Hey Disney snacking friends. There are certain times of the year when EPCOT feels like it was made just for me, and the International Food & Wine Festival is right up there at the top of that list. Bringing together the World Showcase experience we know and love with one of life’s greatest pleasures, food, this festival is a wonderful opportunity to sample flavors from around the world. From tempting small plates to international beverages, there is always something new to discover.
With the 2026 festival drawing to a close in just a couple of weeks, I can’t help wondering if we really have to say goodbye to so many of these delicious offerings for another year. What if EPCOT’s International Food & Wine Festival could become a more permanent part of the park experience?
Now, I know what you’re thinking. We already have other EPCOT festivals to look forward to, and you wouldn’t want to lose those, would you? Absolutely not! The Festival of the Arts, Flower & Garden, and the upcoming Festival of the Holidays each bring something special to EPCOT. But what if we could keep more international food offerings available year-round, with seasonal menu changes and special additions to complement each festival?
Just imagine having more opportunities to sample dishes inspired by countries and cuisines beyond the 11 World Showcase pavilions. One of the things I enjoy most about Food & Wine is discovering something I might never have thought to try. Extending that experience beyond the festival dates would give us another reason to explore EPCOT, even when the seasonal celebrations change. And no, I don’t mean the whole shebang, but a condensed version of it? Yes please!
Of course, there is a difference between wishing for a year-round food destination and making it happen. Disney would need to consider the practicalities of keeping additional food offerings available, along with the staffing, operations, and menu changes involved. And I wouldn’t want to lose the quality and attention to detail that make these festival dishes so appealing in the first place.
Still, it seems such a shame to say goodbye to so many tempting options when the festival ends. I love being able to graze my way around World Showcase, sampling different dishes rather than settling on just one meal. My stomach is doing most of the thinking here, friends, and she has a very reasonable question. Why can’t we enjoy more of these international bites throughout the year?
And yes, I’m going to say it. I want my Festival of the Holidays celebration AND Food & Wine at the same time! Imagine enjoying seasonal holiday treats while still having access to more of those international flavors that make the Food & Wine Festival such a highlight for me. How could we go wrong?
This is, of course, my own EPCOT daydream, not an announcement of any planned changes. I wouldn’t want to lose the anticipation that comes with each festival, but I would love to see more of those much-loved, uniquely traditional cuisine offerings stick around beyond their usual seasonal run. It’s the same reason I adore traditions like Dim Sum; I love the variety.
What do you think, Disney friends? Would you love to see more International Food & Wine Festival favorites available throughout the year, or is part of the fun knowing that some dishes are only around for a limited time?
