This year’s Food and Wine Festival is set to be the biggest ever! From new booths to extended dates, the Food and Wine Festival promises to bring delicious food, top-notch entertainment, and a delicious selection of beverages from around the world. With so much to see, do, eat and drink and with always increasing crowd levels, we’ve got you covered with our top Epcot Food and Wine Festival Tips for surviving the Food and Wine Festival this year!
When is the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival at Walt Disney World This Year?
The Walt Disney World EPCOT Food and Wine Festival runs from July 27 – November 18, 2023.
EPCOT Food and Wine Festival at Walt Disney World
If you’re heading to the Food and Wine Festival be sure to check out our Disney Food and Wine Festival Guide, and Food and Wine Festival Menus to help get you started. Plus, take a look at everything NEW at the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival? When it comes to any festival at EPCOT, there are always a few tried and true tips to help get you through the day, stress-free. Here’s our round-up of Top Tips for your EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Day.
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Grab a Festival Passport
You can navigate the festival like a pro with the Epcot Food and Wine Festival Passport. These are available everywhere, and although it may seem like a no-brainer, you’ll definitely want to pick one of these up on your first day at the festival. Yes, even if you have your phone. They’ll help you recall what you ate where, what you still wanted to try, and are small enough to fit in your back pocket.
Avoid the Weekends
While this may sound like common sense, know that it’s also the EASIEST Tip to follow! Just don’t visit any EPCOT festival on the weekends. If there is one tried and true tip we can share, this is it. Not only do the weekends get super crowded with locals and vacationers alike, but they can also get a bit on the wild side. If you must attend the festival on the weekend, we recommend early on Saturday or a bit later on Sunday. Check out the Best Times to Visit Disney World for finding the best days to visit Walt Disney World parks.
Start Early
The Festival booths are generally open at 11 AM. Getting a head start on your food and wine samplings will not only cut down the time you spend in line but will also get you ahead of the brutal Florida heat. Our best strategy? Start when the booths open, take an afternoon break and head back to the festival a little later in the evening.
Review the Menus Before You Go
While you may not have your Festival Passport before you get to Walt Disney World, you will have access to the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Menus on this blog! Take some time on your lunch break or even at the airport, and skim the festival menus ahead of time. This is IMPORTANT! Because there will be some outdoor kitchens you may want to skip completely. And others where you may want to eat everything. Go through the list of booths, and circle what you want to try! This will save time and indecision.
Plan 2 Days at EPCOT Food and Wine Festival
How many days should you plan for the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival? We highly recommend you plan at least two days at EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival. Why? Because it’s difficult to get the best dishes from 20+ booths of food in one day. At least not without having a stomach ache! Two days at the Food and the Wine Festival will help you get through your favorite foods, maybe experience the Eat to the Beat concert series, and still allow you time to experience some rides and the Harmonious show at EPCOT.
Drink Plenty of Water
Although you should always drink plenty of water at Walt Disney World, this is especially true if you plan to drink at the Festival. Alcohol and the Florida sun don’t make the best combination. And no one likes having their fun ruined by dehydration. So, drink lots of water and thank us later.
Take Breaks
It can be easy to want to try to get in all the things during the festival. But, make sure you take breaks! Between the heat, the constant desire to try new food and drinks, and walking thousands of steps around the World Showcase, you’re going to need a break. Whether you leave Epcot entirely, take a ride on Living With the Land, or attend a Festival demo, your body will appreciate a break. We like our afternoon breaks at the Disney Boardwalk, through the International Gateway Entrance, located between the France and UK pavilions. And don’t worry, the festival will still be there for you when you’re ready to come back!
Melanie Renee is a photographer, writer, designer and mom. Visiting Disney destinations since 2010, she is also an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. When she's not creating her next coffee recipe, or designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's seeking beautiful sunsets and planning her next trip .
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