New countries at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival!
Every year, millions of people from around the world visit Epcot in Orlando because of its vast array of attractions and events. As part of the Walt Disney World family of theme parks, Epcot goes to great lengths to not only develop attractions that entice visitors but also to improve existing ones.
The International Food & Wine Festival is a fantastic celebration of culinary delights that spans the globe and delights the senses. Countries that are represented in the festival have changed a bit over the years and will continue to do so in the future. Let’s explore a few details about the festival and which new Epcot countries you could very well see being added to the festival in the future.
The World Showcase
Epcot’s World Showcase has been a part of Epcot for decades and it can be a real learning experience for visitors. Although the World Showcase isn’t directly connected to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, it represents the countries that are part of the celebration. Old and new Epcot countries are conveniently divided into a series of pavilions set in a circle to provide easy access in a short period of time. As you can imagine, the showcase has delighted visitors since its inception.
The Original Nine Countries
When Epcot first opened, a total of nine countries were chosen to celebrate a variety of cultures – United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, China, Mexico, and Germany. As part of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, these countries allowed visitors to indulge in tastes that many had never experienced before, and certainly not in one place. This quickly proved to be an effective way to entertain and educate at the same time.
Not Just About Food & Wine
Although the International Food & Wine Festival focuses heavily on culinary treats and delicious drinks, a primary focus of providing access to multiple countries was to introduce visitors to cultures from around the world. The pavilions used as part of the World Showcase were designed to present visitors with as much culture as possible. This tradition continues with new Epcot countries as they are added to the celebration.
The Addition of Norway and Morocco
Since the opening of the park, there have been two new Epcot countries added to the site, Norway and Morocco. The first country to be added, Norway, saw its pavilion created in 1984. Only four years later, when new Epcot countries were being considered again, Morocco was added to the roster. These two countries each brought their own culture to Epcot and were a welcome addition for park attendees.
Future Countries Possible
It’s been quite a few years since new Epcot countries were added to the existing collection of countries, but that definitely hasn’t stopped people from speculating that more will be added in the future. Many people have begun to speculate on which ones will be chosen. Possibilities like Spain, Russia, Brazil, Israel, and several others have been mentioned, but there are no clear frontrunners.
Contact World Class VIP for an Excellent Epcot Experience
The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is best experienced as part of a Disney VIP Tour, due to the special access that you are granted throughout the park. World Class VIP has a team of Disney VIP tour guides who will help you skip lines, plan meals, make Disney hotel reservations, discover new areas, schedule character meet-and-greets, and much more. If you’re searching for a great way to enjoy new Epcot countries during the festival or are interested in Epcot VIP tours, reach out to our expert guides by calling (407) 810-9500 for a free private Disney VIP tour quote.