LISTEN TO VACATIONEERS

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is back for 2026 — and Jon was there on opening day to eat his way around the festival!On Episode 278 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom and Jon break down Jon’s picks for the best, worst, biggest surprises and best values from this year’s festival, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary.Which new foods are actually worth your money? Which returning dishes still deserve their spot? Has the Italy booth finally redeemed itself? And why should you never take a Mickey-shaped macaron for a walk through EPCOT in the Florida heat?Before we eat, there’s plenty of theme park news to discuss, including:• The passing of Dolly Parton and her incredible legacy at Dollywood• Tim Curry, including his memorable role as S.I.R. in ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter• Peter Cullen, longtime voice of Eeyore and Optimus Prime• Dollywood opening NightFlight Expedition• The latest questions surrounding X2 at Six Flags Magic Mountain• LEGOLAND Florida rebuilding Coastersaurus• New Brick or Treat details• SeaWorld Orlando introducing Pestilence for Howl-O-Scream• Halloween Spooktacular bringing Hotel Transylvania to SeaWorld Orlando• Fast & Furious: Supercharged permanently closing at Universal Studios Florida• Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift beginning technical rehearsals• Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle returning to Universal Orlando• Halloween Horror Nights 35 officially beginning• Disney retiring the Play Disney Parks app• EPCOT apparently giving up on the World Celebration pavement lighting• Disney Lakeshore Lodge receiving an opening date and new details• And more!Then it’s off to EPCOT as Jon takes us through his opening-day Food & Wine experience, including the Chocolate-Pistachio Cookie, Spicy Temaki Hand Roll, Blackberry Buckle, Paella Caldoso, Mickey-Shaped Celebration Macaron and plenty more.Some were great.Some were questionable.And apparently Jon actually found something he liked at the Italy booth.🍽️ Read Jon’s complete Best & Worst review at Attractions Magazine:https://attractionsmagazine.com/best-worst-food-epcot-food-wine-festival-2026/🎂 Read Jon’s Mickey-Shaped Celebration Macaron review at Main Street Magic:https://www.mainstmagic.com/mickey-celebration-macaron-epcot-food-wine-review/🎢 Track your theme park visits, rides, wait times, All-Day Dining and more with ThrillLedger:https://thrillledger.vacationeerspodcast.com/🌐 Vacationeers:https://vacationeerspodcast.com/🎙️ Podcast:https://vacationeerspodcast.com/vacationeers-theme-parks-more-podcast/📺 YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@VacationeersPodcast👕 Merch:https://vacationeerspodcast.com/merch/