

I LOVE the Eat to the Beat Concert series. There are so many great artists, but my favorite group that comes every year is 98 Degrees. You best believe that I will be going back to see 98 Degrees when they perform in September. They are actually performing on my birthday so I booked an Eat to the Beat dining package to get a great meal and seats for their show! Read more about Eat to the Beat Concert Series and how you can use a dining package for great reserved seating here!

Food & Wine Festival Global Marketplaces

There are several signature food and drink booths to eat and drink from! Visit India, Germany, Greece, Brazil, Canada, Flavors from Fire, Hawaii, The Alps, Spain, Wine & Wedge, and more! You can visit 6 continents and sample some great food and drinks from around the world.

These Global Marketplaces are open daily from park open to park close unless otherwise noted. Be sure to use your Festival Passport to see what food and drinks are offered at each booth location so you don’t miss anything that you may be interested in trying!

Returning this year- The Fry Basket! This is located near Test Track. You’ll be able to try a french fry flight or pickle fries (aka fried pickles) – They were so good!

Merchandise

I love a good theme and Disney does a great job featuring limited-edition products including:

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Logo Collection

Mickey & Minnie Mouse Picnic Collection

Disney Encanto Collection

Figment Annual Passholder Collection

Remy Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt

Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt is back again this year! Kids of all ages and search for Remy statues all throughout the park! Maps and stickers are available for purchase at the Port of Entry, Disney Traders, Creations Shop, Festival Merchandise Kiosks, and World Traveler at International Gateway. This is such a fun way for kids to spend their time around the “world” as well as gives them some entertainment while you are trying all types of food and drinks! Once the map is completed, you can take the map to Disney Traders and pick a prize!

Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit

You can celebrate the Halloween season by participating in a pumpkin hunt from September 29th – October 31st (or while supplies last). You will purchase a special map at select merchandise locations. You’ll hunt for decorative pumpkins based on Disney characters and use your map to mark them off once you find them. You’ll return your map to Disney Traders for a spooky surprise once you’re finished!

Emile’s Fromage Montage

Use your Festival Passport as a guide to find Emile’s Fromage Montage menu items from select Global Marketplaces. Then, purchase and enjoy any 5 of the featured dishes and collect a stamp with each purchase to track your progress. After you’ve collected 5 stamps, you can bring your stamped Festival Passport to the Shimmering Sips Marketplace hosted by CORKCICLE for a specialty item unique to the Food & Wine Festival.

Overall Review

This has been by far my favorite Food and Wine Festival that I have been to! The food and drinks are delicious and I have loved everything that I have tried so far! I really feel like they stepped up their food and drink game and have way more food selections and different items to try. Here is what I have tried so far:

Germany

  • Schinkennudeln: Pasta Gratin with Ham, Onions, and Cheese: Loved this
  • Roast Bratwurst in a Pretzel Roll: This is so good every year
  • Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce: Not the best strudel and what I thought it would be
  • Weihenstephaner Festbier, Freising: Always the BEST German beer

Brew Wing at the Odyssey

  • Garlic-Parmesan Wings: Not very good wings (Save your money and order wings from an off-site wing location)
  • Pickle Milkshake:  (I have NOT tried this and have no intention to. I love pickles, but from what I have heard, it is not good. Everyone is trying it just for the ‘gram.

Fry Basket

  • Fry Flight: Very flavorful
    • Sea Salt and Malt Vinegar Fries
    • BBQ Bacon Fries with smoked aïoli
    • Sweet Potato Casserole Fries with candied pecans, toasted marshmallow cream, and maple bourbon glaze
  • Pickle Fries with dill ranch: Love fried pickles. These were great but I needed more ranch ;)

Confections Cafe

  • Remy Liege Waffle: We mobile ordered this for pick up as we were leaving the park. It was so good!

 

I can’t wait to try more from the festival and will be sure to share more with you! Be sure to follow me on Instagram for more updates: https://www.instagram.com/mollymmt/

If you are thinking of planning a trip to Walt Disney World, I am here to help every step of the way! With these unprecedented times, now more than ever is the time to use a travel agent that has experienced these changes and has first-hand knowledge to help you have the best experience possible. Fill out my contact form here on my blog to be connected!

Love and Travel Dust,

Molly