When Walt Disney World® Resort reopened, it altered its usual slate of Epcot® festivals into more consolidated versions, know as a "Taste of..." the festivals. The more that have passed, the better Disney has gotten at refining this new, likely temporary version of its events.
What's different?
The "Taste of..." version of the Epcot festivals have a few changes from their previous editions, with a lot of on-stage entertainment and seminars being withheld. Otherwise, food booths, merchandise and other special events are still running as per usual, and they are just as good as ever.
All About the Food
Each festival features 20 food booths aside from the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, which has 30. The booths feature a variety of food and beverage items, each with a different theme. Choices are so abundant that on my last trip to each of the most recent festivals I spent most of my day eating and drinking around World Showcase and failed to get a singular item from even half of the booths. These are the primary draw for every festival, and is worth planning the majority of a day around.
Food items at every festival range from brilliantly creative to grilled cheese and tomato soup, so there are items perfect for everyone in the family. Picky eaters should find just as much a home at the festivals as the foodies of the family, giving everyone in the party a reason to attend any of the festivals. Food tours that grant an additional complimentary food item add to the fun
Extra Activities
If food isn't the draw for your party, each festival has an array of different activities. Scavenger hunts are present at each, while the Taste of...Epcot International Festival of the Arts has art galleries and an enormous paint-by-numbers, the Flower and Garden Festival is a slower-paced affair filled with topiaries and scenery.
When can you go?
Although the dates have not been announced for every festival, here's what we do know, along with what was previously scheduled:
Jan. 8, 2021 -Feb. 22, 2021 - Taste of Epcot International Festival of the Arts
March 3, 2021 -July 5, 2021 - Taste of Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
July 15 -Nov. 22, 2020 - Taste of Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
Nov. 27-Dec. 30, 2020 - Taste of Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
Which should you attend?
Taste of Epcot International Festival of the Arts - This is best for those who want a lot of additional activities or have less adventurous diners in their party. The International Festival of the Arts offers more complex, adventurous food, but it also offers a handful of simpler dishes for those who aren't willing to jump out on a limb. With so many additional activities to take part in, those who would rather eat a standard meal in the park can still enjoy the festival.
March 3, 2021 -July 5, 2021 - Taste of Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival - This is best for those who prefer a slower pace. A lot of this festival is centered around the topiaries and bounty of flowers planted throughout the park, and so it is best enjoyed with a dish or drink in hand while flower-gazing and people-watching.
July 15 -Nov. 22, 2020 - Taste of Epcot International Food & Wine Festival - This is best for the foodies. Its 30 food booths make it a no-brainer for those who want a lot of dining variety, with some of the best individual items from any festival being located here.
Nov. 27-Dec. 30, 2020 - Taste of Epcot International Festival of the Holidays - This festival is a great mix between all of the others, and provides equal amounts of entertainment and dining without too heavy an emphasis on one over the other. Its cookie stroll makes a great activity for younger guests, especially if they are picky eaters. This allows those who want to try more complex dishes be adventurous while they get to snack on cookies and still get to be involved in the festival's activities (although we enjoyed the cookie stroll ourselves too).