Yes, you can enjoy EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival with kids in tow. Here’s what works for my family — and how we keep the whining to a minimum.
Parents, let’s be honest: Most kids don’t rank EPCOT as their favorite Disney World theme park. Once you dive into World Showcase, a lot of kiddos can feel like the day starts dragging on. And during EPCOT’s International Food & Wine Festival — which is an annual a highlight for adults — they can get even more antsy (and whiny).
I’m here to help. I’ve learned a few tricks to keep the kids happy while still enjoying the best bites myself. So, here’s how to ensure you get to get the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival and your kiddos get to enjoy their day, too.
EPCOT’s Playgrounds Are Your Friend (Use Them!)
Photo by Laurie Sapp
There are playgrounds all around EPCOT, and trust me: They are a hit with the younger kiddos! Make these play areas your prime entertainment during EPCOT Food & Wine Festival. Parents can grab their eats, sit down, and let kids run around in the playground for a bit.
Some of my favorite play spaces are:
- World Discovery Playground near Test Track
- Mission: Space Advanced Training Lab located at the exit of Mission: Space
- The seasonal Harvest Hollow play area, which is open during the festival (and located near Mulled and Milled)
I also want to give a major shoutout to Kidcot locations as an honorable mention! As parents navigate all of the festival offerings around World Showcase, Kidcot offers the perfect opportunity for younger guests to get engaged in crafts and activities suited to their interests.
Give Kids a Chance to Try Something New
It’s a prime time for them to try new things. Do you have a child who will try anything at least once? The EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival is arguably the best time to get your children to try something new without a bit investment. Our daughter Riley will always try something new if we ask, so this is a go to maneuver for us to hype her up to try new things.
Look for Kid-Friendly Food Options at Festival Marketplaces
Photo by Danny Shuster
While EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival might seem quite tailored to adults, I find that it’s surprisingly kid-friendly. But the key to keeping kids engaged (and not whining) is knowing what options are available for them in advance
Kid-friendly food and drinks can be found, trust me: I’ve eaten them myself! I recommend pre-shopping for kid-friendly items they can eat and drink so you know exactly where to head when you arrive. You can either check out the festival menus online ahead of your visit or pick up a guide once you’re in the park.
My recommendation for the best kid-approved bites are dishes like the Apple-Cinnamon and Caramel Mini Churros Sundae at Mulled and Milled or the Liquid Nitrogen Frozen Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse at Swirled Showcase are surely going to win the kids over! There are even nonalcoholic drinks they’ll love, like the Frozen Apple Pie (a beverage made with apple pie filling, apple-cinnamon soft-serve, and apple-cinnamon cider).
Do a little research in advance, and you’d be surprised how many creative and fun festival items are kid-friendly.
Pace Yourself – and Your Kids
My last tip is to pace both the adults and children in your party as you’re exploring the Food & Wine Festival. While we may think of pacing ourselves when it comes to what we eat and drink, it’ll also help to pace the little ones.
For example, it’s a good idea to limit sugar and dairy on super hot late summer and fall days. Pace their drinking of carbonated beverages (and don’t forget about water!). Will your kids want to eat that entire cookie? Absolutely! But wow, will they pay for it with the stomachache that comes after. Help them and their tummies, and you’ll have an easy evening.
While it may not be the top draw for families, particularly with a festival focused on food and wine, I still think EPCOT can be a great family park during festivals. You just have to plan your visit correctly. With a little forethought, your kids may find new treats they love and give you, the parents, some much-needed time to enjoy a global food tour.
Thank you to Disney for hosting us during Destination D23.
