It’s less than a month before the kick off for the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

All the fun begins on September 25, and runs for more than seven weeks, wrapping up on November 16.

While there are tons of Special Events, including Regional Lunches and Dinners, Pairing Meals, and Demonstrations and Seminars, one thing is for sure: the Festival can get very pricey, very fast.

But you know what? It doesn’t have to be.

Some of the most fun and educational events are low in cost, and there are even free demonstrations and exhibits that you can take advantage of.

Today, let’s spend a little time exploring one the most useful — and one of my favorite! — strategies from the DFB Guide to the Food and Wine Festival, 2015 Edition. We’ve fully updated this popular guide with all of the 2015 information to help you make the most of your visit to this year’s festival.

Ready to experience the yum on a budget? Let’s go!

The 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival: Budget Touring Strategy

Yep — it’s totally possible to have a fantastic time at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival — even if you’re on a tight budget!

Be sure to start your day at Festival Center to see if Book Signings or Celebrity Meet and Greets for your favorite chefs or personalities. These are free to attend!

At the same time, check out the schedule for Back to Basics Seminars and other free events happening at the Festival Center. These could be great additions to your afternoon.

And don’t forget to pick up your Marketplace Passport to visit the booths later in the day – the passport is also free, and makes a great souvenir. It’s also an awesome way to keep track of the dishes you’d like to try, and the ones you love!

While you can make a low-cost day out of cruising the Marketplace Booths around World Showcase by sharing plates and tastes with friends and family, we recommend that you spend a little time studying the menus and determining what dishes look the best ahead of time.

Don’t forget that the DFB Guide to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival has a full, printable checklist of Marketplace booth menus!

If you’re visiting with family or friends, then consider splitting a lower cost counter service meal to take the edge off of your hunger as you sample dishes from the booths that are most interesting to you. And sharing items is a great way to sample lots of different things without spending a fortune. Also, if you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, don’t forget that you can use your Snack Credits to purchase many items.

As evening rolls around, take in a Mixology Seminar at Festival Center for a great lesson about different spirits and how to craft a great cocktail. At only $15 per person, these are a great way to experience some of the educational aspects of the Festival — and you get to drink what you make! 🙂

Finally, as you stroll the promenade, save time in your schedule for an Eat to the Beat Concert, followed by Illuminations.

Both are included in the cost of your Epcot Admission and are a great way to cap off an Epcot Day.

Start Your Planning Today! The DFB Guide to the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival e-Book is now available!

Want even more great tips? This 240+-page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. Order your 2015 edition today!

Your purchase includes several bonus items as well — including a full daily schedule of events at the Festival and a printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World!

Use code Chefs at check-out for a $3 discount!

Be sure to check our main Epcot Food and Wine Festival Page frequently for updates, and also check out Epcot Food and Wine Festival 101 for even more information about the festival!

Want More Epcot Food and Wine Festival Info?

We have all the coverage and information you need right here on Disney Food Blog! Here’s what we know so far…

Now, I’d love to hear from you guys! What are your favorite strategies for enjoying the Epcot Food and Wine Festival on a Budget? Weigh in with your best tips below!