Although we LOVE trying all the different foods when we visit Epcot, I also love that there is so much more than food at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival.
After making your way around the World Showcase and checking out the various food booths, be sure to take some time to do some of the other fun festival activities.
Enjoy live music. The concerts at Epcot are so much fun! They are located at the American Pavilion. Every few nights there is a different artist and they put on three nightly shows – each one lasting about 30 minutes. Seating is limited, but even if you don’t get a seat, you can still enjoy the music by standing along the sides or just outside the amphitheater. We’ve seen Rick Springfield, 38 Special and many other great shows. Grab a margarita at nearby Italy or Mexico and enjoy some live music!
Insider Tip: If you want to be sure to have a seat, you can book an Eat to the Beat Dining Package. You can book a meal at one of 14 restaurants in Epcot and you’ll have a guaranteed seat on the same day. It is a little pricey but includes a full meal, so if you want to eat at one of the selected restaurants anyway might be a perfect solution. Details can be found HERE.
Play with your food. A fun and affordable event occurs in the Land Pavilion every day at 3:30 and 5:30. For only $10 per person, you can learn to make candy sushi. Kids especially love this one – it holds their attention and they leave with candy. It’s also a nice break from the heat and the crowds around the world showcase.
Learn something new. There are many seminars going on daily during the Food & Wine Festival. Some of them are VERY pricey, but there are a few that are a little more reasonable. For example, on most Fridays and Saturdays at 12:30, there are 45-minute culinary demonstrations for $19.00. There are also food & beverage pairings many days at 2:30 for $29.00. The seminars are located in the World Showcase Events Pavilion between Canada and the United Kingdom. They can sell out so if there is something you really want to do, sign up ahead of time. Otherwise, take a few moments to walk by the venue and see what’s offered the day you are there and decide if it sounds like one you’d enjoy. Check out everything that is offered HERE.
Insider Tip: Many of these seminars include tastes of alcoholic drinks but of course they only serve to those 21 and over – so keep that in mind if there are kids in your group.
Go on a scavenger hunt. Each year the festival offers some type of scavenger hunt. This year, the search is on for Remy. There are multiple statues of him located throughout the World Showcase. When you find all of them, take your card to Disney Traders to get a prize. It does cost $6.99 to purchase a map and participate, but it’s a fun way to add some excitement to your day. Plus, in the end, you turn in your completed map and get a prize! This year they are cute little tumblers.
Enjoy a special meal. During the festival, you can participate in a variety of unique food & drink pairings in multiple countries. For instance a tequila lunch in Mexico or a Parisian Breakfast in France. There is an additional cost for these and they are only offered on specific days, but it could be a different way to enjoy the festival and a nice change from the typical Disney restaurant.
So what do you want to try at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival? I encourage you to try something new the next time you visit – it will change your entire experience!
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Sounds like a wonderful festival to visit. I can tell you right now our kids will be all about the candy sushi and scavenger hunt! Thanks for all the great tips and info! 🙂
It is fun and for kids who don’t love trying new foods, those two activities are winners!
I need to get an annual pass so I can enjoy all of these extra fun adventures! The scavenger hunt sounds super fun for kids!
Yes, the annual pass has been amazing – it’s our first year and we’ve really taken advantage.
I love Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival! There is so much to experience there…and the food is fun too!
It’s definitely a favorite of ours!
I did not realize there were all these food options! I am looking forward to trying some!
So much fun! Hope you get a chance to check it out.
Candy sushi AND a scavenger hunt!? Sounds awesome!!
Lots of fun things to do!
I love the tip about booking a restaurant and seeing the live music show, awesome. But my kids might not go for the candy sushi. It sounds good but it kids who eat and LOVE real sushi, this may not fly. However, it’s a great concept for all the other kids.
My kids love real sushi too, but it’s still fun for them!
One thing we did last year was a slurpee drink glow in the dark lab! It was so cool! I just love Epcot!
Fun! I didn’t see that one this year.
That sounds not only fun, but yummy at the same time. I have a friend who is a Disney freak and her and her hubby go about 2 times a month. I wonder if she has done this.
Wow! I’m sure she has if she goes that often!
I love the food and wine, it is my favorite time to go to Epcot. Crazy all of the changes they are making to the park. It’s hard to do all the extras with kids though as they want to run and do rides and others. I do love the scavenger hunt. What fun to be a Disney planner, I just became one too.
Good for you! I just love Disney!
We love live music! That is cool that they incorporate a scavenger hunt.
We love live music too so it’s a huge benefit!
I have friends who do this every year and love it! It looks just amazing!!
It can be addictive!
I have never visited Disney during this season…love the ideas you shared on what to do in addition to enjoying all the incredible food and wine.
Thanks!
I haven’t visited Disney as an adult (I know, GASP!) and this looks like an event I would totally love. Thanks for sharing your information!!
It’s an entirely different experience as an adult.
Thanks for sharing the insider tips and the great experiences of Epcot’s food and wine festival. I need to go!
It’s so fun!
Food and Wine is my favorite festival. There is so much to do and see. I am headed down in 5 days!!!
Have a blast!!!
I don’t drink but my mom does. Sent to her.
Hope she likes it – even if you don’t drink there is plenty of good food and music!