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The Ultimate Guide to the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

Published: August 29, 2024

Sip, Savor and Celebrate: EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE is a fun culinary excursion where guests of all ages can eat and drink their way around the world — in one day. Held from August 29 to November 23 at EPCOT in Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida, it’s an exciting and beloved celebration of global cuisine that only Disney could present.

What is the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival?

The whole family is invited to enjoy this extravaganza of fabulous food and drinks representing countries on six continents — all of it infused with Disney’s signature magic and attention to detail.

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival enriches the guest experience by offering specially concocted culinary delights that go beyond typical theme park fare. Visitors get to explore international cuisines in a showcase of Disney’s commitment to celebrating global cultures and traditions.

Festival attendees can sample numerous types of food and drink such as wine, beer and spirits as well as non-alcoholic beverages from around the world, including the 11 nations represented in World Showcase. (Alcoholic beverages are served only to guests age 21 and older with a valid I.D.) Peppered with musical performances, the festival is a must-do for foodies, music lovers and Disney fans of all ages. It’s a uniquely Disney event!

Where is the festival held?

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival takes place across the park! Find Global Marketplaces, limited-time menu items, Festival merchandise and special entertainment  throughout all four neighborhoods of EPCOT.

Festival attendance

Attendance to the festival is included with valid EPCOT theme park admission or Park Hopper benefits for the day of the ticket. Separate festival tickets are not required. Depending on the type of admission, guests may need to make theme park reservations.

Festival passports

At both EPCOT entrances, and at merchandise and Global Marketplace locations inside, guests can pick up a passport — a booklet outlining what’s going on at the festival. Guests can get their passports stamped at Global Marketplaces as they travel and taste. Plus, the passport is a souvenir to take home after the festival.

Festival highlights: what to try

There’s no shortage of mouthwatering food and beverages at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. Take a look at some of the delicious highlights:

Delectable dishes

It wouldn’t be a Disney food and wine festival without amazing food! Dishes from Disney’s esteemed chefs include both “seasoned” favorites from past festivals and brand new options. Here’s a small slice of the nibbles guests can try:

  • Sweet-tooth-satisfying Belgian waffles topped with either chocolate ganache or berry compote and whipped cream at Belgium Global Marketplace
  • At the Canada pavilion, gluten-friendly filet mignon served with mashed potatoes infused with Boursin garlic and fine herbs, plus mushrooms
  • Plant-based samosas filled with peas and potatoes and drizzled with coriander-lime cream, from the India menu
  • From Japan, eel temaki sushi, a hand-held roll loaded with grilled eel, cucumber, pickled radish and egg
  • South African Boerewors sausage stew in a bread bowl with curried chicken, at the Refreshment Outpost in World Showcase

Also returning in 2024 is Emile’s Fromage Montage, the festival’s mini cheese-tasting tour. This leisurely cheese crawl presents guests with a world of cheeses to sample. And guests who get their passports stamped at five cheese stops receive a special item.

Refreshing drinks

The festival offers a variety of refreshing drinks perfect for cooling off as guests explore the park. Some options include:

  • Mango peach bubble tea, a creative mix of green tea with mango and peach syrups, plus pearly white boba, at the China pavilion
  • From the Coastal Eats menu (near Mission: SPACE): a refreshing Boyd & Blair Pomegranate Codder, a twist on a traditional Cape Codder
  • A fan-favorite flight of beer, presenting a selection of several brews at once, at CommuniCore Hall
  • From Greece, a refreshing melon limeade combining lime sour mix, Pearl Vodka, Aelred Melon Apéritif de Provence and Kleos Mastiha Spirit
  • On the Spain menu, Quinta del ’67, a luscious red wine hailing from the region of Almansa.

Eat to the Beat Concert Series

Music is a joyous part of the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. The Eat to the Beat Concert Series presented by Florida Blue happens each day from Aug. 29 to Nov. 18 at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the America Gardens Theatre. Along with talented local performers, well-known acts such as Parmalee, Billy Ocean, Hoobastank, Joey Fatone and Tiffany entertain audiences with music spanning a spectrum of pop, country and beyond. Several new fresh-to-the-festival acts join the line-up this year including Yellowcard, The Wanted and David Archuleta.

Eat to the Beat dining packages

EPCOT visitors can dine at one of many restaurants — most located at World Showcase — to get a guaranteed seat for an Eat to the Beat concert on the same day. These dining packages are only available Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays from Aug. 29 to Nov. 18.

Here’s how it works: Guests make a dining package reservation specifying a show time, restaurant and dining time. Valid admission to EPCOT on the day of the reservation is required, and guests pay for their restaurant fare. After their meal, guests receive badges marked with the date and time of the performance they chose.

Participating restaurants at World Showcase include:

Participating restaurants in World Nature include:

Visitors can make advance reservations for all participating restaurants except Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts and Barbeque, where same-day Eat to the Beat dining packages are available in limited numbers. Guests should check at the Regal Eagle Smokehouse during the festival to find out if they can get a dining package for that day.

Festival-themed merchandise

Guests can choose from a range of event-exclusive merchandise featuring the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival logo. Also, special collections pay homage to Chef Mickey, Chef Remy or Chef Figment.

Festival FAQs

For more information about the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival, take a look at these frequently asked questions and their answers.

Do visitors need a separate ticket for the festival?

Visitors do not need a separate ticket to go to the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. Only valid admission to EPCOT for a day the festival is held is required to partake in the festival.

Are allergy-friendly food options available?

Disney takes reasonable care to avoid many common food allergens in much of the festival cuisine. However, some allergy-friendly options may be available as well as gluten-friendly and plant-based fare. Scan a QR code in the Festival Passport to see the allergy-friendly Global Marketplaces menu, or visit Disneyworld.com.

Is there a scavenger hunt for the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival in 2024?

Yes! Visitors can purchase a map for Remy’s Ratatouille Hide and Squeak, a scavenger hunt to find Remy all over World Showcase. For a limited time, guests can also hunt for pumpkins at Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit.

Extend the magic with a Disney hotel

Those planning to attend the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival may wish to extend the experience with a stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel. Wherever it is located in the resort, a Disney hotel is a great way to enjoy the festival, relax afterward and make more wonderful memories. Visitors may be able to take advantage of a Disney World Resort deal, discount or offer, too.