How to Drink Around the World
Drinking Around the World at Epcot is one of the most popular adult centered activities at Walt Disney World. It’s often done with the Food & Wine Festival but I think you should do this when there isn’t a festival. The biggest reason is because it makes it more manageable and actually doable. Trying to drink around the world when there are more than the standard 11 countries is just asking to be passed out by America or worse, acting like the obnoxious groups that have obviously had way too much. You’re spending a lot of money to visit Disney AND to drink at Disney. Wouldn’t you like to remember it?
On your day of choosing, make sure that you eat a good breakfast. Starting your expedition on an empty stomach is a bad idea. Take Disney transport to Epcot or get a ride share. Drinking and driving is dumb and obviously illegal. Either bring a water bottle with you or ask for the free cups of ice water at any counter service restaurant as you make your way around. If you don’t want to drink but spend less money (or not have 11 full drinks) split one with a friend. Once at Epcot you’ll have a big choice to make - start in Mexico or Canada. (this can be a hot topic 😂) We always start in Mexico because it is one of our favorite pavilions. And they have amazing margaritas. So that is how my itinerary will go! One of the best parts of Drinking Around the World is ‘Photos or It Didn’t Happen’ because they will obviously get funnier as you go along. In addition to taking photos of your chosen drinks, taking photos in front of the pavilion and with country specific merch is a fun way to document. Another tip is to actually stop and eat lunch somewhere in the middle - basically Italy through Morocco. And I’ll tell you where all the bathrooms are!
Starting our first adult tour around the world in 2009.
Mexico (#1)
The margaritas are where it’s at. The best are inside the Mexico Pavilion at La Cava del Tequila but you can also get them at the Choza de Margarita which is just on the left before the pavilion or La Cantina de San Angel - the counter service across from the pavilion. I do suggest a margarita on the rocks because we found out the hard way, frozen drinks make you feel really full and then it’s difficult to want to keep drinking. If you aren’t in to tequila, this is where you can also get some Mexican cerveza. For photo ops you can go to one of the kiosks (inside or outside) and take a photo in a sombrero or with some maracas. Once you finish your drink you can let it settle while you ride the Gran Fiesta Tour where there is hardly ever a wait. To start your tour with an empty bladder, utilize the restrooms in the building between Test Track and Mexico. There are some inside by the Epcot Experience and some outside by the Baby Care Center.
We LOVE starting with our margaritas in Mexico!
Norway (#2)
Inside Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe you have a couple of beverage choices - a Viking coffee (with Kamora Coffee Liqueur and Baileys Irish Cream) or a Noridc Draft Beer. Sometimes there is also a cart with beverages on the left just as you enter the Norway area. Norway has one of my favorite photo ops. While there is a Viking statue out front, inside the store you will find a giant troll that is just waiting for inappropriate photos. You can do this while wearing a Viking hat or holding a sword. For a more PG photo, you can take some in front of the Arendale buildings just to the right of where you can meet Anna and Elsa. Norway has one of my favorite rides - Frozen Ever After. In normal times you’ll want a Fast Pass but if you need time for your beer to digest, go ahead and wait for the ride. Before your wait you may want to take advantage of Norway’s large (and beautiful) restrooms to the right of where you can go to meet Anna and Elsa.
One of my favorite photos ever because the cast member totally photobomed us.
China (#3)
On the right after you enter China you’ll find the Joy of Tea booth. But they don’t only have tea! They have some choices of alcoholic cocktails (I’ve heard good things about Tipsy Ducks in Love) or Asian beer like Tsing Tao. The Lotus Blossom Cafe has about the same options. Next to the Joy of Tea booth is some merchandise and my sister and love getting photos with the umbrellas to document this country. But mainly because they were one of our allowed purchases at our first visit to Disney World in 1984. China has a huge store in the back of the pavilion for more photo options. For a drinking break be sure to catch the movie which was updated in 2020.
In China with our umbrellas - just like when we were 6! Except there is alcohol at our feet. 😂
African Outpost (#3.5)
If you’re really ambitious you could add this as a country but it’s not an official pavilion. It’s in a weird spot and they try to make it African but then it feels too much like Animal Kingdom to me. I wish they’d do more with it and actually make it into a legit pavilion. The small counter service booth has some liquor and beer options but we usually just browse the merch and take photos of us banging on the drums.
We obviously had fun at my bachelorette party.
Germany (#4)
Quite arguably the drinking capital pavilion. I mean they even have a bier garden and a bier hall. There is a cart at the front of the pavilion with drinks and a small kiosk by the shops. Obviously bier is a popular choice here but don’t discount any of the wine. Inside my favorite shop in World Showcase you’ll find German style hats, cuckoo clocks, lederhosen and dirndls for your photo ops. They have some worthwhile snacks here if you need to start munching on some food. They have Paprika potato chips which we’ve only seen in Europe and are so good. They also have Swiss and German chocolate and not to mention Karamell-Küche and the amazing caramel popcorn. I just like going in and smelling this place. At the end of the pavilion before the miniature railroad are some bathrooms for a pit stop.
Prost!
Italy (#5)
Italy is my favorite resting point because they have good chill spots, some along World Showcase Lagoon. If you didn’t eat anything in Germany a good spot in Italy for some snacks is Tutto Gusto Wine Bar. You get an extensive list of wine but also liquor drinks and Italian beer. If you just want wine there is a wine shop adjacent to the shop and usually a cart outside in front of it where you can also get beer. The shop across from the wine shop has plenty of Italian props for photo ops but there is also a fountain in the middle of the pavilion that is an ideal spot. If you are ready for lunch, the pizza at Via Napoli is some of the best on WDW property.
Our favorite spot in Italy to sit and chill for a bit.
America (#6)
You’ve made it halfway around! America is also now a good spot to stop for lunch as they’ve renovated the restaurant (which was so lame with just standard theme park food) to now be the Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue. Aside from good American BBQ you have a full selection of beer, liquor and wine. If you’re opting for drinks only the Fife & Drum Tavern in front of Regal Eagle has beer options and Block and Hans (as you’re leaving the area) has wine. The shop and kiosk on the right side of the pavilion have all the patriotic gear you need for photos and in the back right of the area has plenty of seating to relax and hit up the very large bathroom.
‘Merica!
Japan (#7)
Japan has some of my fave restaurants in World Showcase so if you want lunch try Teppan Edo or Tokyo Dining and you’ll have extensive drink options with those. The counter service Katsura Grill has the Japanese beer Kirin and - what you should get in Japan - sake! If you want more sake options they occasionally have a sake bar open in the very back of the shop. Japan has another one of my favorite shops and it’s huge. There are plenty of things to take photos with in the shop and I love getting shots outside by the zen garden or the pagoda.
Sake by the zen garden is always a good choice in Japan.
Morocco (#8)
If you haven’t eaten lunch yet go to Spice Road Table. Even if you aren’t eating, go to the bar in there for lots of drink options. It’s also one of the few spots in World Showcase with outdoor seating along the water. Spice Road Table has great food, fun liquor drinks (like the Tangier’s Breeze) and a good selection of Mediterranean beers and wines. The shop to the right just before you get to Spice Road Table has a few photo ops (#FezsAreCool) but be sure to go the back into the pavilion just to explore the architecture, fountains and shops. It’s a beautiful pavilion. There are also bathrooms on your left as you leave the area.
The Morocco Pavilion is one of my favorite to wander back into. The architecture makes it one of my faves.
France (#9)
The France pavilion obviously has wine and beer but they have my favorite drink in all the parks in the kiosk on the right at the front of the pavilion - Les Vins de Chefs de France. It’s the Grand Mariner Slushy and it’s SO yummy. Beer is an option there too but if you want wine or champagne, skip this booth and go back into the pavilion. Once you pass the fountain, go towards the left. On your right is a small wine bar attached to one of the shops. They have a really good selection of wines and champagne. If you need a snack, through the main shop is Boulangerie Patisserie with some beautiful French pastries and yummy macarons. If you need a drink break you can catch the France show or the Beauty & the Beast Singalong depending on the time. And sometime soon you can get a drink break once the new Ratatouille ride opens! The main shop in the back has the most things for a photo op props but getting a photo sitting in front of the fountain with the Eiffel Tower in the background is my favorite in this pavilion.
My favorite France photo op!
United Kingdom (#10)
After you cross a bridge leaving France you’ll enter into the United Kingdom! My favorite spot to get a drink here is at the bar at the Rose & Crown Pub. They have liquor drinks like the Welsh Dragon but obviously I go towards beer. With options like Guinness, Harp and Smithwick’s, it’s hard to go wrong. If the pub is crowded they often have a kiosk with drinks just past the pub on the right. Head to the shops on the left for some photos with UK gear. My favorite - even though it’s not Disney - is the Doctor Who merch. And of course, outside the shops you’ll want a photo inside one of the iconic red phone booths. The ‘street’ leading back through the pavilion is also usually a quiet area to relax and as you leave the area there are bathrooms on your left. Also just past the bathrooms is a Joffrey’s Coffee Cart. You know, just in case you need an espresso-pick-me-up before tackling your last country.
Must stop photo op in the UK (and, yes, babies can tag along while you drink around the World).
Canada (#11)
You made it! The last country! Drink options are a bit sparse here but a kiosk/popcorn cart will usually be open offering some liquor drinks with Crown Royal Whiskey or Canadian beer like Moosehead. Go up the stairs in this pavilion to find the shop for some bear hats for photos. In the back of the pavilion is a man made waterfall to get photos by. You’d never know it was back there if you didn’t go looking for it. Canada also has a show to watch if you need a drink break. As you exit Canada and World Showcase you’ll see bathrooms on the left. There are also, of course, bathrooms near both exits of the park once you’ve completed your around the world journey!
Canada sure is pretty, eh?