Food & Wine with a Big Group

Hey Insiders, Ashley here! If you’ve been following The Kingdom Insider for quite some time, you will notice that attending the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is an annual tradition for my family. Last year I wrote a little bit about why our family travels from New York and other parts of Florida to meet up in Orlando to taste our way around the world. Check that out here. But you may also be thinking…how in the world are 17 of them enjoying this experience together? You are most definitely giving us the same look as the friendly cast member asking us “how many” when we reach the end of the line for the Gran Fiesta Tour boat ride in the Mexico pavillion and say “17…can we have our own boat?” 🙂 P.S. That is our favorite way to wrap up an all day experience of eating and drinking around the world.

Here are my top 3 tips & tricks to making Epcot work with a large group:

1. Link up on MyDisneyExperience and start a group text before the day begins. This is crucial so that no one is left out when you need a break from eating and drinking and want to hop in the virtual queue or purchase a Lighting Lane for Guardians of the Galaxy. The text group is imperative, so that when a straggler runs off to purchase the latest festival merchandise, participate in a scavenger hunt, check out the Eat to the Beat Concert Series, or scout a spot for fireworks…everyone knows where to meet.
2. Take a look at the menus beforehand. This will help with setting the loose plan for the day as well as understanding what booths can accommodate dietary requests because with a large group, there are going to be members who require allergy friendly items. The beauty of the festival is that many of the marketplaces feature items that accommodate these requests. For example, some menu items are marked as plant-based. You can also speak with a Chef or Cast Member before placing an order.
3. Understand that it’s okay to break up. There is no way every single person in your group is going to want to eat and drink from the same booths, ride the same rides, or see the same shows. Our best method is starting in Canada – because let’s be honest…everyone wants the Filet Mignon & Cheddar Cheese Soup and then setting a plan for what’s next. For example: we go over what’s coming up next – who wants to hit the France booth? How about Brazil? And then we set a meeting place and time in Morocco, so that we aren’t too far broken up or apart for long periods of time because that defeats the purpose of trying to make it happen all together! One of our favorite spots is Germany where we always enjoy a wine or a beer together as a family in honor of my Grandfather.

Check out our YouTube video where you can see all of the amazing bites & sips we tried this year.

There is still 2 months left to enjoy 28 booths. Be sure to let our friends at Academy Travel help book your vacation before November 18th, so that you can eat and drink from 6 continents too!

Are you ready to book your Disney vacation? Leave all the details to our friends at Academy Travel Agency & let one of their Disney experts take it from here! Just click here to select your Disney destination of choice, fill out the quick & easy questionnaire, and your personalized, free agent will be in touch soon! Take a look around our website in the meantime, and read all about resorts, cruises, dining, entertainment & more! Be sure to follow us @thekingdominsider on Instagram & The Kingdom Insider on Facebook for updates & Insider info on what’s not to be missed! Get excited, the countdown to your vacation is ON!