Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
It’s that time of the year when Florida fall is here, which means the day's high temperature is 84, and the afternoon rain showers have gone away. It’s also time for the annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. If you’re unfamiliar with this yearly spectacle, this allows everyone to embark on a culinary adventure across six continents—from August 29 to November 23, 2024, for a price. If you’ve listened to the podcast, you’ll know I’m more of a Disney Springs fan than any of the Disney parks. However, I find Epcot to be my Disney-happy place.
Typically, there aren’t long lines as there aren’t many thrill rides, but you get a sense of 33 different culinary offerings worldwide without a passport.
When you arrive at Epcot, you must decide whether to tackle this counter-clockwise, with Canada being the first major stop, or attack it clockwise, with Mexico being the first country. I prefer to go clockwise since most go counter-clockwise. I’m not sure there’s any data to back this up, but I feel we don’t get caught in the crowd surge. In full disclosure, I only visit Epcot during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, so I have no idea what Epcot is like in mid-January.
If you attend the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, you need a food strategy. Otherwise, you will fill up on trash food and miss some food gems.
If you want to try Thai Shrimp, you can do it at The Noodle Exchange. If you're a fan of Chicken Tikka Masala, visit India. If you stop in Germany, sample the Schinkennudeln. The beauty of this food tour is that you can easily sample 10 to 12 delicacies without feeling stuffed.
The other allure of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is the wine part, or maybe we say the adult libation part. There is the Epcot Drink Around the World challenge, which consists of strolling and sipping through the 11 countries of the World Showcase. You can purchase shirts and temporary tattoos to check off your progress as you complete your stateside worldwide adventure.
In addition to the price of an Epcot ticket, the cost of drinking around the world varies. If you buy the cheapest drink at each pavilion, it is $114.00. If you bought the most expensive drink at each pavilion, it is $211.00. The average price for drinking around the world is right around $143.00.
One of the food stops is Macatizers, where you can get everything related to Mac-N-Cheese and Caymus 50th Anniversary Cabernet Sauvignon. Japan offers Sake, and Block & Hans serves a local Orlando brew, Orange Blossom Brewing Orange Blossom Pilsner. If you’re unsure what to try, most stops offer a flight of wine or beer, allowing you to sample several offerings without committing to a full drink.
When each of the kids turned 21, we took them to Epcot to drink around the world so they could sample their first “legal” drink. The entrepreneur made it through six stops before he punched out his sister, who made it through four stops.
If you love visiting Epcot and plan to drink around the world, here are a few tips.
First, don’t drink and drive. Rideshare is available at Epcot, and you can always pick up your sled once you sober up.
If you do plan on drinking a lot of alcoholic drinks, bring a friend.
Know your limits and stop when you feel you’ve had enough, just like the entrepreneur and his sister did.
This is Florida, so stay hydrated. Even if it’s overcast, keep slamming water or liquid IV.
Finally, keep your belly full. Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach NEVER goes over well.
If you’re reading this and near Orlando, you have less than 10 days to attend the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.
As I always say, travel safe, stay safe, and thanks for reading.