Celebrate Oktoberfest at Epcot All Month Long
Oktoberfest’s homeland has already seen the 2018 celebration come and go, but here in the United States, the month-long (ok, season-long) celebration has only just begun! Lederhosen-clad men messily gulping giant pints of dark beer are what pop into my head whenever I think of Oktoberfest, and unless you’re after that kind of traditional celebration, there are plenty of other ways to celebrate at Walt Disney World Resort!
Epcot has long since been known as the Park with the best food and, in turn, the best alcoholic drinks to pair them with. Celebrating the nations and cuisines of the world, the Pavilions of World Showcase are rampant with deliciously traditional food offerings, and considering that beer and wine are the most popular alcoholic beverages in the world, most every Pavilion has more than their fair share of selections!
Oktoberfest was incarnated after a Bavarian prince took a bride more than 200 years ago. Following the ceremony, the guests partook in a multi-day celebration filled with massive feasts, non-stop music, and bottomless beer.
Weddings today sound pretty similar to that ancient princes’, and since his was such a hit among his friends, an annual celebration was instilled to commemorate what was obviously the wedding of the century! The rest, as they say, is Oktoberfest history, and if you’re ready to party like they did some 200 years ago, now is the time to celebrate Oktoberfest…World Showcase style!
Biergarten Restaurant
I’d be remiss to exclude the most obvious of Oktoberfest spots in my list, so let’s start very, very close to home with a pit stop at the Germany Pavilion! The indoor, all-you-can-eat buffet-style restaurant is ironically themed to make you feel like you’re outdoors. Upon entry to the low-lit space, smells of traditional German-style food fills the air, and before you know it you’ll be greeted by a Lederhosen-clad lad or lass who will show you and your party to your shared table.
As far as beer goes, the German Beer Flight is the way to go. You’ll be presented with 4 5-oz pours of beers directly imported from Germany. This way you can taste them all and can decide on a favorite before ordering a whole pint!
Germany Beer Cart
Outside of Biergarten Restaurant is where you’ll find the the beer cart. If you can’t seem to find it, just look for the long line of hungry-looking people in the Germany Pavilion, and you’ll have your destination! The beer cart in Germany is all of my beer-loving friends’ go-to spot for when they want a ‘walking tap’ (aka grabbing tap beer and walking the Showcase with it), and it isn’t just for the hops!
The Disney cult-famous giant pretzel makes it home at the beer cart, and in true Oktoberfest fashion, pairing a feast-sized soft pretzel with a nice pint of beer will have you well on your way to celebrating the holiday like a true German!
Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
Ahhh, Food and Wine Festival, how timely thou art! Like I said, Oktoberfest is traditionally about three things: beer, food, and music. All October long, Epcot will be producing its annual International Food and Wine Festival, and it couldn’t be timelier! As if Epcot didn’t have enough exotic foods to discover, nations of the world not represented in World Showcase are highlighted via outdoor kitchens, and we’ve got some fantastic beer and food pairing suggestions perfect for Oktoberfest celebrations!
- Australia- Cooper’s Original Pale Ale, Lamington cake
- Belgium- Beer flight, beer-braised beef with gouda mashed potatoes
- Craft Drafts- Shipyard Brewing Co. Monkey Fist IPA
- Radeberger Zwickel Pilsner, bratwurst on a pretzel roll
- Hops & Barley- Heavy Seas AmeriCannon APA, New Brunswick slider
- Ireland- Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, warm Irish cheddar and stout dip with Irish bread
- Morocco- Casa Pale lager, hummus fries
- Mexico- Dos Equis, short rib tostada
Music
To complete the trifecta of Oktoberfest perfection, you just have to hear some music in between sips and bites while you’re visiting Epcot! On weekends in October, American Gardens Theatre comes to life with the “Eat to the Beat” concert series, featuring classic bands and even more classic tunes. Check the Epcot guide to see who will be playing during your visit!
If your Epcot day has you visiting during the week, no worries! Each and every day, World Showcase Pavilion is filled with music swells from around the globe. The energetic performances are perfect for watching while enjoying your bites and beers all while keeping your little ones’ attention during the relatively short-set acts. Here’s where you can hear live music every day…which style is your favorite?
- Mexico
- Canada
- UK
- Morocco
- Japan
- American Adventure
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Special thanks to Maria Salerno for writing this article: Hiya pal! I am a NYC-based writer thrilled to a part of your Disney vacation planning! I’m a WDW Annual Passholder, so you can find me in the parks regularly throughout the year. In addition to being a Disney Parks loving girl, I’m also a Disney toy and merchandise collector, a runDisney enthusiast, and Disney music and movie aficionado. You can follow me on Instagram: NYCtoAP and find me on YouTube: NYCtoAP. Thanks for reading, hope to see ya real soon!
