EPCOT festivals are some of the most exciting offerings throughout the year in the park.
EPCOT
It’s a fantastic way to try some new dishes you normally wouldn’t know about, experience other cultures without purchasing an entire meal, and experience some amazing entertainment. However, Disney has changed something this year which means there’s about to be a pretty awkward period in the park later this year.
In past years, Disney World typically puts their festivals right next to each other with very few days in between. However this year, that has changed.
EPCOT
In fact, there are 92 (!!) days in between the end of EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival (May 27th) and the beginning of EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival (August 29th). At this time, we do not have dates for the beginning of EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays, but it typically starts the day after Thanksgiving, which is November 29th this year.
Flower and Garden Festival
So what exactly does this mean? Well, it won’t seem like there’s too much of a difference for people who don’t pay a lot of attention to festivals when they’re in EPCOT anyway, but for the vast majority of EPCOT fans who travel there specifically to experience the festival offerings, you may feel like the park is lacking some of its pizzazz.
EPCOT
All the booths will be closed around the park, limited the dining options you have around the park by around half, and there won’t be any special concerts or entertainment happening. While you’ll still be able to experience all the attractions the park typically has to offer, festival-goers may feel like they’re really missing out.
Festival of the Arts Artwork
If you find yourself in EPCOT during this time and are missing these opportunities, there are a few things we suggest doing to still fulfill those cultural experiences you’re looking for!
- Check out the restaurants and stands around World Showcase! Even without festivals going on in EPCOT, there are consistently open quick service and table service offerings in the World Showcase that will give you a fantastic taste of the culture of that country. Some of our favorites are Spice Road Table in Morocco, La Cava del Tequila in Mexico, Chefs de France in France, and Biergarten in Germany, just to name a few!
- Head out of the park early and go to Disney Springs for some live entertainment! Disney Springs often has local and popular bands playing at the various stages around the area. You can grab some great food at different restaurants in the area and have a wonderful evening.
- Research the park’s year round offerings, such as the rides, shows, and what transportation options are available to other parks in case you prefer to park hop. You can take the Skyliner to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Monorail to the Ticket and Transportation Center and then to Magic Kingdom, and a bus to Disney’s Animal Kingdom!
Canada Pavilion
This is also why it’s important to wait until Disney makes announcements about festivals before booking your trip, if at all possible, so you’re not disappointed if you happen to miss the festival. We’re always here to help you plan your next vacation and bring you all the latest news, so stay tuned to DFB!
Learn all about EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival here to get prepared!
What’s your favorite EPCOT festival? Tell us in the comments!
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The festivals need to be shorter with more time periods that the park is “normal”. Epcot became reliant on festivals because many attractions had become stale combined with having so much construction occurring. Perhaps as the construction concludes, leadership will just let the park be the park rather than flooding it with festival booths all the time. After all there was more than a decade without any festivals until Food & Wine started in 1996.
This was a totally bummer, we booked our trip for mid august since last year thinking the festival will be happening, now I only get my last day (not enough time to try all the goodies I was dreaming of) Unfortunately waiting for the park to announce when a festival is going to happen to book your trip is not a good tip but not great, your options are more limited if you plan to stay on Disney property and prices on resort, plain tickets and others might be higher as well. But oh well there’s not much we can do about it, I’m just sad things change so soon, so fast and so unexpected.
I was sad at first but then realized it will give me the opportunity to eat at some of my favorite quick service spots that I gave not enjoyed in years.
My thoughts exactly, Dawne! I spend so much time at all the booths that I skip right past the tried and true table service and quick service restaurants.
Buzzkill much? It’s remarkable 365 days a year.