5. Drain all those pesky low balance gift cards

Image: Jett Farrell-Vega

We did find one surprising hack that we absolutely loved for our Food and Wine Festival visit. In our previous articles about tricks to save money at Disney World, we talked about how you can drain low balance debit-style gift cards at Disney World by splitting your purchases between two cards. Some Disney cashiers know how to do this, others don’t.

We were thrilled to discover that the credit card machines at the Food and Wine Festival drain many low balance gift cards automatically. Just hand the cashier your low balance card, let them know it may or may not process since it’s a low balance card, then have them run it like normal. The amount that was on your gift card is reduced from your price, and you can pay the rest using a normal card.

A few things about this method. First off, there are no guarantees it will work for everyone. Credit card machines are finicky, and cast members are under no obligation to make this wacky hack work. Second, try to limit using this trick to less than three cards per kiosk and even less if there is a long line. When your receipt is printed, it will spit out as many receipts as you used cards. You only need one to get your dish.

This ended up allowing us to get a handful of extra dishes using otherwise-inaccessible pocket change. We were even able to drain some pesky cards that only had like $.30 cents on them. By and large, the cast members were very helpful, and we showered them with gratitude for their assistance.

6. Avoid getting sloshed on tiny drink flights

Image: Disney

One big catch about the Food and Wine Festival is that, if you are partaking in any drink flights or trying alcoholic beverages from multiple booths, you are extremely likely to get tipsy. Just stop and take a moment to watch passerbys during the Festival. If you’re a Disney regular, you’ll probably recognize a lot more giggling groups, bleary eyed faces, and romping lumberjacks than usual (okay, maybe only in the Canada pavilion).

It is extremely easy at the Food and Wine Festival to mix beer, wine, and liquors without realizing it. Particularly on wine flights, the cups are so tiny that it feels like you aren’t drinking anything at all. This can catch some guests unawares—even those who normally can hold their alcohol. While being a little tipsy might be fun for some, getting hammered or completely sick at Disney World isn’t the best way to enjoy your day. It also puts you at higher risk for dehydration.

Image: Disney

If you will be drinking at the Food and Wine Festival, make it a priority to stay hydrated. Bring a refillable water bottle with you, and refill it regularly at drink fountains. Every chance you get to pick up a free cup of water from a quick service station, do it. Not only will this help your tolerance, but it will prevent you from getting dehydrated, which can come on extremely quick in the Florida sun. Don’t count on alcohol to hydrate you. It can actually have the opposite effect. If you catch yourself getting woozy to the point you don't feel well, head straight to First Aid next to the old Oddysey restaurant, and they will get you cooled down and rehydrated.

Second, pace yourself, and try to always pair drinks with food. Share a tasting flight with a friend rather than each getting your own. You can always get more if you really enjoy something. Take regular rests in air-conditioned spaces, and definitely do not-- I repeat DO NOT go on Mission: SPACE Orange Team if you have been drinking your way around the world (and no, that is not a viable means of "freeing up a bit of room" for one more Tipsy Laird).

What are your favorite tricks for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival?