1
Credit: DisneyIf your family uses the Disney Dining Plan to save that sweet “up to 30%” off the cost of dining on your Disney vacations, you simply must consider using some of your snack credits at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival!
This year’s festival runs through November 23, 2019, and throughout the season there are delicious eats to try around the park, especially if you’re working with the dining plan.
To get the greatest value for the cost of the plan, it makes sense to focus your credits on the more expensive dining options, which there are plenty of in Epcot even with the festival’s ‘tasting’ size portions.
If you’re paying one set price for the plan, maximizing the value is easy when you consistently eat at more expensive restaurants and order more expensive dishes. As a side note, if you usually do not eat at “high value” restaurants or order more expensive entrees, the dining plan may not be the best option for you in the first place — a point to consider especially if you are vegan or vegetarian as meat and seafood dishes usually give you the best value.
While we could easily go on and on about the ins and outs of the Disney Dining Plan, we’re here to dive into one of the most exciting ways to use up some of those credits: The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Save up your snack credits, grab a passport book, and join us for a look at this year’s must-eats on the dining plan.
Piri Piri Skewered Shrimp with Citrus-scented Couscous from Africa – $6.75
$6.75 is not necessarily one of the most expensive price points you’ll see at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, but due to the size and quality of this first dish it is certainly one of the best values around. Stop at the Africa booth and enjoy FIVE shrimp, alongside a healthy portion of couscous and beans and veggies. This definitely one of the larger dishes at the festival that can easily make up a lunch or tasting portion for multiple adults, and as such it’s a value for both your snack credits or your cash.
Caramel Apple Popcorn from the Appleseed Orchard Cider Bar – $10
New for 2019, the Appleseed Orchard features an array of items from cider flights to a charcuterie and cheese plate, and a surprising addition as the most expensive menu item at the festival: Caramel Apple Popcorn. At $10, ordering this treat is the best way to stretch your dining plan funds at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.
While the value is there with this popcorn due to the cost, it’s worth pointing out that the portion size for popcorn is a little small for $10. Still, it’s a fun fall snack and can easily be shared especially if you’re tasting your way around the park for the day. (And if popcorn isn’t your thing, the charcuterie plate for $6.50 isn’t a half bad deal either!)
Le Cellier Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle-Butter Sauce from Canada – $8.25
With its long lines and staple menu items from Le Cellier, the Canada booth continues to be a fan favorite year after year. The Wild Mushroom Filet Mignon with that oh-so-delicious truffle butter sauce is another one of the more expensive dishes at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, which is welcome news for guests on the dining plan.
Not in the mood for steak? Opt for the Cheddar Cheese and Bacon soup (and dip the pretzel bread!). Just consider paying out of pocket for the soup. At $5.25 it’s not the worst but also not the best use of your snack credits.
New England Lobster Roll: Warm Lobster with Fresh Herb Mayonnaise and Griddled Roll from Hops & Barley – $8.25
Lobster rolls do not come cheap, and at $8.25 this ‘tasting portion’ of the real deal is a worthwhile value while using the dining plan. If you are from New England, you’re probably not the target audience for this dish, but if you aren’t from an area where lobster rolls are prevalent or if you’re looking to give one a try this is a good place to start.
Quick service lobster rolls in theme parks are certainly few and far between, so for $8.25 or a Disney Dining Plan snack this is one of the best ways to get a quick lobster fix at Walt Disney World.
Costine di Maiale: Balsamic-glazed and Oven-roasted Pork Ribs from Italy – $8.00
Considering skipping the Italy booth in favor of something more “unique”? Don’t! The Italy booth just debuted a brand new fan-favorite dish: Costine di Maiale, or balsamic-glazed ribs.
At $8.00 they’re an excellent deal on the dining plan and moreover they are certainly one of the most interesting and tasty options at this year’s festival. (Why haven’t we been using a balsamic glaze on ribs this whole time?!)
NY Strip Steak Green Shermoula Flatbread with fresh Radish and Tomato Salsa from Morocco – $9.00
While Morocco has been a popular stop for Food & Wine Festival fans over the years thanks to their hummus fries, this flatbread is new for 2019! It’s a great way to get in some steak at the festival while still savoring some veggies and unique spices, and at $9.00 it’s a steal for a single snack credit on the dining plan. Want to get a little something sweet? Go for the Chocolate Baklava, but pay with your own cash since it’s only $4.50.
Can’t wait to get your taste buds going at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival? Get in touch with our go-to authorized Disney vacation planners at Academy Travel! As experts on all things Disney they can plan every step of your trip from where to stay and where to eat at no extra cost to you. Click here to get a free no-obligation quote and start planning your foodie trip to Epcot today.