It’s here! I can hardly believe it, but the 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival is finally underway!

The fun officially kicked off on September 14 and runs until November 14. That’s more than eight weeks of savoring all that this special event has to offer! And we had so much fun eating and drinking along the Promenade to discover our Best of the Fest dishes and drinks to recommend!

But of course, you can’t forget the tons of events that take place during the Festival. From Low Cost Events like Culinary Demonstrations and Beverage Seminars to high end Special Events like Party for the Senses, there’s so much to do at every turn. But here’s the catch — nearly all of it comes with a pricetag.

So that, of course, begs the question: how in the World do you plan for the Food Lover Trip of the Year?

We get it! So we’re here for you with some great tips for Budgeting for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. And if you like what you see, be sure to check out our 2016 DFB Guide to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, completely updated with everything you can expect to enjoy at this year’s event!

How Much Money Should I Budget For a Day at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival?

Well, the answer to that is…it totally depends!

After all, it’s a pretty subjective question. Are you a light eater or heavy eater? Are you sharing, or buying an individual portion? Are you budgeting for a drink at every booth, or are you content with a bottle of water?

Booth prices continue to creep up just a little each year. Prices for individual booth food items range from $3-8. Drinks will set you back anywhere from $3.50 to more than $10 — with a few even more expensive options ($32 for a glass of Dom Pérignon, for instance).

It’s helpful to keep in mind that the portions for food are tapas-sized. Still, getting all of the items that some of the booths have to offer is like eating a small meal for me.

What Low Cost Events Can I Enjoy at the Festival?

But as we all know, there’s so much more to the Festival than just the Marketplace Booths. Even if Party for the Senses isn’t in your budget for 2016, there is still plenty that you can enjoy during a day at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival without breaking the bank.

Low-Cost Culinary Demonstrations and Wine and Beverage Seminars are a hallmark of the Festival. Chefs from far and wide (and even celebrity chefs!) participate in Culinary Demos, which highlight great recipes that guests get to taste.

If you’d rather learn to talk about wine like a pro, or mix up a mean cocktail, check out Wine and Beverage Seminars.

They span everything from Craft Beer to Wine to Liquor, and are a fantastic way to sharpen your tasting or mixology skills — all for $15 per person.

What’s the One Thing YOU Would Splurge on, DFB?

You may not know it, but even if you’re on a budget, you can book some Special Events without going broke.

The event offers several moderately priced food and beverage pairings, like the Parisian Breakfast. Dine on an unlimited spread of French breakfast specialties in the splendor of Les Chefs de France.

Or spend a leisurely afternoon enjoying a wide array of lunch offerings during the The Parisian Afternoon, held at Monsieur Paul.

Both events come in under $60 each, making them relative bargains in Food and Wine Fest terms. And for just a little more, consider a tasting event, like the Mediterranean Food and Wine Pairing at Spice Road Table. Many offer the opportunity to spend an afternoon in the comfort of a beautiful restaurant, tasting food and beverages that have been expertly paired.

Looking for an interactive experience? We’re looking forward to sampling the Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It! Hand-On Workshops that debut this year! Would you like to create your own Orecchiette? Or discover the secrets of preparing your own Ceviche? Check out the full line up, if leaving with a few skills under your belt is the way you prefer to go.

Finally, if a grand tasting is something you’d love to experience, consider opting for the Rockin’ Burger Block Party.

The event, which features an incredible array of just about every kind of burger you can imagine, also offers plenty of wine, beer, and cocktails. We had a terrific time sampling around the room last year!

So with a little imagination and some planning, you can enjoy a fantastic visit to this year’s Food and Wine Festival without breaking the bank in the process!

Now we’d love to hear from YOU! What are your favorite secrets for setting your Epcot Food and Wine Festival Budget? Leave a comment and share your top tips with us!