Eating Around the World (and Back Again): A Guide to Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival

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Ah, Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival. Or, as I like to call it, “How Much Deliciousness Can I Consume in One Day Before I Need a Nap?” This annual event is the ultimate challenge for your taste buds and a chance to (literally) eat your way around the world without leaving Disney property. If you've ever wanted to wander from the spice markets of Morocco to the cheese havens of France, all while chasing it down with a German pilsner, this is your place.

Here’s what you need to know before you embark on your own culinary world tour at Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival:

Step 1: Prepare for Battle (a.k.a. Bring Comfy Shoes and Elastic Waistbands)

We’re talking miles of walking and a veritable buffet of tiny plates with big flavors. You’ll be strolling through Epcot’s World Showcase, which sounds cute and quaint until you realize that visiting 25+ food stalls across 11 countries and a variety of specialty regions will test your footwear and waistline limits. Pro tip: Bring those pants that could double as pajamas. And maybe skip breakfast.

Step 2: Embrace the “Tiny Plate, Big Flavor” Philosophy

At the Food and Wine Festival, every plate is like a little edible masterpiece, which means you’ll get a taste of everything—keyword, taste. If you’re hungry-hungry, don’t expect your three bites of lobster roll from the American Pavilion to fill you up. The idea is to sample as many dishes as possible. So channel your inner culinary explorer and take it one delicious bite at a time.

Step 3: Let the Cheesy Puns Begin

This festival is pun heaven. From France’s “Fromage Montage” (where you get to eat your way through five different cheesy dishes) to Canada’s “Le Cellier Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon,” you’ll see more wordplay than at a dad-joke convention. Embrace it. I mean, if you’re not chuckling over the “Hops & Barley” booth, are you even at Epcot?

Step 4: Hydrate Between the “Wine” Part of Food and Wine

Yes, they serve wine. A lot of it. And sake. And sangria. And beer flights. And everything else you need to make you wonder if you should start an international drinking team. But pace yourself, my friend. Balance every glass of bubbly with a bottle of water. Hydration will help you avoid embarrassing situations like mistaking the Morocco pavilion for France and loudly asking where the Eiffel Tower went.

Step 5: Plan Your Route (and Your Stomach)

Start strategizing before you get to the park. Do you want to begin in Mexico with margaritas and tacos? Or are you going to start in Canada with maple-glazed deliciousness? (Yes, Canadians can make maple anything delicious. It’s a gift.) Whatever you do, try to avoid backtracking, which will not only save your legs but also keep your stomach on a steady intake schedule.

Pro Tip: Don’t miss Japan’s teriyaki buns. They look deceptively like regular buns but are magical doughy pockets of umami goodness.

Step 6: Take Advantage of the Festival Activities (Beyond Just Eating)

Yes, there’s more to do than eat! If you need a break from munching, try one of the festival’s many workshops, wine tastings, and culinary demos. You can learn how to make ravioli with an Italian chef, then pat yourself on the back as you devour the pros' version immediately after. Or join a cheese seminar where you can become a self-proclaimed “cheese connoisseur,” which is arguably the best title anyone can have.

Step 7: Capture the Memories (Because You’re Going to Want to Remember This)

Make sure your phone is charged for photos, because this is an Instagram paradise. You’ll want to snap shots of every picture-perfect plate, the stunning World Showcase views, and perhaps even your own inevitable food coma. Just remember: take a picture before you take a bite (unless you’re willing to make peace with some artsy photos of half-eaten churros).

Step 8: Nap, Nap, Nap

Eventually, you will hit the wall. The food and wine and sheer excitement of it all will wear you out. Luckily, there are quiet spots around Epcot to sit, relax, and let your stomach catch up with your eyes. Or, if you really committed to those wine tastings, you might find yourself napping in a corner near Spaceship Earth. No judgment here!

Closing Thoughts

Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival is a rite of passage for any Disney (and food) lover. It's a chance to eat yourself silly, get a little tipsy in the most cultured way possible, and collect a bunch of fun memories along the way. So grab a fork, a friend, and a sense of humor—this festival isn’t just about food, it’s about having an absolute blast from snack to sip.

Bon appétit, or as they say in Disney, Hakuna Matata!

Would you attend this event?

• Yes
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