Welcome to planDisney, Patrick! Thanks so much for coming to us with your question today.
The
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is always one of the most popular times to visit, and those
Global Marketplace booths are such a big part of the fun. While they will be open throughout the day for you to enjoy, they operate only during regular park hours and will close when EPCOT officially closes to day guests. Once the park transitions into
Disney After Hours, those festival booths are no longer serving.
During Disney After Hours at
EPCOT, the focus shifts to a different kind of experience: low wait times for attractions, complimentary snacks like popcorn and ice cream, and bottled beverages included with your ticket. So while you won't be able to sample Food & Wine dishes during the After Hours portion of the evening, you'll still get some tasty treats to enjoy without spending extra. And, of course, you'll have access to some of the park's most popular attractions with minimal waits, which is the biggest draw of the event.
If you're really excited about trying the Food & Wine Festival offerings, I'd recommend making sure to arrive at EPCOT before the park officially closes on the day you're planning to visit. While the event begins at 10:00 PM, you can get a head start by entering the park at 7:00 PM with your After Hours ticket, so you have a few hours to sample the Global Marketplaces before they close for the night. Then, once After Hours begins, you can switch gears and enjoy the perks of the event. It's like getting the best of both worlds in one day!
I hope this answers your question, Patrick, and please let us know if there's anything else we can do to help you plan your magical vacation.
Jessica