When the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival first landed on the Disney theme park’s menu 20-plus years ago, it was no more than a side plate of fun.

But today, the sprawling spread is the main course; in fact, the Epcot Food & Wine Festival is a huge driver of park attendance for Disney fans and foodies alike over 75-ish days during September through mid-November.

And it’s more than just tasty creations and unique libations that draw crowds. The festival features live music, lessons and demos, and celebrity chef cameos that make for a well-rounded experience whether you’re there to take your palette for a ride or enjoy all the standard Epcot attractions.

Here is a closer look at how the Epcot Food & Wine Festival has changed, as well as some tips for planning your visit.

The Epcot Food & Wine Festival Menu, Then & Now

When the festival launched back in the Orlando theme park in the mid-90s, it was built to be an extension highlighting the World Showcase, where 11 recreations of nations ranging from Mexico to Morocco show off everything from shows and rides to clothing and cuisine. But based on the festival’s growing success, it now takes place spread over the 260-acre park, including Future World. At last count, more than 30 booths known as Global Marketplaces offered dishes and drinks, from a slew of new nations as well as the stable of World Showcase members (which also include Norway, China, Germany, Italy, United States, Japan, France, United Kingdom and Canada). Most recently, visitors could try fare from New Zealand and Belgium, to name a few fresh stops. ¹

And odds are, with appetizing fare including New England Lobster Rolls and Greek Nachos, you’ll find something to suit your tastes. Maybe you’ll even be a bit daring, taking on the likes of a South Korean Spicy Hot dog or wrestling down an octopus, which is deep fried it, of course. There is plenty to wash it down with, too, not just fine wines but craft beers and creative cocktail concoctions.

These Marketplaces’ offerings add up to more than 200 total items, with each stand usually featuring three dishes, a dessert, as well as beer and wine options. In terms of portions, the dishes are akin to small plates, which can be shared among friends and family or eaten as a meal. And while price is always something to keep an eye on at Disney theme parks, no food items ran more than $9 at the most recent festival.²

While admission to the festival is included with your park ticket, everything available at festival stands is a la carte. So budget accordingly — and pace yourself. This is a globetrotting gastronomic experience, not a sprint.

So Much More than Food & Wine

Want to get a recipe (and an autograph) from celebrity chefs such as Buddy “Cake Boss” Valastro or “Iron Chef: America’s” Cat Cora? They’ve both stirred things up at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival before.³ If you watch a lot of cooking shows, be prepared to do a lot of pointing and gawking — and practice your selfie skills in advance.

These are just some of the tasty offerings that have joined Epcot’s already deep menu of attractions. There are also tastings-a-plenty, including Grand Tasting Events, special ticketed (read: for an added cost) experiences.⁴

Hint: we’ve heard good things about the Tiki-themed event, “Behind the Scenes of Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto,” which stars craft cocktails with a dash of nostalgia. (Note that this even is actually held at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and carries an additional fee; you’ll find a number of these premium events that are held outside of Epcot.)⁵ You’ll also want to consider the Party for the Senses, which combines top chefs, entertainment and more every Saturday night through the festival’s run. Tickets for this multi-sensory experience aren’t cheap; beginning at nearly $200 apiece in addition to park admission.³

For some festivalgoers, this getaway is homework. And you just might want to take home the ultimate Epcot souvenir, too: some culinary smarts, such as the ability to expertly pair wine and cheese or perfectly muddle a raspberry mojito. The Epcot Food & Drink Festival features a number of culinary demos, some from guest chefs, as well as seminars. So bring your notebook along with your appetite.

To take in all this fine food and drink, you’re going to pace yourself, right? Be sure to take a break and open up your ears, too, as music is another star of the festival. In the past, the Eat to the Beat Concert Series has included groups and solo artists such as Boyz II Men, Wilson Phillips, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Everclear and Chaka Khan.

Tips for Planning a Memorable Epcot Food & Wine Festival Getaway

If you’ve been to Epcot, then you’ll understand why it’s such an ideal background for such a sweeping culinary spectacle. It’s a big and open and beautiful (Pro tip: if you can’t make it out to the Epcot Food & Wine Festival then swing by sometime between March and May to stroll through the Epcot International Flower & Garden Show, which also includes a downsized version of tasting Marketplaces).

Know that the festival is a family event — this is Disney, after all — so be sure to get the wee ones running through the clever scavenger hunt built throughout the park. That said, it’s also a grown-up event half-themed around alcohol. So don’t be surprised to see groups of revelers having fun and letting others know about it.

Really, the cliché that there is something for everyone is truly at play at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival, whether you’re comfortable wearing pants with a stretchy waist, are a non-nonsense vegetarian, or are looking for something to complement your active lifestyle (Look for specially designed “Active Eats” meals if this is you.)³

Finally, it wouldn’t be a Disney event if there weren’t lines of some sort. And Epcot Food & Wine Festival lines can snake around the corner and beyond, especially (and predictably) on weekends. Typically, the earlier you can run this gourmand gamut, the better.

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is becoming one of the Disney theme park’s most popular offerings. You can absolutely simply show up — and eat, drink and be merry. But with a little planning, you’ll be able have one of the most memorable culinary experiences of your life.

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