- Mar 13, 2024
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Over the last several decades, festivals have become a bigger and bigger part of EPCOT’s year. From the Festival of the Arts and Flower & Garden through Food & Wine and the Festival of the Holidays, the times of year when there isn’t a fest on the calendar are becoming few and far between.
2025 Food and Wine Signs!
Over my years covering Walt Disney World, I’ve seen EPCOT’s festivals evolve into the massive events they are now, which guests annually visit and plan for all year round. Over time, that planning has evolved into hacks, all of which are helpful… until they become overused, to the point where they potentially impact other guests.
Anyone who’s visited EPCOT during one of the park’s festivals, especially on busy days, knows that getting a table near one of the food booths can be difficult… to say the least. Given that, it’s no surprise that many guests have taken to splitting their parties, with some grabbing a table while others go and get the food.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Magical Guides-Atmosphere-Cookie-Stroll-Festival-of-the-Holidays-EPCOT-Festivals-EPCOT-Disney-World-Video-Nov-28-2025-2-700x525.jpg
Festival of the Holidays lines
The issue here is that, given the usual length of lines and prep time, there’s probably enough time for a person who already has their food to use a table, eat, and leave before the other members of the party who have claimed the table get back with the food.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/20250928-Magical Guides-Atmosphere-Gyozas-of-the-Galaxy-Booth-Food-and-Wine-Festival-EPCOT-Festivals-EPCOT-23-700x525.jpg
Full Spread 2025
We would definitely advise doing your best to grab a table after you’ve got your food. Or, at the very least, if you split your party, those in charge of looking for a table shouldn’t start looking for one until the person getting food has ordered.
The day that festival menus come out is always a favorite of ours, and many guests as well. Often, festival-goers will plan their desired meals weeks or months before their visit. However, there is a danger in looking at the menu beforehand and zeroing in on a certain item from each booth.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Magical Guides-Atmosphere-Hawaii-2025-Food-and-Wine-Festival-EPCOT-Festivals-World-Showcase-EPCOT-Disney-World-Booth-Menu-1-1-441x600.jpg
Hawai’i Menu
Occasionally, items run out or are unavailable (especially near the start of the festival), meaning that having some backup thoughts in mind, or at least being flexible, is very important. We’d advise finding multiple items on each booth’s menu that you’d be willing to try; that way, if your top choice is unavailable, your flexible backup is already in your mind.
In recent years, especially since the opening of the Walt Disney World Skyliner, many EPCOT festival guests have been entering through the International Gateway to get to World Showcase (especially France)’s booths faster.
Disney Skyliner
However, the more people who use the entrance, the more crowded — and less of a “hack” — it becomes. So, if you plan on entering the park that way during your next visit during a festival season, don’t count on getting in any faster.
2025 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Passport
These EPCOT festival hacks can definitely be helpful at times… if they’re not being done by everyone! Stay tuned to Magical Guides for more on EPCOT’s festivals.
What are your go-to festival hacks? Let us know in the comments below.
2025 Food and Wine Signs!
Over my years covering Walt Disney World, I’ve seen EPCOT’s festivals evolve into the massive events they are now, which guests annually visit and plan for all year round. Over time, that planning has evolved into hacks, all of which are helpful… until they become overused, to the point where they potentially impact other guests.
Tables, Tables, Tables
Anyone who’s visited EPCOT during one of the park’s festivals, especially on busy days, knows that getting a table near one of the food booths can be difficult… to say the least. Given that, it’s no surprise that many guests have taken to splitting their parties, with some grabbing a table while others go and get the food.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Magical Guides-Atmosphere-Cookie-Stroll-Festival-of-the-Holidays-EPCOT-Festivals-EPCOT-Disney-World-Video-Nov-28-2025-2-700x525.jpg
Festival of the Holidays lines
The issue here is that, given the usual length of lines and prep time, there’s probably enough time for a person who already has their food to use a table, eat, and leave before the other members of the party who have claimed the table get back with the food.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/20250928-Magical Guides-Atmosphere-Gyozas-of-the-Galaxy-Booth-Food-and-Wine-Festival-EPCOT-Festivals-EPCOT-23-700x525.jpg
Full Spread 2025
We would definitely advise doing your best to grab a table after you’ve got your food. Or, at the very least, if you split your party, those in charge of looking for a table shouldn’t start looking for one until the person getting food has ordered.
Too Much Focus on Pre-Planning
The day that festival menus come out is always a favorite of ours, and many guests as well. Often, festival-goers will plan their desired meals weeks or months before their visit. However, there is a danger in looking at the menu beforehand and zeroing in on a certain item from each booth.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Magical Guides-Atmosphere-Hawaii-2025-Food-and-Wine-Festival-EPCOT-Festivals-World-Showcase-EPCOT-Disney-World-Booth-Menu-1-1-441x600.jpg
Hawai’i Menu
Occasionally, items run out or are unavailable (especially near the start of the festival), meaning that having some backup thoughts in mind, or at least being flexible, is very important. We’d advise finding multiple items on each booth’s menu that you’d be willing to try; that way, if your top choice is unavailable, your flexible backup is already in your mind.
Packing the International Gateway
In recent years, especially since the opening of the Walt Disney World Skyliner, many EPCOT festival guests have been entering through the International Gateway to get to World Showcase (especially France)’s booths faster.
Disney Skyliner
However, the more people who use the entrance, the more crowded — and less of a “hack” — it becomes. So, if you plan on entering the park that way during your next visit during a festival season, don’t count on getting in any faster.
2025 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Passport
These EPCOT festival hacks can definitely be helpful at times… if they’re not being done by everyone! Stay tuned to Magical Guides for more on EPCOT’s festivals.
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What are your go-to festival hacks? Let us know in the comments below.
