In many ways, Epcot is one of the best Disney parks to visit with your family. this magic kingdom and animal kingdom This may be a no-brainer for some who own popular attractions, but I’m surprised Epcot isn’t top of mind when planning a visit. Family trip to Disney World. Perfect for family vacations, Epcot attractions provide great times for all ages with a variety of entertainment, educational and culinary experiences. But when is the best time to visit Epcot?
What really sets Epcot apart and sets it apart from other parks is its year-round festivals. These four different events, centered around the World Showcase Lagoon, bring an extra touch of magic to the park. If you’re looking for the best time to visit Epcot, planning which festival to attend is definitely a good choice. Here’s your complete guide to Epcot’s annual festival. We provide detailed information on when each festival takes place each year and the highlights of each festival.
The park has recently become a top contender for one of the top theme parks, adding some exciting new attractions — Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Moana: Water Journey — to Epcot. What it lacks: more fun activities for kids and teens.
Epcot International Arts Festival
(Mid-January to mid-February)
The shortest festival of the year is also the most colorful and creative, with a wide range of exclusive entertainment options.
My favorite is the Animation Academy, where kids (and adults) can learn how to draw their favorite Disney characters.
artistic atmosphere
During the festival, you can also meet Disney Imagineers and invited artists and purchase their art at the Marketplace at World Showcase. Some of them will be working on their next piece of art live during the festival.
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For foodies, Disney certainly doesn’t miss the opportunity to offer exclusive culinary experiences. Food studios are located throughout the lagoon, serving colorful and creative dishes and cocktails. Who doesn’t love a delicious rainbow shortbread?
interactive experience
Don’t miss Figment’s Brush with the Masters, a scavenger hunt specially designed for little ones. You can purchase this map for less than $10. The mission is to find Figment, Epcot’s adorable purple dragon, hidden throughout the park, and win special collectible prizes upon map completion.
Finally, keep an eye out for the Expressions section, where you can collaborate on a giant paint-by-number mural, as well as the many photo spots scattered throughout the park. Not only will you leave the park with great memories, but you’ll also feel very creative.
If you are a lover of art and food, the Arts Festival is the perfect time to visit Epcot. What a great way to start the new year.
Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival
(Early March to early July)
In my opinion, the Flower and Garden Festival is the most beautiful festival of the year. In the spring and summer, the park is decorated with topiaries of Disney characters. If you’re looking for family photos, now is the perfect time to visit Epcot. Tens of thousands of plants and flowers are used to decorate the park.
In addition to admiring the colorful floral displays, you can also explore the different gardens created especially for the occasion.
Floral fragrance
Head to the popular Butterfly Garden to learn all about caterpillars and butterflies, admire beautiful specimens, and observe pupae. Or visit the Japanese bonsai collection, the French Bouquet Garden or the Chinese Bamboo Garden. This is the perfect family trip for spring break or an early summer getaway. You can spend an entire day exploring the diversity of ecosystems that exist on Earth and experience what Disney does best – making learning fun and engaging.
To add to the already vibrant atmosphere of the festival, the Garden Rocks stage hosts a series of concerts each day (Daily at 5:30pm, 6:45pm and 8pm). Some guests are internationally renowned. The 2023 series is hosted by Don Felder of Kuhl and the Gang or the Eagles.
beyond flowers
The gastronomic experience is perfectly aligned with the festival and takes the opportunity to make it educational by proposing sustainable plates. In addition to delicious and healthy options, you’ll also find many gluten/wheat-friendly and plant-based options.
Not only is this festival a rejuvenating break between two other Disneyland visits, it’s also a great way for kids to learn more about and expose themselves to sustainability while having fun.
Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
(End of July to mid-November)
The Food and Wine Festival is my favorite festival. I’m not sure if this is because I’m a veteran traveler obsessed with French food, but one thing is for sure. It’s wonderful to travel around the world with family and friends in just a few hours and taste the food and spirits from each country represented. On this occasion, Epcot has also expanded the list of World Showcase countries, setting up temporary pavilions for countries as diverse as Spain, India and Brazil.
In addition to the food market, Epcot also organizes other events, from workshops with famous Disney chefs to curated tastings and classes.
Don’t forget to grab your free festival pass. This should be the first thing you do at the main entrance to the park. It will give you all the information you need to visit the Food and Wine Festival and show you the menus for each country.
gourmet food
If you’re a cheese lover, this is also the best time to visit Epcot. You can collect “Emile’s Montage” stamps in certain locations (trust the French, you’ll want to play). Once your all-cheese passport is stamped, you’ll get an exclusive complementary treat.
There is an annual scavenger hunt for the little ones: Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak. You can purchase the map at the main Disney store in the park for less than $10. Kids will have a great time playing with the stickers. Every time they find Remy hiding in the park, they put a sticker on the map. No good treasure hunt would exist without treasure as a reward. Once Remy is discovered around the world, you’ll be invited to redeem a collectible gift.
Finally, it wouldn’t be a festival without music. Eat to the Beat is a series of concerts on the American Garden Theater stage. There are performances by well-known local and international bands.
The Food and Wine Festival has everything you and your family need to keep you satisfied. You’ll find everything from delicious food to great entertainment.
Epcot International Holiday Festival
(End of November to December 30)
The last festival of the year is probably also the most enchanting. The Epcot International Festival showcases Christmas and holiday traditions from around the world.
Are the holidays a special time of year for you? If you want to spend an unforgettable celebration with family away from home, the holidays are definitely the best time to visit Epcot. You’ll love the different entertainment options and beautiful Christmas decorations available during the holidays.
festive atmosphere
The American Garden Theater hosts the popular Candlelight Procession every day, which carries all the magic of Christmas (Daily at 5pm, 6:45pm and 8pm). A large choir performs holiday songs while famous narrators (like Neil Patrick Harris, Eva Longoria and John Stamos in 2023) tell Christmas stories to the audience.
Consider booking a dinner package, which will guarantee you a prime spot in the theater and allow you to skip the long lines that typically form a few hours before the show.
Other exciting entertainment options are available throughout the day. My favorite part was walking around the World Showcase Lagoon and listening to the local holiday storytellers tell the stories and traditions of their country. I think this gives the holiday a special international dimension.
dessert
Let’s not forget to celebrate with delicious holiday food. Epcot is located in meetoffering a variety of international cuisine.
If you have a sweet tooth, I highly recommend it. How could I not? Dessert at French Christmas markets – the traditional “Buche de Noel” (Yule log cake).
Finally, the Epcot Festival of the Holidays offers a scavenger hunt with Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree for a small fee. This is a perfect activity for little ones, who will help Chip & Dale collect Christmas decorations for their Christmas tree. Once you’ve collected all the decorations, head to one of the Disney Stores to claim exclusive seasonal prizes.
Taking place in late November through December, the festival is the perfect time of year to experience the holiday spirit at the Disney World theme parks. The peak summer season is over, so it’s perfect for a family vacation to Walt Disney World, but be aware that you’ll find the busiest days are around Christmas.
There are few better ways to celebrate the holidays away from home than with crowds. All the magic of Disney is here to make this an unforgettable adventure for you and your loved ones.
Epcot through the holiday season
In addition to the vast array of entertainment available year-round, Epcot is also home to a variety of charming holiday celebrations. This makes every visit unique and exciting. There is no doubt that if you are planning a trip to Epcot, you will have a great time if you go during one of these festivals. Luckily, there are festivals happening most of the time.
Now, the hardest part of planning a vacation is choosing which festivals and special events to attend and when, but once you know your travel dates, Luxe Recess can take care of the rest disney vacation. We plan turnkey luxury Disney vacations for 2 to 32 people, and we’ve done it all.
