In this first of our two-part Food & Wine Festival special, Scott and Candice dig deep into the front half of the 2025 EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival. From flaky samosas to suspicious milkshakes, we break down what’s new, what’s returning, and what’s totally skippable. Along the way, you’ll hear our festival strategy, hot takes on influencer hype, and why we’re not falling for the pickle milkshake trend (again).

Plus, we share our Eat to the Beat concert picks (Spoiler: Gen X is THRIVING), how you can help choose Scott’s breakfast on social, and why the dining plan may be a double-edged sword when it comes to festival snacking.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a full itinerary for navigating World Celebration, Discovery, and Nature – including what’s open now, what’s delayed until late September, and which booths are just not worth the hype.

🥘 Topics Covered:🍽️ Festival Strategy:

• Why they’re skipping dining plan this trip

• Planning snack breaks around big breakfasts and lunch at Space 220

• Geo 82 reservations (hello, fancy new lounge!)

• • How podcast listeners are picking Scott’s breakfast on social media
  • “Budgeting” your stomach space for a day at EPCOT

• 🎵 Eat to the Beat Concert Series Highlights

• • Starship feat. Mickey Thomas

  • Joey Fatone & Friends

  • Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Hanson, Jordin Sparks & more

• • Which acts have Candice and Scott ready to camp out Gen X-style

  🌍 Festival Booths Reviewed in Part 1:

• • Brew-Wing at the Odyssey (Pickle Milkshake, IPA overload)

  • Connections Eatery (Passionfruit slushies and French Onion Burgers)

  • Coastal Eats (Spoiler: Not open during their visit)

  • Gyozas of the Galaxy (New booth! Dumpling dreams, but not open ‘til Sept 28)

  • Fry Basket (Fry flight is back!)

  • Flavors from Fire (Smoked Corned Beef = must-try)

  • Earth Eats (Short ribs & poppy seed cake)

  • Sunshine Seasons (Remy Milkshake… adorable, probably a meal on its own)

• • World Showcase Booths: Australia, Mexico, China, India, Outpost, Alps, Germany, Spain, Italy, and the USA pavilions (with plenty of real talk about authenticity, portion sizes, and how lazy the Italy booth can be)

  ⭐ Must-Try Items (So Far):

• • Smoked Corned Beef with Housemade Chips (Flavors from Fire)

  • Zwiebelkuchen (Summerfest, Germany)

  • Apple Strudel & Schöfferhofer Berry Lime Hefeweizen (Germany)

  • Samosa & Taj Mahal Beer (India)

• • Smoked Duck Bao Bun (China)

  🛑 Hard Passes:

• • Pickle Milkshake (no thank you, even if you love pickles)

  • Festival ceviche (we’re not rolling the dice on raw seafood in Florida heat)

  • Italy’s uninspired booth (again)

  
  

  🎧 Call to Action:Let us know what’s on YOUR must-try list! Message us on Instagram or Facebook and tell us what you’re most excited to taste – or what you’ve already tried and loved (or hated).

  And be sure to tune in to Part 2, where we’ll finish our culinary tour of the World Showcase and reveal our final Food & Wine 2025 wish list.

  🔗 Follow Us Online:Instagram: @hanginatthehangarbar

  Facebook: Hangin’ at the Hangar Bar

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