5 Things You Can’t Miss at the 2023 EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival

It’s the time we’ve all been waiting for: the opening of the 2023 EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE going on now through Nov. 18th at Walt Disney World! Pack a Festival Passport and prep your palettes, because we’re exploring a thrilling lineup of festival merchandise, entertainment and innovative eats (like the Pickle Milkshake!) Guests won’t want to miss.

Can’t-Miss Culinary Creations

Over at our Brew-Wing Lab at the Odyssey — more on that soon! — Guests will want to snag the all-new non-alcoholic Pickle Milkshake. Only the mayhem of our motley Muppet crew could whip up something so delightfully original! Brew-Wing Lab at the Odyssey also features two plant-based options, the IMPOSSIBLE Buffalo Chicken Tenders and the Buffalo Brussels Sprouts. Plant-based offerings at other Global Marketplaces include the Falafel Pita at Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina, the IMPOSSIBLE Burger Slider with wasabi cream and spicy Asian slaw at Flavors from Fire and the Guava Cake at Shimmering Sips hosted by CORKCICLE.

Did you know that there are more than 25 Global Marketplaces along with four brand new locations? At the four new Global Marketplaces Guests can delight in savory bites at Char & Chop, pair wine with artisanal cheeses at Wine & Wedge, or snack on champagne and seafood at Bubbles & Brine. Plus, satisfy a sweet tooth at Swirled Showcase, featuring soft-serve ice cream and refreshing sips like the Frozen Apple Pie. All four new Global Marketplaces will open Sept 22.

But our journey is just beginning, so let’s keep exploring more festival fun!

A Must-Do Muppet Takeover

Remember that Pickle Milkshake? Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his assistant, Beaker, from Muppet Labs have been hard at work bringing whimsy your way. Their creatively chaotic handiwork is up for taste-testing at Brew-Wing Lab at the Odyssey! Sample a variety of wings, like the Peanut Butter and Jelly Sticky Wings, or enjoy an array of beers and ciders. And while Guests are there, try the Frozen Fusion featuring Twinings Pomegranate and Raspberry Herbal Tea infused with orange ice cream molecules.

This Muppet makeover to our iconic Brew-Wing Lab at the Odyssey, a staple for the last several years at the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE, is sure to meep expectations. And after a day of snacking and sipping, there’s a selection of other experiences Guests can enjoy on a full stomach.

Fun Festival Merchandise

Pin collectors, Figment fans and Annual Passholders can browse four collections of all-new festival merchandise! Shop the classic Festival Event Logo Collection featuring a Spaceship Earth-inspired Loungefly Backpack and CORKCICLE stemless wine cup, the Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse Picnic Collection with contributions by Dooney & Bourke, the home-inspired Disney “Encanto” Collection, or the Figment Annual Passholder Collection. No matter their taste, there’s something for every member of the crew.

Live Music and Local Talent

Our Eat to the Beat Concert Series presented by Florida Blue Medicare returns with a star-studded lineup of live music! Enjoy local bands and well-known acts from July 27 – Nov. 13, featuring the talent of Funkafied, Phillip Phillips, Boyz II Men, Sugar Ray and so many more.

Guests will have three showtimes each night to catch the performance: 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:00 PM. Get to the America Gardens Theatre at the American Adventure Pavilion early to stake out a spot, or guarantee seating with the Eat to the Beat Dining Package. With this package, Festivalgoers can feast on fine dining at one of our participating restaurants before enjoying the show. Take note – this offering is only available Fridays through Mondays. Tuesdays through Thursdays, Guests can jam with our local acts!

Super Scavenger Hunts

Looking for more fun for the whole family? Try one of our two festival-inspired scavenger hunts — or a third to celebrate the upcoming spooky season! Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak takes Guests on a savory scavenger hunt around the World Showcase to find hidden statuettes of Remy; and with Emile’s Fromage Montage, sample tasty cheeses from across the globe while collecting stamps on your Festival Passport. Lastly, Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit sends Guests through the park on the lookout for hidden decorative pumpkins themed to Disney characters.

Once Guests have had their fun, each of these scavenger hunts ends with a unique surprise! Check the Festival Passport for details on where to purchase maps or game boards to kick off these adventures — and where to redeem them for a prize. Do take note that Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit runs from Sept. 29 to Oct. 31, while the other two experiences are available from July 27 while supplies last.

We can’t wait for another season of foodie adventures and flavorful fun. The festival runs from July 27 to Nov. 18, 2023, and we can’t wait to see everyone there.