One of our guests favorite things to do during their Walt Disney Worldยฎ Resort vacation is getting to experience any of the festivals hosted at Epcotยฎ. From theย Epcotยฎ International Festival of the Arts and Epcotยฎ International Flower & Garden Festival in Spring to the Epcotยฎ International Food & Wine Festival in fall and Epcotยฎ International Festival of the Holidays in December, the events are filled with global experiences and cuisine!

The most palate-pleasing of the festivals is the Epcotยฎ International Food & Wine Festival. Taking place this year from Aug. 30 – Nov. 12, 2018, the festival provides guests the opportunity to experience hands-on culinary workshops and demonstrations, explore marketplaces to taste tapas from around the world, and get their gourmet groove on at nightly Eat to the Beat concerts!

There’s always something new each year at the Epcotยฎ International Food & Wine Festival, so even if you’ve been before there’s many reasons to return!

Here’s our Top 5 Reasons to Attend the Epcotยฎ International Food & Wine Festival:

1 Eat to the Beat Concert Series- Enjoy nightly performances from a star-studded lineup inside the America Gardens Theatre! You’ll find artists from yesterday and today from pop to country to R&B and more! The best part is the Eat to the Beat Concerts are included with valid Epcotยฎ admission! CLICK HERE to see who’ll be performing during your visit! Also be sure to ask your Magic Makerยฎ about Eat to the Beat dining packages – the best way to ensure you’ll get to see your favorite band!

2 Global Marketplaces- Be prepared to eat your way around the World! Global Marketplaces are kiosks scattered around Epcotยฎ Future World and World Showcase offering gourmet small plates at exotic drinks! Each marketplace has its own theme and an accompanying menu. While a listing of this year’s Marketplaces and menus have not been announced yet, we have been given a sneak peek at three new offerings:

  • New Brunswick Slider: Slow-braised Beef Brisket โ€œPot Roast Styleโ€ with Horseradish Cream, Crispy Fried Onions on a Potato Roll with Pickled Vegetables on the side
  • Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter Vinaigrette, Parmesan Cheese, and Pumpkin Seeds
  • Charred Chimichurri Skirt Steak, smoked Corn Cake with Pickled Vegetable Slaw and Cilantro

Each year Epcotยฎ Chefs are sure to include a variety of options – even some that are Vegan or Gluten Free! For our guests that will be using on of the Disney Dining Plans, snack credits can be used on most small plates so be sure to save your dining credits!

3 Seminars and Demonstrations- Every year, the Epcotยฎ International Food & Wine Festival hosts many different Culinary Demonstrations, Beverage Seminars, and Cheese Seminars. Each session is lead by an industry pro and discusses culinary tips, tricks, and of course some samples! There is a nominal charge (and Epcotยฎ admission required) for these sessions, but we’ve always found them to be well worth the price. Reservations for all the seminars and demonstrations open on Jun. 14, so be sure to contact your Magic Makerยฎ if you are interested in any of them! Click below for their respective schedules:

4 Sunday Brunch with the Chef- Here’s your chance to dine with your favorite TV Chef! This 2-hour experience includes a breakfast buffet while the celebrity guest gives out tips and tricks and holds a Q&A session. After, you’ll there will be a meet & greet opportunity for everyone in attendance to get their picture taken with the guest of honor! The Sunday Brunch with the Chef experience is $129 per Guestโ€”plus tax, gratuity included. Epcotยฎ admission is required. Reservations for this also open on Jun. 14, so be sure to contact your Magic Makerยฎ if you are interested!

CLICK HERE to view the listing of scheduled Chefs

5 Family Fun- Don’t worry if your kids aren’t adventurous eaters – there’s plenty of other fun for them! You’ll find a fun and innovative playground set up around to help them burn off some energy. New for 2018, a Character Dance Party will take place on Friday and Saturday night and a complimentary Junior Chef Kitchen experience will take place every Sunday. And spend some find searching for Remy all around the Festival by participating in Remy’s Ratatouille Hide โ€˜nโ€™ Squeak Scavenger Hunt!

It’s not too late to plan your trip to experience the Epcotยฎ International Food & Wine Festival! Contact your Magic Makerยฎ today.