There are so many things we love about visiting Walt Disney World, but EPCOT has always been one of our favorite parks. Between the attractions, incredible food, and opportunity to experience different cultures all in one place, there’s something about EPCOT that keeps us coming back. And when the International Food & Wine Festival is happening, it gives us even more reasons to spend the day there!

On our most recent visit, we enjoyed some of our favorite rides, spent time exploring World Showcase, and of course, came ready to enjoy all the delicious food the festival has to offer. The Florida weather decided to throw a little rain into our plans, but that’s part of the adventure when you’re visiting Disney. Over the years, we’ve learned a few things that make navigating the parks easier, and I thought I’d share some of our favorite experiences and helpful tips for anyone planning their own EPCOT adventure.

Don’t Let a Little Rain Ruin Your Disney Day!

One thing I always remind people when they’re planning a Disney vacation is that a rainy forecast doesn’t mean you’re going to have a miserable day at the parks. Florida weather can change quickly, and while nobody necessarily hopes for rain on vacation, Disney does a wonderful job of giving guests plenty of ways to enjoy their day regardless of the weather. EPCOT is especially great for this because there are so many indoor attractions, shops, and pavilions where you can escape a passing shower. Many of the attraction queues are indoors or partially covered, so you can often continue enjoying the park while waiting for the rain to pass.

We’ve found that the best approach is to come prepared and keep a flexible attitude. A lightweight poncho is always a good idea, but here’s another little travel hack that can make a big difference: waterproof shoe covers! If you’ve ever spent hours walking around Disney in wet shoes, you know how uncomfortable that can become. Shoe covers are inexpensive, easy to pack, and can help keep your feet dry when those afternoon showers roll through.

Another tip I recommend is renting a locker if you’re bringing extra things into the park. It’s a convenient way to store rain gear, a change of clothes, or anything else you might need throughout the day without having to carry it everywhere. A little preparation goes a long way, and sometimes those rainy Disney days turn into some of the most memorable ones!

Getting to EPCOT Is Easier Than You Think

One of the things I appreciate about Walt Disney World is how many transportation options are available throughout the resort. Depending on where you’re staying, getting to EPCOT can be part of the fun! If you’re driving, EPCOT has its own parking area with access to the park’s main entrance. Guests traveling from the Magic Kingdom area can also use the monorail system, transferring at the Transportation and Ticket Center to board the EPCOT monorail. It’s a fun way to arrive, especially if you enjoy seeing the park from above as the monorail approaches.

If you’re staying at one of the Disney resorts connected to the Skyliner, that’s another convenient option. The Skyliner brings guests to EPCOT’s International Gateway entrance, which is located between the United Kingdom and France pavilions in World Showcase. There are also Friendship Boats that travel between International Gateway and several nearby resorts, including Disney’s BoardWalk and the Yacht and Beach Club resorts. We enjoy exploring the resort areas around EPCOT, and these transportation options make it easy to experience more of Walt Disney World without having to drive everywhere.

Something worth remembering when planning your day is that EPCOT has two entrances. Where you enter can make a difference in how you organize your attractions, especially if you’re trying to minimize walking or get to some of the more popular rides early.

First Stop: Joffrey’s Coffee!

Before getting too far into the day, I always enjoy stopping by Joffrey’s Coffee. There’s just something about starting a Disney park day with a good drink in hand! Whether you’re looking for a morning coffee or something refreshing to enjoy while walking around the park, it’s a great place to stop.

And for those who aren’t coffee drinkers, I have a recommendation for you. Try the frozen lemonade, and if strawberry is available, add it! It’s such a refreshing treat, especially on a warm Florida day. Sometimes it’s those little traditions, like grabbing your favorite drink before heading to the attractions, that become part of what makes a Disney vacation so enjoyable.

Starting With the Big Attractions

We decided to begin our day with Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, which has quickly become one of our favorite attractions at EPCOT. If you haven’t experienced it yet, it’s an indoor roller coaster unlike anything else at Walt Disney World. The ride vehicles rotate as you travel through the attraction, and the combination of music, movement, and storytelling makes it such a fun experience. We waited approximately 60 minutes, which we thought was very reasonable for one of EPCOT’s most popular rides.

One thing I recommend when visiting EPCOT is thinking about your route before you start walking from one attraction to another. If you’re entering through the main entrance, Guardians of the Galaxy is a great attraction to consider early in your day. However, if you’re coming in through International Gateway near World Showcase, you may want to start with Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in the France pavilion instead. Both attractions can have longer wait times, and choosing where to begin based on your entrance can help you avoid walking back and forth across the park.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is another attraction that’s especially fun for families. The ride takes you through Gusteau’s restaurant from Remy’s perspective, making you feel as though you’ve been shrunk down to his size. It’s a completely different experience from Guardians of the Galaxy, but both are wonderful additions to EPCOT. Of course, attraction wait times can change throughout the day, so I always recommend keeping an eye on the My Disney Experience app and considering Lightning Lane options when planning your visit.

Some EPCOT Favorites We Never Skip

As much as we enjoy the newer attractions, there are several EPCOT classics that we look forward to experiencing every time we visit. Test Track is always a fun stop, and Soarin’ Around the World continues to be one of our favorites. There’s something incredible about feeling like you’re flying over some of the world’s most recognizable landscapes, and it’s an attraction that we enjoy no matter how many times we’ve experienced it.

Another attraction that we absolutely love is Living with the Land. Now, I know a slow-moving boat ride through greenhouses might sound a little unusual compared to some of Disney’s bigger attractions, but it’s genuinely one of our favorites! The ride takes you through different agricultural environments and gives you a fascinating look at the innovative growing techniques Disney uses. It’s interesting, relaxing, and a wonderful opportunity to slow down for a few minutes during a busy park day.

Both Soarin’ and Living with the Land are located inside The Land pavilion, which makes it easy to enjoy them together. Just next door, you’ll find The Seas with Nemo & Friends, another area that’s worth exploring. The ride itself is a fun experience for families, but there’s also an incredible aquarium where you can spend time observing marine life. And if you have children traveling with you, don’t miss Turtle Talk with Crush! It’s an interactive experience where Crush from Finding Nemo communicates with guests, and some of the conversations with children can be absolutely hilarious.

I always encourage clients to take advantage of attractions that are located near one another. EPCOT is a large park, and organizing your day by area can help you spend more time enjoying the experiences and less time walking from one side of the park to the other.

World Showcase: The Heart of EPCOT

As much as we love the rides, World Showcase is probably the biggest reason EPCOT holds such a special place for us. There’s something so enjoyable about walking from country to country and experiencing the atmosphere of each pavilion. From the architecture and shops to the music and food, every country offers something different to explore. You can wander through the beautiful gardens of Japan, enjoy the charm of the United Kingdom, or spend time exploring the incredible details throughout Morocco.

One of my favorite things about World Showcase is that you can enjoy it at your own pace. Some people love exploring every shop and attraction, while others prefer to find a comfortable spot to enjoy the scenery and people-watch. We enjoy a little of both, and that’s part of what makes EPCOT such a great park for different ages and interests.

Of course, one of the biggest highlights of World Showcase is the food. EPCOT already has some fantastic restaurants and dining experiences throughout the year, but when the International Food & Wine Festival comes around, the entire experience becomes even more exciting.

Eating Our Way Around the World

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is one of those experiences that makes you want to arrive hungry and stay all day! Throughout the festival, special food booths offer smaller portions of dishes inspired by cuisines from around the world. It’s a wonderful opportunity to try something you might not normally order, discover new flavors, and share different dishes with the people you’re traveling with.

What I love about the festival is that you can create your own little food adventure. You might start with something savory at one booth, find a delicious dessert at another, and then come across something completely unexpected that you decide to try. The smaller portions make it easier to sample several different things, and there’s always something interesting to discover as you make your way around World Showcase.

One thing I definitely recommend is coming prepared to spend a little extra on food. The festival booths are separate purchases from your regular park admission, and while the portions are smaller, those delicious little treats can add up pretty quickly. I also suggest looking through the festival menus before your visit so you can get an idea of what you might want to try. You certainly don’t need to plan every bite, but having a few favorites picked out ahead of time can be helpful.

And be prepared for some lines! Popular festival booths can get busy, especially when everyone seems to have the same delicious treat in mind. My advice is to enjoy the experience rather than rush through it. After all, part of the fun is taking your time, exploring the different countries, and sharing the experience with your favorite travel companions.

One of the things I love about EPCOT is that the food and drink experiences extend beyond the festival booths. The restaurants throughout World Showcase offer wonderful opportunities to sit down and enjoy something special. During our visit, we stopped at a restaurant in the Mexico pavilion and enjoyed a beautifully presented cocktail topped with a fresh orchid. It’s those little experiences that make exploring World Showcase so much fun, and sometimes taking a break from the festival crowds is just as enjoyable as discovering the next food booth.

One of My Favorite Disney Date Days

Something I especially love about EPCOT during the Food & Wine Festival is how wonderful it can be for couples. Disney is often associated with family vacations, and it certainly is an incredible place to bring children, but there are so many experiences that make it a great destination for adults as well.

Spending the day walking through World Showcase, trying different foods, and enjoying the atmosphere is such a fun way to spend time together. You can share dishes from different countries, discover something new, and simply enjoy being away from the usual routines of everyday life. It’s the kind of experience where you can spend hours exploring without feeling like you need to rush from one attraction to the next.

Whether you’re planning an anniversary getaway, a couples’ vacation, or even a quick weekend trip, I think EPCOT deserves a place on your itinerary. There’s a wonderful balance of exciting attractions and opportunities to relax, which makes it easy to create a day that fits exactly what you’re looking for.

Jessica’s Tips for Visiting EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival

If you’re planning your own visit to EPCOT during the International Food & Wine Festival, there are a few things I’d definitely recommend keeping in mind. Between the attractions and everything happening around World Showcase, a little planning can make your day much more enjoyable. Here are some of my favorite tips to help you make the most of your experience!

• Check the festival dates before booking. EPCOT’s International Food & Wine Festival typically takes place during the late summer and fall, but the dates can change from year to year. If attending the festival is one of your priorities, make sure your vacation dates line up with the event.
• Bring comfortable walking shoes. EPCOT is a large park, and you’ll likely spend quite a bit of time on your feet. Whether you’re exploring World Showcase or making your way between attractions, comfortable shoes can make a big difference by the end of the day.
• Prepare for Florida’s unpredictable weather. Pack a lightweight poncho and consider bringing waterproof shoe covers. A little rain doesn’t have to interrupt your plans, especially when you’re prepared for it.
• Plan your must-do attractions ahead of time. Popular rides like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure can have longer waits. Think about which entrance you’ll be using and organize your day to avoid unnecessary walking. The My Disney Experience app is also helpful for checking wait times throughout the day.
• Budget a little extra for festival food. One of the best parts of the festival is trying different dishes from around the world, but those smaller purchases can add up. I recommend setting aside some extra spending money so you can sample the things that catch your attention.
• Take a look at the festival menus. Disney typically releases menus for the festival booths, and browsing them ahead of time is a fun way to get excited about your visit. You might even discover a few must-try dishes before you arrive!
• Check the Eat to the Beat Concert Series schedule. The festival often features live performances at the America Gardens Theatre. Depending on your travel dates, you might have the opportunity to see an artist you love perform while you’re visiting EPCOT.
• Consider renting a locker. If you’re bringing rain gear, extra clothing, or other items you don’t want to carry throughout the park, a locker can make your day much more comfortable.
• Give yourself time to enjoy World Showcase. There’s so much more to EPCOT than the rides. Take time to explore the different countries, browse the shops, and enjoy the atmosphere. Some of our favorite moments happen when we’re simply walking around and discovering something new.
• Leave room for the unexpected! It’s great to have a plan, but don’t feel like every minute of your day needs to be scheduled. Sometimes the most memorable experiences are the ones you discover along the way.

Above all, I always encourage people to enjoy EPCOT at their own pace. The Food & Wine Festival is such a fun experience, and there’s something special about spending the day exploring the world, trying new foods, and making memories with the people you love.

Until Our Next EPCOT Adventure!

Every time we visit EPCOT, we leave with another reason to look forward to coming back. There’s something about the combination of familiar favorites and new experiences that makes every visit a little different. We love the attractions, we love exploring World Showcase, and we especially love the opportunity to slow down and enjoy the atmosphere together.

Our latest visit reminded us that even a little rainy weather can become part of a wonderful Disney day. Between riding our favorite attractions and exploring everything the Food & Wine Festival has to offer, we had such a great time. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned from our Disney adventures, it’s that some of the best memories come from simply enjoying the experience and the people you’re sharing it with.

If you’ve been thinking about planning a Walt Disney World vacation, I’d love to help you make it happen! Whether you’re hoping to experience EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival, explore all four Disney theme parks, or plan a special getaway with your family, I’m here to help you work through the details and find the options that fit your trip.

You can start planning your Disney vacation with me here, and I’d love to help you create some wonderful memories of your own!

Jessica Coen | Sojourney Travel

The Coen Compass