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.
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.
