This past week, I took a quick 3-day trip to Orlando, Florida, where I spent an unforgettable day at Epcot, soaking in the excitement of the 2024 International Food & Wine Festival. As an adult, visiting Disney felt entirely different than it did in my childhood, and in the best way possible! Instead of solely rushing to ride every attraction, this trip was all about eating incredible food, exploring new flavors, and, yes, still making time for those iconic rides, which were insanely cool! It was the perfect mix of indulging in the vibrant atmosphere, sampling amazing dishes, and enjoying Disney’s thrilling attractions, all while sharing quality time with family. If you’ve never been to Epcot as an adult, especially during one of its seasonal festivals, I highly recommend it. It’s a foodie’s dream and the perfect excuse for a grown-up Disney getaway.
For those unfamiliar, Epcot hosts four different festivals throughout the year, each with its own theme focused on the arts, flowers and gardening, food and wine, and holiday celebrations.
1. Festival of the Arts: January 12–February 19, 2024
2. Flower and Garden Festival: February 28–May 27, 2024
3. Food and Wine Festival: August 29–November 23, 2024
4. Festival of the Holidays: November 29–December 30, 2024
As a self-proclaimed foodie, the International Food & Wine Festival felt like a dream come true. Imagine strolling through the World Showcase, sampling dishes from different countries and marketplaces, sipping on frozen drinks, and enjoying live entertainment. From Australia to Belgium, we explored dishes from all over the world. I had the chance to share 12 different food items with my family, and let me clarify— yes, I did share! While I love to eat, even I couldn’t tackle this much deliciousness alone! Here’s a breakdown of the 12 delicious dishes we enjoyed:
Festival Favorites: Kielbasa and Potato Pierogies with Caramelized Onions and Sour Cream
Festival Favorites: BBQ Pork Rinds served with Pimento Cheese
Australia: Roasted Lamb Chop with Mint Pesto and Crushed Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips— $8.75
Spain: Spanish Charcuterie— Jamon, Manchego, and Pan Con Tomate— $6.50
Italy: Polpettine Toscane— Beef Meatballs with Rosemary Focaccia and Pomodoro Sauce— $8.50
Japan: Eel Temaki Sushi— Hand-held Sushi with Grilled Eel, Egg Crumbles, Cucumber, and Pickled Daikon Radish served with Eel Sauce
Greece: Griddled Cheese with Pistachios and Honey— $5.00
Belgium: Beer-braised Beef served with Smoked Gouda Mashed Potatoes— $6.25
France: Brioche aux Escargots— Escargot Brioche with Garlic and Parsley Cream— $7.95
Brazil: Feijoada— Black Beans with Pork Belly, Brazil Nut Pesto, and Long Grain White Rice— $6.50
Brazil’s feijoada stole our hearts (and taste buds) with its rich, savory flavor. The black beans were perfectly seasoned, and the tender pork belly melted in our mouths, while the Brazil nut pesto added a unique twist we hadn’t tasted before. It was the one dish we couldn’t stop talking about and our family favorite by far. If you try just one dish at the festival, make it this one— you won’t regret it!
Canada: Filet Mignon with Mushrooms, Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs Mashed Potatoes, and Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs Butter— $9.75
Forest and Field: Pumpkin Mascarpone Ravioli with Sage-Brown Butter, Pecorino Cheese, and Hazelnut Praline— $5.25
Each dish we sampled was priced about $10 or less, making it easy to try a variety of foods without breaking the bank. And let me tell you, while I certainly have a big appetite, tackling all of this on my own would have been impossible (and likely resulted in needing a nap on a park bench). Sharing with family made the experience even more fun and allowed us to taste a wider variety of flavors. So, take my advice— go with friends or family, and split the dishes so you can try more without feeling too stuffed!
After enjoying these 12 incredible dishes, we were tempted to try even more from the various global marketplaces. Each country had unique and mouth-watering options, but by the time we finished our 12th dish, we were simply too full to keep going! Trust me, it wasn’t for lack of interest; there were so many delicious options left on our list. If you didn’t see your favorite country represented here, know that it wasn’t a deliberate choice but rather a matter of our stomachs waving the white flag. This just gives us another reason to go back and explore even more flavors next time!
The International Food & Wine Festival was more than just a day of amazing flavors and thrilling attractions— it was a reminder that, as adults, we can still find magic and joy in unexpected places. This trip showed me that sometimes, it’s okay to slow down, savor each moment, and let ourselves enjoy life’s simple pleasures. If you’re dreaming of a getaway or simply need a reason to treat yourself, consider taking a trip to Epcot’s festival season. Go for the adventure, stay for the memories, and, most importantly, let yourself experience Disney in a new way— one delicious bite at a time. (Make sure to bring your appetite and some friends to share with!)
Life’s too short not to explore, indulge, and discover something new. Here’s to finding magic wherever you go!
Curious about what else is on the menu? You can view the entire Food & Wine Festival menu here and start planning your must-try list!
Sounds like a great trip!
So glad you enjoyed your trip. You are an amazing young woman. Keep it going ❤️
OOPS-responded but not sure it made it through.
Thanks for sharing your experience…had head of the festival.