EPCOT VP Confirms Modified Festivals Here to Stay (For Now)

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Taste of EPCOT Festivals

Credit: Disney

“We’re going to continue this sort-of ‘taste of’ theme for now.” –EPCOT VP, Melissa Valiquette.

Walt Disney World Resort Guests are going to have to acquire a taste for EPCOT’s modified “Taste of EPCOT” festivals if they haven’t already.

Beginning with the Taste of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival, the words “taste of” have become the new standard description for the Disney Park’s modified and slightly downplayed festival experiences, and it appears that Disney World officials look to continue that by offering the Taste of EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays.

Vice President of EPCOT Melissa Valiquette (right) with host Marilyn West (left)
Credit: D23

During a segment of D23’s Fantastic Worlds series, “EPCOT – The Magic of Possibility,” Vice President of EPCOT Melissa Valiquette shed some light on the modified festivals and the procedures going forward.

Taste of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival
Credit: ITM / TJ M.

“We knew having plenty of outdoor dining would be really important to our Guests in this time,” she said. “Offering this ‘taste of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival was a big hit.”

Valiquette shared that Guests loved visiting this festival and “they’ve told me that it’s helped them celebrate and embrace something that’s familiar and finding comfort in the midst of this very difficult time in our world.”

Vice President of EPCOT Melissa Valiquette
Credit: D23

“We’re going to continue this sort-of ‘taste of’ theme for now,” EPCOT’s Vice President confirmed. “And we’re really looking forward to, now, the ‘Taste of EPCOT’ International Festival of the Holidays which will start next week, and then later in January our Festival of the Arts. There are a lot of great festival opportunities for our Guests.”

It was already announced that the Taste of EPCOT Festival of the Arts would begin, but the continuity of this modified “Taste of EPCOT” theme was not outright confirmed until now.

Several of us at Inside the Magic have taken part in the “Taste of EPCOT” version of the International Food and Wine Festival, and this writer can personally vouch for its ability to keep us celebrating and enjoying ourselves despite present circumstances.

Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts
Credit: ITM/TJ M.

Related: Honest Review: Taste of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival

We look forward to seeing what “taste” of holiday festivities comes our way this year. You can watch the full interview by clicking below:

Planning a trip back to EPCOT? Our friends at Academy Travel are standing by ready to help you make this Walt Disney World Resort vacation as magical as possible. Click here to get started and to receive your free, no-obligation quote today!

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