The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is in full swing at Walt Disney World, continuing through Nov. 23. And with relatively cooler weather coming in, now is the time to start planning your visit.
There are some changes this year that you should know about. First, there is no Festival Center because the building that usually houses it is being renovated, or, as they prefer to say, currently being reimagined.
So seminars and tastings that would normally take place there are at the World Showplace this year. Merchandise that was sold in the Festival Center can be found throughout the park.
Finding other things throughout the park might be a little difficult because this year there is no map of the various food marketplaces. Instead, the guidebook simply says what a kiosk is near, such as Future World West for the Cheese Studio and Norway for the Alps, because it would be silly to put the Alps next to Mexico.
As for what’s new to eat and drink, I spoke to members of the festivals food and beverage team at a media preview, so I’ll let them tell you about it in the video below.
I liked the vegan dish from Africa, the spicing was forward and the portion was ample.
The striped bass tostada from Coastal Eats was good, too.
But I didn’t care much for the Impossible Cottage Pie, it just didn’t taste like much.
And while some people always have to have the Cheddar Cheese soup from Canada, I never leave the festival without the escargots from France. This year they’re baked in a croissant and just as delicious as always.
As always, I recommend that you make one complete loop around the World Showcase and scope out the various food and beverage options, then make your stops on the second loop. Ultimately, you’ll save yourself money – and the exercise will be good for you.