Credit: DisneyThe EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is almost here, but guests visiting during the first few weeks won’t find everything ready on opening day.
Walt Disney World’s massive food festival officially kicks off on August 27, bringing dozens of dishes, drinks, and Global Marketplaces back to EPCOT. However, Disney has confirmed that select festival locations and their menus won’t be serving guests when the event starts.
In some cases, visitors will have to wait more than a month before certain locations join the festival lineup.
EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival Returns August 27
Food & Wine remains one of EPCOT’s most popular annual events, largely because it gives guests another reason to explore the entire park.
Instead of sitting down for one large meal, visitors can walk between Global Marketplaces and sample smaller portions inspired by different countries and cuisines. The festival also features specialty beverages and the Eat to the Beat Concert Series.
This year’s EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival runs from August 27 through November 21, giving guests nearly three months to experience the event.
Disney has also officially released the menus for the 2026 festival, giving visitors a chance to start planning what they want to try.
However, checking the operating dates will be particularly important this year. Several locations have delayed openings, meaning an August or September visit won’t necessarily offer the same experience as an October trip.
Festival Favorites Won’t Open Until September 9
The first delayed location won’t keep guests waiting too long.
Festival Favorites, located at CommuniCore Hall, will begin serving guests on September 9. That means it will miss the festival’s first 13 days, then remain open through November 21.
The location brings together several comfort-food options, sweet treats, and specialty drinks.
Guests can expect offerings including:
- Potato Pierogi
- Bo Ssam Pork Belly Lettuce Wraps
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse Trifle
- Frozen S’mores milkshake
- Alcoholic Specialties
While the delay is relatively short, anyone visiting during the festival’s opening stretch won’t get an opportunity to try these selections.
The Wedge Hosted by Dairy Does More Arrives September 18
The wait becomes longer for The Wedge Hosted by Dairy Does More.
This cheese-focused marketplace won’t open until September 18, three weeks after Food & Wine begins. It also has an earlier closing date than the festival itself, with its final day scheduled for November 8.
Its menu leans heavily into rich comfort foods and cheese-inspired dishes.
The offerings include:
- Crab and Corn Macaroni and Cheese
- Cheesesteak Macaroni and Cheese
- Cannoli Milk Shake
- Alcoholic Specialties
With an operating window from September 18 through November 8, guests will have less time to experience The Wedge than at many other festival locations.
Coastal Eats Is Delayed Until October 2
Seafood lovers will face an even longer wait.
Coastal Eats, located near Creations Shop, won’t begin serving guests until October 2. Once it opens, the marketplace is scheduled to remain available through November 21.
Its menu centers around seafood, making this one of the more distinct stops at the festival.
Offerings include:
- Crab Cake
- Seafood Pot Pie
- Alcoholic Specialties
The October opening means guests visiting throughout August or September will completely miss Coastal Eats.
Earth Eats Also Waits Until October
Earth Eats joins the list of marketplaces sitting out the festival’s opening month.
Located in the World Nature area of EPCOT, Earth Eats will open on October 2 and continue operating through November 21.
Guests who wait until October can find a mixture of savory food, dessert, and drinks.
The menu includes:
- Red Wine-braised Beef Short Rib
- Lemon-Almond-Olive Oil Cake
- Minute Maid Aguas Frescas – Strawberry Hibiscus
- Alcoholic Specialties
That October 2 opening puts Earth Eats more than a month behind the festival itself.
The Alps Opens October 2
Guests hoping for warm Alpine-inspired dishes will also need to wait.
The Alps, located near the Germany pavilion in World Showcase, won’t open until October 2. It will then remain available through the festival’s November 21 conclusion.
As its name suggests, this marketplace focuses on flavors inspired by the Alpine region, with cheese taking a starring role.
Guests can expect:
- Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese
- Tartiflette
- Kirschwasser Torte
- Alcoholic Specialties
The late start makes The Alps another marketplace unavailable throughout the festival’s first five weeks.
India Joins the Festival in October
India rounds out the group of delayed Global Marketplaces.
Located near the China pavilion in World Showcase, India is scheduled to open on October 2 and operate through November 21.
The marketplace offers several recognizable favorites, including savory dishes and its popular chilled beverage.
The menu includes:
- Potato-Pea Samosas
- Chicken Tikka Masala
- Mango Lassi
- Alcoholic Specialties
Once again, that means guests visiting EPCOT before October won’t have access to any of these festival offerings.
What Does This Mean for EPCOT Visitors?
The Food & Wine Festival still begins August 27, and plenty of Global Marketplaces and specialty offerings will be available from the start. However, visitors should know that the complete 2026 lineup won’t arrive all at once.
Festival Favorites joins the event on September 9, followed by The Wedge on September 18. Then, on October 2, Coastal Eats, Earth Eats, The Alps, and India are scheduled to open.
For guests planning a trip specifically around festival food, those dates could make a major difference.
An opening-week visit still provides the excitement of experiencing Food & Wine as soon as it returns. But guests who want the widest selection of marketplaces may find October offers a more complete version of the festival.
Either way, checking the opening dates before arriving could prevent an unwelcome surprise when it’s finally time to start eating around EPCOT.
