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Our Review of the 2026 Epcot Food & Wine Festival
It is officially one of our favorite times of the year at Walt Disney World! The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival has returned, and this year is particularly special—it is officially celebrating its milestone 30th Anniversary.
Running from August 27 through November 21, 2026, this iconic festival invites guests to embark on an incredible culinary adventure across six different continents. As a tradition, we always attend opening day and try to sample as many bites and sips as our appetites can handle.
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Because 2026 marks three decades of foodie magic, Disney brought back and reimagined several nostalgic menu items from past festivals alongside brand-new culinary creations. After grazing our way through opening day, we found some absolute standout dishes that made the trip more than worth it.
The Standout Savory Bite: Basil Pesto Chicken Dumplings
If there is one item you cannot miss this year, it’s the NEW Basil Pesto Chicken Dumplings from Gyozas of the Galaxy.
At just $5.99, these might honestly be my favorite bites of the entire 2026 festival. These delicious dumplings come packed with an incredible blend of flavors.
You get a rich kick from the basil pesto, perfectly balanced by sweet tomato confit and a smooth, creamy fonduta, all finished off with a delicate drizzle of balsamic glaze right on top. Every element works together seamlessly—it is a total flavor explosion and an absolute must-try.
The Ultimate Sweet Treat: Caramel-Apple Cheesecake Baumkuchen
On the sweet side of the festival, our top honor goes to the NEW Caramel-Apple Cheesecake Baumkuchen for $6.49.
Hands down, this was one of the best things we placed on our palates all day. Despite “cheesecake” being in the name, it didn’t give off classic heavy cheesecake vibes.
Instead, it tasted like a soft, fluffy, thick vanilla cake with gorgeous, distinct layers—reminiscent of something your grandma would bake from scratch, then load up with a warm caramel-apple filling right in the center and top with light whipped cream. It was soft, sweet, and perfectly balanced. We would order both of these top menu items again in a heartbeat!
Must-Have Festival Merch & Kitchen Keepsakes
Of course, no opening-day visit is complete without checking out the brand-new festival merchandise lineup! Creations Shop and the Festival Marketplaces are packed with fun new apparel, accessories, and kitchen essentials.
A few of our favorite picks from the 2026 merchandise collection include:
- The “Baking Magic Every Day” Spirit Jersey ($79.99): Featuring a royal blue colorway with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and sweet festival treats displayed across the back.
Related-Every Piece of Official 2026 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Logo Merch
- Chef Hat Minnie Ears ($36.99): Complete with a royal blue leather-style finish and a miniature chef’s hat right in the center.
- Chip ‘n’ Dale “Tastebuds” Loungefly Crossbody ($100.00): Shaped like a slice of cake with Chip and Dale tucking in—a super fun accessory for carrying festival essentials around World Showcase.
- Churro Packable Tote Bag ($19.99): A handy festival bag that folds up neatly inside a plush churro-shaped zip pouch!
Novelty Kitchenware: From ceramic mini-trash can salt and pepper shakers ($14.99) to double oven mitts and espresso maker mugs, there are plenty of fun ways to bring the festival home to your own kitchen.
Decor & CommuniCore Opening Day Observations
Beyond the food, we really appreciated the subtle shift in aesthetics this year. It was refreshing to see a departure from having Remy featured on every single banner and piece of decor.
The vibrant new color palettes and dedicated 30th-anniversary touches gave World Showcase and World Celebration a refined, celebratory feel.
However, opening day in CommuniCore Hall was a bit quiet. There weren’t any active festival offerings set up in the building just yet—Goofy was still hanging out as part of the Cool Kids Summer offerings.
While it was a slight disappointment that a handful of major festival experiences won’t be debuting until mid-September and October, it gives us a great reason to plan a return trip!
What We’re Looking Forward to Later in the Season:
- “Cheers to Cheese!” Experience at CommuniCore Hall (Sept 18 – Nov 8): An interactive exhibit celebrating cheese history and fun facts.
- The Wedge (Hosted by Dairy Does More): Featuring inventive dishes like macaroni and cheese variations, a wholesome cheese flight, and a indulgent Cannoli Milk Shake topped with chocolate shavings and a mini cannoli shell!
Final Verdict
Even with a few upcoming offerings staggered for later in the autumn season, the 30th-anniversary edition of the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival delivers in a huge way. Between nostalgic callbacks,inventive new favorites, and refreshed decor, opening day proved once again why this remains one of our favorite seasonal events at Walt Disney World!
