Festival of the Arts Food Budget

[DisneyMama811]

I know this isn't technically a restaurant but didn't know where else to post... we arrive on Monday for our trip. We have one day planned for Epcot and just wondering if anyone has advice on budgeting for the Festival food booths...our plan for lunch that day is to try various booths, two adults and 2 little kids, non of us have adventurous palates and the dessert type things we will share 1 or 2 between the 4 of us...I saw a post on FB or maybe DFB guide with the little wristlet gift cards you can load up...we might do that but realistically not sure how much to load it with. If we end up with money left over can it be used as a regular giftcard for merchandise

 

[ElizaDoesDisney]

The wristlet giftcards are just regular giftcards so can be used anywhere that Disney GCs.

Budgets? I have no idea- but you can always add more to a gift card if you want. Or you can just use CC or cash (I think - I haven't tried to pay with cash in a long time) directly at the booths too.

 

[CarolynFH]

You might review the lists of offerings and add up the costs of items you’re likely to try, keeping in mind that they’ll be sample size portions so you might need two for your party of four.

I use the Food&Wine app on my phone to plan my tasting at the Epcot festivals. It’s not an official Disney app, but it’s very helpful - it describes all items at each booth, lists the price, and you can check off which items you want and then look at the map so you can plan your route. It updates for each festival - the Festival of the Arts is on the app now.

 

[Simba's Mom]

The wristlet giftcards are just regular giftcards so can be used anywhere that Disney GCs.

Budgets? I have no idea- but you can always add more to a gift card if you want. Or you can just use CC or cash (I think - I haven't tried to pay with cash in a long time) directly at the booths too.

Actually, it's kind of nice to have a little cash on you. That's because occasionally, something will happen and food booths can only take cash for at least a few minutes (don't panic-I've only seen this a few times over the years). But suddenly, because hardly anyone has cash, there's NO LINE at the food booth-and if it's a popular booth, having the cash is nice.

 

[DisneyMama811]

You might review the lists of offerings and add up the costs of items you’re likely to try, keeping in mind that they’ll be sample size portions so you might need two for your party of four.

I use the Food&Wine app on my phone to plan my tasting at the Epcot festivals. It’s not an official Disney app, but it’s very helpful - it describes all items at each booth, lists the price, and you can check off which items you want and then look at the map so you can plan your route. It updates for each festival - the Festival of the Arts is on the app now.

amazing thanks for the tip regarding the app!!

 

[L.K.]

amazing thanks for the tip regarding the app!!

I also appreciate the lead on the app! Thank you!!!

 

[Jonnnyap]

I also recommend the Food & Wine app. Super simple. Mark what you’re interested in, and it provides a map showing where to get your items. It also estimates cost. And as you go about EPCOT, you can check off things you’ve tried and your favorites. We typically only go to the festivals for one day, but I’d imagine this app would be even more useful if you had multiple days and wanted to go back to get more of your favorites.

Hope you have a fantastic trip and enjoy all of the delicious creations!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'm confused-does the Food and Wine app work for the Festival of the Arts? I thought that was what you were going for. I'm also going next week (I thought that was when you were going) and I've been watching reviews of the booths. As many bloggers mentioned, the various offerings seem really expensive this year. The Brie in a bread bowl is very small and yet it cost close to $10. So it may cost a little more than you might think. I'm figuring an average of $6 per item However many I eat a day X the number of days. But I'm going solo, and one of the disadvantages is that I won't have anyone to share with, so I'll probably get really full.

 

[StarCruzer]

Looking for it in the app store: WDW Food&Wine app by Small World Code, LLC?

 

[CarolynFH]

does the Food and Wine app work for the Festival of the Arts?

Yep, it updates for every festival - when I opened it the other day, I just had to click OK!

Looking for it in the app store: WDW Food&Wine app by Small World Code, LLC?

That’s the one!

They’ve made some changes since I used it last year that have made it even better.

 

[Richie248]

I feel FOA food has always bene on the higher end pricing wise. IMO, you're paying for the aesthetic/look of the food... Most blogs have menus/pricing and photos....would spend some time browsing the offering and making some lists. From there you should be able to budget things. Also going to download the app! Didn't know it existing....so THANKS!

 

[drenalin'junkie]

We eat around the world and go overboard but we normally have friends and kids with us who are less adventurous so we prioritize getting them to the items they really seem interested in.The more adventurous among us will often stop and catch up with an extra plate or two for the crowd to sample.
On a given day eating only at EPCOT we'll have a simple breakfast at The Land or Starbucks and average 4 entres and 2 desserts per adult from kiosks.
Kids a little less.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Budget? What budget for FOA?! These are the 2 vacation days each year where budgeting tends to go out the window for us! Not ideal, but true. It's by far our favorite of the festivals, and we enjoy it guilt-free!

 

[DL1WDW2]

Not sure but I think the Booths Open around 11:00 .
I will try to search the correct info for you & my planning .
My favorite place is the new Connections Cafe with Starbucks on one side . They serve some nice options for breakfast. That scrambled egg w/ bacon potatoes & cheese is quick & easy . Big enough to share
Also has nicer restrooms in the new location .
Its across from the new Guardians Cosmic Rewind and the Coca Cola Store nearby for the fun free samples from around the world . Kids love this place. Don’t forget the Beverly ( also my name ) !

I know they sell the gift card on wristband at the GiftShop International Entry and have the little free guide booklets with descriptions , etc.
Not sure where they sell them at front entry Epcot. But consider the scavenger hunt game as you start your day with family. Usually have to search for hidden Characters. Maybe Figment will be hidden all over the world this year.

 

[tundra1]

amazing thanks for the tip regarding the app!!

This app is exactly what I was looking for! All the reviews are only showing the new options for 2023, but this will be our first FARTS, so I will probably want to get some of the returning favorites as well! Thanks!

 

[jmasgat]

I use the Food&Wine app on my phone to plan my tasting at the Epcot festivals. It’s not an official Disney app, but it’s very helpful - it describes all items at each booth, lists the price, and you can check off which items you want and then look at the map so you can plan your route. It updates for each festival - the Festival of the Arts is on the app now.

Thanks for this tip. So easy to see the info....and the fact that if you bought everything listed it would cost $1173.46!

 

[StarCruzer]

We just used the app to make a list of everything we wanted to eat. I then typed the list into a spreadsheet with the prices to do the math for us.

Not sure if this helps, but we made a list of 23 foods and 6 drinks we want to split trying, and it came out to about $230. Based on what we chose, our average food cost was about $6.80 per food item and $10.70 per drink (lots of cocktails and a few ciders on the list).

So, just think about if your family wants to split, whether they are mostly desserts or "entrees" (desserts are cheaper).

I love planning in spreadsheets, so I'll share mine:

 

[maleficent55]

Curious about the wristlets you can get for various festivals. Do they provide a discount? What’s the benefit of them vs your magic band?

 

[DaviVascaino]

most dishes are around 8-10 bucks. it depends on how much you eat.

I would say with kids and 2 adults, maybe budget for 40-50 a day for each person, it should be plenty I believe. If you drink alcohol, you will need more

 

[Disneylover99]

If you don’t have adventurous palates, I’d also just consider the counter service options around WS. Some of those festival booth lines are no joke. It’s a good time to eat counter service. And cheaper too.