When isn't there a festival in Epcot?

[KTR]

I know I am in the significant minority, but I miss Epcot World Showcase without all of the craziness from the various festivals. We have been during Food and Wine and now the Art festival without particularly meaning to, it just happened that way. I enjoyed the World Showcase so much more on the weekdays when the festival was not running. It seems there are so many festivals now that when planning a future trip I'd like to avoid them. So how many are there and when are they?

 

[Mr. Drauer]

summer is wide open - after the end of Flower and Garden and before the start of Food and Wine.

 

[Parker Clan]

There's never one in the third week of August when we go

 

[WEDWDW]

In July Epcot has the "Festival Of The 15s"!lol

 

[PSUGuy]

Given the success of Food&Wine which influenced Flower&Garden it's pretty clear that the Disney suits will be expanding these events and creating new ones to see to it that there are no 'slow' times in WDW. Can't blame them, it's a business decision, we love F&W and have enjoyed F&G so as long as something of value is offered we'll give it a shot.

Bill From PA

 

[North of Mouse]

I know I am in the significant minority, but I miss Epcot World Showcase without all of the craziness from the various festivals. We have been during Food and Wine and now the Art festival without particularly meaning to, it just happened that way. I enjoyed the World Showcase so much more on the weekdays when the festival was not running. It seems there are so many festivals now that when planning a future trip I'd like to avoid them. So how many are there and when are they?

I agree!! Always enjoyed going during F&G, now less so when they added all the kiosks. Went once during F&W at the beginning, was so-so, but have no desire to go now with all the busy craziness - JMO, I know, but that's how we feel.

 

[disnut8]

Given the success of Food&Wine which influenced Flower&Garden it's pretty clear that the Disney suits will be expanding these events and creating new ones to see to it that there are no 'slow' times in WDW. Can't blame them, it's a business decision, we love F&W and have enjoyed F&G so as long as something of value is offered we'll give it a shot.

Bill From PA

Totally agree. If there is a "slow time", Disney's not stupid - there will be something they can come up with to draw in more people. The first week of January used to be a great time to go and now...... a marathon. There are lots of marathons or half marathons or walk/run things as well. I don't go to Disney World for those but others do and it brings in money and the term "Disney World" in the press. So yes, it is about money but also about business common sense. Get your name out there for people to think about.

Do I enjoy World Showcase? Oh, you bet I do. It's the one thing my husband and I do every night while at Disney World. Just walk around it. If there is a Festival going on, we just ignore if we're not interested but, in some cases, will stop and look at things and - here's the interesting part - actually learn stuff!

 

[WEDWDW]

And don't forget that "Holidays Around The World" is now a "festival" with the addition of Food Kiosks this past year.

 

[Jennasis]

Festivals are the future of Epcot and I'm in full support of it.

 

[WEDWDW]

I wouldn't be surprised to see a Festival "built" around "Sounds Like Summer" next.

 

[tinkerbella16]

I'm with ya! We enjoy Epcot so much more when there is no festival going on. We were really bummed to find out that they are starting F&W earlier this year. We like to go the first week of September, and we were always happy to miss it because of the crowds. WS is so much more enjoyable. I am hoping since the week we are going is a slow week, that it won't be too bad. When we went this past September we were walking through WS during the day and at night and no one was around - it was so nice!

 

[PSUGuy]

Another thing to look for, this Oct marks the 35th anniversary of the opening of Epcot, I don't see Disney neglecting this opportunity to cash in.

Bill From PA

 

[tlmadden73]

Epcot will continue to have more festivals (maybe except in the summer where it is probably crowded enough) to draw crowds to an underwhelming park (for most) with very few exciting attractions compared to the other parks.

 

[pattyw]

Epcot will continue to have more festivals (maybe except in the summer where it is probably crowded enough) to draw crowds to an underwhelming park (for most) with very few exciting attractions compared to the other parks.

True- a cheap way to keep crowds coming without adding or replacing attractions!

 

[WEDWDW]

I will say this-once you have seen Epcot "flowered up" duirng F&G,it NEVER looks the same the rest of then year!!!!

 

[1lilspark]

Another thing to look for, this Oct marks the 35th anniversary of the opening of Epcot, I don't see Disney neglecting this opportunity to cash in.

Bill From PA

F&W starts in AUG this year wouldn't be shocked if they had throwback/anniversary themed dishes

 

[SGB13]

We planned our January trip over 6 months ago as well to be there at a calm time to enjoy EPCOT. Instead we were dodging drunks and spent half the time we normally do in the park. If they keep adding festivals, we won't be going back.

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

From another perspective: Epcot cast members are mostly thankful for the job security and hours of work that the festivals provide, even if they do come with drunks to wrangle. (Which I haven't experienced during FotA, not yet at least.)

 

[GPC0321]

I will say this-once you have seen Epcot "flowered up" duirng F&G,it NEVER looks the same the rest of then year!!!!

I was just thinking this. We were there for F&G over Easter. It was our first time being back there in 17 years, so I can't really remember what it looked like as well without the flowers and gardens and kiosks. It was beautiful though, and the "festival" didn't really seem to encroach on our experience of World Showcase. In fact, the Outdoor Kitchens were some of our favorite food of the trip. My folks are so excited that there will be kiosks when we're there again for Holidays Around the World. Good eats at a reasonable (for Disney) price that you don't need a reservation for!

I haven't ever done F&W, but I'd imagine it's the most hectic and likely to feature the staggering masses, LOL. F&G was just some flowers and bushes and a few food kiosks. Didn't seem all that crowded to me. Definitely pretty.

 

[skipfierce]

We enjoy the F&W. In my experience, if you go during the week when the locals are working, it is generally much less crowded. We did make the mistake of going on the very last day of F&W this past year which is a mistake we will not duplicate. Fairly certain the entire state of Florida showed up.