Epcot with no festival

[katyringo]

Howdy!

We are planning our next trip for thanksgiving week 2024. Looking at the history and for this what the holiday festival at Epcot doesn't usually start until Black Friday. If we keep our dates this will be the date we leave.

How is Epcot with no festival? Would we want to prioritize having a dinner reservation? I've never beeen without a festival..

 

[nancipants]

I love it. It's so much quieter in between festivals.

 

[WEDWDW]

I love it. It's so much quieter in between festivals.

I am just the opposite.

It feels "empty" and TOO "quiet".

And I really miss all the Food and Concerts!

 

[SkyGuy]

The everyday booths that I usually hit up during a festival due to lack of lines (as well as the food/drink) were super-crowded without a festival. Make perfect sense but kind of threw me for a loop. I wasn’t a fan, although I thought it would be a great time to visit. If you have a dining res, that will steer you away from the lines, and the crowds are generally lighter.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

Epcot is nice with a festival but not a necessity for us. I like having those food booth options but it's still really enjoyable without it and less guests so that's usually a plus. We have gone a few times during that time, mid Nov around the 14-20 timeframe and it's always a great time. You miss Jersey week crowds and it's before thanksgiving crowds. You get to see some of the holiday decorations at the resorts and parks and enjoy nice weather. It's a nice sweet spot for us.

 

[Skippyboo]

Festival of the Holidays starts Black Friday if you’re going Thanksgiving week, the booths will probably be there but not open. Food and Wine will probably end mid November. Festival of the holidays is probably weakest festival food wise . It’s a lot of cookies/desserts. Friday will probably be crowded since it’s first night of candlelight procession.

 

[WEDWDW]

OOk Pp

 

[Aimeedyan]

It's my FAVORITE. Gosh, we love going when there isn't a festival. The pathways are like they used to be before the endless festivals were put into place - wide, easy to navigate - and you can see the actual "normal" merch, exhibits, and entertainment without all the other stuff.

 

[Disneylover99]

We happily eat counter service around the world with or without a festival, so we find we don’t need table service. We generally don’t notice counter service places to be more crowded without the food booths, because there are usually fewer people walking around.

But since you’re going Thanksgiving week, it might be more crowded, so you might want to consider booking a table service restaurant. Via Napoli or Biergarten are our go to’s.

 

[focusondisney]

I prefer Epcot without festivals. Sadly, there are very few weeks without them anymore. Pretty much only enough time to change over from 1 to the next.

 

[HopperFan]

DIET EPCOT !!

I actually enjoy it!

 

[Ghost Host 998]

OOk Pp

Now, you're speaking my language.

 

[WEDWDW]

Now, you're speaking my language.

Lol
Smartphone strikes again!

Bring back Rotary Dial!lol

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

We’re doing a day at EPCOT post cruise and I realized we are missing F&WF by just a few days. I was initially really really bummed but looking on the bright side, it will give us time to do some of the things/snacks we usually skip when focused on festival offerings.

 

[Beachyrock]

We went last year in February between Arts and Garden. The crowds were definitely lower around the park, but we did end up waiting in line for over an hour at Katsura Grill for lunch. I assume that was due to the fact that there were no festival food booths to spread people around. This year in January was generally more crowded, but we got QS food much more quickly. Enjoy your trip!!

 

[diskids2]

I enjoyed the smaller crowds last week, but with all the kiosks set up and waiting for food and wine...felt a little sad. Still had a GREAT time!

 

[MamaKate]

We go this time every year and will be there again this year. I find it a nice break and it's still possible to eat around the world without the booths. You will see the booths transitioning to the Holiday booths so the walkways are not clear of booths.

 

[ATLien711]

I love it. It's so much quieter in between festivals.

I completely agree. It’s nice to experience both.

 

[HopperFan]

DIET EPCOT !!

I actually enjoy it!

This is Diet EPCOT!

No photopass photographers!

 

[ghtx]

Epcot is great with or without a festival.

I agree with OP that it's more important to have a dining reservation when there's not a festival, since there won't be festival food to eat (though there are still plenty of quick-service options year-round).