Psst! Want to know about one of Orlando's tastiest November weekends? Pull up a chair (or grab a glass) and we'll tell you all about it.
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic returns for its 17th year on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 November 2026, from 5pm to 9pm each evening. For four hours a night, the causeway between the Walt Disney World Swan and Walt Disney World Dolphin hotels turns into an open-air foodie festival, with more than 50 gourmet dishes, over 170 wines, beers and spirits, live bands and fireworks to round off the evening.
The 2026 menu is out, the line-up of bands is confirmed and tickets are on sale now. The Classic often sells out ahead of the weekend, so if it's on your November wish list, now's the time to book! We've rounded up everything you need to plan a deliciously memorable night.
Key details:
- When: Friday 20 and Saturday 21 November 2026, 5pm to 9pm each night.
- Where: The outdoor causeway at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, on Crescent Lake between EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios.
- What's included: Unlimited food and drink tastings for the full four hours, including wine, beer and spirits.
- Menus: More than 50 dishes over the weekend, with some served on Friday only, some on Saturday only and plenty on both nights.
- Extras: Instructor-led wine, beer and cocktail tastings on Saturday afternoon, booked separately.
- Book ahead: The event often sells out, so we'd recommend buying tickets online before you travel.
- Open to everyone: You don't need to stay at the resort or have a theme park ticket to attend.
- Rain or shine: The event moves indoors if the weather turns.
What is the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic?
The Food & Wine Classic is an annual gourmet festival hosted by the Walt Disney World Swan, Walt Disney World Dolphin and Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, three hotels right in the heart of Walt Disney World Resort. Each November, the resort's award-winning chefs take their signature flavours outside, serving tasting-sized dishes along the lakeside causeway while sommeliers pour wines from around the world.
The event has been running since 2010, and it has built a loyal following of guests who come back year after year. Think of it as a lively street party with a gourmet twist: you stroll from station to station, sample whatever takes your fancy, pause for a song or two at the main stage, and go back for seconds of your favourites.
The resort is home to 23 restaurants and lounges, and the Classic showcases dishes from many of them, including the resort's newest restaurant, Bourbon Steak, Todd English's bluezoo, Il Mulino New York Trattoria, Amare and Rosa Mexicano, alongside themed food areas created just for the weekend.
When is the Food & Wine Classic 2026?
The 2026 Food & Wine Classic takes place over two evenings:
| Night | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Friday | 20 November 2026 | 5pm to 9pm |
| Saturday | 21 November 2026 | 5pm to 9pm |
Each night gives you four full hours of tastings. The format is the same on both evenings, but several restaurants serve a different dish each night, so Friday and Saturday each have their own flavour (more on that below!).
What's included in a Food & Wine Classic ticket?
Your causeway ticket covers unlimited food and drink tastings for the full four hours of your chosen night. That includes:
- Tasting-sized portions of 50+ gourmet dishes across the weekend
- Wine, beer and spirits from around the world, with more than 170 selections
- The themed food and drink areas, including the Bubble Lounge and Beer Garden
- Live entertainment on the main stage and around the causeway
- Fireworks to round off the evening
Portions are designed for sampling, which is part of the fun. It means you can try a little of everything, discover a new favourite and still have room for dessert.
There's one ticket price for everyone, and it includes the full food menu, so non-drinkers and designated drivers can enjoy every dish on the causeway.
Food & Wine Classic tickets
| Ticket | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| One night (Friday or Saturday) | $215 per person ($234.90 including tax and service fees) | Unlimited tastings, 5pm to 9pm |
| Two-night bundle | $387 per person ($422.94 including tax and service fees) | Both evenings, with a 10% saving compared with two single nights |
| Tasting classes (wine, beer or spirits) | $95 per person ($104.10 including tax and service fees) | Instructor-led classes on Saturday 21 November at 4pm, booked separately |
| Celebrity Chefs Michael Mina and Todd English tasting | $295 per person ($322.11 including tax and service fees) | Sold out for 2026 |
Tickets are sold through the official Food & Wine Classic website, or you can call the resort on +1 888-828-8850. The Classic often sells out in advance, so we'd recommend booking online before you travel rather than planning to buy on the night. A few handy things to bear in mind when you book:
- Tickets are non-refundable, so it's best to book once your dates are set.
- The event runs rain or shine. If the weather turns, the event moves indoors.
- Parking isn't included with your ticket.
- Children under 5 go free when accompanied by an adult. Guests aged 6 and over need their own ticket, at the same price as an adult ticket.
- Bring a valid photo ID. You'll need it at check-in to collect your wristband for the drinks tastings.
The two-night bundle is a lovely option for serious foodies, as it gives you the chance to taste both nights' exclusive dishes.
All prices are in US dollars. Food & Wine Classic tickets are a fantastic way to enjoy an evening of unlimited gourmet tastings, sommelier-picked wines and live music, all for one price.
Is the Food & Wine Classic suitable for children?
With its gourmet tastings, sommelier-led wines and evening party atmosphere, the Classic is designed with grown-up foodies in mind, which makes it a fabulous date night or friends' night out.
Children are welcome too, and younger guests may love dishes like the Mini Smash Burger, Hand Dipped Mozzarella Sticks, Bavarian pretzel, nitro popcorn and the dessert station. As guests aged 6 and over pay the same price as adults, it's a lovely treat for older children and teens with adventurous tastes.
What's on the menu at the Food & Wine Classic 2026?
The full 2026 menu is out, with more than 50 dishes across the weekend. Here's a taste of what's cooking.
Our signature dishes to try:
- Slow Braised Wagyu Beef Short Rib (Michael Mina's Bourbon Steak, both nights) - with celery root espuma and shallot marmalade. This melt-in-the-mouth favourite returns after stealing the show in 2025, when our Orlando experts, Susan and Simon Veness, tried it at the resort's preview and declared it one of the highlights of the evening!
- Oyster Espuma (Todd English's bluezoo, both nights) - Gruyère panna cotta, a champagne sphere, sea beans, crispy parmesan and tobiko caviar. A beautifully inventive bite for seafood lovers.
- Striped Bass (Todd English's bluezoo, both nights) - with white bean cassoulet, andouille sausage, pickled pearl onion and nduja crumble.
- Slow Cooked Berkshire Pork Belly (Smokin' D's BBQ, Friday) - served on a hickory-smoked cane sugar "cloud" with chai apricot glaze and crunchy garlic. Sweet, smoky and a real showstopper.
- Chestnut Agnolotti (Il Mulino New York Trattoria, Saturday) - with roasted pumpkin, citrus butter, toasted black walnuts and crispy sage. Autumn on a plate!
- Tacos de Cochinita Pibil (Rosa Mexicano, both nights) - Achiote-marinated roasted pork in fresh corn tortillas with pickled cabbage and cilantro. Rosa Mexicano's much-loved Chips and Salsa Bar returns on both nights too.
Friday and Saturday menu highlights
One of the best things about the Classic is that the menu changes between the two nights. Here are some of the dishes you'll only find on one evening:
| Restaurant | Friday 20 November | Saturday 21 November |
|---|---|---|
| Smokin' D's BBQ | Slow Cooked Berkshire Pork Belly | Poor Man's Burnt Ends with fermented black bean BBQ sauce |
| Il Mulino New York Trattoria | House-made Lasagna with eggplant, béchamel and roasted mushrooms | Chestnut Agnolotti with roasted pumpkin |
| The Fountain | Mini Smash Burger with American Wagyu beef | French Dip Grilled Cheese with shaved roasted prime rib |
| Lagoon Games, Lanes & Eats | Hand Dipped Mozzarella Sticks | Loaded Potato Barrels with beef short rib |
| Cabana | Tuna Rice Bowl | Grilled & Marinated Gulf Shrimp |
| Kimonos | Cured Salmon and Blue Crab | Bluefin Tuna Hamachi |
| Amare | Crispy Fried Eggplant with tzatziki and cardamom apricots | Watermelon Feta Salad with grilled halloumi |
| Garden Grove | Roasted Figs & Maitake Mushrooms | Vegan Bánh Mì |
Our tip? If there's a dish on this list you simply can't miss, let it decide which night you book. And if you'd love to try everything, the two-night bundle has you covered.
The themed areas
Alongside the restaurant stations, the Classic has themed areas that bring their own food, drink and atmosphere to the causeway:
- Bubble Lounge - Champagne and sparkling wine with elegant canapés such as herbed goat cheese crostini, blue cheese tart and smoked salmon mousse on brioche, plus live violin and saxophone.
- The Beer Garden - Brews served with crispy chicken wings, grilled beef brats and a freshly baked Bavarian pretzel with Vermont cheddar sauce.
- For the Love of Florida - A celebration of Sunshine State flavours, including Ropa Vieja, Blackened Cedar Plank Red Grouper with coconut rice and chili-mango-pineapple pico de gallo, a Florida Citrus salad and Fried Green Tomatoes with pimiento cheese, with live Americana and roots music.
- Carnival Corner - Playful fairground-inspired bites like Texas Red Chili, "Char Siu" Pulled Pork Sliders, Tornado Potatoes and Old Bay Spiced Nitro Popcorn.
- Chinatown - Chinese-inspired favourites, including the returning vegan Shu Mein (Shanghai noodles with braised tofu and shiitake mushrooms), Pan Fried Shrimp & Pork Dumplings, Turnip Cake and Taro Puff.
- Desserts - Eight sweet treats served on both nights, including the Campfire Mocha with toasted marshmallow, the Viral Dubai Strawberry Shot, a Cinnamon Roll Waffle with dulce de leche ice cream and The Peach, a white peach mousse.
Vegetarian, vegan and dietary needs
There's a lovely selection of plant-based and vegetarian dishes on the 2026 menu, including the Vegan Bánh Mì, Vegan Shu Mein noodles, Turnip Cake, Roasted Figs & Maitake Mushrooms and the Watermelon Feta Salad.
The official menu includes labels for gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan, shellfish and nut content, so you can plan your favourites before you arrive. If you have a food allergy, we'd recommend chatting to the team at each station about ingredients and preparation before you tuck in, as dishes are prepared in a busy festival setting.
For coeliac disease or a severe allergy, it's a good idea to contact the resort on +1 888-828-8850 before your visit, so you can discuss your needs and plan the dishes that suit you best.
Wine, beer and spirits
Drinks are a big part of the Classic, with more than 170 beverage selections across the weekend, all included in your ticket. Wine tastings span ten regions: Argentina, Australia, California, France, Italy, New Zealand, Oregon, Spain and Washington, plus sake from Japan. You'll also find craft and speciality beers in the Beer Garden, spirits and cocktails, and champagne and sparkling wine flowing in the Bubble Lounge.
Certified sommeliers are on hand throughout the evening to help you choose the perfect pour for each dish, which makes this a brilliant chance to try something new. Who knows, you might even discover your new favourite tipple!
Food & Wine Classic tasting experiences
Fancy learning a little more about what's in your glass? On Saturday 21 November at 4pm, an hour before the causeway opens, the Classic hosts three instructor-led tasting experiences, booked separately from your causeway ticket:
- Wine: Salud! A Journey Through Spain - A tour of Spain's celebrated wine regions, from crisp whites to bold reds, with Spanish-inspired bites.
- Beer: Beer Here! - A guided tasting of craft and speciality beers, with tips on brewing styles and food pairings.
- Spirits: Craft Cocktails - Discover the secrets behind timeless classics like the Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, Gin Fizz and Cosmopolitan.
Each class is a relaxed, seated experience with six guided tastings, expert instruction, interactive tasting mats and paired bites such as tapas, artisan cheeses and crackers. No expertise is needed, so they're perfect for curious beginners and enthusiasts alike.
Each class is $95 per person ($104.10 including tax and service fees). As the classes are all about wine, beer and spirits, they're for guests aged 21 and over.
The Celebrity Chefs Michael Mina and Todd English tasting
New for 2026, James Beard Award-winning chefs Michael Mina and Todd English have teamed up for the first time to host an exclusive collaborative tasting experience on Saturday 21 November, from 3:30pm to 5pm.
You can enjoy a multi-course menu with paired drinks, with Michael Mina's dishes including Wagyu striploin and Aleppo grilled poussin, and Todd English's including roasted Chilean sea bass. This one has proved incredibly popular and is now sold out, so if it's on your wish list for future years, we'd recommend booking as soon as tickets go on sale. In 2026, the experience was $295 per person ($322.11 including tax and service fees).
Live entertainment at the Food & Wine Classic
The Classic has a real party atmosphere, with live music across the causeway on both evenings, including performances at the Dolphin's famous clamshell fountain. The 2026 line-up includes:
| Performer | Where | Style |
|---|---|---|
| The Rundown | Main stage | Classic rock, 80s and 90s hits, contemporary pop and country favourites |
| Live Effect Party Band | Main stage | A seven-piece party band covering the biggest hits of today and yesterday |
| Stella Beat | Main stage | Latin American pop, Top 40 and variety |
| Slickwood | For the Love of Florida | Jamgrass, Americana, folk, roots and funk |
| Claudia & Alex | Bubble Lounge | Violin and saxophone |
Once the evening draws to a close, fireworks light up the sky over the resort, the perfect finale to a night of good food and good company.
Food & Wine Classic merchandise
Want a souvenir to remember your evening? Event merchandise is available at Java, on the Swan's lobby level, including Todd English's newest cookbook, t-shirts, etched glassware and wines. It's a lovely way to take a taste of the Classic home with you.
Giving back
The Food & Wine Classic raises proceeds for good causes each year. As the event falls during National Veterans and Military Families Month in November, it has focused on organisations supporting veterans, including Wounded Warrior Project and Friends of Fisher House Orlando, as well as Children's Miracle Network. Since 2023, the Classic has raised more than $45,000 for these worthy causes.
The 2026 charity partner is still to be announced, so we'll update this guide once it's confirmed.
Getting to the Food & Wine Classic
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin sit on Crescent Lake, between EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios, which makes them easy to reach without a car:
- On foot from EPCOT: Stroll out of EPCOT's International Gateway (between the France and United Kingdom pavilions) and follow the lakeside path past Disney's BoardWalk to the resort, roughly a 10 to 15-minute walk.
- By Friendship Boat: Boats sail between EPCOT's International Gateway, the Crescent Lake resorts and Disney's Hollywood Studios.
- By Disney Skyliner: Ride to the International Gateway station, then walk along the lakeside path.
- By car: The resort address is 1500 Epcot Resorts Boulevard (Dolphin) or 1200 Epcot Resorts Boulevard (Swan), Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830. Parking isn't included with your Food & Wine Classic ticket. The resort offers both self-parking and valet parking.
Accessibility
The causeway is a flat, paved outdoor space, and the resort has accessible parking and lifts. If you have mobility needs or would like to discuss seating, call the resort on +1 888-828-8850 before your visit so the team can help you plan.
Staying at the Swan and Dolphin
The event is open to everyone, wherever you're staying, but a stay at the resort makes for a wonderfully relaxed foodie weekend. The causeway is just a short stroll from your room, so you can savour every last sip, then head back for a good night's sleep.
You'll also be right in the heart of Walt Disney World Resort, between EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios, with plenty of perks to enjoy during your stay, including complimentary transportation to select locations around Walt Disney World Resort, Early Theme Park Entry at all four theme parks every day, and Extended Evening Theme Park Hours on select nights at select parks.
Choose from three hotels on Crescent Lake, all bookable with AttractionTickets.com:
- Walt Disney World Swan - An iconic hotel with a stylish, relaxed feel, right next to the causeway.
- Walt Disney World Dolphin - Home to Todd English's bluezoo, Il Mulino and the famous clamshell fountain where you'll find live music during the Classic.
- Walt Disney World Swan Reserve - The resort's newest hotel, a 14-storey retreat with an upscale, boutique feel.
Pair your stay with Walt Disney World Resort tickets and you've got the recipe for a fabulous November holiday, with days in the parks and a gourmet evening on the causeway.
Food & Wine Classic tickets are booked separately with the resort through the official Food & Wine Classic website.
Want to know more about the resort? Our guide to Walt Disney World Partner Hotels covers the Swan and Dolphin and more.
Combining the Classic with EPCOT's International Food & Wine Festival
Foodies, rejoice! The 2026 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival runs from 27 August to 21 November 2026, so Saturday 21 November is a double-header for anyone who loves to eat and drink their way around the world.
The two events make a delicious pairing. EPCOT's festival is part of your park day, with global marketplaces around World Showcase where you pick and pay for dishes as you go. The Classic is a separately ticketed evening event, with unlimited tastings from the Swan and Dolphin's chefs all included. Spend the afternoon grazing around EPCOT, then stroll out of the International Gateway to the causeway in time for 5pm. What a day!
Discover more in our guide to the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.
Make it a festive November trip
Mid-November is a magical time to visit Walt Disney World Resort. The holiday season is well under way, so a trip around the Classic could also include one of the resort's after-hours holiday parties. During Food & Wine Classic week:
| Event | Park | Nights around the Classic |
|---|---|---|
| Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party | Magic Kingdom Park | 15, 17, 19, 20 and 24 November 2026 |
| Disney Jollywood Nights | Disney's Hollywood Studios | 14, 16, 21 and 23 November 2026 |
Both events are separately ticketed and some nights fall on the same evening as the Classic, so pick a party night that leaves your Food & Wine evening free.
Our top tips for the Food & Wine Classic
- Arrive at 5pm. Starting at the beginning gives you the full four hours to explore at a leisurely pace.
- Start with your must-try dishes. Head to your top picks first, then wander and discover the rest.
- Go light first, rich later. Begin with seafood and lighter dishes, then move on to the heartier meats, and save room for dessert!
- Ask the sommeliers. They'll help you find the perfect pairing for each dish.
- Wear comfy shoes. You'll be strolling and standing for most of the evening.
- Travel light. A small cross-body bag keeps your hands free for a plate in one hand and a glass in the other.
- Share a table. Tables are dotted along the causeway, and sharing one is a great way to swap dish recommendations with fellow foodies.
- Bring a layer. November evenings in Florida can feel pleasantly cool by the lake.
- Bring your ID and booking confirmation. A valid photo ID is needed at check-in to collect your wristband for the drinks tastings.
- Pause for the music. Take a break by the main stage or the Bubble Lounge and soak up the atmosphere.
- Stay for the fireworks. It's the perfect way to round off your night.
- Take a lakeside stroll afterwards. Crescent Lake looks beautiful lit up at night, and it's a lovely way to end the evening.
Here's to a November to remember!
The 2026 Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic is shaping up to be a feast for the senses, with Wagyu short rib and oyster espuma, night-by-night specials, sparkling wine in the Bubble Lounge, live bands and fireworks over Crescent Lake. It's the perfect way to toast a Walt Disney World Resort holiday in style.
Ready to plan your foodie adventure? Book your stay at the Walt Disney World Swan, Walt Disney World Dolphin or Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, add your Walt Disney World Resort tickets, and start building your November trip with AttractionTickets.com. Cheers!
What fine dining opportunities have you tried in Orlando? Tell us about them on the friendly AttractionTickets.com Community Facebook page, on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram.
