Epcot International Food and Wine Festival October 1st – November 15th

Since its inception over a decade ago, the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival has become a popular fall tradition for many Floridians and visitors alike. With more than 300 national and international wines and nearly 100 appetizer-sized food samples, this event takes guests on a culinary joyride.

World Showcase by colorblindPICASO

For six weeks, the World Showcase hosts over 270 celebrated chefs and renowned winemakers from all over the world, offering  a bevy of wine, beer, and cooking seminars (many at an additional cost). Register in advance for one of the many full-day Epcot Wine Schools, cheese seminars, or food and wine parings. Special culinary programs feature elegant dinners, cooking schools, and even tequila tastings. New this year is the “3D” Disney’s Dessert Discovery and Taste, Shake, and Indulge Like the French where you become the mixologist.

Illuminations Fireworks by Mastery of Maps

To complement all these culinary delights, Epcot also unveils the “Eat to the Beat” nightly concert series featuring a lineup of classic rock, oldies and jazz bands. Concerts are held three times each evening on the America Gardens Theatre stage and this year will feature acts such as Sugar Ray, Air Supply, and Rick Springfield.

The grand finale to your evening will be watching more than 1,200 fireworks explode over the World Showcase Lagoon. You won’t want to miss this show.

Here are a few more tips to ensure you have a memorable experience:

• Beyond your admission fee to Epcot, there is no additional charge to visit the festival but the food and wine samples start at a few dollars each.
• Definitely pick up a Food and Wine themed gift card at the Festival Welcome Center  (or ticket booths) and load it up with at least $50 per person. This will make paying for samples much easier than using cash.
• The festival is VERY BUSY on nights and weekends. If you don’t like feeling like cattle, plan an early afternoon, weekday visit. Still, be prepared for crowds.
• Download the festival guide (here) and familiarize yourself with the festival before you go – this way you can make sure not to miss anything important to you.