2024 marked my 14th consecutive year attending and thus collecting Epcot Food and Wine Festival tips for you. (And some years I attended more than once, so total that up as you wish.)
The Epcot Food and Wine Festival at Orlando’s Disney World resort is an epic event in which you get to sample food and (adult) beverages from all over the world. It offers the chance to experience more than 35 countries and themed booths dedicated to things like craft beer, French fries, vegetarian and vegan items, dessert and champagne, and loads more.
This event is truly epic, but it can be overwhelming, especially as it has grown over the last 10+ years. This post contains some of the best Epcot Food and Wine Festival tips I’ve collected over the years (that you don’t see on every other Disney blog). So, whether this will be your first time or your tenth, you’re sure to pick up some useful advice for your day drinking around the world. Cheers!
Also check out: What to Pack for the Epcot Food & Wine Festival (+ What to Leave Behind!)
Essential Epcot Food and Wine Festival Tips
These are some of the crucial things to know for attending the Epcot Food and Wine Festival that may seem obvious but are still totally worth mentioning.
1. Pick up a passport
Upon entering Epcot, be sure to pick up a festival passport before you do anything else. (You can find these in dedicated stands that just have a bunch of passports in them.) These booklets include all the festival booths along with lists of all the food and drinks available at each one.
Back in the day, each country would actually stamp your passport and it was such a ridiculous thrill. Then they moved onto stickers to make things a little faster. And then I guess they got cheap and eliminated all that altogether. Now, you simply check off what you ate and drank. (Or what you want to eat and drink. You do you.)
Regardless, these little books are super helpful for finding what you want and/or remembering what you had. And, the countries/booths are in the order they are physically in the park so you have a better idea of where to go. (Don’t forget to bring a pen!)
2. Wear matching shirts
You’ll see everyone at Epcot wearing hilarious t-shirts they either designed themselves or bought for the festival. Whole groups wear them; couples wear them; everyone wears them. (OK, not everyone; this isn’t a hard and fast rule or anything.) Half the fun of the festival is reading everyone’s hilarious shirts that are mostly dedicated to getting drunk in one way or another.
Most t-shirt companies require a bulk order to design your own, but some places—like Zazzle—have no minimums! You can make your own shirt for yourself, or for just you and a friend, or your whole group. Etsy is another great place to find creative Epcot Food and Wine t-shirt designs.
Start designing your custom tees at Zazzle here.
3. Don’t go on a weekend
I know our vacation time here in the US is extremely limited. But, if there’s a chance at all you can attend this festival on a weekday rather than a weekend, you’ll fare much better. I know this seems like an obvious “tip,” but some people think this might not matter at a place like Disney World where everyone seems to be on vacation anyway.
Truth is, Disney World is still very much a local affair. You’ll definitely notice bigger crowds on the weekends which means you’ll spend most of your time waiting in long lines. Overall, it will be a much less enjoyable experience.
Also read: The 29+ Best Things to Do in Orlando Besides Theme Parks (for Adults)
4. Take advantage of the concerts
A big part of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival are the Eat to the Beat concerts. These shows happen every day during the festival and a few times throughout the day. They feature artists you’ve definitely heard of—most of them from the 80s and 90s.
These concerts are free to attend and can be really fun. Some people even attend just for them! (Ahem, Hanson fans.) Check out the full Eat to the Beat concert schedule here.
Epcot Food and Wine Festival tips for eating & drinking
Just a few things you need to know to prepare for a day stuffing your face.
5. Watch out for the ibis
Though not the official state bird of Florida (the mockingbird? Really?), the ibis really should be. You’ll see these small white birds with long skinny bills all over Epcot.
They mostly mind their own business (they’re not aggressive like sea gulls or anything) but they will sneak up behind you to try to steal a bite if you’re not careful. I once saw one carry away 50% of a fish and chips platter while the owner was taking a picture of it.
6. Make a plan beforehand
The sad thing about the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is that there is so much great stuff to try. Yes, this is a problem! Because, despite how big your wallet is, your stomach is only so big. Even though you might want to try everything, the sad reality is that you’ll have to prioritize.
The good thing is that you don’t have to wait until you get here to see what’s on offer. You can browse the menus of all the current festival kiosks ahead of time. Go through these and make note of the stuff you really want to try. That way, you’ll know exactly where to go and what you can skip when you get here.
Take a look at the current Epcot Food and Wine menus here.
7. It’s perfectly acceptable to eat your food on top of a trash can
On really busy festival days, space to eat your food may be limited. The tables they provide are small and seating is just generally minimal. It’s become a sort of Epcot Food and Wine rite of passage to use the brown trash cans as a table from which to eat. Maybe this doesn’t sound too appetizing, but, meh, you’ll get over it. The alcohol will help.
But because this is *Disney*, these trash cans are kept pretty clean. They don’t smell; they’re not covered in goo or bugs. Really, this is a perfectly acceptable thing to do. There’s even a whole line of apparel based on this phenomenon. Check out these hilarious shirts:
- “Fine Dining” featuring an Epcot trash can as a table
- “Epcot’s Annual Food & Trash Can Festival”
- “Be Our Guest, A Dinner Here Is Never Second Best”
- “Trash Can Table Time”
- “Table for 2”
You can even buy Epcot trash can salt/pepper shakers, a tablecloth to use with Disney’s trash cans, and little Epcot trash cans for your work desk.
8. Join the Disney Day Drinkers Club on FB
This FB group is all you need when it comes to drinking at Disney World. It has over 114,000 members and focuses on all things alcohol-related at all the Disney parks, restaurants, resorts, and beyond. You’ll be able to get the lowdown on the best bars, the best drinks, the best bartenders, the best deals, and sooooo much more. When you need Epcot drinking tips, this is the club to join.
Check out Disney Day Drinkers Club here.
9. Bring the right supplies
Keep in mind this is a food and alcohol festival. That will mean different things to different people, so just remember to bring the supplies you think you’ll need for a full day of eating and drinking in excess. (And don’t be a hero.) That could mean:
- Pepto Bismol
- Tums
- Imodium
- Ibuprofen or Tylenol
- Phazyme or Gas-x
For some that will also mean bringing an Epi-pen and/or Benadryl. You’ll know what you need to bring.
10. Have a drink at Space 220
Space 220 is a space-themed restaurant that opened at Epcot in 2021. But because this is more of a total experience than it is a restaurant, reservations have been notoriously impossible to get. However! You can visit the bar for a drink without a reservation. (Besides, the food is basic and way overpriced anyway and there’s better stuff to eat outside in the festival. As if you’d even be hungry at this point.)
The drinks at the Space 220 bar are delicious, the service is fantastic, and the views are—dare I say it—out of this world. A little Epcot birdie told us that if you head over to Space 220 just before the fireworks show begins, you’re pretty much guaranteed to get in without a wait. And that birdie was right!
Head to the host desk outside the entrance to the restaurant. Let the person know you’re simply looking to have a drink at the bar and they’ll do their best to make sure you get in.
11. Know where to get the big beers
Personally, I love the small beers I can get at the Food and Wine kiosks, but some visitors just want a whole beer. Most of the kiosks won’t have them, but you can get full sized beers at each of the country’s quick-service restaurants and food stands. Start with these:
- UK – Inside the Rose & Crown
- Norway – From the cart next to the church
- Canada – From the cart near the entrance
- Germany – At any of the carts in and around the pavilion
- Japan – You can get a frozen beer!
- America – At the Regal Eagle Smokehouse
These are just a few examples to show you the kinds of places you need to look for.
Or maybe you’d like to just take a beer bath? Check out my post here on Orlando’s beer spa!
12. Let them know about your food allergies
If there’s something on the menu you’d like to try but have questions about, DO NOT HESITATE to ask about allergens. Each kiosk has a thick book of what goes into each item and they won’t hesitate at all to get you the answers you need.
And if they can’t answer it, the will instantly call the chef to get the info. Perhaps the chef will even come over to the tent to talk to you directly. All fun things I’ve done at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival.
Depending on the item, there’s a chance they may already have allergy-friendly versions made. They may also be able to make you an allergy-free version on the spot. Like my passion fruit cheesecake from Hawaii pictured below.
Again, if you have serious food allergies, please remember to bring your Epi-pens and whatever else you need. Ultimately, you’re the only one responsible for you. (When in doubt, just don’t eat it.)
Money-Saving Epcot Food and Wine Festival Tips
The Epcot Food and Wine Festival is likely going to be the most expensive day of your year. Definitely prepare for this (mentally and financially), but also keep the following tips in mind.
13. Take advantage of the Chase discounts
If you have one of the Disney Visa credit or debit cards from Chase, don’t forget that you get special discounts at Disney parks, including Epcot. They’re not much, but every little bit helps! Besides getting a cool card design (mine is Darth Vader), you can also get:
- 10% off at certain Epcot restaurants like Germany’s Biergarten, Canada’s Le Cellier Steakhouse, UK’s Rose & Crown Dining Room, and more
- 10% off at Disney World gift shops
- 20% off at Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co.
- And many more
You can find more info about the Chase Disney credit card here, or you can open a checking account here but be sure to choose one of the Disney designs. (It comes with a big bonus!)
14. Don’t be afraid to share
Even though the Epcot Food and Wine Festival serves “sample-sized” portions, some of them can be very big; big enough to be considered a meal by yours truly. But you want to sample as many things as possible!
If that’s the case, consider getting just one of an item for you and your significant other, or you and your group so that everyone can try it without having to waste any of it and without it taking up too much space in your stomach.
It’s great that you’re actually getting your money’s worth here, but sometimes the items are just too big, especially when there are so many things you want to try. Honestly, I wouldn’t even be opposed to splitting an item with someone else in line near me. Don’t be afraid to ask around; someone else may be in the same boat as you!
15. Bring a water bottle
All that sun and alcohol means you’re going to need lots of water throughout the day. You can pay what is surely an exorbitant amount for Dasani bottles every time you need one. Or, just bring your own refillable bottle to refill throughout the day.
If you don’t want to bring your own, go ahead and buy one of the Dasani bottles and just refill it throughout the day.
Water bottle refill stations
Near the entrance / before you enter the World Showcase, there are several water bottle refill stations. You can find them using the My Disney Experience app. Go to the map, do a search for “water,” and then click on “water bottle refill stations.”
There’s also a water bottle refill station at the International Gateway entrance (near the restrooms).
Inside the World Showcase
You won’t be able to get free water at the Food and Wine kiosks, but you can at several other locations around the park. For example, you can fill up at:
- Refreshment Outpost / Refreshment Port – Just ask for a cup of water
- Most of the quick service restaurants within the World Showcase (just not the kiosks) – Such as Spice Road Table in Morocco, Sommerfest in Germany, La Cantina de San Angel in Mexico, etc.
- All Joffrey’s locations
Pro tip: Bring an insulated water bottle to keep the water cold in the Florida heat. I love my Hydroflask for just this reason! It keeps my water cold forever.
Misc. Epcot Food and Wine Pro Tips
Here are a few more random but clutch Epcot Food and Wine Festival tips for you.
16. Enter Epcot through the back
Did you know Epcot actually has two entrances? There’s the main one, near the big ball, where the parking lot is and where all the shuttle buses drop you off. But there’s also a smaller one in the back that anyone can use.
Most of the people who use this entrance are staying at one of the nearby resorts like the Swan/Dolphin, the Beach Club, the Yacht Club, the Boardwalk, etc. But anyone can start their Epcot Food and Wine Festival experience here!
Take the shuttle to the Boardwalk
If you’re not staying at one of these resorts but are staying at a Disney resort, all you have to do is take the Disney Shuttle to the “Boardwalk” instead of to “Epcot.” The Boardwalk area has restaurants and more which makes it a destination of its own, meaning there are shuttles to take you there. Take the shuttle to the Boardwalk and simply walk over to the back entrance of Epcot.
Pro tip: And even if you aren’t a resort guest, you can still have your Uber drop you off at the Boardwalk instead of the Epcot entrance. This will save you so much time and headache.
Take the Skyliner to Epcot
You can also enter this way by taking the new Skyliner which drops you off right at the back entrance. You can get to Epcot via the Skyliner from:
- Art of Animation Resort
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Caribbean Beach Resort
- Pop Century Resort
By entering through the back you avoid the heavy crowds at the entrance. The back entrance puts you right between France and the UK so you can get your eating and drinking started immediately. (And with far fewer people!) There’s even a water bottle refill station, restrooms, and a gift shop right here.
17. Stay at a Disney resort
Staying at a Disney resort awards you many perks when it comes to attending the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. The biggest and most important of those is the free shuttle system.
After a long day of boozing it up, you neither want to take an expensive Uber nor have to drive yourself back to your hotel. Instead, you’ll be able to take the free (air conditioned) Disney shuttle system that runs all day and night.
Another perk is that, as a resort guest, you get to enter Epcot half an hour before everyone else. Even though the food and wine kiosks aren’t open that early, you can still get some rides in, take some photos, do some shopping and exploring, and more.
Pro tip: Disney resorts can be seriously expensive, but there is a budget option. Check out one of the All-Star Resorts (Movies/Music/Sports). These resorts are huge and, even though the rooms are basic, they have everything you need for an awesome (and more affordable) stay.
They have restaurants and bars, huge pool areas, great service, gift shops, etc. And even though you’re only paying a fraction of the cost of the other resorts, you still get all the Disney resort guest benefits.
18. Don’t try to stick to a budget
I know I just gave you money-saving tips, but the big thing to remember here is that this is going to be an expensive day no matter what. (Those tips are more about avoiding spending unnecessarily anyway.) “Disney” and “budget” do not belong in the same thought bubble.
Accept this, get past it, and just have a blast without the worry. It would be crazy to spend the money to fly here, stay at a resort here, and enter the parks here, and then skimp on something you’d like to try to save a few bucks. I just paid $164 for a 1-day ticket to Epcot—I’m beyond any hope of “sticking to a budget” at this point.
I’ve literally seen people pulling snacks out of their bags to eat while here. This is perhaps the craziest thing I’ve seen at Disney World. Bringing snacks to a food festival you paid a thousand dollars to get into? Just face it now—you’re going to spend loads of money here. This is the happiest place on Earth and there’s no room for anxiety, regret, or panic.
19. Take a break in the secret lounge
There’s a secret (air conditioned) lounge at Epcot where you can take a break from the hot sun, shelter from the rain, and get free coffee, water, tea, and other drinks. There’s also an arts and crafts area where you can make stuff!
This secret lounge is found in Morocco, in the space that used to be Restaurant Marrakech. It’s called the Florida Blue Medicare Lounge and you don’t need to be a customer of theirs to enter. This lounge is open to EVERYONE (over 18). All you have to do is “register.”
To gain access to this lounge, fill out this form on the Florida Blue website with your basic information. You know how it goes—the lounge is free, as long as you provide your email address, etc. But a place to sit? In the air conditioning? With free coffee? You can have all the email addresses you want. (Besides, I registered a year ago and have yet to receive any kind of communication from them.)
The lounge is open every day from 12-6pm for the duration of the Food and Wine Festival.
20. Know the other best places to cool down
Most of Epcot is outdoors, but there are tons of places inside where the AC is approaching sub-Arctic temperatures and other ways to cool down. Besides the secret Florida Blue lounge I mentioned above, you can also take refuge from the sun, heat, and humidity at these places:
- The Odyssey – This multi-use space changes themes every year. Sometimes there’s a DJ, sometimes there’s some Muppet stuff going on. Either way, there are always plenty of tables, chairs, and air conditioning.
- Living with the Land Pavilion – Multi-level rest and dining space
- Spaceship Earth – The ride inside the Epcot “ball” is slow, dark, cool, and quiet (except for the music and narration). It’s the perfect place for 10-15 minute nap!
- American Adventure show – 30 minutes, air conditioned, have at it
- Take a ride on the Three Amigos boat inside Mexico for a short but cool break
Grab a frozen drink
There are also tons of frozen drinks available at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Swap out your wine for one of these most popular options for a brief cool-down:
- Japan – Frozen beer (Kirin Ichiban with frozen beer foam on top and it’s refreshing as hell.)
- The Alps – Frozen rosé
- Brazil – Frozen Caipirinha
- France – Frozen cosmopolitan
- Refreshment Outpost / Refreshment Port – Frozen Coke (your run-of-the-mill non-alcoholic Coke slushie) and Dole Whip
20. Use the gift card to pay
Paying for the small food and drink items from the many Food and Wine kiosks with your credit card is quickly going to annoy you, the people in line behind you, and your credit card company. If you want to save time and just overall make keeping your finances straight much easier, pick up a Disney gift card when you arrive.
These small gift cards come with a bracelet to keep it readily accessible. You can get these at any of the gift shops around Epcot. Instead of making 25 $4.00 purchases throughout the day, just pick one of these up when you arrive and put $100 on it. Then, when you get an item from one of the kiosks, they will just scan your bracelet and that will be that. So much time saved!
You can add more money to the card at any point, at any of the gift shops. Remember, Disney wants to make it as easy as possible for you to spend money, lol.
Pro tip: When you get the card, scratch off the silver strip on the back and take a picture of the card number. If you should lose your card at some point, one of the cast members told me they can retrieve the info from it using that number to set you up with a new card. This has actually happened to me once. Luckily, I found it later in my shirt sleeve.
21. Know where to find the best bathrooms
Look, when you gotta go, you gotta go. And that’s fine. But if you have a little more warning, know that some restrooms at Epcot are better than others. This is largely a matter of opinion, so I’ll just go ahead and give you mine.
- Best overall: World Showplace – but they’re almost never open, which is why, when they are, they’re always empty.
- Runner up: American Adventure – big, cold, and relatively empty at any given time
- Prettiest bathroom: Norway
- Busiest: Germany – Not super big, and in a crowded area so always busy
However, there’s an entire Reddit thread dedicated to Epcot’s best bathrooms. Click that link if you’d like more personal opinions on this topic.
More info for your trip to Epcot
- Hotels: Head to Booking.com for your best options. (But Expedia and Hotels.com usually have good deals too.) Or head to VRBO for the best rental properties.
- Rental cars: Check out the best Orlando rental car deals here.
- Travel planning: Pick up a Florida guidebook and this must-have USA customs and culture guide if you’re coming from afar.
- Tours & activities: Check out all the great local tour options here on Viator and Get Your Guide.
- Want more? See all my Florida content here.
Like this post? Have questions about attending the Epcot Food and Wine Festival? Let me know in the comments below! Have fun at Disney!
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