The International Food & Wine Festival at EPCOT is supposed to bring joy, not headaches. Each year, the event attracts thousands who come ready to snack, sip, and celebrate. But this year’s opening day left many scratching their heads, as closures and detours overshadowed the excitement.
Spaceship Earth Shuts Down
The sight of Spaceship Earth standing dark on festival day was a major letdown. This iconic ride, often the first stop for many families, was suddenly closed for refurbishment. Disney confirmed it will be out of operation for several months, with only a vague timeline of “later this year.”
The disappointment ran deep for returning visitors who see the ride as part of EPCOT tradition. Walking past the towering geodesic sphere only to be met with blocked-off entrances and hedges was not the magical start many imagined.
Parking Pains Pile On
If the ride closure wasn’t enough, drivers faced another roadblock. The Moana parking lot, a main hub for EPCOT visitors, was unavailable due to resurfacing. The closure meant festivalgoers had to navigate detours and park farther away, creating longer wait times just to enter the park.
For those who had carefully planned their day—hoping to squeeze in food booths, concerts, and attractions—the delays were an unwelcome surprise.
Festival Still Shines—For Now
The 2025 Food & Wine Festival still promises plenty of fun, running through November 22. Guests can enjoy over 35 food kiosks, including new experiences like the “Gyozas of the Galaxy” booth and the always-popular Emile’s Fromage Montage.
Still, the closures loom large. The absence of Spaceship Earth during the festival feels like a missing piece of EPCOT’s identity, while parking woes add to the chaos. For out-of-town visitors who may only come once every few years, the disappointment is especially sharp.
A Park in Transition
These frustrations are part of a bigger pattern at EPCOT. The park has been undergoing an extensive transformation, with Test Track’s new redesign recently debuting and Moana’s water-inspired attraction continuing to draw crowds. While the future of the park looks promising, the present feels messy.
As festival season unfolds, guests will have to decide whether the food, drinks, and entertainment make up for the frustrations. Disney is banking on the event’s strong reputation to keep spirits high, but the closures have already cast a shadow over opening day.
