The DFB team prepares for the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival months in advance, monitoring Disney announcements for any hints about new booths or menu items. Once official details are confirmed, editors compare current offerings with past years to identify genuinely new dishes versus returning favorites. The team assigns reporters based on dietary needs and interests, ensuring comprehensive coverage of food, entertainment, merchandise, and park activities. On opening day, reporters carry multiple food trays while the home team manages uploads, edits, and social media updates in a chaotic but fun workflow. Despite the stress of managing dozens of notifications and uploading photos in Florida heat, the collaborative effort results in detailed reviews and guides for visitors. By sharing bites and adapting to constant changes like rain or sold-out items, the team successfully transforms a massive festival into helpful content for fans.
Key Points:
- The DFB team has been covering the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival since 2009.
- Coverage begins about five months before the festival opens, with weekly checks initially and daily monitoring as it approaches.
- Editors compare current menu items with those from four years ago to determine if dishes are genuinely new or returning favorites.
- Reporters carry food trays to manage multiple plates while covering booths in World Showcase.
- The home team handles photo uploads, video editing, social media posts, and website updates simultaneously during the festival.
- Some reporters have food allergies, dietary restrictions, or non-alcohol preferences that affect their assignments.
- Opening day requires early arrival to photograph decorations, find festival passports, and inspect merchandise before booths open.
- Reporters use portable fans, phone cooling cases, and mini tripods to survive Florida heat and capture close-up shots.
- The team consumes approximately 94% of festival food items across multiple tastings throughout the day.
- Collaboration among reporters, editors, video teams, and social media professionals ensures comprehensive coverage despite chaos.