We’re just ONE DAY away from the start of the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival!
It’s Time for the Food & Wine Festival!
We’re so SO excited to try all of the amazing eats that are sure to come at this fan-favorite festival, but we’ve noticed something a little bit different about Food and Wine compared to the last year of festivals. There’s one MAJOR space that WON’T be in use at this festival!
During every festival since the parks reopened last year (2020 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, 2020 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays, 2021 EPCOT Festival of the Arts, and 2021 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival), the World Showplace space has been used to house entertainment and several booths.
World Showplace
However, for this festival, NONE of the booths are located inside World Showplace! Interior booths can be found around the festival at locations like The American Adventure Rotunda Bistro and the Brew-Wing booth at the EPCOT Experience in the Oddysey building, but there are none in the HUGE World Showplace space. So, why isn’t this space in use?
World Showplace
Well, let’s take a look at what World Showplace was used for prior to the park closures. In the past, booths haven’t been located in this space during festivals because it has been used for events like Party for the Senses, demos, and private events. With the global health crisis, these seminars and events weren’t taking place.
Party for the Senses
Still, Party for the Senses has not been announced to return for this Food and Wine Festival either, so will the space go empty? Maybe. Food and Wine lasts just shy of 130 days and a lot could change in that time. Perhaps Disney is keeping their options open in case they DO bring back these events or seminars later in the season.
Femmes of Rock
Beyond that World Showplace is tucked down a pathway between the Canada and U.K. Pavilions. When we’ve stopped in during past festivals, we’ve noticed the booths tend to be a bit more deserted even in the AC and as lines remain LONG outside. Its out-of-the-way entrance is great for special events, but not so great for guests trying to stumble upon all the booths.
World Showplace Pavilion
So, a reason behind there being no booths in World Showplace might have something to do with the booths not getting enough traffic (and therefore, making less money) and/or with Disney wanting to keep options open for an event space.
World Showplace
If events DO return to World Showplace, you can bet you’ll hear about it here. As always, keep an eye on DFB for all the latest news and updates from Disney World!
Click here to learn more about the booths coming to Food and Wine!
IT'S WINE & DINE TIME!
Food & Wine Festival can be a bummer. You stand in line waiting for what looks like the perfect treat, and it's a bust. But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE EPCOT Food & Wine Festival experience.
If you're planning a day or a week at the festival, we've got every performance, activity, and tasty nosh detailed out so you can make the most of your time and money. Listen, it's a tough job eating and documenting the nearly 200 bites and sips, but we do it all for YOU!
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Because of the 50th anniversary.
I noticed this last week if you go to events or search for Party for the Senses unlike the other evets that aren’t coming back yet it’s not listed as temporarily unavailable. I would attach a picture to show what I’m talking about but there is nothing for an attachment.
We are checking Food Blog everyday since the switch over from Garden Show to Wine and Food. We wish to see Party of the Senses and the Wine View Lounge return. Fingers crossed!!!!
That’s a shame. I know they space doesn’t get a ton of traffic, but we loved being able to hang out there, soak in the AC, sip libations, and listen to the piano guy play for a whopping 20 minutes every hour.
Disney sees the writing on the Wall….This space will be needed for a Relaxation Zone again…it’s only a matter of time before the Mandatory Mask rule comes back..it’s already on the rise in Orange County.
My comment seems to have been left on the ‘Cutting Room Floor’…?!
I only said that Disney will probably need this space once again for a Relaxation Zone…the writing is on the Wall.. I don’t really think it’s a big secret that DFB needs to protect?
AC, apologies. I missed it when I was reviewing comments the other day. It’s up now!