As I sat for my webinar on the Food and Wine Festival yesterday, all I could say was “Wow.” If you’ve liked the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival in the past, this year’s festival will NOT disappoint you!
With 35 new foods, 70 new drinks, 350+ events, and 225 concerts slated during the 75 days of the event, EPCOT is going to be THE place to be this Fall.
I was able to view some of the new foods coming to the Festival, including Guinness Baileys Shake, in Ireland, a Pancake Milkshake, which sounds…interesting, over at Taste Track, and a Butternut Squash Ravioli, at The Wine and Dine Studio.
If there is a demand for it, I may go into more detail about some of these new foods and beverages in another post, but for sake of time and space, I will just say that there is a LOT of new offerings premiering this year. Just let me know in the comments if this is something you would like to learn more about.
Allergies and Dietary Restrictions
Disney is wonderful at trying to accommodate as many people as possible. And as always, certain menu items will be marked with the following notations to indicate which foods are safe for Specific Dietary Restrictions.
- (GF) indicates Gluten/wheat-friendly
- (KA) indicates Kid-approved (Dishes designed with kids in mind.)
- (V) indicates Vegetarian NOT Vegan (Vegans can ask if dishes are able to be modified to exclude eggs, dairy, and honey)
Photo Credit: DisneyGiftCard.com
Food Prices
As for the cost, many of the items come in smaller sampler-size portions and are available to be purchased with a snack credit on the Disney Dining Plan. For Guests without the Dining Plan, I suggest using a Festival-themed Gift Card. Not only are they super cute, they’re small and can be placed on your wrist. You avoid constantly taking your wallet out and it’s a great way to stay within budget. You can activate one with as little as $15.
EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival Details
August 30 – November 12 2018
The cost of this Festival? Included in the cost of your Theme Park Ticket!
Eat to the Beat
Dining Packages
Choose from 1 of the 15 Restaurants participating in the Eat to the Beat Dining Packages. You can choose Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner and each Package guarantees you a seat at the concert that night.
For Reservations and to see a list of Participating Restaurants, visit Taste Epcot. I’m told that there are still plenty of availability!
Counter Service Eat to the Beat Dining Package
You heard me right, COUNTER SERVICE DINING PACKAGE! Liberty Inn, at the American Adventure Pavilion, will be having a first come, first serve Dining Package.
There is no Advance Dining Reservation, so the best way to ensure you get a great meal and a guaranteed seat for the concert that night is to walk into Liberty Inn at 11:30am and make your reservation. The amount of Reservations will vary by day as they are based upon how many of the regular Dining Packages have not been sold.
Concert Series
I’ve written a whole post about the acts coming to EPCOT this year, so I’ll keep this short and sweet. If you want to see who to expect this year, you can check that post out -> “Eat To The Beat” 2018 Concert Series in Epcot
Event Details
- Where: America Gardens Theatre at World Showcase, Epcot
- When: Daily from August 30 through November 12, 2018
- Showtimes: 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:00 PM nightly
Cost? As long as you have a ticket to get into EPCOT, the concert is completely FREE! Who says you can’t find free things at Disney? Just ignore the fact I just said you have to pay for your Theme Park Ticket. LOL
Culinary Demos
Whether you want to learn how to cook or you just want to get better at it, this is something you will want to check out. Each demonstration is only 45 minutes, so you will have plenty of time left to go exploring. Master Chefs will teach you their tips and tricks to putting together a special dish, which you will get to eat at the end of the Demo.
If you’d like to know what type of dish will be seeing (and eating), check out this Schedule before reserving your spot. Many of the dishes are meat or seafood based, but there are a few Pastry Demos, as well as one Vegetarian Option. (Yay!)
I’m told that there are still plenty of availability! So, if this is something you’re interested in, go ahead and make your reservation.
Event Details
- Location: Festival Center Stage
- Days: Monday through Saturday at 12:30 PM
- Price: $17 per Guest, plus tax
Beverage Seminars
This 45-minute seminar will teach you all about different kinds of adult beverages. Admittedly, this is a subject I know absolutely nothing about so I’m taking Disney at their word when they say they have sommeliers and other beverage experts who are a wealth of knowledge on the subject of adult beverages. There’s also this Event Schedule to help you out. Make sure you bring your ID!
I’m told that there are still plenty of availability! So, if this is something you’re interested in, go ahead and make your reservation.
Event Details
- Festival Center Stage
- Daily throughout the Festival
- $17 per Guest, plus tax
Event Times in 2018
- Monday through Thursday: 11:15 AM and 2:30 PM
- Friday and select Saturdays: 11:15 AM and 4:30 PM
- Sunday: 4:30 PM
Cheese Seminars
Each seminar is 90 minutes. During this time you will learn many things you probably didn’t know about cheese, including aromas, textures, and flavor levels. Guests who are 21 and over can also pair their cheese with some adult beverages.
Each Seminar has a different theme, so visit Taste Epcot before booking your Reservation to make sure you are attending the right seminar.
General Event Details
- Festival Center Stage
- Select Saturdays from 9:45 AM to 11:15 AM
- $89 per Guest—plus tax, gratuity included
- Limited capacity
2018 Schedule
- September 15, 22 and 29
- October 6, 13 and 20
- November 10
I am told that Reservations are going fast and are almost Sold Out. If you are interested in this event, don’t wait until the last minute to look for Reservations.
Food and Beverage Pairing and Specialty Dining Packages
The most sophisticated of foodies will enjoy Food and Beverage Pairings and Specialty Dining Packages. There are 9 different Pairings and Packages to choose from. Check out Epcot Signature Dining Events for information on all the food options, including Prices.
Reservations are going extremely fast, so if you can find a Reservation, you better snatch it up fast. Dining Plans are not accepted for these events.
Photo Credit: Disney
Sunday Brunch with the Chef
Celebrity Chefs will be attending this event, so if you’re looking for a Reservation to this amazing opportunity, Don’t Wait! Tickets are going extremely fast and are already almost sold out!
This is a 2 Hour event and will include Brunch, Q&A with your favorite Chef, and an exclusive Meet and Greet.
Event Details
- World ShowPlace Events Pavilion
- Select Sundays throughout the Festival
- 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
- $129 per Guest—plus tax, gratuity included
- Epcot admission required
2018 Dates and Special Guests
- September 2: Richard Blais (Top Chef; owner of Trail Blais culinary company in California)
- September 9: Jamie Deen (co-owner of The Lady and Sons restaurant in Savannah, Georgia)
- September 16: Tiffani Thiessen (actress and author of Pull Up a Chair)
- September 23: Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto (Chef/owner of Morimoto Restaurants, including Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs)
- October 7: Buddy Valastro (Cake Boss; owner of Carlo’s Bake Shop in New Jersey)
- October 14: Art Smith (Top Chef; restaurateur behind Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ at Disney Springs )
- October 21: Geoffrey Zakarian (Iron Chef, Chopped and The Kitchen; restaurateur behind Point Royal at The Diplomat Beach Resort in Florida)
- October 28: Carla Hall (chef and author)
- November 11: Alex Guarnaschelli (Iron Chef and Iron Chef Gauntlet; Executive Chef at Butter in New York City)
For the Kids!
Candy Sushi
This complimentary Experience is available in Sunshine Seasons in the Land Pavilian, daily at 3:30 and 5:30 pm. Here, kids can make candy that looks like Sushi!
You can make Advanced Reservations for this event starting August 16th on Taste Epcot. Although this is a free event, the same Reservation Rules still apply. If you fail to make your reservation, the “no-show” fee still applies and your credit card will be charged.
Playground
A play area has been a hit in the past, so EPCOT is bring it to the Food and Wine Festival this year. It will be located near Test Track.
Disney Du Jour Dance Party
Who doesn’t like to dance with Disney Characters? On Friday and Saturday evenings, kids can do just that! There will be a rotating menu of food and games will be played during this time, as well.
Junior Chef Kitchen presented by Krusteaz
Have a young chef in the family? Your kids can become chefs and eat what they make in this family-friendly, complimentary experience every Sunday at the Festival Center. Advanced Reservations are not available. You must sign your child up in-person at the Festival Center.
Remy’s Ratatouille Hide ‘n’ Squeak Scavenger Hunt
Remy’s Scavenger Hunt is back and they have cool now prizes! Remy is also hiding in all new places, so even if you’ve played before, you’re not going to know all the locations going into the game. No cheating, kids!
What are you most looking forward to at this years’s Food and Wine Festival?
All of the links provided, aside from the Eat to the Beat Concert Series link, are directly from Disney. Event links are PDF printable files, so you can bring them along with you on your Vacation or help you in your Planning Process. You can also find these links at TasteEpcot.com.
