Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Spices Up Fall Meetings

This popular, annual festival combines food, entertainment and more to create a backdrop for unforgettable group events

Each fall at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, global flavors combine with festival fun to feature culinary delights from six continents at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. This year, attendees will have even more opportunities to sip and savor this popular festival, as it is now a record 62 days long, taking place from Sept. 14 through Nov. 14, 2016.

Located around Epcot’s World Showcase Lagoon, the festival features 30 international marketplaces, each serving up distinct bites and beverages for attendees to sample and enjoy. Other offerings include signature dining events with world-renowned chefs, culinary demonstrations, seminars and even an “Eat to the Beat” concert series with nightly performances. And best of all, with specially priced Theme Park tickets, meeting and convention attendees can experience the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival* in their free time, after their meetings end.

While this renowned festival offers attendees the opportunity to sample a taste of flavors and cultures from around the globe, it also offers exclusive opportunities for meeting professionals. Featuring built-in engagement, networking opportunities and culinary delights, the festival itself can serve as the inspiration and backdrop for special group experiences that can easily be incorporated into a conference agenda or overall group program:

• Farm-to-Table Dining Events – Groups can savor a “Florida Farm-to-Table” event, where Disney Chefs showcase local, fresh ingredients against the backdrop of a one-of-a-kind setting. With colorful surroundings and rustic décor, this event is a true celebration of the natural beauty and freshness of field and farm.

• Eat to the Beat concert series – Groups can jam out with colorful surroundings and rustic décor, this event is a true celebration of the natural beauty and freshness of field and farm. Multiple new Eat to the Beat concert acts debut; fan favorites return to play 186 festival concerts, in all –Wang Chung (Everybody Have Fun Tonight!) will open the Eat to the Beat concert series Sept. 14-15. More new acts in the concert series lineup, including Delta Rae and Toad The Wet Sprocket – will rock their chart-topping tunes. Other popular acts, including Wilson Phillips, Boyz II Men and Jeffrey Osbourne, will return to the America Gardens Theatre stage this fall.

• Group Culinary Activities – Interactive culinary experiences instill a sense of teamwork and camaraderie among attendees. Using sustainable ingredients grown in the Epcot’s Land Pavilion, teams work together to create a four-course meal that “serves” as the group’s lunch or dinner. Guests will put expert advice to use whether mixing cocktails, decorating cakes or using herbs to kick up a dish’s flavor.

• Discover New Flavors at Festival Events – Attendees can savor all of the culinary action at the festival’s premier events! From the ever-popular “Party of the Senses”, the Rockin’ Burger Block Party to Parisian breakfasts to mixology seminars, attendees can taste these indulgent culinary experiences before or after their meetings. And Party for the Senses grand tasting events will showcase creative bites and palate-pleasing sips from eminent chefs and beverage experts plus new live entertainment.

Unable to make it to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival this year? Not a problem! Our Disney Meetings team can create a customized festival themed event that takes attendees around the world (or even just around the United States!) through food and wine. Individualized, unique and memorable events are our specialty. Take attendees on a tour of Europe with their taste buds or feature personalized locales based on attendee’s homes or favorite vacation. An Epcot International Food & Wine Festival themed event can be custom-made to fit the group size, budget and imagination.

Stay tuned for more updates on the 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival! Let us know, if you could host a fall meeting or convention at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, how might your group be able to take advantage of this world-class event? Tell us on Twitter and Facebook!

We're excited to help you create the perfect meeting or private event for any size group, theme, and objective. Submit a request to connect with a Disney Meetings & Events representative to start planning your next meeting or event.

*Note: Premium events and some culinary programs require advance reservations and separate event admission purchase.