EPCOT days before Thanksgiving - What is happening here?

[sipnride]

I checked to see if another thread had addressed this, but couldn't find anything.

EPCOT's Food & Wine Festival ends on 11/23. The Holiday Festival starts on 11/29. What happens in between? I'm going on 11/26 and we're taking my mother-in-law, who is visiting WDW for the first time in maybe 30 years. I assumed there would be food and booths and such, as I've literally never been to EPCOT when there wasn't a festival happening (first went in 2014, have been back 15-20 times since).

Also, if anyone has insight into any special Thanksgiving week events/attractions in EPCOT next Tuesday I'd appreciate hearing about those as well. Thanks!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Nothing happens. Pick your favorite QS/TS.

 

[sipnride]

Nothing happens. Pick your favorite QS/TS.

That's kinda sad. It'll probably be the one time she visits. Will there at least be christmas decorations?

 

[fla4fun]

That's kinda sad. It'll probably be the one time she visits. Will there at least be christmas decorations?

Decorations should be up. I have already seen reports that the big tree is in place and decorations at the entrance are up. I would expect all decorations to be in place on the 26th, although they could be putting final touches on the food booths for the holiday festival.

 

[snacks]

That's kinda sad. It'll probably be the one time she visits. Will there at least be christmas decorations?

It's not sad at all. It's nice to visit "regular" Epcot once in a while.

 

[Lesverts]

I believe it is called Diet Epcot. I will have to brave Epcot on the 30th. Because I am insane. But that’s another story.

 

[scrappinginontario]

We visited between festivals in Aug and really enjoyed the quieter pace of World Showcase although the food kiosks and menu did make us wish we’d be there during the festival.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I looooooove Epcot without festivals! It's my very favorite thing, and reminds me of the "original" Epcot before it became all about the booths. Epcot on its own is AMAZING.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

I checked to see if another thread had addressed this, but couldn't find anything.

EPCOT's Food & Wine Festival ends on 11/23. The Holiday Festival starts on 11/29. What happens in between? I'm going on 11/26 and we're taking my mother-in-law, who is visiting WDW for the first time in maybe 30 years. I assumed there would be food and booths and such, as I've literally never been to EPCOT when there wasn't a festival happening (first went in 2014, have been back 15-20 times since).

Also, if anyone has insight into any special Thanksgiving week events/attractions in EPCOT next Tuesday I'd appreciate hearing about those as well. Thanks!

This past summer was our first time visiting EPCOT without a festival since…honestly I can’t even remember - maybe 2005. Like you, we were bringing friends who had never been and I was so worried they would feel let down because it would be empty. The good news is that bc they had nothing to compare it to, no disappointment at all. So even though it felt strange for me, they had a blast with plenty to see/do.

 

[Stacybaeasm]

I believe it is called Diet Epcot. I will have to brave Epcot on the 30th. Because I am insane. But that’s another story.

Wow, does this statement speak to me. I'm going to Epcot on the 29th. First day of the Festival?? Yep - fully expect it to be crazy but it is my only chance to get there. At least I made a list of all the food and drinks I want to try and have it all mapped out.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

I believe it is called Diet Epcot. I will have to brave Epcot on the 30th. Because I am insane. But that’s another story.

Saturday shouldn’t be that bad. Friday Epcot will be packed. From our experience, Black Friday is very crowded at Epcot and as Saturday goes on you notice the crowds die down a bit as people are leaving from their Thanksgiving vacation.

 

[1GoldenSun]

Every time I'm at Epcot during a festival I feel like I should take advantage of the festival food booths because they're only there for a "limited time," and I skip over the amazing year-round restaurants they have there. And lately it's gotten to the point that most of the time I'm there there is a festival going on.

I'm going to make a point of going during this lull and go eat at one of the regular restaurants that I love.

 

[Lesverts]

Saturday shouldn’t be that bad. Friday Epcot will be packed. From our experience, Black Friday is very crowded at Epcot and as Saturday goes on you notice the crowds die down a bit as people are leaving from their Thanksgiving vacation.

It’s my traditional time to visit Disney. The weekends at Epcot are always crazy when a festival is going on. Especially at night. But it is fun and exciting. As long as I don’t have a 6:58 brain fart while watching the ducks standing in line for the skyliner again. That weekend is still pretty busy but it gets better as you go through the week. Just need to remember to ease off the beer until after I ride guardians.

 

[Skywalker3]

We've been going at Thanksgiving for many years, and no festivals during that week. We finally started catching the last day of F/W, and if we lucked out, we'd be able to catch the first night of Festival/Holidays. We love going during festivals, so we missed the booths. Hopefully you can catch the first night of Fest/holidays. Decorations should be up. Can also try and visit the resorts and their displays.

 

[gottalovepluto]

That's kinda sad. It'll probably be the one time she visits. Will there at least be christmas decorations?

Yes. They’re already up and they’re lovely! Take some time to soak in the details of the decor during the day as it’s different in each country that’s decorated. I also enjoyed France/Remy area in the evening as the garland lights up at night making it very pretty.

 

[msmayor]

I suspect the Festival Favorites booth outside Communicore Hall will be open - it was when we were there in June, during a 'non-festival' period.