No Festival? No Problem! What to do (and eat) between Epcot Festivals!
It’s one of those rare seasons in Epcot. About 20 days out of the year, Epcot is without one of their four signature Festivals. With so much of the Park still under construction (and with no Festival food booths to keep you satiated), Epcot can sometimes seem ‘skippable’ for those Festival fans.
In reality, there are so many amazing Epcot snacks and experience- and they often get overlooked during the Festivals. If you’re visiting Epcot this week, don’t panic! We’ve compiled the best of the best off-Festival activities and snacks to keep you full and fueled for your Epcot day!
Best Year-Round Quick Serve Spots
If you’re like me, you rely on the Festival booths to provide your lunch! Without the small plate Festival booth options available, it’s easy to fall into a trap of opting for chicken tender and fries…but don’t do it! The Yorkshire Fish and Chips walk up window in the UK dishes up authentic golden-fried fish served alongside crispy, potato-y chips that make for the quintessential British lunch!
Steep yourself in traditional Mexican cuisine if fried food isn’t quite your style! La Cantain de San Angel is an outdoor quick serve spot that perfectly captures authentic Mexican flavors at reasonable prices.
Grab a Margarita from across the street at La Choza de Margarita and you’ll be set for a lunchtime fiesta!
If branching out into the culinary portion of World Showcase isn’t your style, set your sights on Regal Eagle Smokehouse in the America Pavilion.
Featuring a real, working outdoor slow smoker, you’ll catch wafts of delicious-smelling meats as they are cooked to perfection right off the main promenade. Think brisket, pulled pork, and mac and cheese here! They also have an unbelievable vegetarian ‘pulled pork burger’ that has blown my mind many times!
Overlooked Activities
During a Festival, the lure of hitting every food booth and completing scavenger hunts can easily take up an entire day. On the rare days that an Epcot Festival is not running, take your time to explore the nooks and crannies of the Park that make it so unique and special. Here are my favorite non-Festival specific activities to check out:
- The Soul of Jazz Exhibit in the American Adventure- Louis Armstrong’s Selmer trumpet is on display!
- Explore The Architecture and Tile Work of Morocco- wander deep into the Pavilion to discover historic middle eastern architecture designs and grandiose marketplaces.
- Shop Misukoshi- did you know the giant store in the Japan Pavilion has siblings in Japan? That’s right, Misukoshi is Japan’s largest department store group! The shop itself is full of unique and very reasonably priced souvenirs! Don’t forget to explore the architecture of the store while you shop- it’s designed after a Japanese Ceremonial House!
- China’s Rotating Displays- Head into the ornate Chinese rotunda not only to experience the gorgeously decorated building, but also to check out whatever is displaying!
Can’t-Miss Snacks
Let’s face it- I’m always way too full from the Festival booths to ever consider indulging in a classic Epcot snack. This week though, I’m going to be indulging in my favorite classic Epcot treats before Food and Wine Festival kicks off!
- Maple Popcorn from Canada- eligible for $2 popcorn bucket refills!
- Brioche ice cream sandwich from Les Artisan des Glaces. Thank me later!
- Karamel Kuche- You can’t go wrong with anything from here!
- Giant Bavarian Pretzel from Germany cart- it tastes even better paired with a draft!
- Joffrey’s Apple Fritter- or any of those big puffy pastries! They are always super fresh and oh so tasty
- Japanese candy from Mishukoshi