The Epcot Food and Wine Festival is one of the most popular events at Walt Disney World, and with good reason. Who wouldn’t want to eat their way around the world? We asked Kelly Stilwell to share her strategy for fitting it all in, including a few of her favorite bites from the Festival.

From now until November 12, the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is the featured foodie attraction at Walt Disney World. With the Festival growing in size and offerings each year, epicureans from around the country flock to Orlando to try the latest and greatest creations from the Walt Disney World chefs.

From now until November 12th, the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is the featured foodie attraction at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Fritto Misto in Italy at Epcot Food and Wine Festival

Epcot Food and Wine Festival

2018 marks 23 years of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, and partygoers have 75 days to celebrate. And though tasting their way around the world is always the biggest lure, guests will also have the opportunity to learn about food, wine, and cocktails in interactive sessions, attend concerts from internationally acclaimed music artists, as well as take in the rides and other attractions Epcot offers year round. Even on a cloudy day, the view is spectacular.

From now until November 12th, the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is the featured foodie attraction at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Epcot at Walt Disney World

New This Year at Epcot Food and Wine Festival

Food and Beverage Pairings are located at the Festival Welcome Center on Friday through Sunday at 2:30 p.m., where guests try new and unique dishes exclusively paired by Disney chefs.

The Festival Center is also hosting a Shimmering Sips Mimosa Bar and Craft Drafts.

From now until November 12th, the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is the featured foodie attraction at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Seared Shrimp and Scallop Cake with Cold Noodle Salad

Stop by the Festival Center Wine Shop, where you can taste and purchase The Disney Family of Wines.

From now until November 12th, the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is the featured foodie attraction at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Epcot Festival Center Wine Shop

Guests can learn how to brew the perfect cup of coffee during From the Grounds Up, hosted by Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Company.

This year, for the first time, Taste Track has a global marketplace featuring those delicious specialty croissant doughnuts as well as a pancake milkshake.

With 35 new dishes and 70 new cocktails, mocktails, beers and wine, there’s a lot to taste! Check out one of the seven brews exclusive to the Festival.

From now until November 12th, the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is the featured foodie attraction at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Beer Flight

This year also features the Sunday Brunch with the Chef series on select Sundays through November 11, where guests can actually dine with a culinary TV personality!

Nine new bands are featured in the Eat to the Beat Concert Series at American Garden Theatre, where a total of 225 concerts will take place during the Festival.

Attend a Glass in Session beverage class for your favorite wine, beer or spirit. There was a packed house for the tequila tasting seminar!

From now until November 12th, the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is the featured foodie attraction at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Glass in Session Tequila Tasting

A peek at some of the new foods to try this year:

  • Flavors from Fire – Chimichurri Skirt Steak
  • Earth Eats – The IMPOSSIBLE™ Burger
  • Hops & Barley – New Brunswick Slider
  • The Wine & Dine Studio – Butternut Squash Ravioli
  • Ireland – Guinness Baileys Shake

Am I making you hungry? The Grilled Sweet and Spicy Bush Berry Shrimp with pineapple, peppers, onions, and snap Peas served at the Australia Marketplace near the Refreshment Port is absolutely delicious! Pair it with the recommended Yangarra Shiraz from McLaren Vale. This region is famous for creating award-winning wines.

From now until November 12th, the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is the featured foodie attraction at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Grilled Sweet and Spicy Bush Berry Shrimp

Stop by The Art of Pairing to try Disney Chef created food and wine pairings.

From now until November 12th, the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is the featured foodie attraction at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Pairing Pavilion

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Kid-Style

The kids will have plenty of things to do, too. The following events are complimentary.

  • Pick up the game sheet for the Ratatouille-inspired scavenger hunt.
  • Twice a day during the Festival, kids can create Candy Sushi presented by Skittles Adventures by Disney, located at Sunshine Seasons.
  • Dance the night away each Friday and Saturday night during the Disney Du Jour Dance Party with a host of Disney characters. You never know who you might be partying with! You could meet Remy and Emile from Ratatouille, Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps from Zootopia, and more!
  • An up-and-coming Radio Disney artist will be featured at each Disney Du Jour Dance Party. The day I was there the featured artist was Rayla.

    From now until November 12th, the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is the featured foodie attraction at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

    Radio Disney’s Rayla performing at Epcot Food and Wine Festival

  • On Sundays, kids can join the Junior Chef Kitchen presented by Krusteaz, where they can make and eat their creations.
  • There’s even a new playground for younger kids.

Of course, you’ll still be able to enjoy the cultural activities and entertainment regularly featured at the Epcot World Showcase. My personal favorite is Sahara Beat in Morocco. Add it to your list!

Exclusive Epcot Food and Wine Festival Merchandise

You won’t want to leave empty-handed with all the new merchandise available this year.

Taste Your Way Around the World

I love my Taste Your Way Around the World commemorative plate and wish I’d bought a dozen of them to have at parties. You’ll find other products in this section for your kitchen and home. There’s even a cork-inspired Ear headband! Great gift idea for those Disney-lovers and this is the only time of year you’ll find it.

From now until November 12th, the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is the featured foodie attraction at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Merchandise

Brews Around the World

Here you’ll find apparel, barware, and more to bring a little Disney magic to your home bar.

Exclusive Figment Merchandise

The purple dragon always has a special merch at all Disney World Festivals, and this year the apparel and drinkware are both really cute. I have a Figment lover in my house and picked up a few Christmas gifts!

Chef Mickey

There’s a lot to choose from in this Mickey-inspired collection for your kitchen.

Chef Remy

Adorable aprons and kitchen and festive ornaments for Ratatouille Chef Remy fans.

TIPS for Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

Grab one of the wearable gift cards to make paying for your tastings easy. Trust me on this one. With your hands full of food and drink, it’s so much easier to just swipe and go.

Purchase a souvenir plate to use while your wining and dining. It has a slot for your glass to give you a hand free for eating.

From now until November 12th, the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is the featured foodie attraction at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Commemorative Plate

As always, don’t forget sunscreen and stay hydrated!

Though the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is my favorite event at Epcot, you’ll find amazing food at the park all year long. Check out my picks for the best Epcot restaurants and food stops.

I might try to make it back again before the Festival is over. Have you been? What was your favorite tasting? Share in the comments.

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From now until November 12th, the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is the featured foodie attraction at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Epcot Food and Wine Festival

Kelly Stilwell

Kelly Stilwell

Travelocity compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.

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