If you’ve ever been to EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival, you know that eating your way around the world is basically a rite of passage!
EPCOT Food & Wine Festival
I mean, truly, all the food booths have something delicious to offer, but there has been one glaring issue that keeps hindering the experience. We haven’t seen Disney fix it yet, so that means we’ve gotta talk about it!
As we were saying, the food has been great at EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival, but there’s been this glaring and nagging issue that Disney just hasn’t fixed and it’s threatening to ruin our collective experiences. Disney, if you’re listening, “Where are all the tables??”
EPCOT Food & Wine Festival
We noticed early on Day 1 of this year’s festival that it was clear there was a serious lack of places to actually sit and enjoy your food. Many of us were immediately wondering how we were supposed to fully savor our festival treats when we’ve got to awkwardly balance our plates on trash cans? And if the trash cans are already taken, we’re left to stand in some random corner all while juggling a drink, food, and trying not to drop anything? (Raise your hand if you can relate.)
Strawberry Basil Cocktail: Beefeater Pink Strawberry Gin, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Seagram’s Ginger Ale, with strawberry and basil syrups
Now, fast forward 15 days into the festival and guess what? At this point, Disney still hasn’t done a thing about it. No new tables have magically appeared, and we’re still doing a balancing act to eat at one of the most popular festivals of the year.
Dark Chocolate Fondue with berries, pound cake, and meringues
To be fair, there are a few scattered standing tables here and there, but finding one open feels like winning the lottery. It’s pretty frustrating, especially when you’re just trying to relax between bites and enjoy the park’s vibes.
Cheddar Cheese and Bacon Soup served with a pretzel roll
Now, don’t get me wrong. I love EPCOT, and the Food & Wine Festival is an absolute must for any Disney foodie, but you’d think after all these years of hosting this massive event, Disney would get the memo that people actually want to sit (or at least have a decent table) while enjoying their eats. The demand for tables is painfully clear. All you need to do is just take a look at the crowds trying to claim a spot.
Filet Mignon with mushrooms, Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs mashed potatoes, and Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs butter
So, here we are, two weeks in, still balancing gourmet snacks on garbage cans like it’s a normal thing. Disney, we love you, but this seems like a fixable problem.
EPCOT Food & Wine Festival
In the meantime, you can check out our festival video right here!
Trying to plan the PERFECT trip to the 2024 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival? We’ll be keeping you updated on all of the latest. Click our links below for the information you need to know:
- Learn about the Eat to the Beat Concert Series and Dining Packages
- Check out ALL of the 2024 Food & Wine Booth Menus
- One HUGE Change Is Coming to the 2024 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival!
Click here to see FULL reviews of EVERY. SINGLE. BOOTH. at the Food & Wine Festival!
And don’t forget to pick up our 2024 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival e-book! See more details about the book below.
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!
Learn More About the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival!
Food and Wine Festival 101Eat to the Beat Concert Updates
EPCOT Food and Wine Festival - Fans Facebook Page
Wine and Dine Half Marathon Details
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Have you noticed the lack of tables at the Food & Wine festival this year? Tell us in the comments!
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There are no tables at the festival for the same reason Disney’s bean counters have ruthlessly debased the entire WDW experience…. People are still paying to visit. As Walt repeatedly warned, the bean counters destroy all innovation and creativity. Disney long ago stopped worrying about giving park goers a superior experience…. Now you see the result.
Tables, chairs and some overhead cover. Not a lot to ask, but oh what a huge increase in numbers and good will for Disney.
I totally agree!!! We were just at Epcot and had a quick service meal at Sommerfest in Germany. Did a mobile order and thought (silly me) that they would have some tables under cover where you pick up the food, but nothing. They have a few tables in outside area, but they are first come first serve. You have to be patient to get table as can’t eat otherwise. This is the way it’s been for years. Unfortunately I don’t see a change for customers.
My thought is that the Disney folks in charge don’t want you to be sitting too long because if you are sitting, then you are not spending. They want you moving to the next food booth or merch cart.
Agreed! Much of the food is not small bites that can be eaten while walking and we want to savor the experience. Worse, many places to sit are occupied by people not even eating or drinking! C’mon Disney….be a sport and get us places to sit and eat!