Drinking Around the World Showcase at Epcot
Our guide to Drinking Around the World in Epcot at Walt Disney World, covers our tips, and top picks for the best beers, wine, and mixed drinks. There’s also plenty of strategy for conquering this worldly task without climbing up the side of Mexico pavilion and holding up a Duffy plush Lion King style for all of World Showcase to see.
Since most of us probably won’t be able to haphazardly spend thousands of dollars to fly to Paris at a moment’s notice for some artisan cheeses or brave a winter in Canada just for some fine brews anytime soon, Epcot’s World Showcase offers us the next best option: sampling many alcoholic beverages and decadent desserts of the world in authentic-looking environments all while on vacation at Walt Disney World.
Of course, whose bucket list doesn’t also include having a drink in 10 different countries in a single day? No? Well, now you can add it to your list and cross it off. With our advice, those can actually be good drinks rather than a bunch of brightly colored, frozen concoctions that’ll leave you with more of a sugar rush than an a buzz…
The premise is simple: start out at one end of World Showcase, and continue through the countries, sampling a drink and/or dessert in each country. As there are 11 countries in the World Showcase, this is easier said than done. It’s even more difficult during Food & Wine Festival, when Epcot adds lots of kiosks that serve additional drinks.
If you’re looking to complete this drinking event then, check out our Guide to the Epcot Food & Wine Festival for additional tips & info. With even more drinking options, expect Drinking Around the World during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival to be a lot of fun…albeit perhaps not for your liver.
First, we will start with our tips and strategies for Drinking Around the World Showcase, generally, followed by specific drink recommendations….
General Epcot Drinking Strategy
Value for Money – If you have a Tables in Wonderland card, keep in mind that it’s valid for a discount on alcohol at Table Service restaurants, but not at kiosks or counter service spots. If you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, you won’t be able to use any credits for alcohol as you drink around the world
Snack Around the World – Food soaks up alcohol, enabling you to drink more. That’s just science. We have a separate, companion article to this title Snacking Around the World Showcase that offers snacking tips for each country. The non-drinkers and anyone who wants to enjoy more than just drinks should check that out. If you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, it’s a good idea to use some snack credits as you wander the World Showcase. Check out our article on Maximizing Snack Credit Value on the Dining Plan or, if you’re traveling during Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival (in the fall), check out our article on the Best Food & Wine Festival Snacks.
Make it an All-Day Affair – Yes, a day in a Disney theme park does cost a lot of money, but if done correctly, Drinking Around the World can be some of the most fun you’ll ever have. Starting around 11 am still gives you time to hit the big Future World attractions, such as Soarin’ and Test Track first thing in the morning, or even rope dropping Frozen Ever After. Plus, spreading the drinking out over the course of the day is always a good idea.
Be Respectful – Drinking Around the World at Epcot has proliferated in popularity in recent years. Some would say it’s gotten to the point where it’s a problem. On a given day in Epcot, you will see multiple drinking “teams” replete with matching shirts and obnoxious attitudes. Never forget that Epcot is a family theme park, and while Drinking Around the World Showcase can be a ton of fun, that fun should not occur at the expense of your fellow park guests.
Explore the Pavilions – You’re limited in which attractions you can visit with a drink in hand, so take some time to explore the wonderful details in the pavilions themselves. Morocco, Germany, Italy, and Canada, among others, all have great depth to explore. You’ll be surprised how fun it is to simply wander around deep in each pavilion and see the architecture and hidden details.
Share Drinks – Drinking in moderation is key to maximizing your fun while Drinking Around the ‘World. Split drinks when necessary to avoid over-consumption, and sample one another’s drinks to experience the different flavors of the ‘World. Additionally, not every pavilion has a stellar option for both the beer drinkers and mixed drink fans in your party. Although beer selection is improving at Walt Disney World, it’s still weak in some countries. We have an article on Finding Good Beers at Walt Disney World, and our friends over at Beers and Ears have some great apps for finding beers at Walt Disney World that might further assist with finding good beers while drinking around the world!
Enjoy Attractions Between Drinks – World Showcase is not known for rides, with the Gran Fiesta Tour in Mexico and Frozen Ever After in Norway Arendelle being the main options. The films in France, Canada, and China plus the American Adventure are other great options. After a couple of drinks, you might weep uncontrollably at the emotional power of the American Adventure…or you might just fall asleep. Check out our full Epcot Ride Guide for ratings and reviews of every attraction in Epcot.
Recommended Drinks by Country
We used to recommend starting in Mexico, but if you’re a beer drinker, due to recent changes in Canada, you are now better suited to start in Canada. Mixed drink or tequila fans should still start in Mexico. If you start in Mexico, this list is in order by country. If you start in Canada, it’s in reverse order.
Mexico – Outside the Mexico pavilion you can get Margaritas that are pre-mixed, extremely sugary and are sure to upset your stomach. Avoid these, instead go inside to La Cava Del Tequila, which serves some excellent drinks, notably the Blood Orange Margarita, Avocado Margarita, and Jalapeno Margarita, and tequila flights. There’s even a special offer if you show your server that you follow @CavaDelTequila on Twitter. La Cava Del Tequila is far and away the best place for mixed drinks in World Showcase, which is why we recommend starting here…but just make sure you leave!
Get a Carlsberg in Norway – Carlsberg isn’t amazing, but it’s a solid beer…despite not actually being from Norway. Hey, it’ll fit right in with the Frozen attraction! This is a lesser-of-all-evils situation.
The one thing you want to make sure you avoid is the aquavit shot. Unless the idea of a shot of potato alcohol that tastes like it’s mixed with fire and dill pickles sounds appealing. (I’m not kidding, that’s about what it tastes like.)
Don’t Miss the Tea Stand in China – Names can be deceiving! Featuring some of the most unique cocktails in World Showcase, the Mango Gingerita, Canto Loopy, Peach Snap! or Green Tea Plum Slush is the way to go here. Tsing Tao on draft is a rare sight, but it’s not better than the cocktails. Some readers have indicated they are a fan of the Plum Wine here, but it’s not my…ahem…cup of tea.
Skip the “African” Outpost – Way back in the 1980s, this was where the African pavilion was to be. Now it’s just a filler area. It doesn’t count as a country, and thus is not an official stop on a Drinking Around the World tour. It’s fun for buzzed photos at the drums, but you do not need to stop for a drink here. Don’t be fooled by the Safari Amber that’s “exclusive” to Walt Disney World. It’s just a boring Anheuser-Busch InBev brew.
Avoid the Crowd in Germany – Due to the actual country’s reputation, the beer kiosk near the front in Germany typically has long lines. Avoid these by heading deeper into the pavilion. The beers offered here typically include Spaten, Altenmunster Oktoberfest, Lowenbrau, Radeberger, and others I can’t type or pronounce.
There are also Jägermeister shots. I know Germany is a favorite beer country for many, but I find most of these beers to be good, not great. You should definitely get something here, but I think the real winners are in Canada. My pick here would be the Altenmunster Oktoberfest.
Stop at Via Napoli in Italy – You’re almost halfway through, so now is a good point for a relaxing air-conditioned break. Head inside Via Napoli and get a Moretti La Rossa, a malty beer with a big nutty flavor. The pizza is also pretty good if you’re in the mood for something filling.
Moretti is now available outside. It’s also available at Tutto Gusto, the Italian wine cellar, where you can get beer flights as well. The kiosks outside also have margaritas (not recommended), wines (some decent choices), and dessert wines. Despite Italy being known for wines rather than beers, I’d stick with the beer here.
Craft Beers in America – Finally! Our long national nightmare is over! The American Adventure used to be an awful spot for drinks, but that has all changed. Regal Eagle Smokehouse & Craft Drafts just opened, and has a walk-up drink window that serves Cigar City Jai Alai IPA, Angry Orchard Crisp Apple Hard Cider, Bell’s Oberon, Tennessee Lemonade, and more.
Additionally, Block & Hans is a small kiosk to the far side of the pavilion that opened last year, and it serves a variety of American craft beers. These rotate to some degree, but I’ve noticed something excellent from Bell’s is there most of the time, which is a popular choice from my hometown in Michigan. (Almost everything Bell’s brews is fantastic–get whatever they have!)
Experiment in Japan – Japan offers a couple good options: plum wine and hot or cold sake. The Kirin Ichiban beer is nice and smooth, too. These may not be things you’d normally drink, but give them a try anyway.
My recommendation here would be the hot sake, which I think goes down pretty well. Whatever you do, don’t get the beer–especially the Frozen Ichiban. It will be tempting because it’s such a novel concept, but this is just an unpleasant drink.
Try a Mixed Drink or Sangria in Morocco – Casa Beer is the only Moroccan-themed beer offered (something tells me this fairly mild drink isn’t what they were pouring at Rick’s Cafe Americain) and it’s alright. The mixed drinks and sangria are also good options, especially the Sultan, but I highly doubt any of them are any more Moroccan than a can of SPAM.
There’s also a bar in the Tangierine Café where you can get coffee infused with liquor. Perfect late afternoon pick-me-up if you need one. Honestly, this might be a country to skip if you need a mind-tour break.
$$$ in France – The Grand Marnier & Grey Goose Orange Slush, and the Grey Goose Citron Lemonade Slush are crazy expensive, but they’re also pretty good. They don’t have much alcohol and are terrible values, but they still aren’t bad options.
Don’t bother with the (one) lackluster beer in the France pavilion. I have no insight to the wines here, but hey, it’s France…maybe they’re good?
Blend It Up in the United Kingdom! – There are quite a few beers on tap in Rose & Crown, and they’re all pretty good, but the best options are the pub blends such as the Bumblebee (Boddingtons and Guinness), Black and Tan (Bass and Guinness), or the Golden Fox (Boddingtons and Bass). Tastes Great, more fulfilling!
Although this is one of the last stops on the list, we recommend trying to hit it earlier in the evening, as it gets really busy late at night. The restrooms here (picture above) are some of the busiest and loudest in Walt Disney World at night!
Canada Beer is the Best Beer (Here) – It used to be the case that you had to dine in Le Cellier, one of the most popular restaurants in all of Walt Disney World, to get the good stuff. Recently, Canada started serving a few varieties of Unibroue beers outside at the kiosk, as well! These include Éphémère and Trois Pistoles, but the real highlight is La Fin Du Monde. This is a robust Abbey Tripel that is arguably one of the best beers in the world. It scores a 99 on Ratebeer. (Just for reference, that’s over DOUBLE the score of the best beer in Germany.)
Not only is it delicious, but it’s a great value. You might be thinking that an $11 beer can’t possibly be a great value, but I purchased the bottle pictured above at a local beer store for $12. So, by Disney standards, there is minimal markup here and it’s a great value. The Trois Pistoles is also an excellent, excellent beer–the second best in World Showcase. I’m not a huge fan of Éphémère, but you could do worse. Be ashamed, be very ashamed, if you purchase a Moosehead or Labatt here. The Torontopolitan is also to be avoided.
Truthfully, I’m to the point now where the novelty of Drinking Around the World long ago wore off for me, and now I just grab a Unibroue in Canada on my way into World Showcase, backtrack to get another later, maybe stop for a Bell’s Oberon in America, then stop at La Cava Del Tequila on the way out. That’s more than enough booze and money spent, plus I’m actually getting drinks I like as opposed to drinking something in each country for the sake of trying it. Your mileage may vary, and I understand there’s a certain novelty to Drinking Around the World Showcase, but depending upon your tastes, you might be woefully underwhelmed by a lot of these options.
If you’re determined to complete this grueling drinking challenge, by following the simple tips and drink suggestions above, your day at Epcot Drinking Around the ‘World should be an excellent time. Remember to drink in moderation and be courteous to fellow guests during your trip, as Walt Disney World is a family vacation destination, not your local college dive bar!
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts…
Have you tried Drinking Around the World at Epcot? Which drinks do you recommend? If you have any other tips, please share them in the comments! Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
I know this may sound silly but doing the team posable atraction is a great way to drink around the world. You go around the world interacting with the inviorment, it not only helps cushion the time between drinks but you get to see alot of epcot that you usually dont see. I highly recomend you try it
Great tip! I think we’ve gotten tickets to do Kim Possible like 10 times, but have never ended up doing it. Now I know when we will!
Sorry I stopped reading when you said that America was the best beer maker in the world.
I take it you’ve never been to Seattle, Wisconsin, Michigan, or one of the countless other locales where craft brewing has become an art.
Macro brews in other countries may have a longer history than American micro breweries, but if you ever sample some of the fine craft beers made by American brewers (and I’m not talking Bud, Miller, Coors crap), you might see this.
I agree completely.
There are some incredible beers made in Wisconsin, Michigan, and even (gasp) Iowa! If you don’t believe me, check out the gold medalists from the world beer competitions. Many of the winners are American beers, and not in just the American lager/”Schlitz” class of beers. (Although, Schlitz is not a bad beer, it is just misunderstood)
Off the top of my head, Lakefront Brewery, New Glarus, Bell’s, Sprecher, and Millstream put out beers better than many, if not most, of the beers I’ve had abroad.
Tom, I also agree it’s a shame the American pavilion does not showcase some of these beers. While Sam Adams is seemingly the standard bearer for American microbrews, it pales in comparison to many of the breweries mentioned previously.
One last thought, I seem to recall Scotch flights are present in England. Can anyone confirm this?
Yep. Growing up 10 minutes from Bell’s and a short distance from Founder’s really spoiled me to great American beers. Anyone who says American beers are crap simply doesn’t know beer.
Wow. I just realized I hijacked your excellent blog post by talking about beer. My apologies.
I recently discovered your site, and thanks to you I’ve been inspired to finally shed my old Canon film SLR and upgrade to a DSLR. I’m trying to choose between the Mikon D7000 or the Canon 7D. Either way, I should have plenty of time to play with my new camera before my family’s trip in to WDW in November.
I use the D7000, and from what I understand, the Canon 7D is a great camera. I’d go to a store and find out which feels better in your hands. I test everything out at Best Buy (but I rarely purchase anything there)!
My wife and I tried this, but did so on a fairly empty stomach and at probably too fast a pace. Even though we were sharing, we had to quit after America (we too avoided the Outpost). We might have tried too many different kinds of alcohol, too.
Mixing too many kinds of alcohol (especially if you have a lot of sugar) can lead to a quick demise. Hope it works out better next time!
The day we spent meandering around the World Showcase sampling adult beverages was my favorite part of my last trip. It was my dad, my brother, my husband and I and except for my dad, none of us had been since to WDW since we were of drinking age. It was a great way to celebrate our adults only trip and take a break from commando touring. We loved the margaritas in Mexico. They made the 15min wait for Maelstrom fly by. It also made Maelstrom more tolerable (at least to me!). We also enjoyed beers in Germany (although we drank the beers in Italy where it was much quieter). My favorite was the champagne and raspberry liquor in France. It was very pricey, but who can say no to drinking champagne under the Eiffel Tower?
Great post. We especially enjoy doing this on our last afternoon (note: we always fly and usually take the Magical Express, so it’s not like we’re drinking around the world and then driving home)–it’s a nice way to take in the details of the World Showcase and slow down.
I can’t wait to try the margaritas in Mexico. I’ve only had the sugary ones outside before. The Viking coffee in Norway is another favorite of mine. It goes wonderfully with the schoolbread. I didn’t know about the coffee bar in Morocco. I live coffe drinks so I’ll be trying that as well. Great tips! Thanks for all the info.
Viking coffee?! That sounds excellent. (Especially if it compliments the school bread!)
Favorite post yet. Nice to see so many fellow Disney enthusiasts also enjoy a good beverage along with their world traveling.
It makes for taking photos a lot more interesting! 😉
I second the Morocco coffee bar. My person fav, and quickly becoming a tradition, is the Casablanca: coffee with vanilla liquor and whipped cream. A great pick me up right before Illuminations!
We will have to keep that in mind. It sounds awesome!
Love the slushes in France. You also forgot Woodpecker Cider in England. Both my daughter and husband love it.
Loved this. I think of those slushes in France often.
And this is only during the non-Food and Wine season. For that glorious time of the year, drinking around the world gets more complicated and expensive!
And more awesome! It’s tough to make a guide for F&WF since the offerings always change, but I recommend Googling the beer name + “beer advocate” or “rate beer” to all those wondering about beers offered then.
Holy comments! Great read; I’m sending this to my friends who want to know more about this “Drink Around The World” I keep talking about.
One addition to France, though. I’m a vodka man, myself, and I need to try the Orange slush, but I did have the Sparkling Vodka there. Once getting over the color (pink) it was quite good! Not cheap by any means, though. I sipped it happily, and then believing it was merely champagne (which you get after a while) just downed the last bit, which I regretted. I will admit, though, Canada’s CircleVision was REALLY good when good-and-tipsy!
Isn’t that like $15?! I’ve never had it (price has always scared me away), but it’s good to know that it’s a good option!
I *love* the look of the oversaturated colors in your photos! And I agree wholeheartedly with your “start in Mexico” advice. However, the biggest danger with doing that is you’ll love the Cava so much, you’ll never get OUT of Mexico.
Oh yeah. I don’t really see that a danger so much as a sign that maybe you should postpone the rest of the countries. Maybe a two-day voyage?!
One of my favorite past times in the afternoon at EPCOT! Never noticed the specialty beers in Le Cellier. Thanks for the info. We will be giving it a go next week!
Okay, this is too funny. Seems we BOTH have great taste! I just read About Tom & Sara. I also proposed to my partner, on the beach at the Poly during wishes! I havea youtube video of it all. It was AMAZING! She never saw that coming because she always thought she would be the one to do it. Surprise, the girl with the makeup, heels and killer jewelry was the one to pop the question! I proposed early Aug 2009 and we married 10/10/10 and of course, honeymooned in Disney!
Show us your video! Sounds exciting!
That really is crazy! Congratulations! (On the proposal and marriage, and on having great taste!!!)
I just stumbled upon this article and it’s fantastic. My fiance and I do this a couple times a year and have a blast every time! Chris, I believe I met you and your partner at the Top of the World lounge last August. My fiance and I had just gotten engaged up there that week and I remember talking to you and you telling me the story of your engagement! I believe you two were friends with the awesome bartender up there! Hope all is well! 🙂
Great post, I’ve been SOOO interested in doing this. My partner & I are exact opposits, so sharing may not be an option. I love all the different beers and she enjoys the fruity drinks. I’ve seen several posts on drinking around the world but nobody EVER tells how much it costs to do. Can you shed some light…a ball park figure of how much it cost you both. Last trip, 10/10/10 was our honeymoon and we dropped about $150 on drinks and really, that wasn’t alot of drinks. So I’m curious how much drinking around the world costs!
Thanks
Chris
You can spend as little as $5.50-6.50 per country (typically only domestic beers are this ‘cheap’), or as much as $15. In La Cava Del Tequila, you can spend much, much more.
I would budget for about $8 per country per person.
Tom, great tips for one of our favorite things to do on a trip. I really only have a couple things to add:
– Take a break and watch the American Adventure. That show gets me feeling patriotic dead sober, but with a few drinks it almost gets me to full on patriotic tears.
– Interesting call with Le Cellier. I can’t really dispute the Unibroue suggestion (really folks, go drink it), but getting into Le Cellier might not always be possible. What we sometimes do is make a reservation at Cape May for dinner and conclude our tour there (after settling for Molsen in Canada). After a terrific clambake buffet (and honestly, who doesn’t want a buffet after drinking all day long?) the brave can then walk across the Boardwalk to ESPN or Jellyrolls to conclude the night.
Great article!
Love the idea of going to Cape May for clambake buffet and capping it at Jelly Rolls!
– Take a break and watch the American Adventure. That show gets me feeling patriotic dead sober, but with a few drinks it almost gets me to full on patriotic tears.
This is so true!! I’ve left a few times in full tears! I also get that way at the end of the Great Movie Ride lol
I know it seems like common sense – but I appreciate that you included the “share your drinks” tip. So many people at Epcot clearly aren’t following this advice (particularly during FWF). I’m all about being able to finish the World rather than feeling ill a few countries in. Those tasty frozen drinks are just too tempting not to order! Splitting them makes it more manageable – especially on the budget. Also, thanks for the specific recommendations- I always hear about La Cava del Tequila, but I always feel I’m not choosing the best options in the other countries.
Also, as always – your photos are amazingTom!
Some other recommendations, particularly for non-beer drinkers and even more particularly for wine drinkers:
Norway: An Aquavit Glacier Shot is offered, which is a little expensive but good and less filling.
China: The Tea stand also has plum wine, a solid option.
Germany: The kiosk near the water has schnapps (Rumplemintz and Jagermeister), and a wine store inside sells glasses of German wine as well (everyone loves Riesling!)
Italy: If you don’t want to sit down for lunch, or if it’s already midafternoon, there’s an excellent kiosk here selling sparkling wines as well as an Italian wine shop in the pavilion. Try the Rosa Regale or the prosecco.
U.S.: Yeah, the only option here is beer.
Morocco: The coffee bar is an excellent way to meet your drink requirement and stay awake!
Japan: The sake bar here is tricky to find, it’s all the way at the back of the Mitsukoshi sake bar. They have a wide variety of sake here, and occasionally sake cocktails. It’s a better option than going to the other Japan kiosks.
France: Yes, go with the slushes.
U.K.: There’s also two brands of cider, Strongbow and another I can’t remember.
Canada: Your options are very limited if you don’t go to Le Cellier; if you do go to Le Cellier, cap off your journey with a dessert icewine. It’s a particularly Canadian type of wine that usually comes from the Niagara region, made from grapes that have frozen on the vine. The freezing locks in sugars, making for a very sweet dessert wine. These are expensive but worth it. You can also find bottles of icewine in their gift shop, which you can use to bypass Le Cellier and the Moosehead kiosk if you bring your own corkscrew and glasses 🙂
Brian,
Thank you very much for the additional tips. As you might have guessed, we aren’t big wine drinkers (haven’t refined the palates well-enough for it), but we haven’t been incredibly impressed with the World Showcase wines we have tried. They all just seem like really sugary wines. I guess you have to know where to look (sort of like how you need to know where to look for a good Margarita in Mexico so you don’t end up with the pre-mixed frozen sugar-drink outside).
Now you’ve given us some new drinks to try! Hopefully other readers see and appreciate your tips!
Jalapeno margarita in Mexico is something I have craved since my last visit ( 2/2010 ) On my way back for Christmas 2011 and I am already trying to plan when during my trip I can fit some in.
Sounds like a perfect stop right before a ride on the Gran Fiesta Tour!
Next time you go….the Avocado Margarita was the best thing that I ever tasted!!!! I also enjoyed the Jalapeno Margarita however the Avocado was a unique choice and I have been craving it ever since! It is sweet and smooth and a great start to your drinking around the world adventure!
Given that they have cider in England, another nice combination drink to consider is Guiness and cider, often called a black adder or snakebite. The bright and sweet bite of the cider is a nice contrast to the rich stout of Guiness. Definitely worth a try.
“Snakebite”: Cider & Lager (Rose & Crown uses Strongbow & Harps)
“Black Velvet”: Guinness & Champagne, layered
“Poor Man’s Black Velvet”: Guinness & Cider, layered
“Black Adder”: Guinness & Cider, non-layered, just poured
🙂
I enjoyed reading this. I am going to have my husband read it to get him excited about Disney World! He thinks it’s just for the kids, but I’m planning for a babysitter one evening. That way we can dine at LeCellier and drink around the world.
Try to get your reservation at Le Cellier at least 60 days before your trip if you aren’t staying on property. I think you have 6 months if you are staying at a Disney resort. I have tried for years for lunch or dinner and have always found all reservations are booked even 60 days ahead. But I have heard it has great, albeit expensive, food! Enjoy!!
You can make Advance Dining Reservations (ADRs) 180 days in advance. For Le Cellier, which is an incredibly popular location, you need to make a reservation almost as soon as your window opens. 60 days will almost never be sufficient.
I ate there a few years ago at Le Cellier. how fru fru. the service is exquisite. the food was excellent. you feel as if you are dining in a castle. what a fine experience!