Epcot Food Festival 2012

[Montegut]

We will be going to WDW next October, 2012, and I noticed that this year, during that time, there was a Food Festival at Epcot.

Does this go on every year?

If so, how does one participate in it?

We will have the Deluxe Dining Plan and hopefully go to some Signature restaurants during the week, but we would love to get the inside scoop on sampling some of the items during this special event.

I have not been to Disney in 30 years, the week Epcot opened, for our honeymoon, and there are so many more countries now! I would love to sample the food from different countries while enjoying the "new" pavillions!

Thanks for any input!

 

[Cafeen]

We will be going to WDW next October, 2012, and I noticed that this year, during that time, there was a Food Festival at Epcot.

Does this go on every year?

Pretty much. While things are always subject to change, I'd wager heavily on it happening around the same time next year.

If so, how does one participate in it?

By going to Epcot.

There are booths set up from various locations (including many countries and locations that aren't part of the normal World Showcase) that have different snacks, beers, wines, etc. Simply walk up to what interests you and have a taste. Each of the samplings do cost money or snack credits though.

We will have the Deluxe Dining Plan and hopefully go to some Signature restaurants during the week, but we would love to get the inside scoop on sampling some of the items during this special event.

Beyond what was listed above, there are other special events going on, some range from quite pricey all the way down to free evening concerts ("Eat to the Beat"). (Well, sort of free. It won't cost you extra beyond the park ticket. With DxDDP, you'll get 2 snacks each per night of stay, and these can be used to buy much of the food at the different kiosks.

However, DxDDP is also quite a bit of food, so finding a balance between big signature meals and World Showcase F&W Festival scrounging may be a little tricky.

As a note, it does get real busy Friday and Saturday nights, so if that's a factor, plan to tour during the day on a weekday, and then hit up the nightlife later on in the week if you so desire.

I have not been to Disney in 30 years, the week Epcot opened, for our honeymoon, and there are so many more countries now! I would love to sample the food from different countries while enjoying the "new" pavillions!

Thanks for any input!

Enjoy your second first time! Epcot has always been my favorite park ever since I first went (there) in '83 at the ripe age of 4.

 

[Montegut]

Great tip. We'll be staying Saturday to Saturday, at the Contemporary. We were going to start with MK, or whatever park has early hours, and then move to other parks as the crowds got too big or we're ready for a change. So glad there's such a thing as a Park Hopper Pass. I am really glad we upgraded to Deluxe for the extra snacks. That would be awesome if we could use our snack credits to sample the festival's offerings. We're hoping to earn some Disney Gift Cards with our newly acquired Disney Visa, and hopefully, we can use those at the Festival as well. So excited for the concerts. Love the acts they have this year, and hope similar acts are there next year.

 

[TDC Nala]

The Festival dates for 2012 are September 28 - November 11.