Festivals at Disney World

In the entire center of the state of Florida is one of the most visited points in the world, Walt Disney World Resort.

Obviously many think “Disney is for children” or perhaps it is not to visit if you are an adult without children… no, no… no… no. This girl who writes this, 40 years old (uff… it was difficult to say it out loud), who only has 2 children of 4 legs, enjoys Disney World as an adult without feeling lost… Especially Epcot.

Yes, of course, you will find many things for kids that you may not enjoy as an adult. At least I’m not one to go visit the characters and hug them and take pictures with them. No, really, that’s not my thing, unless I’m with people who want to do that. BUT… WDW has many activities that, as an adult, you can enjoy very well… I’ll tell you below.

Walt Disney World for adults.

EPCOT is my favorite for that reason. It is a place where you can “travel” around 11 different countries in one day. Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, the United States (the hosts of course), Japan, Morocco, France, the United Kingdom and Canada. Each one has restaurants with their typical food, some with attractions, others with movies about their country. Others with outdoor shows that can tell a little more about their culture and many with stores where you can buy a little piece of that country home.

I admit that when I was a little girl visiting with my family, EPCOT was my least favorite park to visit. Now it is my favorite park. You can make “drinks around the world” or “food around the world”, enjoy different countries in a different way. Oh… and don’t forget to ride Soarin’.

In the same park, every year, there are 4 different festivals that, as adults, we can enjoy very very well. They are: International Festival of the Arts, International Flower and Garden Festival, International Food & Wine Festival and the year ends with the International Festival of the Holidays. Each of them has a variety of impressive dishes and drinks, as well as concerts and even small seminars to learn from photography or how to prepare a meal. Concerts and seminars are not available during the pandemic.

During festivals, sampling small plates and drinks is another must-see attraction.

International Festival of the Arts

The year begins with this arts festival. Usually between January and February. It is the newest festival of all, this 2021 celebrated its #5 anniversary. Usually it is between January and February.

Normally you have some seminars on photography or perhaps how to draw your favorite character, but with the new distancing rules those details cannot be done. Also the Broadway-style presentations have been suspended this 2021. Hopefully everything will return in 2022.

But as you walk through the park you will find some incredible designs, whether it be chalk on the ground or sculptures or paintings that you can even take home.

But as you walk through the park you will find some incredible designs, whether it be chalk on the ground or sculptures or paintings that you can even take home.

In the different food and drink kiosks, you can try some very colorful and creative things.

International Flower and Garden Festival

To welcome spring, EPCOT hosts the Flower and Garden Festival. Normally between March and the beginning of July.

In this festival you can enjoy a wide variety of topiaries with well-known characters. Also a beautiful decoration throughout the park with flower arrangements and gardens. A real show.

Obviously we cannot forget about the kiosks, that during this festival, you will be able to try several very natural dishes. Perhaps a flower-based drink or dishes that use 100% organic and local ingredients.

Also during this festival, you can enjoy a series of concerts at the US Pavilion Theater. During this 2021 there is no concert anymore due to the pandemic to avoid crowds.

International Food & Wine Festival

One of my favorites! It is usually between the end of August and the beginning of November.

As the name implies, it is full of drinks and dishes from many parts of the world. You normally have 11 countries at EPCOT, but during this festival you can find booths from Greece, Ireland, India, Australia, Argentina, the Caribbean Islands and more.

Normally it has concerts every day in the theater of the United States pavilion, for 2020 they were already eliminated due to the pandemic, but we still do not know if this 2021 they will be active or not. During these concerts I have managed to see Smash Mouth, Sugar Ray, Postmodern Jukebox and more. You’re obviously not going to see Lady Gaga or Aerosmith here, but it’s always nice to hear big hits from the 70s, 80s, 90s and a bit more.

You can also attend some seminars to learn the details of how to combine drinks with food or learn more about cheese. These seminars usually pay something extra and you have to book in advance. During 2020 they were not active, we still do not know for this 2021.

International Festival of the Holidays

And to end the year, what better way to know how Christmas is celebrated in different parts of the world.

Of course we cannot forget to mention typical dishes and drinks of the time in different countries or regions, such as coquito from Puerto Rico.

There are no concerts at this festival, but celebrities like Neil Patrick Harris and Whoopi Goldberg turn up to tell the Christmas story.

Obviously the Christmas decorations throughout the park are beautiful. A little tree… or a very large Christmas tree that welcomes you to the World Showcase (where the countries are located).

It usually ends on December 30 to prepare for the big end of the year party that usually has DJs, live music at various points and more… sadly on December 31, 2020 absolutely nothing was done to receive the year.

General info

You don’t have to pay extra for these festivals. When you buy your EPCOT ticket, the festival is included.

For each dish or drink it can be between $5 and $10 more or less. They are dishes to try, that is, they are small tapas that you can try in the different kiosks throughout the park. Most of the seminars you have to pay in advance as there are limited seats.

Pabellón de Francia

For each dish or drink it can be between $5 and $10 more or less. They are dishes to try, that is, they are small tapas that you can try in the different kiosks throughout the park. Most of the seminars you have to pay in advance as there are limited seats.

You can also find most of that information in the “My Disney Experience” park app that I always recommend downloading before visiting the Walt Disney World parks.

Share Button

Author: WandererYoss

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *