It’s hard to believe that the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is celebrating 30 years! What began in 1996 has grown into one of Walt Disney World’s most popular annual festivals, bringing guests the opportunity to sample food and drinks inspired by cultures from around the world. To celebrate three decades of the festival, Disney is looking back at its own culinary history with a special “Cheers to 30” celebration.
While the 2026 Foodie Guide is filled with brand-new dishes, Disney is also bringing back 30 food and beverage offerings from throughout the festival’s history. These items are specially marked with a 30th-anniversary icon in the Foodie Guide, making them a fun way for longtime festival fans to revisit favorites from years past — and for newer guests to try a little piece of Food & Wine Festival history.
Some of these dishes date all the way back to the festival’s very first year in 1996, while others come from different eras throughout its 30-year history.
Potato Pierogi — Festival Favorites
One of the most historic dishes returning this year is the Potato Pierogi, which was introduced at the Poland marketplace in 1996, the very first year of the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. Served with kielbasa, caramelized onions and sour cream, this dish is quite literally a taste of where the festival began.
For guests who have been attending the festival for years, getting to try a dish that was part of the inaugural 1996 festival is a pretty special way to celebrate the anniversary.
Bo Ssam Pork Belly Lettuce Wraps — Festival Favorites
The Bo Ssam Pork Belly Lettuce Wraps are another throwback, originally introduced at the South Korea marketplace in 2010. The dish features bo ssam pork belly with kimchi slaw and spicy aioli, combining several of the bold flavors that have made the festival such a popular destination for adventurous eaters.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse Trifle — Festival Favorites
If you’re visiting EPCOT during the fall, the Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse Trifle feels especially fitting. This dessert was originally introduced at Hops & Barley in 2011 and features PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, citrus sauce, spice cake and cranberry streusel. It’s another example of Disney reaching into the festival’s past and bringing back a dish that helped define earlier Food & Wine Festivals.
Crab and Corn Macaroni and Cheese — The Wedge
The Crab and Corn Macaroni and Cheese is also getting a second life in 2026. Although it is listed as a new offering at The Wedge, Disney notes that it was originally introduced in 2015 at Farm Fresh. The dish combines smoked cheddar sauce, bacon, crab seasoning, roasted corn, herbed panko and jalapeños.
That distinction is part of what makes the 30th-anniversary celebration so interesting. Not every dish marked for the anniversary is simply being brought back exactly as guests remember it. Some have been reimagined or moved to a new marketplace, giving longtime fans a nostalgic experience while still making the dishes feel fresh for 2026.
And that really seems to be the theme of “Cheers to 30.” The Food & Wine Festival has changed considerably since 1996, with new marketplaces, new culinary trends and countless dishes coming and going over the years. But these 30 anniversary selections offer a chance to look back at the foods that have helped make EPCOT’s festival what it is today!
Written by
Izi K
From hunting for Hidden Mickeys to trading pins with anyone who had a lanyard, Izi grew up finding joy in the little details of Walt Disney World. That love for the parks eventually led to roles as a Cast Member on both coasts – at Disneyland and across several teams in Florida. These days, you’ll often find Izi wandering Disney resorts, diving into bits of park history, or finding the perfect spot to relax and soak in the atmosphere in the parks.
