A Day at EPCOT’s International Food & Wine Festival

Global cuisine that will make your mouth water upon sight, live music, rides and entertainment: there’s a reason EPCOT’s International Food & Wine Festival is loved by many Walt Disney World visitors. A few weeks ago, I attended the festival for the first time, and it did not disappoint. After tasting my way around the world on October 9th, EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival has become my new favorite way to try food and drinks from all over the globe.

For 25 years, EPCOT has hosted the International Food & Wine festival, which showcases authentic food and drinks from various countries. As Walt Disney World celebrates its 50th anniversary, the 2021 festival is running longer than usual - from July 15 through November 20, a total of 129 day.

Majority of the festival takes place in the largest part of the park, known as the “World Showcase.” The World Showcase is a lively 1.2 mile long, circular path that represents the culture, cuisine and architecture of different countries. Usually the park represents 11 countries: Canada, The United Kingdom, France, Morocco, Japan, America, Italy, Germany, China, Norway and Mexico.

During the Festival, many more countries and global marketplaces are represented at booths set up throughout the park. This year, there are over 30 different global marketplaces, including 16 countries. Countries added to the park for the festival this year include Australia, Ireland, Brazil, Belgium, Greece, Spain, India, Kenya and Hawaii (not a country, but the food and drinks sure were good.)

If you're traveling in a large group like I was, plan ahead. Due to scheduling conflicts, the only day my group (which was 10 of us) could attend the festival was on a Saturday. If you want to make the most out of your day, with smaller crowds and shorter lines, I recommend going on a weekday. If given the choice, I would have rather gone on a weekday, so consider that in your travel plans. But nonetheless, here is a list of tips and places you must stop at during your time spent at EPCOT’s International Food & Wine Festival.

WORLD NATURE

The park opens at 10 a.m., but the Food & Wine Festival doesn’t begin until 11 a.m., so before entering the festival in the World Showcase, stop at World Nature to ride my favorite attraction in the park, Soarin. Feel a cool breeze on your skin and smell fresh scents from several locations across the globe in a simulated hang gliding flight suspended 80 ft off the ground. Soarin is perfect for those who want to see a realistic glimpse of different countries, without having to travel there. But if heights aren’t your forte, ride Living with the Land, which is also located in World Nature.

Living with the Land is an educational, slow-moving boat ride consisting of a dark ride and a greenhouse tour. During the dark portion of the ride, you’ll sail through three artificial biomes: a tropical rainforest, a desert and the American prairie. The biomes feature lighting and sound effects, as well as wind, heat and mist to simulate real weather conditions. The second part of the ride you’ll be taken through a bright greenhouse and laboratory which showcases a variety of plants, fish and agricultural techniques. This ride is perfect for all ages - it’s my mom’s favorite ride in EPCOT! After enjoying a few rides in World Nature, head over to the World Showcase and start digging into delicious global cuisine.

HAWAI'I

Located near the left of the entrance to the World Showcase, make your first stop in Hawai’i. If you enjoy fish, like me, order the Tuna Poke ($7), which comes with eel sauce, spicy mayonnaise and crispy shrimp chips. Every bite will melt in your mouth.

If you’re a meat eater, sink your teeth into a Kālua Pork Slider ($5.75), which comes with sweet and sour DOLE Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise. My friend Sydnie said it was one of her favorite meals of the day. She mentioned that after one bite, the bun filled with tender pulled pork will fall apart, so be sure to grab a fork to help finish the rest.

To wash your food down, grab one of our group's favorite drinks of the day, the Aulani Sunrise ($14), which is a sweet mix of vodka, Dole pineapple juice, and grenadine. $14 is pretty pricey for a festival beverage, but this full sized drink is absolutely worth it. The Aulani Sunrise had my friends and I circling back for more.

MEXICO

After Hawai’i comes one of my favorite countries in the park, Mexico. Unfortunately, most of my group was disappointed with the bland tasting food offered at the festival's booth this year, so instead of heading there, make your way inside the Mesoamerican Pyramid to feast on chips and guacamole, which is a year long staple dish at EPCOT’s Mexico Pavilion. Remember that you’ll be tasting lots of other foods today, so make it a shareable plate so you don’t get too full - the serving is large enough to share with two or three people.

While you're inside the Pyramid, expect to see a collection of vibrant Mexican artwork. I enjoy the Pyramid because of its Mexican authenticity. The indoor area of the pavilion is themed as an outdoor moon-lit Mexican village and market, “Plaza de los Amigos,” which overlooks an indoor lagoon with a backdrop showcasing a pyramid and smoking volcano.

Before leaving the Pyramid, stop at La Cava del Tequila for my all time favorite margarita, the La Cava Avocado ($17). I know what you’re thinking, “avocado sounds gross in a drink.” I thought the same thing the first time I came to EPCOT. To my surprise, I absolutely love it and now order one every time I’m at the park. It is made with tromba blanco tequila, melon liqueur, fresh avocado and lime juice. It’s a perfect, creamy blend of alcohol, earthiness and sweetness. It is served frozen with a spicy hibiscus salt rim. The drink comes large, so feel free to share with a friend.

NORWAY

Once you leave Mexico, head next door to Norway. You may need a quick break from food, so board a Nordic ship and travel through a frozen willow forest to the land of Arendelle on “Frozen Ever After,” a slow-moving, musical boat ride. This ride is perfect for all ages, but keep in mind that there are both backward and forward drops down short waterfalls and you may get a little wet.

INDIA

After leaving Norway, continue on the circular path until you hit India. If you like colorful and spicy food that will make your nose run, like me, this booth is perfect for you. Order the Madras Red Curry ($5); it comes with roasted cauliflower, baby carrots, chickpeas and Ben’s Original Basmati Rice. This dish is plant-based and packed with spicy, savory flavors. The Red Curry had by far the most flavor out of all the foods I tried at the park. I loved it so much I went back for seconds.

After eating something spicy, try the sweet and creamy Mango Lassi with Sōmrus Chai Cream Liqueur ($11) to cool down your mouth. It is made with fresh mangos, yogurt, honey and cardamom. It was another one of our group’s favorites. You can also get a non-alcoholic version for $5.

SPAIN

Once you leave India, continue your walk until you hit Spain, stop there for a quick snack. You’re probably starting to get full by now, so Spain is a perfect stop since their menu features small dishes. I recommend the Charcuterie ($6.50), which features a selection of imported Spanish meats, cheeses and olives, with an herb vinaigrette.

If you like seafood, order the Seafood Salad ($6.25), which includes fresh shrimp, bay scallops, mussels, extra virgin olive oil, white balsamic vinegar and smoked paprika. Now is a perfect time to grab a bench that overlooks the World Showcase Lagoon and soak up the afternoon sun for a while. I'm sure you’re starting to get tired from your day of eating, drinking and walking around. Don’t relax for two long because there’s a few more countries you must stop at.

ITALY

You don’t have to walk far because next to Spain is Italy. Italy is probably my favorite pavilion, not necessarily because of the cuisine offered during the festival, but because of the architecture, landscaping and authenticity of it. Italy is one of the 11 countries that are represented in the park year round, so there are permanent replicas of places in Venice, Italy, like the campanile in St. Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace. The landscaping of Italy is accurate too, with olive trees, Mediterranean citrus, kumquat trees, cyprus and pines spread throughout the pavilion.

As someone who has been to Venice before, I can say that EPCOT paid great attention to detail in showcasing Italy, so take your time here. Walk around and admire the architecture and landscaping - imagine yourself walking down the cobblestone streets of real Venice, Italy. If you’re looking to grab a bite to eat at the festival's booth, order the Mezzelune Croccanti ($12), which are crispy half-moon breaded, mozzarella-filled, ravioli with pomodoro sauce. If you’re looking to save your appetite, you’re not missing out. Italy has the most expensive cuisine out of any booth at the Food & Wine festival this year, and eating the ravioli was not a life changing experience. There are cheaper and better options elsewhere.

WORLD CELEBRATION

Take a break from food and head over to World Celebration, also known as the “Giant Golf Ball,” near the entrance of the park. Once inside, take a ride on Spaceship Earth, a 15-minute, slow-moving dark ride that takes you on a “time machine” themed experience. This ride showcases human advancements in communication throughout history. Except to see life-like animatronics representing cave paintings, the invention of papyrus, the creation of the alphabet, the printing press and more. This ride is both educational, fascinating and well designed. The fact that it’s 15-minutes long is a huge plus too. Once the ride is over, if you’re still open to try more food, head back to the World Showcase.

CANADA

Located directly to the right of the entrance to the World Showcase, stop at Canada for your final meal of the day. Order the Le Cellier Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle-Butter Sauce ($8.75). This dish comes with a generous portion of tender meat that is perfectly cooked and oozing with flavor. Canada is a fan favorite at the Food & Wine festival, so there might be a longer line at this booth. Just know the wait will be worth it.

FRANCE

After your savery fix, head over to France for a sweet dessert. Order the Crème Brûlée au Grand Marnier ($5.50). It is a vanilla crème brûlée with grand marnier liqueur. This dessert has a twist to it; the custard is sweet, but it has a very strong liqueur flavor. It also has caramel sugar on top which gives it a nice crunch. After you finish dessert, it will be a perfect time to find somewhere to sit that overlooks the World Showcase Lagoon, if you’re looking to stay for EPCOT’s new fireworks show, which began on Oct. 1st. The show occurs every night at 9 p.m. and lasts about 12 minutes. The fireworks show is a great way to end your day at the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival.