If you’re planning a trip to Orlando and love great food, wine, and culture, Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival is one of the most exciting and flavorful events you can experience. You might already know about Disney’s secret menu, but the Epcot festival takes being a Disney foodie to a whole new level.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a returning foodie, this annual celebration offers incredible culinary adventures paired with world-class entertainment and global flavors. Get ready to indulge in some great food at one of the best attractions for adults in Orlando.
Looking for somewhere to stay to experience the festival? Our central Florida vacation rentals are ready to welcome you and the whole family.
In this guide, you’ll discover everything you need to know about the iconic Epcot festival, including its dates, opening hours, and how to prepare for your visit. We’ll even highlight some of the best food offerings the festival has seen over the years.
What Is Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival?
Photo Credit: evgeeenius
Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival is a seasonal celebration held at Walt Disney World Resort’s Epcot theme park, typically running every fall. It’s an immersive event where guests can explore dozens of international marketplaces offering cuisine, wines, beers, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks from around the globe.
Unlike traditional theme park food, the festival offers a unique chance to taste authentic dishes inspired by countries represented in Epcot’s World Showcase and beyond. Expect everything from the savory street foods of Mexico to the delicate pastries of France, or the warm raclette Swiss cheese of Central Europe to the spicy stir-fried minced beef of Thailand.
Beyond food and drink, the festival offers beautiful photo spots (known as “Magic Shots”), seasonal merchandise, and several kid-friendly activities. In 2025, the fun activities on offer include:
- Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak – spot Remy statuettes all over Epcot and mark them all on a map to receive a free festival keepsake.
- Emile’s Fromage Montage – purchase five featured cheese-based dishes and collect a stamp for each to receive a free special treat.
- Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit – Find hidden Disney character-themed pumpkins all over Epcot and mark them a game board to receive a spooky prize.
This festival is more than just food; it’s a cultural experience blending global gastronomy with entertainment and family-friendly activities. The atmosphere is festive and vibrant, with live music, outdoor performances, and themed merchandise, making it a perfect outing for couples, families, and groups of friends looking to enjoy a day (or more) of culinary discovery.
When Is the 2025 Epcot Food & Wine Festival?
Date: August 28th to November 22nd, 2025
For 2025, the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is scheduled to run for 12 weeks from late summer all the way into the fall. This long duration gives you plenty of opportunities to visit, whether you prefer weekday crowds or the more lively weekends.
The early start in late August means you can kick off your fall vacation with a taste of the world’s best flavors while still enjoying warm Florida weather. Keep in mind that weekends and evenings tend to be busier, so planning your visit on a weekday can offer a more relaxed experience.
Essential Information About the Epcot Food and Wine Festival
- Admission & Pricing: A valid Epcot park ticket is required to attend the festival. However, food and drinks are sold separately at each marketplace booth. This à la carte pricing means you can tailor your tasting experience to your appetite and budget.
- Marketplace Variety: Expect 30+ global marketplaces each year, featuring countries from Italy and Japan to new and rotating themes, such as Hawaii and Brazil.
- Special Events: The festival hosts unique events each year, such as mixology workshops, culinary demonstrations, live concerts, and, dining packages. You can buy tickets or make reservations to these experiences separately from your park entry tickets, but note that they often sell out fast.
- Crowds & Timing: The festival attracts a large crowd, especially on weekends and during holiday weekends, such as Columbus Day. Arriving early or visiting on weekdays can help avoid long lines.
- Family-Friendly: Although focused on food and beverages, the festival is still great for families, offering kid-friendly options, live music, and interactive exhibits.
- Annual Changes: No two festivals are exactly the same. Each year introduces new dishes, beverages, and entertainment, so even repeat visitors will find something fresh.
What to Expect For First-Time Visitors to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival
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When you arrive at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, expect a lively, bustling environment with an international vibe. Marketplace booths are scattered around the World Showcase Lagoon, each designed to reflect the culture and cuisine of the country or region it represents.
The festival’s live music stages feature bands and performers playing a diverse range of genres, including pop, rock, jazz, and Latin tunes, which enhances the festive ambiance.
Lines can get long during peak hours, so pace your day to avoid burnout. Try visiting early in the day or later in the evening if you prefer to avoid crowds.
Every year the park releases a free Festival Passport which serves as a guide to all the food and drink booths as well as entertainment, experiences, and activities. You can pick a passport up at several locations throughout Epcot, including merchandise locations, Guest Relations, Outdoor Kitchens, and at many of the food booths.
If you’re a fan of Disney merchandise, you’ll definitely want to check out the festival’s special merchandise offerings. From t-shirts to pins to kitchen gadgets, there’s something for every Disney and foodie fan.
Here are some additional tips for first-time visitors:
- Make reservations: Special events and dining packages fill up quickly, so book as soon as possible.
- Share dishes: The small plates encourage trying a variety of foods, but pace yourself and share with your group to save enough room to sample as many dishes as possible.
- Stay hydrated: Florida can be hot and humid in the fall; drink plenty of water alongside those tasty cocktails.
- Explore Epcot: Don’t miss classic rides and attractions at Epcot during your visit.
Best Food and Drink Offerings Over the Years
Photo Credit: gabrielocanu
One of the biggest draws of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is the incredible variety and quality of food and drink. Over the years, some dishes and beverages have become legendary among festival-goers:
- Canada’s Cheddar Cheese Soup: This creamy, rich cheddar and bacon soup, served with a bread roll for dipping, is a perennial favorite, perfect for a cozy bite.
- Japan’s Teriyaki Chicken Bun: A handheld delight filled with flavorful chicken, ideal for on-the-go tasting.
- Italy’s Cannoli: A sweet, flaky dessert that’s hard to resist.
- France’s Croissant Jambon Fromage: A flaky croissant sandwich with ham and cheese that tastes like a little piece of Paris.
- New Zealand’s Lamb Meatballs: Tender, well-seasoned, and satisfying.
- Craft beers and specialty cocktails: The festival features craft beer selections from local and international breweries, alongside creative cocktails like margaritas, sangrias, and themed concoctions reflecting the global marketplace.
- Vegetarian and vegan options: Increasingly popular, many booths offer plant-based dishes that are flavorful and satisfying, such as the Impossible spicy sausage, sweet and sour vegetables, roasted baby peppers, goat cheese polenta, and more.
- Specialty coffees from Joffrey’s: The delicious lattes and cold brews available from Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Company during the food festival never fail to disappoint. You can expect flavor injections like crème caramel syrup, Irish cream syrup, dark chocolate sauce, cinnamon pastry cream, and espresso whipped cream.
Sampling these iconic dishes and drinks while soaking up the festival atmosphere is part of the magic, and each year, new and exciting offerings keep the experience fresh.
To give you an idea of what’s on offer, here are some dishes that have been served at the festival in the past:
- Traditional Japanese rice bowl
- Strawberry cheesecake milk shake
- Beer-braised beef served with crispy fried onions
- Frozen Chipotle pineapple lemonade
- Passion fruit cream slush
- Snail croissant bites with a garlic sauce served on the side
- Berbere-spiced beef stew
- Tostada de carnitas (braised pork atop a fried corn tortilla)
- Stone-baked Moroccan bread
- Pumpkin cheesecake blonde stout
- Braised beef poutine
- Slow-roasted pork slider
- Chicken dumplings with buffalo sauce, blue cheese cream and crumbled blue cheese
- Street corn salad
- German onion cake
- Mango peach bubble tea
- Truffle parmesan fries
- Traditional Napoli street food
- American Wagyu beef blend burger on a toasted brioche bun
- Fried pickle spears
- Caramel mini churros sundaes topped with dulce de leche sauce
- Apple cinnamon soft serve flavored like apple pie filling
- Grilled Bushberry-spiced shrimp skewer with coconut-chili sauce
- Lump crab cake with Cajun-spiced vinegar slaw
- Korean BBQ wings with gochujang barbecue sauce
- Cold brew with dark chocolate sauce topped with whipped cream and chocolate powder
- Beef soup dumplings
Packing List for the Festival
Preparing for a full day at the festival will make your experience more enjoyable. Here’s a packing list to consider:
- Comfortable walking shoes: Epcot is expansive, and you’ll be on your feet exploring marketplaces around the World Showcase and Future World.
- Reusable water bottle: Stay hydrated, especially while sampling alcohol and spending time outdoors, by using a reusable bottle and topping up at the park’s water points.
- Light backpack or crossbody bag: Carry essentials like your wallet, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a portable phone charger without hassle.
- Portable phone charger: You’ll want to keep your phone powered for photos, mobile ordering, and using the My Disney Experience app.
- Sun protection: Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect yourself from Florida’s strong sun.
- Event tickets and reservation information: Bring confirmation for any special dining events you’ve booked.
Make Your Epcot Food and Wine Experience Unforgettable
Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival is a celebration of global culture, culinary creativity, and unforgettable memories. Whether you’re savoring an exotic dish, learning about wine from an expert, or enjoying live music against the backdrop of Epcot’s stunning World Showcase, this festival offers something for every traveler and foodie.
Ready to make the most of your visit? Stay close to the action, get ready to stuff your face with, and enjoy the best of Orlando by booking one of our luxury vacation rentals. With spacious accommodations, modern amenities, and easy access to Walt Disney World, our unique properties are the perfect base from which to explore the Epcot International Food Festival.
