The weather's perfect now for heading over to the annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. This year, it runs until November 15. If you've never gone, the event features tasty international cuisine and beverages from all over the globe set up at "Marketplaces" around the park's World Showcase. It's a unique experience, definitely one of the coolest things to do in Central Florida this time of year, and there's so much great stuff to try!
But as you might know, Epcot, like any theme park, is pretty big, tiring, and overwhelming if you're trying to cram too much in. And the Food and Wine Festival has way more than you can get to in one visit (go at least twice if you can!). So, wear comfy shoes and use these tips to help you get the most out of the foodie festivities.
Plan a Safe End to the Experience.
Yes, it's all about the fun... but in this case, that means safety first! There's lots of booze at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, so you need to know ahead of time how you'll safely get home. If you can round up a designated driver, great; otherwise, plan on an alternate form of transportation. Or, make a mini vacation out of it and stay at one of the Disney resorts or hotels, which means free transportation from the park to where you're staying.
Use the Event Map.
Go here for a printable map of the all the different Marketplaces. Figure out which ones you absolutely must get to, mark them down, and plan an efficient route. Fortunately, the World Showcase is a big circle, so it's easy to go along hitting all your desired stops. It also doesn't hurt to note a few stores or other indoor (read: air-conditioned) spots of interest to stop in along the way.
Plan and Pace.
Use your mapped-out plan to ensure you get to every Marketplace you want to sample. Take your time, as trying to rush and worrying about missing things takes a lot of the fun out of the experience. Use your map to note other places you see along the way that catch your eye. If there's time at the end, go back, or make these your first stops if you return for a second visit.
Reserve Your Seats.
Along with all the stuff to eat and drink, the festival includes all sorts of special events, from tastings to pairing seminars to celebrity chef appearances and more. Don't count on strolling up right before the event-tickets sell out fast. Go to the event website and book in advance for events you really want to do during your trip.
Pick Up a Disney Gift Card.
It works just like any other gift card or debit card, and it's good at all the Marketplaces and regular Epcot stores and restaurants. Load up ahead of time; it makes paying along the way simple and convenient, and you don't have to worry about using (or losing) your cash or credit card.
Food and Water Are Your Friends.
Remember: it's a food and wine festival. Eating helps keep the alcohol from hitting you too hard too fast. And it's important to stay hydrated (it's still pretty hot here during the day, and you'll be in direct sunlight part of the time). Drink plenty of water between other drinks to prevent dehydration and to minimize the misery in the morning.
Do It Family Style...As in sharing.
It's not cheap to get into Epcot, and while park admission is all you pay to access the International Food and Wine Festival, you then have to shell out for all the food and wine. If you bring along a few friends or family members, you can split food and drink costs and all take small tastes. This saves considerable money, and also considerable belly space so you can sample much more.
