Once a year at Walt Disney World the stars seem to align. The combination of Halloween at Walt Disney World and the Epcot Food and Wine Festival all happen at once and warrants a trip to Florida. But if you need more of an excuse to head to Walt Disney World look no further. Because you can even bring the kids to this one. If you’re visiting the Epcot Food and Wine Festival with Kids, here are a few of our favorite tips.
When is Disney’s Food and Wine Festival in 2023?
The Walt Disney World EPCOT Food and Wine Festival runs from July 27 – November 18, 2023.
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Epcot Food and Wine Festival with Kids Tips
Is it OK to Bring Kids to the Disney Food and Wine Festival?
Yes! EPCOT Park is good for kids. There are so many things to do at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival with Kids why not bring them? We love that this festival not only has fun games like Remy’s Ratatouille Hide and Squeak Scavenger Hunt but also that you get the chance to share tons of cultural cuisine! An excellent way to introduce little taste buds to new flavors!
What is the Best Day to Visit the Food and Wine Festival?
You can learn this and more tips in our Epcot Food and Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Guide. But, in general, the best days are Monday through Thursday. And even then, since Monday is historically a “vacation start day” for many families and Thursday is an “early weekend day” for many Disney annual pass holders, we usually aim for a Tuesday and Wednesday visit to Epcot. Daytime hours are best if you have kids or want to avoid crowds. As crowds in EPCOT generally get worse after 4 pm, when locals get off work.
When traveling with the kids, it won’t matter whether they’re 3 years old or 15 years old. Certain things are just good to know ahead of time. And picking Disney days with fewer crowds is a start.
- The Best Days to visit the Food and Wine Festival are Monday-Thursday. If you’re adamant about going during the lowest crowds, aim for Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Avoid Weekends Completely. While we’re sure the weekend crowd is plenty of fun, it’s not the most “magical” scene your child may want to see while on their Disney vacation. Not to mention, crowds stumblin’ around the world and masses of strollers are not the greatest mix. Trust us. We’ve seen it plenty. And it’s not pretty.
- Leave by 4 PM. The locals and visiting adults usually show up at Epcot around 4 pm. If you’re traveling with the littles or impressionable teens aim for an early festival day with a goal of being done by dinner time.
Epcot Food and Wine Festival with Kids Things to Know Before You Go
- Many Families Visit this Festival. Know that even if you have younger children, families, and strollers are plentiful at this event! So while you may have to do some fancy maneuvering with the stroller or kid leash… you won’t be the only one.
- Plan for One Full Day at this event. Take 9 am-11 am to visit rides and shops and your 11 am- 4 pm time visiting outdoor kitchens.
- Kid-Friendly Foods are marked on the Festival Passport. But check out the Food and Wine Festival Menus ahead of time to pick the foods to try. Planning this ahead of time allowed us to have a plan of attack and visit the countries and kiosks in order of location without losing a lot of time and wasting foot traffic.
- Grab a Disney Gift Card, which can help you keep your family on a budget. You can grab a special festival one at any retailer kiosk.
Food and Wine Festival Passport
One of the things that is most fun for Kids at Disney’s Food and Wine Festival is getting their very own Food and Wine Festival Passport Guide. These little booklets come FREE at the main entrance, and can also be found across the park at kiosks and the gift shops. This little book comes with Stickers and is a great way for the kids to feel included in tracking foods and activities! Be sure to Grab the Food and Wine Festival Passport for you and the kids before you head around the World Showcase.
Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak
This Food and Wine Festival Scavenger Hunt Game is totally worth the fun and a nice break from eating. Hunting for Remy from Ratatouille can be easy, and sometimes difficult, so it’s a great way to get the kids engaged no matter the age! Each year the prizes change and you get a new map to sticker and track. At about 10 dollars each, you are paying for your souvenir prize, more than the game. Souvenirs have been pins, patches, keychains, tumblers, cups, etc. But we love this game and that it gives us a focus on more than just eating!
Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit Scavenger Hunt
New for 2023, as part of the Food and Wine festivities you can celebrate Halloween at EPCOT with Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit Scavenger Hunt. Partake in this game from September 29- October 31.
EPCOT Kidcot Fun Stops
A great way to introduce kids to other cultures and languages is by frequenting the Kidcot stops. These can be found in each country and offer an opportunity for your child to interact with international cast members. When finished you will have a selection of cards to color and put in your ziplock “suitcase.” Just another great free souvenir for the kiddies!
Ducktales World Showcase Adventure
Ducktales World Showcase Adventure is an interactive game at EPCOT that happens on your phone. And it actually interacts with the spaces around you. When you follow the mission you will be able to make things come alive in each country. Want to see Donald Duck get chased in the Germany World Showcase clock? These things only activate when you’re playing the game. It’s a great way for the kids to spend time while you’re sipping something, or just taking a rest on a bench. Just access the game in the Disney Play App and have fun throughout the World Showcase!
Non-Alcoholic Drinks for Kids
We recently did a round-up of all our favorite kid-friendly drinks at Walt Disney World, and festivals mean even more choices! Favorites this year were the Soda Floats( Desserts and Champagne Showcase Plaza), The American Dream (America- Fife, and Drum), and the Pumpkin Chai Tea and Caramel Shake ( Ireland). All Yummy. And fancy drinks that make kids feel like they’re in on the wonders of being a grown-up.
Epcot Food and Wine Festival with Kids in the World Showcase
The Epcot World Showcase doesn’t open until 11 am, so your best bet is to head to the other areas of the park if it’s open. Consisting of World Discovery, World Celebration, and World Nature, you can find rides, shops, and breakfast there. Or if you’re looking to be front-of-the-line for Frozen Ever After, make a reservation at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. Just let your server know that you plan to get in the Frozen Ever After Ride line as soon as breakfast is done. You can also get into World Showcase early by heading to breakfast in France at Les Boullangerie Halles Patisserie, getting you closer to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. They have sandwiches, croissants, oatmeal, and everything you need for a little French breakfast while you wait.
In addition to the Kidcot Stops, each section of the World Showcase has super fun things for families. Shops, bakeries, shows, and rides can be found in each. We’ll share a round-up here, so you can incorporate it into your day.
MEXICO
- Gran Fiesta Tour Boat Ride
- Faux Open Air Market
- Mirror de los Muertos Interactive Game
- KidCot Fun Stop in the open-air market
- World Showcase Adventure Game
- Donald Duck from the Three Caballeros Meet and Greet
NORWAY
- Frozen Ever After
- Kringla Bakeri Og – Grab the Trolls Horn cannoli dessert
- KidCot Fun Stop
- Anna and Elsa’s Meet and Greet at Royal Sommerhaus
CHINA
- Dragon Legend Acrobats inside the China Pavilion
- An exhibit of the new Shanghai Disneyland
- China 360 Film
- KidCot Fun Stop
- World Showcase Adventure Game
- Grab the 5-Layer Cotton Candy Lotus Flower at Lotus House
- Mulan Meet and Greet
GERMANY
- Visit Karamell- Kuche. The Werther’s Store
- World Showcase Adventure Game
- Snow White Meet and Greet
- Grab a Pretzel at the Pretzel Cart
- Visit the Christmas Shop
- KidCot Fun Stop in the Toy Store
ITALY
- Grab the gelato at the Italian Gelato Kiosk
- Head to Gelateria Toscana for a variety of treats
- Mime Street Performer Shows
- Kid Cot Fun Stop
AMERICA
- Regal Eagle BBQ Smoke House
- American Adventure Show
- Grab the American Dream Slushy from Fife and Drum
- KidCot Fun Stop
JAPAN
- Visit the Kawaii Exhibit
- KidCot Fun Stop
- Matsuriza Drummers
- World Showcase Adventure Game
MOROCCO
- Aladdin and Jasmine Meet and Greet
- KidCot Fun Stop
FRANCE
- Grab Ice Cream at L’Artisan des Glaces
- KidCot Fun Stop
- Meet and Greet Belle
- Meet and Greet Aurora
- Serveur Amusant Acrobats
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
- Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along film
Head to the Disney BOARDWALK
Just outside the International Gateway, between France and the UK, you can catch a break, and some beach time on The Disney Boardwalk. Full of little beaches, shops, cupcakes, and more. Check out this area during the day or night. Nighttime brings out the boardwalk jugglers, and you can see fireworks from the beach.
UNITED KINGDOM
- Meet and Greet with Mary Poppins
- Meet and Greet with Alice
- Visit the Tea Shop
- KidCot Fun Stop
- Winnie the Pooh section of the Gift Shop
CANADA
- KidCot Fun Stop
- Canada Far and Wide 360 Film
- Canada gift shop
Epcot Food and Wine Festival with Kids
With so much to do at Epcot, there will be no shortage of fun things both at the festival and in the park. Hopefully, you found awesome things on our list here to add to your Disney Epcot with Kids plans. We’re sure the kids will love it as much as you do.
Rochelle Mariah is a writer, designer and photographer with an MLIS in Information Science and a B.S. in Arch and Design. Determined to make Planning a DIY Disney Vacation easier she makes lots of lists and drinks lots of coffee. When not designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's watching old movies and planning the holidays. She has been traveling to Disney destinations since 2010.
