From Mickey Pretzels to Wine Tastings: Navigating EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival with Kids

Welcome to the ultimate guide for experiencing the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival with kids! This renowned culinary event at Walt Disney World offers a unique opportunity for families to explore global cuisines, indulge in delectable treats, and enjoy a vibrant atmosphere filled with music and entertainment. In this article, we will provide you with valuable tips, family-friendly activities, and insights on how to make the most of your visit to the festival with children.

The EPCOT Food and Wine Festival is a celebration of global cuisine, with over 30 marketplaces offering a wide array of food and drink options. Guests can explore different flavors and culinary traditions from countries across the globe, all in one location. The festival first began in 1995 as a way to showcase EPCOT’s culinary offerings and has since grown in popularity, becoming an annual event that draws food enthusiasts from near and far. It has become a beloved tradition for many Disney fans and a highlight of the fall season.

Bringing your little ones to the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival can be a fun and memorable experience, with some strategic planning and a dash of patience.

Planning Ahead for a Family-Friendly Experience

Before heading to the festival, make sure to check out the map and plan which booths and activities you want to prioritize with your kids. Consider scheduling breaks and bringing snacks and water to keep everyone fueled and hydrated. I also like to look at the map of the festival ahead of time, you can often find one online and try to plan out which direction we are first going to start in, and which booths are most important for us to visit. As you’re planning, remember to include your kids and invite them to look at the map with you. Ask for their input and suggestions.

Navigating Crowds and Managing Expectations

The festival can get crowded, especially on weekends, so be prepared for lines and waits. Set realistic expectations with your kids about the experience and be flexible with your schedule. Remember, it’s okay to take a breather and enjoy the atmosphere. I try to be extra mindful when I attend any festival at EPCOT with kids, that most likely things won’t go the way you initially planned. And while I’m not a “go with the flow” person back home in the real world, I’ve learned to adapt that point of view when at an EPCOT festival.

I can’t stress enough how important it is to pace yourself and plan your visit strategically. Consider early mornings or late afternoons to beat the crowds and ensure a more relaxed experience for the whole family. At the end of the day, you know what’s best for your kids. Just remember to have that go with the flow attitude and you are golden.

Family-Friendly Activities at the Festival

While the festival is known for its gourmet offerings, there are plenty of family-friendly activities to keep kids entertained and engaged.

I strongly recommend Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit. Kids of all ages are invited to celebrate the Halloween season by joining a pumpkin hunt for a limited time during the festival. They’ll have so much fun searching for hidden decorative pumpkins based on popular Disney characters throughout EPCOT.

First, purchase a game board and stickers at select merchandise locations, including; Creations Shop, Port of Entry, and World Traveler. Next, be on the lookout for pumpkins as you travel through EPCOT. Once you’ve found a character pumpkin, place the corresponding sticker on your game board.

Once you’re done, you will return your game board to Disney Traders or World Traveler for a spooky surprise!

Another fun festival activity is Remy’s Ratatouille Hide and Squeak. Kids of all ages can search for Remy statuettes around the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. Simply purchase your map and stickers from select Festival merchandise locations, including; Creations Shop, Disney Traders, Festival merch kiosks, and World Traveler.

Your kids will scurry around EPCOT to find statuettes of Remy hidden throughout World Showcase and the Global Marketplaces. Match the stickers to each statuette’s location on your map and once you’re done, return to any of the shops listed above and you’ll receive a special festival keepsake.

Purchase a Special Festival Disney Gift Card

Not only is it great to go cash-free when you purchase a Disney Gift Card for use at the festival, but your kids will absolutely love having their own gift card. In the past, we’ve given our kids their own festival gift card with $20 on it to spend at any food kiosk where they would like to try the cuisine. We also encourage them to spend it on one new food item that they want to try, as well as something that is their favorite from years past.

Scan your mini festival gift card to pay for food, merchandise and more. These cards can be activated with as little as $15. Acceptable forms of payment include credit cards, cash and MagicBands.

You can find mini festival gift cards at any festival merchandise kiosk in EPCOT, as well as at the following locations; Creations Shop, Gateway Gifts, Port of Entry, and World Traveler at International Gateway.

Not only are the unique festival gift card designs super cute, your kids can also wear them around their wrists. It’s a win for them because they think it’s cool to wear it on their wrist and swipe it at the register. And it’s a huge win for parents as your kids can keep track of their own gift card and feel a sense of responsibility. You can rest assured that it’s very hard to lose a gift card when it’s tight around their wrist.

Another perk is, the Disney Gift Cards can be reloaded at any festival kiosk, as well as merchandise locations owned and operated by Disney, including those listed above. So, if you’d like to add money to their card, as we’ve also done in the past, it’s extremely easy to do just that.

Overall, giving them their own Disney gift card is an excellent way to get them involved in the festival, try new cuisine, and even come up with their own festival plan of action.

Entertainment and Performances Suitable for Families

From live music to street performers, the festival offers a range of entertainment options that are enjoyable for all ages. Take a break from eating and let your kids dance to the tunes or be mesmerized by the shows.

An absolute festival must-do is the Eat to the Beat Concert Series.

Eat to the Beat is a star-studded concert series where you’ll hear renowned bands, beloved singers and talented local acts at Eat to the Beat concerts—which take place:

Dates: Nightly from August 29 to November 18, 2024
Times: 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:00 PM
Location: America Gardens Theatre

The concerts are “free,” as they are included in your EPCOT theme park admission. For the full concert lineup, click here.

Are you ready to savor every moment at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival with your little ones? Remember, it’s not just about the food and drinks—it’s about creating lasting memories with your family. So, embrace the flavors, embrace the fun, and most importantly, embrace the joy of experiencing it all with your kids by your side. With careful planning, an open mind to new flavors, and a sense of adventure, you can turn your visit into an unforgettable experience for both you and your children.

For more info on the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, check out Disney’s website. Cheers to a wonderful family adventure at EPCOT!