Our final information to the 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition gives occasion dates & particulars, suggestions & data, sales space lineup, snack & dessert evaluations, leisure particulars, issues to do for teenagers, and all the pieces else you want to find out about Walt Disney World’s foodie occasion. (Up to date August 6, 2024.)
Let’s begin with the fundamentals. The 2024 EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Competition will start on August 29, 2024 and run via November 23, 2024 for a grand whole of 87 days. It’s beginning over a full month later than final yr’s occasion, which started on July 27 and ran for 115 days. That occasion was 2 weeks shorter than the earlier yr, for what it’s value. The top date is later, however that’s as a result of timing of Thanksgiving.
The opposite huge unanswered query is whether or not the 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition will probably be totally again to regular, with its full slate of seminars, particular dinners, superstar chef panels, and numerous enhancements. These have been absent for the previous few years for a wide range of totally different causes, however there’s a superb likelihood they’ll all (or largely) return this yr. If you wish to be notified about 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition official particulars, dates, or anything, join our FREE Walt Disney World e mail publication.
Now for some updates as of early August. Though we’re nonetheless ready on a full checklist of the meals cubicles for 2024, Walt Disney World has confirmed 6 returning International Marketplaces:
- Canada
- India
- Spain
- Shimmering Sips
- Flavors from Fireplace (sure!!!)
- Fry Basket (no!!!)
Previous to this, Walt Disney World teased two new International Marketplaces that’ll debut this yr: Autumn Blaze and Harvest Desk. “{The marketplace} alternatives will give attention to fall meals and flavors,” stated Kevin Downing, Chef de Delicacies for EPCOT Festivals. “We’re going past the standard seasonal components like apples and pumpkins and utilizing different meals that seize the flavors in distinctive methods, resembling a brined pork tenderloin with fennel slaw at Autumn Blaze and a wild recreation chili at Harvest Desk.”
That sounds nice, however right here’s hoping that Autumn Blaze and Harvest Desk aren’t the one two new cubicles. (And in addition, that they don’t overlook pumpkin. Everybody loves pumpkin.)
It’s additionally value noting that cubicles are already beginning to pop-up round World Showcase, which possible means two issues. The primary is that Walt Disney World will announce the total lineup of International Marketplaces very, very quickly–because the cat goes to be out of the bag a technique or one other. The second is that we may see choose cubicles open early to offer additional eating capability. This has occurred up to now, albeit throughout busier instances. Regardless, these cubicles going up over a full month early is a bit atypical.
Frankly, we’re shocked that Walt Disney World hasn’t introduced extra specifics for the 2024 EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Competition but. It’s change into more and more widespread for Disney to delay the discharge of the meals sales space lineup and menus, and an announcement inside the subsequent week remains to be properly inside the bounds of what’s regular. In order that’s not the difficulty.
Moderately, that there’s been next-to-no information in anyway for the 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition. There usually is extra runway for seminars and different particulars, particularly with regards to upcharge choices that require extra advance-planning and reservations. For reference, the final “regular” EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition was 2019. That had the very same begin date because the 2024 occasion…however introduced these main particulars in early Might of that yr.
The shortage of any information in anyway has us fearful that this isn’t going to be a standard EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition regardless of building being completed and CommuniCore Corridor and Plaza now open. Right here’s hoping we’re flawed and there’s enormous information on the horizon!
Talking of building, the largest growth for the 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition is the opening of CommuniCore Corridor within the coronary heart of World Celebration. That is lastly open, which means that there will probably be a correct ‘competition middle’ for the primary time in 5 years! Disney has indicated that CommuniCore Corridor will add thrilling recent parts to the 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition.
We’re hopeful this implies a return of some (or all!) of the above choices. As defined in EPCOT’s Meals & Wine Competition Is Stale. Right here’s What We Need Disney to Change in 2024, the occasion actually wants a shot within the arm. That is purported to be EPCOT’s flagship competition, however has change into the weakest occasion of the yr with the least substance.
Turning again to dates, we’re not utterly shocked to see the 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition shortened considerably. The truth is, we predicted precisely this. Nonetheless, the choice to delay the beginning till the tip of August 2024 relatively than beginning in July like all different years since 2020 is attention-grabbing. What does shock us is that Walt Disney World didn’t add a summer season competition in between Flower & Backyard and Meals & Wine, however that’s past the scope of this information.
Our suspicion is that Walt Disney World has knowledge indicating that company get “competition fatigue” and there are diminishing returns from operating the identical occasion for a number of months. Principally, that it wore out its welcome, and there wasn’t worth in beginning the competition within the late summer season. That’s actually they solely motive they might’ve shortened it.
In any case, it is a return to pre-closure regular. As famous above, the 2019 Meals & Wine Competition additionally started on August 29 and that was the longest (on the time) occasion ever. It wasn’t till 2017 that the EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition was first prolonged into August. Previous to that, it had sometimes began in mid-to-late September and ended earlier. Going again a full decade, the occasion ran from September 27 till November 11, 2013.
So the 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition remains to be lengthy by historic requirements. It’s simply over a month shorter than final yr’s occasion, and 40+ days shorter than the 2020-2022 festivals. As with many issues at Walt Disney World, it seems that the EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition is lastly returning to 2019 regular. Let’s hope that additionally contains bringing again seminars, demos, meals with superstar cooks, and different occasions that elevated EPCOT’s Meals & Wine Competition up to now!
Though Walt Disney World has but to launch the total particulars of the 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition, we already know roughly 80% or extra of what it’ll entail. That’s really a decrease quantity than ordinary–it’s normally 95% the identical from yr to yr, however with CommuniCore Corridor, we’re anticipating loads of modifications.
Though the occasion is rarely 100% the identical from year-to-year, it follows a well-recognized system with important annual overlap. A lot of the meals cubicles and menu gadgets are at the least 75% the identical year-to-year, as is sort of all the pieces else concerning the occasion.
As famous above, the large exception to that’s the culinary seminars, demonstrations, meals with superstar cooks, and different particular occasions. These have been on hiatus since 2019, however we’re guessing that they lastly return to the 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition now that the CommuniCore Corridor occasions house is open.
Nevertheless, it was truthfully considerably of a shock that final yr’s Meals & Wine Competition didn’t carry again these parts. It looks as if a no brainer, as all of those particular occasions are costly and generate loads of income. If Disney opts in opposition to them, it’ll virtually actually be on account of inadequate staffing (the bane of Walt Disney World’s efforts to cut back operations and resume full normalcy proper now).
We’ll maintain you posted concerning the standing of the Celebration for the Senses, superstar chef meals and demonstrations, beverage and cheese seminars, and different occasions if/when Walt Disney World pronounces them. For now, right here’s what you want to know concerning the 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition!
There’s a motive EPCOT’s Meals & Wine Competition is beloved amongst many Walt Disney World guests. October and November are sometimes the busiest time of the yr on the park, and this occasion is in style primarily as a result of it permits company the chance to eat and drink their method across the World Showcase and elements of Future World, attempting new and ingenious delicacies alongside the best way.
Though it may be an costly occasion, we’ve discovered methods to get extra bang for our buck, and have enjoyable eating at EPCOT earlier than the fireworks. This complete information to the 2024 EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Competition will cowl all the pieces you want to know when planning for the occasion, together with the best way to finances your money and time!
What to Count on & Competition Overview
On the EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition, there’s one thing for each finances. Whilst you can get pleasure from some occasions with out spending something, it’s very simple to spend some huge cash, significantly as you graze across the market cubicles. When you begin wanting on the particular occasions and superstar meals, properly, the sky is the restrict on how a lot you possibly can spend throughout the EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition!
We’ve executed the Meals & Wine Competition many instances yearly for the previous decade-plus, spending more cash on snacks than we care to consider. We spend a number of days in Walt Disney World yearly throughout July, August, September, October, and November, grazing the marketplaces and partaking within the Meals & Wine festivities.
All in all, we normally have a superb time. Climate-wise, July and August are positively the least nice months for the occasion and November is the most effective expertise, however after grazing the cubicles the primary three months, we’re normally a bit “over it” by the tip. (Nevertheless, if we had been planning just one journey, it’d be in November.)
Past that, a couple of issues caught out which can be value noting. First, and I say this yearly, but it surely’s true as soon as once more: by and enormous, your cash doesn’t go very far. Parts don’t appear smaller than final yr, nor do costs appear greater, however each had been already fairly unhealthy final yr, so it’s not like this ought to be construed as a constructive factor. You’ll positively wish to hunt down a couple of sizable dishes.
Second, crowds are far worse on the weekends and after work and never almost as unhealthy on weekdays between 11 am and 5 pm. When EPCOT is extra crowded, don’t be shocked for those who wait in line 10 or extra minutes on the money registers and one other 10 minutes at meals pick-up.
Prior to now we’ve cautioned about lengthy strains on the weekends for the extra in style cubicles, which is particularly true throughout peak instances in October and November. This compounds the impact of being out within the sweltering warmth and humidity. Against this, on a weekday in September (and even later within the yr), you may encounter no strains in anyway.
Third, a few of the finest cubicles are in Future World. To be honest, there are nice gadgets scattered round all the cubicles, however the most effective pound for pound choices are sometimes these discovered nearer to the entrance of the park. This contains the most effective sales space of Meals & Wine, Flavors from Fireplace.
Lastly, and most significantly, meals high quality stays excessive. The final couple of years the meals lineups have been actually robust, and I might say that final yr’s EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Competition surpassed the earlier yr’s occasion by way of high quality. From the standard of the snacks to the cubicles themselves (some, like India, are attractive!), all the pieces is extremely properly executed. It virtually makes the upper costs and smaller parts a bit extra palatable. Virtually.
Though this text will present suggestions for the EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Competition, there are loads of issues we suggest doing within the fall. Learn our 2024 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Celebration Information and our When to Go to Walt Disney World in 2024 posts to get an concept of what else to do that time of yr. Fall is the proper time to go to Walt Disney World! Nicely, my private “good” time of yr is Christmas (nothing beats Christmas at Walt Disney World for me!), however fall is an in depth second.
Should you’re on the lookout for what’s new for the EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Competition or what our suggest plan of assault is for the competition? Nicely, you’ve come to the suitable place. Right here’s our technique for holding your sanity on the occasion…
EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition Technique
Technique for snacks? Looks like overkill, proper? By no means. Whereas the EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Competition is a enjoyable approach to pattern (largely) good meals, it’s additionally insanely in style and costly (I might say overpriced, however “in style and overpriced” looks as if a little bit of a contradiction).
By noon, some Meals & Wine Competition cubicles have prolonged strains for ordering and pickup. By late-afternoon, World Showcase is a sea of sweaty humanity with some sales space strains having wait instances exceeding these for sights. Add to this little shade and a few barely inebriated company, and it may be an disagreeable combine. By night, some areas of World Showcase really feel like a gentle frat celebration, with strains being fairly prolonged, particularly on weekends.
First, yow will discover the total menus for these cubicles for the EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition right here. We extremely suggest studying these menus earlier than your journey. Examine them, study them, grasp then. Realizing what you intend to attempt earlier than you go is nice so that you don’t wander aimlessly or find yourself getting issues that aren’t what you need most on impulse.
Beneath are some tricks to make your competition expertise extra nice…
Go away the Shrimp, Take the Salmon & Scallops – With uncommon exceptions, shrimp at EPCOT’s Meals & Wine Competition is overpriced, rubbery, and simply usually unappetizing. In all our years of doing the occasion, we’ve discovered it’s one factor that the culinary groups constantly don’t get proper. Against this, salmon and scallop dishes are virtually at all times good–higher than you’d count on for his or her value and being ready in small kitchens.
Keep away from the Scorching & Heavy – For an occasion that begins in the summertime and continues in September and October–two months which can be nonetheless sometimes fairly sizzling and humid in Florida, there are sometimes loads of sizzling and heavy dishes on the occasion. Whereas loads of these are good and value attempting, you’ll wish to house them out in order that they don’t additional overheat you. Ideally, have them early within the day or later within the night as soon as the solar has gone down. (Though that flies within the face of one in all our subsequent suggestions…)
AC Break – In the course of the hottest a part of the day, taking a break from the actions in World Showcase and going to the in-door and air-conditioned movies and different sights is a good suggestion. Common suggestions for surviving a sizzling day at Walt Disney World additionally apply right here.
You may get free cups of water from any counter service restaurant, you wish to hit locations with air-conditioning (I’ll put in a plug for the underrated Impressions de France, which is now solely proven in evenings for some silly motive), and also you wish to tempo your self when consuming and consuming. We develop upon the following pointers in our Consuming Across the World Showcase article–the thought is similar right here.
Go on a Weekday – We famous this above from a crowds perspective, however you’ll wish to go on a weekday to keep away from the celebration environment. Weekends are when native faculty college students descend upon EPCOT, and switch the place right into a veritable frat celebration. I like frat events simply as a lot as the following man, however there’s a time and a spot for frat events. Particularly, at a frat home if you’re in faculty. Not in family-oriented theme parks. Your opinion of Meals & Wine Competition may differ dramatically based mostly on whether or not you go on a weekday or weekend.
Go Early – Barely earlier than Meals and Wine begins, you have to be lining up on your first kiosk. Traces are far shorter earlier within the day, however simply as necessary is that it isn’t fairly as sizzling at 11 am as it’s at 2 pm. There may be little or no shade on the cubicles. Should you’ve ever waited in line half-hour for some wine and creme brulee in France whereas sweating via your shirt, you understand what I’m speaking about.
Keep or Arrive Late – Traces for the International Marketplaces sometimes peak throughout prime meal hours, and drop by round 8 pm as individuals are discovering spots for EPCOT’s nighttime spectacular. Whereas we suggest doing likewise and grabbing a viewing location, sending somebody to seize a couple of of the heavier dishes that you just skipped earlier to get pleasure from after the solar has gone down is a superb concept, too!
There’s in all probability extra technique than this, like a scientific strategy to which path round World Showcase you need to go, the best second to buy gadgets for max freshness, and so on., however it is a stable plan of assault. After your second or third drink from one of many kiosks, you’ll be so oblivious to what’s happening that standing in line for snacks might not even trouble you.
Enjoyable for Youngsters on the EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition
These of you with households and children may be pondering that the EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition sounds very grownup. In some methods–some ways–it positively is. Nevertheless, as you possibly can see in perusing the menus, there’s delicacies that’s applicable for all ages, and most of the dishes aren’t strictly high-brow “foodie” delicacies–they’re enjoyable and universally approachable. So there’s loads for teenagers to eat.
Past that, there’s leisure and enjoyable for all ages. The massive factor, past the truth that this all happens in a theme park with sights like Frozen Ever After, princesses, and different characters, is the scavenger hunts and culinary challenges. First, there’s Emile’s Fromage Montage–you pattern a wide range of scrumptious cheeses served in ingenious methods, and acquire a stamp for every in your “cheese crawl.” Acquire all 5 stamps and produce the stamped Competition Passport to Shimmering Sips for a specialty prize distinctive to the EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Competition.
Lastly, there’s Remy’s Ratatouille Cover & Squeak Scavenger Hunt. Embark on an journey impressed by the Pixar movie as you seek for Remy on a savory scavenger hunt throughout the EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Competition. Merely buy your map and stickers from choose Competition merchandise places, then find statuettes of Remy hidden throughout World Showcase and match the ingredient stickers to your map. When you’ve discovered all of them, take your accomplished map to pick out present retailers and select a shock, compliments of Chef Remy!
Our professional tip right here is to take a look at the prizes earlier than buying the map. In the event that they’re one thing you or your youngsters need, then purchase the map. If not, do the scavenger hunt by yourself with out the map. It’s a enjoyable exercise both method, and the map is completely pointless to looking for the statues and having an satisfying expertise. We purchase the map about half the time–the prizes are sometimes good, and the value is normally honest by Walt Disney World merchandise requirements.
Eat to the Beat! Concert events
America Gardens Bandstand – Native Central Florida bands to take the stage at America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase Tuesdays via Thursdays most weeks, when crowds are sometimes decrease at EPCOT.
Eat to the Beat Live performance Sequence – Throughout these Eat to the Beat concert events, in style bands from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s carry out a few of their best hits for the Meals & Wine Competition crowds. These concert events are included with park admission, and happen thrice per night on Fridays via Mondays at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and eight:00 p.m.
No, you’re not going to seek out present big-name artists like ZZ Prime or regardless of the youngsters are listening to nowadays, but it surely’s a free live performance in Walt Disney World. You could find the total line-up and efficiency dates on our Eat to the Beat Live performance Sequence Schedule.
Meals & Wine Competition Seminars & Occasions
Along with the cubicles on the EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Competition, there are usually loads of occasions. A few of these are common issues like seminars which can be provided every day, and are simply accessible to the typical visitor. (Once more, nothing on this part has been confirmed for the 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition.)
Different choices are premium particular occasions (using each ‘premium’ and ‘particular’ is mainly Disneyspeak for ‘super-duper costly.’) which can be comparatively unknown to the typical visitor and infrequently promote out far prematurely. We aren’t actually followers of super-duper costly stuff, however we’re followers of phrases like free and low-cost.
For these trying to splurge on particular occasions throughout Meals & Wine, the slate of superstar cooks may be of curiosity. These visiting cooks host a wide range of each day demonstrations, Celebration for the Senses, grand tasting experiences, beverage and cheese seminars, and different occasions, all of that are an enormous a part of the competition.
Previous superstar cooks have included Cooking Channel host Tiffani Thiessen and Richard Blais, Alex Guarnaschelli, Robert Irvine, Masaharu Morimoto, Buddy Valastro, Artwork Smith, and Carla Corridor, plus many others.
Low-Price Culinary Demonstrations – The low-cost culinary demonstrations are our favourite facet of the EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition. At $15 to $20 every, they provide much more than the free seminars, and loads of instances the samples you obtain at these seminars are a greater worth than what you’d obtain for those who merely went round to cubicles and ordered gadgets. Along with the samples, you obtain some fundamental background info and a few entertaining displays.
These seminars, typically, positively aren’t geared to the identical stage of foodie viewers because the particular occasion meals, nor are the samples of the identical caliber, however you get what you pay for. We’ve executed a number of of those, they usually usually provide the most effective worth on the EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition. These low-cost seminars provide a superb primer to the subject lined, plus fairly good samples.
Walt Disney World has a schedule of the culinary demos, and advance reserving data on its Meals & Wine Competition Culinary Demos web page.
Premium Particular Occasions
The EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition options plenty of particular occasions, lots of that are fairly dear. Like, over $100 per individual in value because the beginning value. Evaluations for these occasions are sometimes prefaced with “regardless of the fee, we loved it…” (or one thing alongside these strains), so if there’s one which strikes you as being attention-grabbing and you’ve got disposable revenue, think about giving it a attempt. Not all of them price fairly that a lot, however they aren’t low cost.
Listed here are only a handful of the various premium particular occasions:
- Interactive Culinary Adventures – Held at choose Walt Disney World Deluxe Resorts, these particular occasions encourage company to ask the specialists, style and cook dinner alongside cooks.
- Sunday Brunch with the Chef – A 2-hour occasion that includes a breakfast buffet hosted by a culinary TV persona, and features a glowing wine toast in addition to a meet-and-greet photograph alternative with the superstar chef.
- Combine It, Make It, Rejoice It – This hands-on workshop provides company the chance to study from skilled cooks in cake adorning, garnishing, cocktail mixing, and different culinary actions.
- Celebration for the Senses – The preferred particular occasion of the Meals & Wine Competition, this sometimes happens on choose dates in September, October, and November.
- What’s Cookin’ With – This options a few of the nation’s high superstar cooks, starting within the morning with a pleasant plated brunch and glowing wine toast. This begins with a demo, adopted by the cooks answering questions from the viewers and sharing their anecdotes.
Personally, I feel there’s not simply the usual Walt Disney World premium right here, but additionally shortage pricing, in that many of those occasions are extraordinarily small. Disney is aware of there are sufficient company with important disposable incomes who received’t balk at excessive costs to fill the occasions. That’s simply my take, although. Different Walt Disney World followers love these premium occasions!
Abstract & Conclusion
Should you like meals, the EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Competition ought to be loads of enjoyable for you. You don’t should be a foodie to get pleasure from it, as there’s actually one thing for everybody. Meals & Wine Competition is usually a nice occasion and also you don’t have to interrupt the financial institution doing it, but it surely can be costly, crowded, sizzling, and unsightly. Good planning and technique makes all of the distinction within the expertise you have got. Should you take away nothing else from this put up, do not forget that.
We’ve executed EPCOT’s Meals & Wine Competition a number of instances every of the final a number of years and have usually loved our experiences. Partly, it’s because we picked weekdays to go to, and had nice luck with getting wonderful meals from {the marketplace} cubicles.
Moreover, there’s a ton to do. Even for those who went to the park each day of Meals & Wine Competition, you couldn’t expertise all of it, however you’d go broke attempting! We point out price right here loads, and for good motive: you possibly can spend a ridiculous sum of money with out actually attempting. Simply grazing the assorted cubicles for a day can set you again some huge cash.
This isn’t meant to scare you away from the 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition. On the contrary, in truth. The occasion is usually a large quantity of enjoyable for those who plan forward, keep away from the hordes of individuals on the weekend, and get fortunate with gentle climate. World Showcase seems like an really dwelling, respiratory World Showcase throughout the competition, with a culinary focus.
Meals & Wine is one in all Walt Disney World’s hottest occasions of the yr–for good motive. We sometimes spend a pair full weeks in EPCOT over the course of the occasion, consuming our method across the park. Final yr, we purchased and ate over 100 snacks (actually), overlaying each dish on the occasion in our complete International Market Meals Photographs, Evaluations & Sales space Menus: EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition index.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Should you’re keen on studying extra about resorts, our Walt Disney World Inns Evaluations web page is an effective place to begin. For the place to eat, check out our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations web page. If you wish to lower your expenses on tickets or decide which sort you need to get, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a novel have a look at unconventional issues you need to take in your journey. When you arrive on the parks, our Walt Disney World “Trip Guides” are nice for figuring out what to do and when to do it. For overviews of all of those subjects and a lot extra, the most effective place to begin is our complete Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information to take advantage of your expertise!
Your Ideas
Have you ever executed the EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition at Walt Disney World? What did you suppose? Any favourite market cubicles or culinary demonstrations you’d suggest? Ever had any adverse experiences? Have any suggestions of your individual to share? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to suggestions about your experiences is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
