Welcome to my journey through the gluten-free options at Food & Wine Festival! My partner & I will be exploring various booths and sampling their offerings to help you find the best gluten-free choices. Check back often as we update this post with new discoveries and reviews!
Know Before You Go:
What is the Food & Wine Festival?
The Food & Wine Festival is a vibrant and immersive culinary event celebrating global cuisine, fine wines, and gourmet experiences. Held annually, the festival features a diverse array of food booths, wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, and live entertainment, creating a memorable experience for food enthusiasts and festival-goers alike.
Event Dates
Mark your calendars! The festival runs from August 29 to November 23, 2024, offering ample time to explore the various culinary delights and attractions.
Festival Passport
Enhance your festival experience with the Festival Passport, available for free at any gift shop or customer service stand. This handy guide lists all the food and drink offerings, helping you plan your visit and ensure you don’t miss any must-try items.
Allergy Guide
If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, you can easily access the allergy guide by scanning the QR code located at the front of the Festival Passport. This guide provides important information about allergen-friendly options throughout the event.
Festival Layout
Navigate the festival with ease using the maps and booth locations scattered throughout the park. These maps will help you find your way to different booths and ensure you make the most of your visit.
Booth 1: Refreshment Port
Dish: Braised Beef Poutine (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) – $10
Description: A hearty serving of French fries topped with tender braised beef, Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs cheese sauce, cheese curds, and gherkin relish.
My Thoughts: I was pleasantly surprised by how exceptional this dish was—definitely one of the highlights of the festival! Although there was a short wait for our order, it was worth it for the freshness. The fries were crispy, and the generous toppings included flavorful beef and rich cheese sauce. The only minor downside was that the cheese curds had a slightly chewy texture, reminiscent of uncooked halloumi cheese. Despite this, the overall taste was outstanding.
Our Rating: 8/10. This item is on the pricier side for festival food, but the portion size and delicious flavors justify the cost. I would absolutely order this again and recommend it to others.
Drink: Boyd & Blair Pumpkin Spice Mule (New) – $12
My Thoughts: This was the largest drink we tried, and the flavor was quite potent. It reminded me of the strong cinnamon scent of fall-themed cinnamon brooms, with intense cinnamon and nutmeg notes and a subtle hint of alcohol. My partner wasn’t a fan, but I grew to like it more with each sip.
Our Rating: 4/10. The portion size was good for the price, but the flavor was overwhelming initially. It was enjoyable, but it wouldn’t be my top choice for a repeat.
Booth 2: Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina
Dish: Grilled Chermoula Chicken Kebabs with Carrot-Chickpea Salad and Garlic Aïoli (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) – $6.25
My Thoughts: This dish was a delightful surprise! The chicken kebabs were tender and flavorful, perfectly complemented by the garlic aïoli. The seasoning was savory without being overpowering. The carrot-chickpea salad, with its notes of nutmeg and subtle sweetness, was a standout. It paired wonderfully with the chicken, but the salad was so delicious that I could have enjoyed it on its own.
Our Rating: 7.5/10. Absolutely wonderful and definitely worth ordering again.
Drink: Sparkling Fig Cocktail – $11.50
Description: A refreshing blend of Kleiner Feigling Fig Liqueur, sparkling wine, and cranberry juice.
My Thoughts: This drink didn’t quite hit the mark for me. Served in a slender flute and garnished with loose rosemary leaves, the cocktail had a light fig flavor but also a slight chemical aftertaste. The stray rosemary leaves made it tricky to drink without occasionally getting a stem in your mouth.
Our Rating: 2.5/10. While it was drinkable, it was not enjoyable. I wouldn’t order it again.
Booth 3: Spain
Dish: Paella Negra (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) (New) – $8.00
Description: Squid ink rice with shrimp, bay scallops, and octopus, served with garlic aïoli.
My Thoughts: I chose this dish because it was the most unusual gluten-free offering. Unfortunately, it was a disappointment. The paella had been under a heat lamp for some time, which resulted in a dried-out texture and an overwhelming smell. Despite this, I tasted the rice and one of the scallops. The rice had a pleasantly savory flavor and could have been quite good if it were fresh. However, the scallop was dry, hard, and spongy. Due to its lack of freshness, I didn’t try the shrimp or octopus and ended up discarding most of the dish.
Our Rating: 1/10. The dish had potential, but due to its lack of freshness, I cannot recommend it.
Drink: Red Sangria – $7.50
My Thoughts: As a fan of sangria, I found this one to be fairly average. It had the classic deep red wine flavor with a subtle hint of fruit, but nothing stood out. It was a decent drink to enjoy by the water on a hot Florida day.
Our Rating: 4/10. An average sangria that was decent enough but didn’t impress.
Booth 4: Mexico
(Mexico: Flauta de Barbacoa & Mango Loco Margarita)
Dish: Flauta de Barbacoa (New) – $8.00
Description: Fried tortillas filled with barbacoa beef, topped with salsa verde, crema Mexicana, and queso fresco.
My Thoughts: According to the QR code allergy menu in the festival passport, specific items at the Mexico booth aren’t listed, and it advises checking directly with the booth. I confirmed with the cashier that this dish is gluten-free and was informed it is the only gluten-free option available at this booth. I didn’t have any adverse reactions, so I believe it is safe, but I suggest ordering with caution as it’s not listed on the official Disney website. That being said, the Flauta de Barbacoa was another standout dish with tender beef encased in a crunchy fried corn tortilla. This was my partner’s favorite item and a delightful snack to end our day.
Our Rating: 7.5/10. A tasty and satisfying option, definitely worth trying again.
Drink: Mango Loco Frozen Margarita (from the nearby Choza de Margarita Stand) – $14.00
My Thoughts: We initially planned to try the Mango Sunrise Margarita listed on the Mexico Booth Festival Menu, but it was unavailable that day. Instead, we opted for the frozen mango margarita at the nearby Choza de Margarita Stand. This drink was a refreshing treat with a mango flavor that tasted closer to fresh fruit rather than artificial. It had a good amount of alcohol and was incredibly refreshing. We plan to try the Mango Sunrise Margarita on our next visit and will update this review accordingly.
Our Rating: 7.5/10. A great drink from one of our favorite stands in the park. We’ve enjoyed other drinks from this location and will continue to return.
Booth 5: Earth Eats
Dish: Red Wine-braised Beef Short Rib (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) (New) – $8.50
Description: Red Wine-braised Beef Short Rib with goat cheese polenta, puttanesca sauce, shaved pecorino, and petit herbs.
My Thoughts: The portion was smaller than I expected—about the size of my palm—but despite the size, the flavors were satisfying. The beef was incredibly tender, with a rich, slow-cooked quality that reminded me of a hearty stew. The goat cheese polenta, while light on flavor, had a lovely creamy, buttery texture that paired well with the beef. The puttanesca sauce brought a bold, briny contrast, packed with olives, giving the dish an intense, salty tang that reminded me of tapenade. It definitely added depth, but if you’re not an olive lover, this sauce might be overpowering.
Our Rating: 5.5/10. Overall, we both enjoyed the dish, and it felt like a good value for the complex flavors. However, given the small portion size, I’m not sure I’d rush back for it, especially when there are larger, similarly priced options at the festival.
Drink: Harken Wines Barrel Fermented Chardonnay (New) – $6.00
My Thoughts: The wine was served in a small plastic stemmed cup, with about 2oz of wine—not the most generous pour, but fairly typical for festival offerings. The Chardonnay itself was much sweeter than anticipated, with a hint of oak but dominated by a somewhat sharp, vinegary aftertaste. As someone who enjoys a more balanced or drier Chardonnay, this one didn’t hit the mark for me. It leaned more toward a dessert wine in sweetness, which might appeal to some but wasn’t quite what I was expecting.
Our Rating: 4/10. While not bad, it wasn’t quite to my taste. If you prefer a sweeter Chardonnay, you might enjoy it more, but for regular Chardonnay drinkers like myself, it felt a bit too sweet and lacked the crispness I typically enjoy.
Booth 6: Forest & Field
Dish: Burrata with Seasonal Fall Fruit (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) — $5.50
Description: Burrata with seasonal fall fruit, spiced pecans, apple purée, and fig vinaigrette.
My Thoughts: The portion size for this dish was fair, and for the seasonal fruit, we received cooked figs. The burrata was creamy and refreshingly cool, which was a nice touch on a warm Florida day. Flavor-wise, the autumnal combination of cinnamon, apple purée, and fig worked well with the salty, creamy burrata. However, there was an odd aftertaste in the dish that I couldn’t quite pinpoint, which detracted from the overall experience. The topping of crystallized sugar added a texture that clashed with the softness of the burrata that I personally didn’t enjoy.
Our Rating: 3.5/10. Despite being huge burrata fans, both my partner and I found this dish underwhelming. While we enjoyed the cheese, we ended up scraping off most of the toppings due to the strange aftertaste and the unappealing texture contrast.
Booth 7: Brazil
Dish: Pão de Queijo (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) — $5.00
Description: Brazilian cheese bread.
My Thoughts: Wowzers, this one was fantastic! The texture on the outside is similar to a soft dinner roll with a slight crust, but once you bite into it, you’re met with a warm, melty cheese center—almost like a cheese curd or mozzarella stick. The texture inside was soft, slightly dense, and chewy, making it so satisfying. Flavor-wise, it reminded me of a mild cheddar—savory with just a hint of sharpness.
Our Rating: 9/10. If you’re a cheese fan like us, I highly recommend trying this one. It’s out-of-this-world delicious and easily one of my favorites from any festival I’ve been to. I’ll definitely be getting it again (both here and anywhere else I can find it!).
Drink: Frozen Caipirinha with Cachaça — $12.00
My Thoughts: Being frozen made it super refreshing, which was perfect for the Florida heat. The flavor was sweet and tangy, with a taste that reminded me a bit of apple juice. There wasn’t much of an alcohol flavor, which could be a plus or minus depending on what you’re looking for. It was a decent-sized drink for a festival booth offering.
Our Rating: 5.5/10. We both enjoyed this drink, but it wasn’t a standout. I wouldn’t go out of my way to get it again, but I might order it if I’m already grabbing something else from the booth.
Booth 8: Greece
Dish: Griddled Cheese with Pistachios and Honey (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) — $5.00
My Thoughts: This dish comes as a piece of cheese about the size of my palm. The cheese is wonderfully crispy, with a slight sweetness from the honey and a nice crunch from the pistachios. While it was enjoyable, it didn’t quite reach the level of spectacular for me.
Our Rating: 5.5/10. It was good, but not amazing. That said, I’m not sure I could ever dislike cheese! If you love crispy cheese, especially those crunchy bits that fall into a hot pan, you’ll likely appreciate this dish.
Drink: Wine Flight — $7.50
Description: Mylonas Winery Assyrtiko White Wine, Zoe Rosé, Kir-Yianni Naoussa Xinomavro Dry Red.
My Thoughts: The flight was served in adorable, teeny-tiny stemmed cups, along with a description card (which I really appreciated). The pours were small—about an ounce each—but considering the price and variety of wines, I didn’t mind the size. As a Chardonnay fan, the Assyrtiko white wine was my favorite. It was tangy with a slightly sweet, juicy quality and hints of apple and oak. The rosé was light and floral, and the dry red had a slightly bitter quality and incredibly dry—so dry that it almost left me feeling thirstier after drinking it!
Our Rating: 6.5/10. My partner isn’t a fan of wine, but as an avid wine drinker, I was happy with this flight. I probably wouldn’t go out of my way to get this specific flight again, but I’d definitely be interested in trying similar assortments in the future.
Booth 9: The Fry Basket
Dish: Adobo Yuca Fries with Garlic-Cilantro Aïoli (Gluten/Wheat Friendly, Plant-based) — $5.75
My Thoughts: This was one of the dishes I was most excited to try, and it didn’t disappoint. The fries were thick and crispy but lighter than potato fries yet still filling. The menu listed the sauce as garlic-cilantro aïoli, but I didn’t pick up on any distinct garlic or cilantro flavors. It mostly tasted like mayonnaise, which I personally don’t mind since I like mayo on fries.
Our Rating: 6/10. I really enjoyed these, though my partner found them “meh.” If you like mayo on fries, these are definitely worth a try.
Dish: Fry Flight (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) — $8.00
Description: A trio of fries—Truffle-Parmesan Fries, Barbecue Bacon Fries with Smoked Aïoli, and Sweet Potato Casserole Fries with Candied Pecans, Toasted Marshmallow Cream, and Bourbon Maple Syrup.
My Thoughts: This was one of the best values of the festival! Each flavor came in its own cup, about the size of a medium portion at a fast food place. The Truffle-Parmesan Fries were a bit salty and greasy from the truffle oil, but if you like that flavor, they’ll hit the spot. The Barbecue Bacon Fries were savory and rich, with a taste that reminded me of fries cooked in bacon fat—an elevated take on classic bacon cheese fries. The Sweet Potato Casserole Fries, which I was most excited to try, ended up being my least favorite. They were covered in a cinnamon-sugar blend that gave them an almost churro-like quality. While delicious in theory, the cinnamon-sugar made them a bit gritty. That said, when combined with the marshmallow cream and pecan topping, they tasted like a classic Southern sweet potato casserole.
Our Rating: 6.5/10. We both enjoyed this flight, and considering the price and portion size, we were happy with it. Since this booth is near Test Track at the edge of the Showcase, it was a nice savory snack to wrap up our evening.
Drink: Boyd & Blair Grapefruit Mule — $12.00
My Thoughts: This was the largest festival-specific alcoholic drink we had. The flavor was pleasantly spicy from the ginger beer, with just a slight tang and sweetness from the grapefruit juice. It’s great for anyone who enjoys drinks that are fruity but not overly sweet.
Our Rating: 6/10. We both liked this one, but it’s probably not something I’d go out of my way to get again.
Additional Tips & Information:
Alcoholic Drinks:
The alcoholic drinks at the festival-specific booths often offer unique flavors but tend to be on the smaller side for their price. For a better value, we recommend opting for drink flights—especially the mimosa flight at Shimmering Sips—or purchasing drinks from the permanent alcohol stands located throughout the park. These stands tend to offer larger portions and more consistent prices.
Best Days to Visit:
Fridays, Saturdays, and holidays are typically the busiest times at the festival, leading to longer wait times at the food booths. To avoid large crowds, check a crowd calendar like Undercover Tourist to find the slowest days of the week. Epcot is usually open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., but be sure to confirm the hours through the My Disney Experience app or the official Disney website before your visit.
Use a Gift Card to Track Spending:
With so many tempting dishes to try, it’s easy to overspend at the festival. To manage your spending, consider purchasing a Festival Gift Card from any merchandise location in the park. You can load the card with a set amount and add more if needed. These gift cards function like regular ones, and they come with a handy wristband, so you don’t need to fumble with your wallet as you move from booth to booth.
Additional Indoor Seating (With A/C!):
If you’re looking for a place to cool off and enjoy your food in comfort, additional indoor seating can be found at Brew-Wing at the Odyssey, located near the Mexico Pavilion. This air-conditioned space offers fun theming, ample seating, and an adventurous Pickle Milkshake. Another new location for indoor seating is Epcot’s CommuniCore Hall, which also features kitchen demonstrations, a mixology bar, and a gallery space.
Eat to the Beat Concert Series:
The festival’s Eat to the Beat concert series brings popular musicians to perform live at the America Gardens Theatre. You can check the lineup of performances on the official Disney website. (2024 Eat to the Beat Line-Up)
More Family Fun:
In addition to the food, the festival offers several fun activities for families and collectors alike:
- Remy’s Ratatouille Hide ‘n’ Squeak Scavenger Hunt: Search for hidden Remy statuettes scattered around the park. Participation costs $9.99 and includes a themed map and stickers. Once completed, redeem your map for a prize at Creations Shop, World Traveler at International Gateway, or Disney Traders.
- Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit: A pumpkin-themed scavenger hunt available until November 1, 2024, for $9.99.
- Emile’s Fromage Montage: A cheesy food crawl where you can sample five different cheese-themed dishes. Complete the crawl and earn a prize for your efforts!
What to Bring to the Food & Wine Festival:
- Sealed Water Bottles: Disney allows you to bring a sealed, unbranded water bottle into the park. Save money by refilling it at water refill stations around the park, typically located near restrooms.
- Snacks for Small Children: If you’re visiting with little ones, pack small Ziploc bags of dry cereals or other easy-to-eat snacks to keep them content between meals.
- Portable Charger: The Disney app can be a drain on your phone’s battery. Be sure to bring a portable charging pack and cable to keep your phone powered all day long.
- Stomach Care Essentials: For those with sensitive stomachs, consider packing tummy care items such as chewable Tums, emesis bags, and Dramamine to ensure a comfortable experience.
- Heat & Sun Protection: Even during fall, Florida can be hot and sunny. Be prepared with items like sunscreen, lip balm with SPF, sunglasses, a brimmed hat, cooling towels, and a travel fan to prevent heat exhaustion.
- Security Check Tip: Large metal items, such as umbrellas, can delay you at security checkpoints. Pack light to avoid long waits.
- Accessibility Aids: For those with disabilities, knee braces, back braces, and a padded seat cushion can be game-changers when dealing with long days and walking around the park.
Overall Impressions:
This has been my first year returning to the festivals after learning I can no longer have gluten or wheat. As an avid food enthusiast and Disney lover, I was worried that I might feel like I was missing out on the full festival experience. I’m happy to report that this is far from the case. While there are a few items I wish I could try, I haven’t felt excluded or struggled to find delicious, gluten-friendly options.
Disney has done a great job accommodating different dietary needs, and there are plenty of flavorful, satisfying options for those with food allergies or sensitivities.
If you’ve had a similar experience or have your own tips to share, I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to leave a comment below with your thoughts or favorite festival finds. And don’t forget to check out the related links below for more tips and recommendations to help you make the most of your visit.
