With Walt Disney World reopening after a lengthy and unscheduled closure, many fans of the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival assumed it wouldn’t be happening this year. Luckily Disney surprised guests with the news that a modified Food and Wine Festival would return in 2020 starting on July 15th to celebrate the festival’s 25th anniversary! The “Taste of Epcot International Food and Wine Festival” is a streamlined version of the popular delicacy-focused enhancement to the park that usually occurs every Fall. This new style of the festival features many of the offerings usually found at Food and Wine like the delicious kitchens, with a bit of a Flower and Garden Festival twist (many of the character topiaries will still be on display). Let’s take a look at what to expect from this year’s festival.

Global Marketplaces

The Food and Wine Festival’s biggest draw is the delectable bites and beverages offered at Global Marketplaces throughout the park. Most booths serve a selection of dishes and beverages from a specific region or countries like Africa, Brazil, and Canada. Some booths aren’t dedicated to a geographic location and feature items showcasing new culinary trends like the Appleseed Orchard. With over 20 booths this year, there is a wide variety of small bites and libations that should satisfy almost anyone. 

To see the full list of this year’s Global Marketplaces, check out the full menus by clicking here.

Entertainment

The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival usually features a concert series called Eat to the Beat with well-known musical acts. This year’s version of the festival won’t include Eat to the Beat, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be any entertainment on hand. Throughout this year’s festival guests can enjoy performances from two of EPCOT’s most popular park performers. Every day during the festival the American Gardens theater in the American Adventure Pavilion will host live performances by Mariachi Cobre and JAMMitors.

Guests will know Mariachi Cobre as the Mexico Pavilion’s own “streetmosphere” entertainment that entertains guests with traditional folk music from Jalisco, Mexico. The JAMMitors are well known for their energetic percussion performances featuring everyday objects and audience participation. Performances will last around 30 minutes each and occur multiple times a day. Check your park Times Guide for showtimes.

Remy’s Ratatouille Hide and Squeak Scavenger Hunt

Also included this year is the fan-favorite return of Remy’s Ratatouille Hide and Squeak Scavenger Hunt. This separately priced experience lets guests help the culinarily-focused rat Remy gather ingredients for his signature dish. To participate in the hunt guests must first purchase a map with included stickers for each ingredient. As you tour around World Showcase, you will place the corresponding sticker to the area you found it. After you’ve completed your map, you can return it to select locations where you will be awarded a special prize.

Maps can be purchased and returned after completion at Pin Traders – Camera Center, Port of Entry, or World Traveler at International Gateway. Pricing for this year’s scavenger hunt has not been released yet, but last year’s was offered for $6.99 so expect around the same for this year.

Merchandise

It wouldn’t be a Disney Parks festival without a lineup of souvenirs you can purchase to remember your visit. Although the festival is a lot smaller than in years past, there’s still a handful of Food and Wine items for sale as well as some leftover offerings from the shortened Flower and Garden Festival.

Orange Bird’s Hello Sunshine Collection

Fans will be able to purchase merchandise ranging from headwear, apparel and drinkware inspired by Orange Bird—all showcasing his spunky attitude infused with his iconic citrus-inspired design.

Minnie’s Flower Cart

Inspired by the array of floras found on a flower cart, Minnie’s blooming collection brings pastel shades to life through apparel, headwear, accessories and more.

Spike’s Sweet as can Bee Collection

One of the hits of the shortened Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, this new merchandise inspired by Spike the Bee and Donald ranges from headwear and apparel to bee-witching accessories.

Disney Parks Wishables

Is there anything more fun than a new #DisneyParksWishables collection, especially the open-chase edition of Mickey Mouse, with Minnie Mouse, Frushi, Figment Topiary and Butterfly in the blind bags? .

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Photos Courtesy Disney