If you click on the links in this post, we may earn money from the companies mentioned in this post, at no extra cost to you. You can read the full disclaimer here.
If you haven’t already been to the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival, then you really need to check it out. It runs between now and November 12, 2018 and I have had a blast there so far. As the name suggests, there’s a lot of great food & wine to enjoy, but there’s also great live entertainment and great activities for kids, too.
If you are thinking about going, here is my tip on where to stay to get the most out of your experience. Also, please note you will need a ticket for EPCOT in order to attend the festival; here’s how you can find the cheapest Disney World tickets.
But if you aren’t thinking about going, maybe you should reconsider. There are so many reasons why I think you will love it that I could hardly contain myself – I have compiled 300 reasons why I think you will love this festival.
Festival Dining Events:
- Sunday Brunch with the Chef at World Showcase Events Pavilion on Select Sundays
- Party for the Senses at World Showcase Events Pavilion on September 22; October 6, 13, 20; November 10
- Eat to the Beat Dining Package: Combine dining at select EPCOT restaurants with guaranteed seating at the Eat to the Beat Concert Series
- Specialty Dining & Pairing Events
Fun Events:
- Eat to the Beat Concert Series: Nightly at 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM & 8:00 PM at America Gardens Theatre there will be concerts by different artists such as Boyz II Men, Smash Mouth, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Billy Ocean, Tiffany, Baha Men, Plain White T’s, Sugar Ray, David Cook, etc.
- Back to Basics: Learn tips & tricks from some of the best culinary pros around! On Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays on 11:00 AM in the Festival Centers (please note that there is limited availability and you will need to sign up first at TasteEpcot.com).
- Book Signings and Meet & Greets: Meet industry professionals & celebrated authors at the Festivals Center
- Bottle Signings: Get autographs from prominent vintners & industry professionals
- Brewing the Perfect Cup, from the Ground Up: Learn how coffee gets to your mug, sample it & then you can purchase select coffees from Joffrey’s Specialty Disney Coffee Collection. Held at the Festivals Center.
- The Chocolate Experience: from the Bean to the Bar: You can learn how chocolate is made & then sample & shop Ghiradelli treats & gourmet drinking chocolate plus you can see spectacular chocolate sculptures, available at the Festivals Center
Fun Events for Kids:
- Junior Chef Kitchen: Children become chefs in a free family-friendly culinary experience at the Festivals Center
- Candy Sushi: Kids can learn how to roll their own sushi treats with a Disney chef at Sunshine Seasons daily from 3:30 & 5:30 (please note that there is limited availability and you will need to sign up first at TasteEpcot.com)
- Festival Play Area: Near Test Track, it is themed to Wreck It Ralph (naturally)
- Disney De Jour Dance Party: Different Disney characters as they join kids as they dance to hit songs & play games, plus a special Radio Disney guest will top off the party with a concert! This takes place at the Fountain View Stage on Fridays & Saturdays from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM
- Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak: You can purchase maps & stickers at the Festival Center, Disney Traders, Pin Central or World Traders and then your kid can search for Remy on a fun Festival Scavenger Hunt
Seminars & Demonstrations
- Culinary Demonstrations: Learn from celebrated chefs
- Beverage seminars: Sample select beer, wine or spirits
- Food & Beverage Pairing: You can watch a culinary demonstration by a beverage presenter & culinary expert
- Cheese Seminars: Learn about the major textures, aromas & flavor levels of your favorite cheeses and you can sample artisan selections with free craft beers, wine & other beverages
Shops at the Festivals Center
- The Stockpot Shop: Get festival merchandise, like the festival cookbook (I love buying these and trying out the recipes at home), artwork, etc.
- The Festival Center Wine Shop: There’s a great selection of wines & spirits from prestigious makers
- Simmering Sips Mimosa Bar
- The Festival Center Wine Shop: This includes the Disney Family of Wine, and you’ll enjoy seeing the wine here and the connections they have to Disney
- Craft Drafts
Major Marketplaces:
Simmering Sips Mimosa Bar
- Tropical Mimosa
- Blood Orange Mimosa
- Key Lime Mimosa
- Madras Mimosa
- Frozen Mimosa (featuring White Claw Natural Lime Hard Seltzer)
- Non-alcoholic frozen pie drink
- Joffrey’s Cold Brew Coffee
- Chocolate Croissant
- Almond Croissant
- Jumbo Blueberry Muffin
Craft Drafts:
- First Magnitude Brewing Co. Lemongrass Saison from Gainesville
- Bold City Brewing 1901 Roasted Red Ale from Jacksonville
- Florida Beer Company Passport Triple Chocolate Milk Stout from Cape Canaveral
- JDub’s Brewing Company Honeydew Melon Kolsch from Sarasota
- Shipyard Brewing Company Monkey First IPA from Clearwater
- Central 28 Beer Company Wolf-Ale from DeBary
Craft Wine Shop:
- Fess Parker Riesling
- Fess Parker Rodney’s Vineyard Syrah
- MacMurray Estate Vineyards Pinot Gris
- Silverado Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc
- Silverado Vineyards Chardonnay
- Kurt Russell’s Gogi Wines “Goldie” Chardonnay
- Kurt Russell’s Gogi Wines “Birdie” Pinot Noir
- MacMurray Estate Vineyards Pinot Noir
- Skywalker Vineyards Sommita Pinot Noir
- Skywalker Vineyards Fantasia Sangiovese Blend
- Chappellet Mountain Cuvee Bordeaux Blend
- Frank Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
- Charcuterie Plate
- La Bottega di BelGioioso Cheese Plate
- Bloody Mary Seafood Cocktail
Taste Track
- Pancake Milkshake
- Croissant Doughnut Tossed in Cinnamon Sugar
- Croissant Doughnut with Chocolate & Marshmallows
- Croissant Doughnut with Chocolate Hazelnut Cream
- Croissant Doughnut with Sprinkles
- Gelato
Flavors From Fire:
- Orlando Brewery Smokin’ Blackwater Porter
- Michael David Winery 7 Deadly Zins
- Swine Brine
- Piggy Wings
- Smoked Corn Beef
- Charred Chimichurri Skirt Steak
- Chocolate Picante
Light Lab:
- Bleu Spectrum
- Original Sin Dry Rose Hard Cider
- 3 Daughters Brewing Blueberry Peppercorn Hard Cider
- Ciderboys Zen Berry Hard Cider
- Playalinda Brewing Co. Red Cherry Tart
- GrassLands Brewing Company Green Kiwi Blonde
- M.I.A. Beer Company Blue-berry Golden Ale
- InfraRED
- UltraVIOLET
- Phosphorescent Phreeze
Earth Eats:
- Health-Ade Kambucha Pink Lady Apple
- Health-Ade Kambucha Pomegranate
- Health-Ade Kambucha Beet-Lime
- The Steakhouse Blended Burger
- The IMPOSSIBLE Burger Slider
Active Eats:
- Evolution by Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, OR)
- M.I.A. Beer Company HRD WTR Pineapple Coconut Hard Sparkling Water (Doral, FL)
- L’Ecole No. 41 Chenin Blanc Old Vines (Columbia Valley, WA)
- Loaded Mac ‘n’ Cheese
- Spice-crusted Verlasso Salmon
- Active Eats Energy Bar Bites
Coastal Eats:
- A to Z Wineworks Pinot Gris (Oregon)
- ROCO Gravel Road Pinot Noir (Oregon)
- Lump Crab Cake
- Baked Shrimp Scampi Dip
- Seared Scallops
The Chocolate Studio:
- Banfi Rosa Regale Sparkling Red (Piedmont)
- Daou Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley, CA)
- Twinings Pumpkin Spice Chai Tea and Chocolate Shake (non-alcoholic)
- Croft 10 Year Towny
- Liquid Nitro Chocolate-Almond Truffle
- Sweet Dark Chocolate Raspberry Torte
The Cheese Studio:
- Florida Orange Groves Winery Sparkling Blueberry Wine (St. Petersburg, FL)
- La Crema Pinot Gris (Monterey)
- Alta Vista Estate Malbec (Mendoza)
- Domaine Saint Andre de Figuiere Rose (Cotes de Provence)
- Cheese Trio
- Maple Bourbon Boursin Cheesecake
- Braised Beef Strogonoff
The Wine & Dine Studio:
- Reata Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast)
- Spellbound Petite Sirah (California)
- Rainstorm Silver Linings Pinot Noir Rose (Oregon)
- Seared Scallops
- Butternut Squash Ravioli
- Trio of Arisan Cheese
The Almond Orchard:
- Almond Breeze Strawberry Smoothie (non-alcoholic)
- Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut Champagne
- Dom Perignon Brut Champagne
- Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Brut Rose Champagne
- Banana Almond Soft-Serve Sundae
- Fire-roasted Tomato Hummus
- Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip
Refreshment Port:
- Dragon Berry Refresher
- Pineapple Soft-Serve Ice Cream
- Beef Brisket Poutine
- Sweet Potato Poutine
Refreshment Outpost:
- Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky & Frozen Cake
- Spicy Hot Dog
Brewer’s Collection:
- Radeberger Zwickel Pilsner
- Hacker-Pschorr Hefe Weisse
- Schofferhofer Hefeweizen Pomegranate Beer
Fire & Drum Tavern:
- Hanson Brothers Beer Company Mmmhops Pale Ale (Tulsa, OK)
Block & Hans:
- Dogfish Head Brewery 60 Minute IPA (Milton, DE)
- Ciderboys Strawberry Magic Hard Cider (Stevens Point, WI)
- Full Sail Brewing Co. Blood Orange Wheat (Hood River, OR)
- Karbach Brewing Co. Love Street Kolsch Style Blonde (Houston, TX)
- Big Top Brewing Company Hawaiian Lion Coconut & Coffee Porter (Sarasota, FL)
- Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale (Lexington, KY)
Hops & Barley:
- Broadside Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles)
- North Coast Brewing Co. Blue Star Wheat (Fort Bragg, CA)
- Heavy Seas AmeriCannon APA (Baltimore, MD)
- Angry Orchard Rose Hard Cider (Walden, NY)
- Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay (Santa Lucia Highlands)
- 3 Daughters Brewing A Wake Coffee Blonde Ale (St. Petersburg, FL)
- New England Lobster Roll
- New Brunswick Slider
- Freshly Baked Carrot Cake
Funnel Cake:
- Maple Bacon Funnel Cake
New Zealand:
- Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough)
- Antmoore Wineworks MOKOblack Pinot Noir (Marlborough)
- Frozen Wine Cocktail
- Streamed Green Lip Mussels
- Lamb Meatball
- Seared Venison Sausage
Australia:
- Coopers Brewery Original Pale Ale
- Yangarra Shiraz
- Hope Estate “Wallombi Brook” Semillon (Hunter Valley)
- Franklin Tate Estates Chardonnay (Margaret River)
- Grilled Lamp Chop
- Lamington
- Grilled Sweet & Spicy Bush Berry Shrimp
Hawaii:
- Maui Brewing Company Bikini Blonde Lager
- Florida Orange Groves Sparkling Pineapple Wine
- Mai Tai
- Passion Fruit Cheesecake
- Kalua Pork Slider
- Grilled Tuna Tataki
- Teriyaki-glazed SPAM Hash
Islands of the Caribbean:
- Red Stripe Lager
- Frozen Mojito
- Caribbean White Sangria
- Ropa Vieja Empanada
- Quesito
- Jerk Spiced Chicken Lollipop
Greece:
- Domaine Skouras Moscofilero (Peloponnese)
- Domaine Sigalas Assyrtiko (Santorini)
- Argyros Atlantis Red Blend (Santorini)
- Loaded Greek “Nachos”
- Bougatsa
- Taste of Greece
- Spanakopita
Thailand:
- Singha Lager
- Maison Willm Gewurztraminer
- Marinated Chicken
- Seared Shrimp & Scallop Cake
- Red Hot Spicy Thai Curry Beef
Mexico:
- La Chancla
- Cerveza Por Favor
- Mariachi Loco
- Ay Caramba
- El Padrino
- Short Rib Tostado
- Shrimp Quesadilla
- Coconut Rice Pudding
China:
- Jasmine Draft Beer
- Happy Peach
- Kung Fu Punch
- Byejoe Punch
- Honeydew Bai Jiu Cocktail
- Manga Bubble Tea (non-alcoholic)
- Chicken Dumplings
- Xi’an Pancake
- Beijing Roasted Duck Bao Bun
- Black Pepper Shrimp
India:
- Godfather Lager
- Sula Chenin Blanc (Nashik)
- Sula Shiraz (Nashik)
- Mango Lassi with Somrus Indian Cream Liqueur
- Mango Lassi (non-alcoholic)
- Madras Red Currey
- Warm Indian Bread
- Korma Chicken
Africa
- Cederberg Chenin Blanc
- Groot Constantia Pinotage
- Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz
- Spicy Ethiopian Red Lentil Strew
- Berbere-style Beef Tenderloin
Germany:
- Carl Graff Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese (Mosel)
- J&H Selbach Bernkasteler Kurfurstlay Riesling Kabinett (Mosel)
- Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett Halbtrocken (Mosel)
- Villa Wolf Pinot Noir (Pfalz)
- Apple Strudel
- Roast Bratwurst
- Schinkennudeln
Spain:
- Lagar de Bouza Albarino (Rias Baixas)
- Casa Castillo Monastrell (Jumilla)
- Espelt Garnacha Old Vines (Catalonia)
- Spanish-Style Paella
- Seafood Salad
- Charcuterie in a Cone
Italy:
- Moretti Lager
- Moretti La Rossa Double Malt
- Placido Chianti
- Placido Pinot Grigio
- Villa Sandi Prosecco
- Montegrande Corbinello Spumante Dolce
- Fior d’Arancio Montegrande Moscato
- Frozen Margarita
- Mezzi Rigatoni
- Pollo Alla Cacciatora
- Fritto Misto
Japan:
- Kirin Ichiban Lager
- Ozeki Rai Sake
- Fuji Apple Cocktail
- Spicy Roll
- Teriyaki Chicken Bun
- Beef Nigiri
- Spicy Roll
Morocco:
- Casa Pale Lager
- Kasbah Prestige Red Wine
- Mimosa Royale
- Red Organic Sangria
- Kefta Pocket
- Chocolate Baklava
- Hummus Fries
Belgium:
- Leffe Blonde Belgian Pale Ale
- St. Bernadarus Witbier
- St. Bernarndus ABT 12
- Stella Artois Hard Cidre
- Chilled Coffee
- Belgian Waffle with Warm Chocolate Ganache & Whipped Cream
- Belgian Waffle with Berry Compote & Whipped Cream
- Beer-braised Beef
Brazil:
- Casa Valduga Brut Rose
- Quinta do Crasto Duoro Red
- Frozen Caiprinha
- M.I.A. Beer Company Barbossa Black Beer
- Crispy Pork Belly
- Pao de Queijo
- Moqueca
France:
- Kronenbourg Blanc 1664 Pale Lager
- Chardonnay, Le Vieux Manoir
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Village la Tourelle
- St.-Germain Sparkling Kir
- La Passion Martini Slush
- Croissant aux Escargots
- Carbonade de Boeuf, Puree de Pommes de Terre
- Creme Brulee a la Confiture de Framboises
Ireland:
- Guinness Baileys Shake
- Guinness Foreign Extra Stout
- Bunratty Meade Honey Wine
- Warm Irish Cheddar Cheese & Stout Dip
- Roasted Irish Sausage
- Warm Chocolate Pudding
Canada:
- Moosehead Radler
- Chateau Des Charmes Vidal Icewine
- Chateau Des Charmes Equuleus Red Blend
- Canadian Cheddar Cheese & Bacon Soup
- “Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company: Found Throughout the Park:
- Future World East: Frozen Cappuccino with Brown Jug Bourbon Cream
- Showcase Plaza: Frozen Wild Berry Acai with Grey Goose Vodka
- The American Adventure: Frozen Lemon with Fireball Cinnamon Whisky
- Canada; Frozen Orange Pineapple with Grand Marnier
Festival Merchandise: In case you want to remember this festival for years to come, here is some of the festival merchandise available at EPCOT:
- Festival-themed shirts
- Festival-themed wine glasses
- Festival-themed cutting boards
- Festival-themed Mickey Mouse ears
- Festival-themed aprons
- Festival-themed ornaments
- Festival-themed hats
- Festival-themed plates
- Festival-Themed Disney Gift Card & specialty themed lanyard & medallion (makes a great gift!)
