What You Need to Know About The EPCOT Food & Wine Festival (So Far)

The EPCOT Food and Wine Festival is rapidly approaching. The event begins on July 15, just a few days after the end of the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival (which officially ends on July 5.) And this year, the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival will last an incredible 129 days! (Woah!) It will officially run through November 20. This year’s event will include lots of great new flavors (including a number of new marketplaces), live entertainment, family events, and so much more! Here’s what you can expect to experience.

Oh and this year, there is a brand new sponsor, CORKCICLE. But more on that in a minute.

Of course, I mentioned that there would be a number of marketplaces, including new options, for this year’s event. Of course, fan-favorites like Hawai’i, Australia, Germany, Canada and Greece will be returning. New options will include Brew-Wing at the Epcot Experience, Kenya, and The Noodle Exchange. Now, since this event will last for a VERY long time, not all marketplaces will be available on opening day. Instead, a number of options will open on October 1. (Why does that date sound familiar? Oh yeah….it’s only the kick off for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary – and the opening date of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.)

Here’s the full list of Marketplaces. When the festival first opens, there will be 23 marketplaces, but by the end of the festival, Guests will be able to experience 32 different options. We’ll share the official menus once they are released.

• The Alps – Opening October 1
  Alpine cuisine, like warm Raclette Swiss cheese served with a baguette.
• Australia
  Sample popular Australian dishes.
• Appleseed Orchard
  Delicious apple creations paired with ciders and beers.
• Belgium – Opening October 1
  Enjoy fluffy, sweet Belgian waffles or a savory beer-braised beef dish
• Brazil – Opening October 1
  South American cuisine and culture
• Brew-Wing at the Epcot Experience – NEW!
  Picks like chicken wings and flatbreads, plus assorted beers and ciders.
• Canada
  Delightful dishes, lagers and wines from the Great White North.
• China
  Popular Chinese plates, mango bubble milk tea, draft beer and cocktails.
• The Donut Box
  An assortment of donuts, as well as refreshing beverages.
• Earth Eats hosted by Impossible
  Hearty plant-based fare featuring Impossible foods, as well as wine, chai tea or a chai tea cocktail.
• Flavors from Fire hosted by The NFL on ESPN
  Hearty dishes that are sure to tackle the toughest appetite.
• France
  Classic cuisine of France, along with assorted wines or a slushy cocktail.
• Germany
  Bavarian bites for foodies of all ages
• Greece
  Savor traditional Greek dishes like spanakopita and lamb moussaka.
• Hawaiʻi
  Traverse the Pacific for tropical flavors and island favorites both savory and sweet.
• Hops & Barley
  Stay stateside for all-American craft beer, wines and the hottest tastes from coast-to-coast.
• India – Opening October 1
  Spice up your life with bold Indian cuisine, like Madras red curry and Korma chicken.
• Ireland – Opening October 1
  Enjoy favorites from the Emerald Isle, like Irish sausage and seafood pie—which pair wonderfully with Irish ale and mead honey wine.
• Italy
  Savor the simple elegance of cucina italiana, with some of the world’s best-loved food and wine.
• Japan
  Delight your appetite with sushi and other delish dishes, as well as libations from the Land of the Rising Sun.
• Kenya – NEW! Opening October 1
  Set off on a safari of flavor as you enjoy traditional Kenyan food and beer.
• Lobster Landing – NEW! Opening October 1
  Get a taste of New England as you indulge in luscious lobster creations.
• Mac & Eats – NEW! Opening October 1
  Discover macaroni-and-cheese combos your mom never imagined!
• Mexico
  Take your taste buds south of the border as you enjoy chilaquiles, tacos, Mexican craft beer and margaritas.
• The Noodle Exchange – NEW!
  Savor the flavors of the Far East served up in delicious noodle dishes.
• Refreshment Outpost
  Nibble like there’s no tomorrow—stop by for satisfying snacks and beverages to go.
• Refreshment Port hosted by Boursin Cheese
  Satisfy your craving for comfort foods—like chicken nuggets, poutine and soft-serve ice cream.
• Rotunda Bistro – NEW!
  Nosh on tasty cuisine featuring fresh seafood and produce in the American Adventure Pavilion.
• Shimmering Sips hosted by CORKCICLE
  Get the brunch party started! Sample sweet treats and mimosas mixed with the perfect twist.
• Spain – Opening October 1
  Feast on flavorful Spanish foods—like paella, seafood salad and charcuterie—along with beer and wine.
• The Swanky Saucy Swine – NEW!
  Try out tantalizing pork dishes along with wine, beer or a cocktail.
• Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina – NEW!
  Treat your senses to traditional Moroccan cuisine, like grilled kebabs and a falafel pita.

As mentioned, this year’s festival will be sponsored by CORKCICLE. And because of that, there will be a really unique souvenir you can pick up. Those who visit the Shimmering Sips Global Marketplace and four other locations during the event, will find several sparkling beverage options available for purchase in an exclusive keepsake CORKCICLE premium beverage container.

Unfortunately, the Eat to the Beat Concert Series won’t be returning again for this season, but Guests will still be able to enjoy great entertainment. There will be performances by Voices of Liberty (America Gardens Theatre), Mariachi Cobre (America Gardens Theatre) and Jammin’ Chefs (Canada Mill Stage). The festival will also open with America Gardens Bandstand presented by Florida Blue Medicare. This will be a live-music concert series performed Friday through Monday evenings. Local bands from across Central Florida will take to the America Gardens Theatre stage, playing popular songs.

For families, you’ll want to take part in Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak. This  scavenger hunt will send Guests all around the festival searching for hidden statues of Remy throughout World Showcase. Simply purchase your map and stickers from select Festival merchandise locations – Port of Entry, Mouse Gear, Pin Central, or World Traveler (located at International Gateway).

Once you’ve found them all, bring your completed map to Disney Traders—located at the entrance to World Showcase—and choose a surprise, compliments of Chef Remy!

Another way for families to have fun is by participating in Emile’s Fromage Montage. Enjoy new ways to experience cheese when you purchase five participating dishes from select Global Marketplaces. If you collect five stamps, you can head to Shimmering Sips for a prize!

Of course, merchandise will be available for you to bring home that has been created specifically for this year’s event. Items will include apparel, home décor, trading pins and more. Collections will include EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Logo Collection, Belle Be Our Guest Collection, Remy Shake Things Up Collection, Apple Orchard Collection, and Figment Passholder Collection.

The EPCOT Food and Wine Festival is available for all Guests to experience with valid theme park admission and a park reservation for the same date.