EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival 2024 Review: The Alps

Cheese! I’m just crackers about what Alpine goodies appear each year at the 2024 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.

Like several other countries in the World Showcase this year, The Alps isn’t offering anything new. However, the returning plates are like seeing an old friend—then eating them.

The familiar EPCOT Food & Wine offerings this year include:

• Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese with Alpine Ham, Baby Potatoes, Cornichons and Baguette
• Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese with Baby Potatoes, Cornichons and Baguette
• Dark Chocolate Fondue with Berries, Pound Cake and Meringues

The Raclette is distinctive in aroma and is served hot. Very hot. The last time we tried this cheese, it came with honey and dates. The return to a more traditional offering is welcome, though.

The Swiss cheese plates are nearly identical, but one has two slices of ham hidden under the melty dairy decadence. Is the pork product worth it?

Nah.

There’s nothing wrong with the Alpine ham. It tastes fine, but the cheese is so heavy that it could quickly fill you up for the rest of the day. Adding ham on top of that feels like it’s all too much.

Speaking of too much, the fondue needs to become a year-round staple. However, I can see the cost being prohibitive, especially when the small pots holding the dark chocolate are nice enough that we want to take them home.

Yes, this is actually dark chocolate. Those who aren’t used to the somewhat bitter taste may be put off by that, but for the rest of us, it was an excellent experience. The meringues may be itty-bitty, but they’re also well-made. Honestly, I’d rather have two more of them than the pound cake.

Click here to make reservations for this year’s Food & Wine Festival. The complete list of every item available can be seen here. Watch out for the odd growths on some of the AC vents.