Our final information to the 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant supplies occasion dates & particulars, suggestions & information, sales space lineup, snack & dessert critiques, leisure particulars, issues to do for youths, and every thing else it’s worthwhile to learn about Walt Disney World’s foodie occasion. (Up to date Could 17, 2024.)
Let’s begin with the fundamentals. The 2024 EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Pageant will start on August 29, 2024 and run via November 23, 2024 for a grand whole of 87 days. It’s beginning over a full month later than final 12 months’s occasion, which started on July 27 and ran for 115 days. That occasion was 2 weeks shorter than the earlier 12 months, for what it’s value. The tip date is later, however that’s because of the timing of Thanksgiving.
The opposite huge unanswered query is whether or not the 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant will probably be fully again to regular, with its full slate of seminars, particular dinners, superstar chef panels, and varied enhancements. These have been absent for the previous few years for a wide range of completely different causes, however there’s a very good probability they’ll all (or principally) return this 12 months. If you wish to be notified about 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant official particulars, dates, or anything, join our FREE Walt Disney World e mail publication.
After all, the most important growth for the 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant is the opening of CommuniCore Corridor within the coronary heart of World Celebration. This may lastly be open for this 12 months’s occasion, which means that there will probably be a correct ‘pageant heart’ for the primary time in 5 years!
Walt Disney World has shared that after the EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Pageant begins, CommuniCore Corridor will add thrilling recent components to the pageant. We’re hopeful this implies a return of some (or all!) of the above choices. As defined in EPCOT’s Meals & Wine Pageant Is Stale. Right here’s What We Need Disney to Change in 2024, the occasion actually wants a shot within the arm. That is presupposed to be EPCOT’s flagship pageant, however has grow to be the weakest occasion of the 12 months with the least substance.
Turning again to dates, we’re not utterly stunned to see the 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant shortened considerably. In actual fact, we predicted precisely this. Nonetheless, the choice to delay the beginning till the top of August 2024 reasonably than beginning in July like all different years since 2020 is fascinating. What does shock us is that Walt Disney World didn’t add a summer time pageant in between Flower & Backyard and Meals & Wine, however that’s past the scope of this information.
Our suspicion is that Walt Disney World has knowledge indicating that friends get “pageant fatigue” and there are diminishing returns from working the identical occasion for a number of months. Principally, that it wore out its welcome, and there wasn’t worth in beginning the pageant within the late summer time. That’s actually they solely motive they might’ve shortened it.
In any case, it is a return to pre-closure regular. The 2019 Meals & Wine Pageant additionally started on August 29 and that was the longest (on the time) occasion ever. It wasn’t till 2017 that the EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant was first prolonged into August. Previous to that, it had usually began in mid-to-late September and ended earlier. Going again a full decade, the occasion ran from September 27 till November 11, 2013.
So the 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant continues to be lengthy by historic requirements. It’s simply over a month shorter than final 12 months’s occasion, and 40+ days shorter than the 2020-2022 festivals. As with many issues at Walt Disney World, it seems that the EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant is lastly returning to 2019 regular. Let’s hope that additionally contains bringing again seminars, demos, meals with superstar cooks, and different occasions that elevated EPCOT’s Meals & Wine Pageant previously!
Despite the fact that Walt Disney World has but to launch the complete particulars of the 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant, we already know roughly 80% or extra of what it’ll entail. That’s really a decrease quantity than ordinary–it’s normally 95% the identical from 12 months to 12 months, however with CommuniCore Corridor opening in 2024, we’re anticipating lots of adjustments.
Though the occasion is rarely 100% the identical from year-to-year, it follows a well-recognized system with vital annual overlap. A lot of the meals cubicles and menu objects are at the least 75% the identical year-to-year, as is nearly every thing else concerning the occasion.
As famous above, the large exception to that’s the culinary seminars, demonstrations, meals with superstar cooks, and different particular occasions. These have been on hiatus since 2019, however we’re guessing that they lastly return to the 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant now that the CommuniCore Corridor occasions area will probably be open.
Nevertheless, it was actually considerably of a shock that final 12 months’s Meals & Wine Pageant didn’t convey again these components. It looks like a no brainer, as all of those particular occasions are costly and generate lots of income. If Disney opts in opposition to them, it’ll virtually actually be attributable to inadequate staffing (the bane of Walt Disney World’s efforts to reduce operations and resume full normalcy proper now).
We’ll preserve you posted concerning the standing of the Occasion for the Senses, superstar chef meals and demonstrations, beverage and cheese seminars, and different occasions if/when Walt Disney World pronounces them. For now, right here’s what it’s worthwhile to know concerning the 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant!
There’s a motive EPCOT’s Meals & Wine Pageant is beloved amongst many Walt Disney World guests. October and November are usually the busiest time of the 12 months on the park, and this occasion is well-liked primarily as a result of it permits friends the chance to eat and drink their method across the World Showcase and components of Future World, attempting new and ingenious delicacies alongside the way in which.
Though it may be an costly occasion, we’ve discovered methods to get extra bang for our buck, and have enjoyable eating at EPCOT earlier than the fireworks. This complete information to the 2024 EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Pageant will cowl every thing it’s worthwhile to know when planning for the occasion, together with the best way to funds your money and time!
What to Anticipate & Pageant Overview
On the EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant, there’s one thing for each funds. Whilst you can get pleasure from some occasions with out spending something, it’s very straightforward to spend some huge cash, notably as you graze across the market cubicles. When you begin trying on the particular occasions and superstar meals, nicely, the sky is the restrict on how a lot you possibly can spend throughout the EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant!
We’ve completed the Meals & Wine Pageant many occasions yearly for the previous decade-plus, spending extra money on snacks than we care to consider. We spend a number of days in Walt Disney World yearly throughout July, August, September, October, and November, grazing the marketplaces and partaking within the Meals & Wine festivities.
All in all, we normally have a very good time. Climate-wise, July and August are positively the least nice months for the occasion and November is the perfect expertise, however after grazing the cubicles the primary three months, we’re normally a bit “over it” by the top. (Nevertheless, if we had been planning just one journey, it’d be in November.)
Past that, a couple of issues caught out which can be value noting. First, and I say this yearly, however it’s true as soon as once more: by and huge, your cash doesn’t go very far. Parts don’t appear smaller than final 12 months, nor do costs appear greater, however each had been already fairly dangerous final 12 months, so it’s not like this must be construed as a constructive factor. You’ll positively need to search out a couple of sizable dishes.
Second, crowds are far worse on the weekends and after work and never practically as dangerous on weekdays between 11 am and 5 pm. When EPCOT is extra crowded, don’t be stunned if you happen to wait in line 10 or extra minutes on the money registers and one other 10 minutes at meals pick-up.
Prior to now we’ve cautioned about lengthy strains on the weekends for the extra well-liked cubicles, which is particularly true throughout peak occasions in October and November. This compounds the impact of being out within the sweltering warmth and humidity. In contrast, on a weekday in September (and even later within the 12 months), you would possibly encounter no strains in any way.
Third, a few of the finest cubicles are in Future World. To be truthful, there are nice objects scattered round the entire cubicles, however the perfect pound for pound choices are sometimes these discovered nearer to the entrance of the park. This contains the perfect sales space of Meals & Wine, Flavors from Hearth.
Lastly, and most significantly, meals high quality stays excessive. The final couple of years the meals lineups have been actually sturdy, and I’d say that final 12 months’s EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Pageant surpassed the earlier 12 months’s occasion by way of high quality. From the standard of the snacks to the cubicles themselves (some, like India, are attractive!), every thing is extremely nicely completed. It virtually makes the upper costs and smaller parts a bit extra palatable. Nearly.
Though this text will present suggestions for the EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Pageant, there are lots of issues we suggest doing within the fall. Learn our 2024 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Occasion Information and our When to Go to Walt Disney World in 2024 posts to get an concept of what else to do that time of 12 months. Fall is the proper time to go to Walt Disney World! Properly, my private “excellent” time of 12 months is Christmas (nothing beats Christmas at Walt Disney World for me!), however fall is a detailed second.
In case you’re on the lookout for what’s new for the EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Pageant or what our suggest plan of assault is for the pageant? Properly, you’ve come to the suitable place. Right here’s our technique for protecting your sanity on the occasion…
EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant Technique
Technique for snacks? Looks like overkill, proper? In no way. Whereas the EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Pageant is a enjoyable option to pattern (principally) good meals, it’s additionally insanely well-liked and costly (I’d say overpriced, however “well-liked and overpriced” looks like a little bit of a contradiction).
By noon, some Meals & Wine Pageant cubicles have prolonged strains for ordering and pickup. By late-afternoon, World Showcase is a sea of sweaty humanity with some sales space strains having wait occasions exceeding these for points of interest. Add to this little shade and a few barely inebriated friends, and it may be an disagreeable combine. By night, some areas of World Showcase really feel like a light frat occasion, with strains being fairly prolonged, particularly on weekends.
First, you will discover the full menus for these cubicles for the EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant right here. We extremely suggest studying these menus earlier than your journey. Examine them, be taught them, grasp then. Understanding what you propose to strive earlier than you go is nice so that you don’t wander aimlessly or find yourself getting issues that aren’t what you need most on impulse.
Under are some tricks to make your pageant expertise extra nice…
Depart the Shrimp, Take the Salmon & Scallops – With uncommon exceptions, shrimp at EPCOT’s Meals & Wine Pageant is overpriced, rubbery, and simply typically unappetizing. In all our years of doing the occasion, we’ve discovered it’s one factor that the culinary groups constantly don’t get proper. In contrast, salmon and scallop dishes are virtually all the time good–higher than you’d count on for his or her value and being ready in small kitchens.
Keep away from the Sizzling & Heavy – For an occasion that begins in the summertime and continues in September and October–two months which can be nonetheless usually fairly sizzling and humid in Florida, there are usually lots of sizzling and heavy dishes on the occasion. Whereas lots of these are good and price attempting, you’ll need to area them out so that they don’t additional overheat you. Ideally, have them early within the day or later within the night as soon as the solar has gone down. (Though that flies within the face of one in all our subsequent suggestions…)
AC Break – Through the hottest a part of the day, taking a break from the actions in World Showcase and going to the in-door and air-conditioned movies and different points of interest is a good suggestion. Common suggestions for surviving a sizzling day at Walt Disney World additionally apply right here.
You may get free cups of water from any counter service restaurant, you need to hit locations with air-conditioning (I’ll put in a plug for the underrated Impressions de France, which is now solely proven in evenings for some silly motive), and also you need to tempo your self when consuming and consuming. We broaden upon the following tips in our Ingesting Across the World Showcase article–the thought is similar right here.
Go on a Weekday – We famous this above from a crowds perspective, however you’ll need to go on a weekday to keep away from the occasion ambiance. Weekends are when native faculty college students descend upon EPCOT, and switch the place right into a veritable frat occasion. I really like frat events simply as a lot as the following man, however there’s a time and a spot for frat events. Specifically, at a frat home whenever you’re in faculty. Not in family-oriented theme parks. Your opinion of Meals & Wine Pageant may differ dramatically primarily based on whether or not you go on a weekday or weekend.
Go Early – Barely earlier than Meals and Wine begins, you have to be lining up to your first kiosk. Traces are far shorter earlier within the day, however simply as essential is that it isn’t fairly as sizzling at 11 am as it’s at 2 pm. There’s little or no shade on the cubicles. In case you’ve ever waited in line half-hour for some wine and creme brulee in France whereas sweating via your shirt, you already know what I’m speaking about.
Keep or Arrive Late – Traces for the World Marketplaces usually peak throughout prime meal hours, and drop by round 8 pm as individuals are discovering spots for EPCOT’s nighttime spectacular. Whereas we suggest doing likewise and grabbing a viewing location, sending somebody to seize a couple of of the heavier dishes that you just skipped earlier to get pleasure from after the solar has gone down is a superb concept, too!
There’s in all probability extra technique than this, like a scientific method to which route round World Showcase it’s best to go, the best second to buy objects for optimum freshness, and so on., however it is a stable plan of assault. After your second or third drink from one of many kiosks, you’ll be so oblivious to what’s occurring that standing in line for snacks could not even hassle you.
Enjoyable for Youngsters on the EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant
These of you with households and youngsters is likely to be considering that the EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant sounds very grownup. In some methods–some ways–it positively is. Nevertheless, as you possibly can see in perusing the menus, there’s delicacies that’s applicable for all ages, and lots of the dishes aren’t strictly high-brow “foodie” delicacies–they’re enjoyable and universally approachable. So there’s a lot for youths to eat.
Past that, there’s leisure and enjoyable for all ages. The massive factor, past the truth that this all happens in a theme park with points of interest like Frozen Ever After, princesses, and different characters, is the scavenger hunts and culinary challenges. First, there’s Emile’s Fromage Montage–you pattern a wide range of scrumptious cheeses served in ingenious methods, and accumulate a stamp for every in your “cheese crawl.” Acquire all 5 stamps and produce the stamped Pageant Passport to Shimmering Sips for a specialty prize distinctive to the EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Pageant.
Lastly, there’s Remy’s Ratatouille Disguise & Squeak Scavenger Hunt. Embark on an journey impressed by the Pixar movie as you seek for Remy on a savory scavenger hunt throughout the EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Pageant. Merely buy your map and stickers from choose Pageant merchandise places, then find statuettes of Remy hidden throughout World Showcase and match the ingredient stickers to your map. When you’ve discovered all of them, take your accomplished map to pick reward retailers and select a shock, compliments of Chef Remy!
Our professional tip right here is to have a look at the prizes earlier than buying the map. In the event that they’re one thing you or your children need, then purchase the map. If not, do the scavenger hunt by yourself with out the map. It’s a enjoyable exercise both method, and the map is completely pointless to seeking out the statues and having an satisfying expertise. We purchase the map about half the time–the prizes are sometimes good, and the value is normally truthful by Walt Disney World merchandise requirements.
Eat to the Beat! Concert events
America Gardens Bandstand – Native Central Florida bands to take the stage at America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase Tuesdays via Thursdays most weeks, when crowds are usually decrease at EPCOT.
Eat to the Beat Live performance Collection – Throughout these Eat to the Beat concert events, well-liked bands from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s carry out a few of their best hits for the Meals & Wine Pageant crowds. These concert events are included with park admission, and happen thrice per night on Fridays via Mondays at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and eight:00 p.m.
No, you’re not going to seek out present big-name artists like ZZ High or regardless of the children are listening to as of late, however it’s a free live performance in Walt Disney World. You could find the complete line-up and efficiency dates on our Eat to the Beat Live performance Collection Schedule.
Meals & Wine Pageant Seminars & Occasions
Along with the cubicles on the EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Pageant, there are usually lots of occasions. A few of these are common issues like seminars which can be supplied every day, and are simply accessible to the typical visitor. (Once more, nothing on this part has been confirmed for the 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant.)
Different choices are premium particular occasions (using each ‘premium’ and ‘particular’ is mainly Disneyspeak for ‘super-duper costly.’) which can be comparatively unknown to the typical visitor and infrequently promote out far prematurely. We aren’t actually followers of super-duper costly stuff, however we’re followers of phrases like free and low-cost.
For these seeking to splurge on particular occasions throughout Meals & Wine, the slate of superstar cooks is likely to be of curiosity. These visiting cooks host a wide range of every day demonstrations, Occasion for the Senses, grand tasting experiences, beverage and cheese seminars, and different occasions, all of that are a giant a part of the pageant.
Previous superstar cooks have included Cooking Channel host Tiffani Thiessen and Richard Blais, Alex Guarnaschelli, Robert Irvine, Masaharu Morimoto, Buddy Valastro, Artwork Smith, and Carla Corridor, plus many others.
Low-Value Culinary Demonstrations – The low-cost culinary demonstrations are our favourite side of the EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant. At $15 to $20 every, they provide much more than the free seminars, and lots of occasions the samples you obtain at these seminars are a greater worth than what you’d obtain if you happen to merely went round to cubicles and ordered objects. Along with the samples, you obtain some primary background info and a few entertaining displays.
These seminars, generally, positively should not geared to the identical degree of foodie viewers because the particular occasion meals, nor are the samples of the identical caliber, however you get what you pay for. We now have completed a number of of those, they usually typically provide the perfect worth on the EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant. These low-cost seminars provide a very good primer to the subject lined, plus fairly good samples.
Walt Disney World has a schedule of the culinary demos, and advance reserving information on its Meals & Wine Pageant Culinary Demos web page.
Premium Particular Occasions
The EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant options quite a lot of particular occasions, lots of that are fairly expensive. Like, over $100 per individual in value because the beginning value. Critiques for these occasions are sometimes prefaced with “regardless of the fee, we loved it…” (or one thing alongside these strains), so if there’s one which strikes you as being fascinating and you’ve got disposable earnings, think about giving it a strive. Not all of them price fairly that a lot, however they aren’t low-cost.
Listed here are only a handful of the various premium particular occasions:
- Interactive Culinary Adventures – Held at choose Walt Disney World Deluxe Resorts, these particular occasions encourage friends to ask the specialists, style and cook dinner alongside cooks.
- Sunday Brunch with the Chef – A 2-hour occasion that includes a breakfast buffet hosted by a culinary TV character, and features a glowing wine toast in addition to a meet-and-greet picture alternative with the superstar chef.
- Combine It, Make It, Have fun It – This hands-on workshop provides friends the chance to be taught from skilled cooks in cake adorning, garnishing, cocktail mixing, and different culinary actions.
- Occasion for the Senses – The preferred particular occasion of the Meals & Wine Pageant, this usually happens on choose dates in September, October, and November.
- What’s Cookin’ With – This options a few of the nation’s prime superstar cooks, starting within the morning with a pleasant plated brunch and glowing wine toast. This begins with a demo, adopted by the cooks answering questions from the viewers and sharing their anecdotes.
Personally, I feel there’s not simply the usual Walt Disney World premium right here, but in addition shortage pricing, in that many of those occasions are extraordinarily small. Disney is aware of there are sufficient friends with vital disposable incomes who received’t balk at excessive costs to fill the occasions. That’s simply my take, although. Different Walt Disney World followers love these premium occasions!
Abstract & Conclusion
In case you like meals, the EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Pageant must be lots of enjoyable for you. You don’t must be a foodie to get pleasure from it, as there’s actually one thing for everybody. Meals & Wine Pageant could be a nice occasion and also you don’t have to interrupt the financial institution doing it, however it can be costly, crowded, sizzling, and unsightly. Good planning and technique makes all of the distinction within the expertise you might have. In case you take away nothing else from this submit, do not forget that.
We’ve completed EPCOT’s Meals & Wine Pageant a number of occasions every of the final a number of years and have typically loved our experiences. Partially, it is because we picked weekdays to go to, and had nice luck with getting glorious meals from {the marketplace} cubicles.
Moreover, there’s a ton to do. Even if you happen to went to the park each day of Meals & Wine Pageant, you couldn’t expertise all of it, however you’ll go broke attempting! We point out price right here quite a bit, and for good motive: you possibly can spend a ridiculous sum of money with out actually attempting. Simply grazing the assorted cubicles for a day can set you again some huge cash.
This isn’t meant to scare you away from the 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant. On the contrary, the truth is. The occasion could be a large quantity of enjoyable if you happen to plan forward, keep away from the hordes of individuals on the weekend, and get fortunate with gentle climate. World Showcase appears like an really dwelling, respiratory World Showcase throughout the pageant, with a culinary focus.
Meals & Wine is one in all Walt Disney World’s hottest occasions of the 12 months–for good motive. We usually spend a pair full weeks in EPCOT over the course of the occasion, consuming our method across the park. Final 12 months, we purchased and ate over 100 snacks (actually), protecting each dish on the occasion in our complete World Market Meals Photographs, Critiques & Sales space Menus: EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant index.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? In case you’re excited by studying extra about lodges, our Walt Disney World Resorts Critiques web page is an efficient place to begin. For the place to eat, check out our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques web page. If you wish to get monetary savings on tickets or decide which kind it’s best to get, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a novel take a look at unconventional issues it’s best to take in your journey. When you arrive on the parks, our Walt Disney World “Journey Guides” are nice for figuring out what to do and when to do it. For overviews of all of those matters and a lot extra, the perfect place to begin is our complete Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information to benefit from your expertise!
Your Ideas
Have you ever completed the EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant at Walt Disney World? What did you suppose? Any favourite market cubicles or culinary demonstrations you’d suggest? Ever had any destructive experiences? Have any suggestions of your individual to share? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to suggestions about your experiences is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
