7 mistakes to avoid making at Disney World's Epcot Food and Wine Festival

I took this photo at the 2021 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival.

Amanda Krause/Insider

• The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is being held this year between now and November 19.
• I visited in August 2021 and made plenty of mistakes as a first-time festival attendee.
• To avoid those mishaps, I'd recommend planning meals, spending your money wisely, and more.

I visited Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival for the first time in August 2021.

I took this selfie during the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in 2021.

Amanda Krause/Insider

I drove to Disney World from New Jersey, and fully expected to spend my vacation reporting, shopping, and going on my favorite rides.

But as I walked through the International Food and Wine Festival on the first day of my trip, I found myself wishing I could spend my entire vacation at Epcot. 

Of course, I didn't do precisely that, but I made numerous stops at the festival and many mistakes along the way. I also saw other parkgoers making some errors that I'd advise against.

Plan to spend at least two days at the festival if possible.

People wait to order from the Germany booth at the International Food and Wine Festival.

Amanda Krause/Insider

I'm a picky eater with a small appetite, so I assumed it'd be sufficient to spend one day at Epcot with a couple of hours dedicated to wandering the festival. But to my surprise, I was completely wrong.

Despite my limited palate, I wanted to try dishes and drinks at just about every booth. And even if I had spent an entire day at Epcot, I don't think I would've been able to get to everything.

So if you can, plan to spend two or more days at the festival.

Go with a group of people, and share everything.

My dad and I shared most of our meals at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival.

Amanda Krause/Insider

My dad accompanied me on my August 2021 Disney trip, and I assumed that between the two of us, we could share a ton of festival dishes.

We did, of course, but we also repeatedly wished the rest of our family had been able to join so that we could try even more food. 

The portion sizes are small at most booths, but there are so many options that you'll likely want to try numerous dishes. So to save some room in your stomach, attend the festival with a decent-sized group and split everything you order.

Read reviews and look at photos to make the best choices when ordering.

I loved this fried ravioli from the Italy booth, but I wasn't a fan of the sangria.

Amanda Krause/Insider

If you're an adventurous eater, you might be happy to try anything and everything at the festival. But if you're like me and more selective with your meals, you'll want to prepare before ordering.

I found the on-site menus to be really descriptive and helpful, especially when choosing international dishes I wasn't familiar with. I also looked at the Disney Food Blog's reviews and photos while waiting in line to ensure I ordered the best things for my tastes.

I enjoyed almost everything I ate and drank, but there were a few flops — like the sangria I ordered from the Italy booth, which was served to me warm — so I'd recommend doing at least a little research before ordering.

Start your day at the festival on the Mexico side of the theme park.

The Mexico pavilion at Epcot in Disney World.

Amanda Krause/Insider

I usually start my Epcot visits at the Mexico pavilion, even when I'm just there to go on rides and enjoy the theme park. But to my surprise, I found this strategy to be especially helpful during the festival.

While ordering a margarita and taco, I heard a group of parkgoers talking about how full they felt after visiting the other side of the park — where food booths representing Canada, Ireland, and other countries are located.

Some of the food tends to be a bit heavier at those booths, so I'd suggest starting light and working your way up to the bigger dishes.

Get to Epcot early, and make the most of the event.

There are countless dishes and drinks to try at the annual festival.

Amanda Krause/Insider

There's more to the International Food and Wine festival than drinks and snacks. I visited an exclusive art exhibit during my trip and shopped for festival-themed merchandise.

I also saw parkgoers participating in food crawls and watching musical performances — two things I wish I would have looked into. 

And that's not to mention the fact that the longer you're there, the more you can eat and drink.

Don't spend your money on bottles of water.

I purchased this margarita from the Mexico pavilion at Epcot in August 2021.

Amanda Krause/Insider

You'll definitely need to hydrate while at the festival, so don't skip water completely. But instead of paying high prices for plastic bottles, bring your own and refill them throughout the day with free water cups, which are offered at many Disney food kiosks.

And with the money you'll save on water, you can purchase some of the unique drinks offered at the festival.

I'd also advise against stopping at the Starbucks in Epcot.

Spaceship Earth at Epcot in August 2021.

Amanda Krause/Insider

While visiting a cluster of festival-exclusive food booths last year, I noticed a huge line of people waiting to purchase Starbucks at Epcot.

I definitely understand the need for caffeine, but with so many unique food and drink options around us, I couldn't fathom spending $6 or more on a beverage I could get at home.

So if you can skip a cup of coffee or two, I'd recommend spending that money on something more worth your while.

Read the original article on Insider

7 mistakes to avoid making at Disney World's Epcot Food and Wine Festival
Source: Kalayaan News

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