🍷 About This Episode

If you know me, you know EPCOT is my favorite park at Walt Disney World. And when the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival rolls around, you better believe EPCOT is going to be part of my Disney plans!

This year is extra special because we're celebrating 30 years of the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival — and after patiently (okay… maybe not so patiently 😂) waiting for the menus to drop, I finally have my list!

In this episode, I'm taking you through my four-page handwritten Food & Wine Festival list of the foods and drinks I'm most excited to try this year.

From the Cannoli Milkshake and Pretzel Bread Pudding to Filet Mignon, Pumpkin-Mascarpone Ravioli, and the one drink that may have already won the entire festival for me…

Boston Brick Red. ❤️🍺

Yep. If you know me, you know.

We'll also talk about why I love EPCOT so much, how I approach a festival day, and my tips for making the most of your own Food & Wine adventure — whether you're traveling with friends, family, or going solo.

🌎 What's On Rae's Food & Wine List?

Here are some of the foods and drinks I'm hoping to try:

CommuniCore Hall

• Cannoli Milkshake
• Crab & Corn Mac & Cheese

Brew-Wing Lab

• Ciderboys Cherry Jubilee Hard Cider
• Bold Rock Apple Crumble Cider
• Pumpkin Spice Hard Cider

Connections Eatery

• Caramel Apple Cheesecake Baumkuchen

Flavors from Fire

• Rodizio-style Grilled Beef Skewer
• Smoked Chocolate Bread Pudding

Earth Eats

• Red Wine Braised Beef Short Rib

Sunshine Seasons Festival

• Mickey-Shaped Celebration Macaron

Australia

• Blueberry Shrimp Skewer

Mexico

• Tostada de Osso Buco
• Cherry Nostalgia
• Fruta de la Pasion

Norway

• Caramel Cream & Gjetost Norwegian Brown Cheese Bolle

Germany

• Wiener Schnitzel
• von Trapp Brewing Oktoberfest Lager

Sommerfest

• Pretzel Bread Pudding — a MUST!
• Cinnamon Pretzel Cold Brew

Italy

• Amaretto Bellini

Hops & Barley

• Smoked Brisket & Cheddar Melt
• Samuel Adams Boston Brick Red Irish Red Ale

Funnel Cake

• Pumpkin Pie Funnel Cake

Greece

• Spanakopita
• Griddled Cheese

Morocco

• Spiced Flank Steak Hummus Bowl
• Ras el Hanout Cauliflower Bowl

France

• Crème Brûlée Pistachio

UK Beer Cart

• Sparkling Cucumber Gin Cocktail

Canada

• Cheddar & Bacon Soup
• Filet Mignon

Canada Popcorn Cart

• Northern Ruby

Hawaii

• Slow-Roasted Pork Slider
• Pineapple Wine
• O'ahu Sunrise

Bramblewood Bites

• Brûléed Sweet Potatoes
• Grilled Cider-Brined Pork Tenderloin

Forest & Field

• Pumpkin-Mascarpone Ravioli

And yes…

That is a LOT of food. 😂

Which is exactly why I'm planning to share!

🍽️ Rae's Tips for an EPCOT Festival Day

1. Get a Festival Gift Card

A festival gift card can make paying for all those little food and drink purchases much easier — and the wearable option is especially convenient when you're walking around World Showcase.

2. Slow down

Don't try to race around EPCOT.

Take your time. Enjoy the music, the atmosphere, the food, the drinks, and all the details around you.

And remember: you don't have to do everything in one day.

Multiple EPCOT days are absolutely allowed!

3. Share everything

There are SO many things to try, and sharing allows you to sample more without getting completely stuffed after three booths.

Although…

I will be keeping my Boston Brick Red all to myself. 😂

✈️ Solo Travel & EPCOT

One of the reasons EPCOT is such a great park for solo travelers is that you can completely set your own pace.

Want to spend an hour exploring one pavilion?

Go for it.

Want to stop for a snack?

Do it.

Want to change your entire plan because something smells amazing?

Absolutely.

You don't have to wait for someone else to be ready.

Solo travel is about giving yourself permission to experience a destination your way — and EPCOT is one of my favorite places to do exactly that.

🍷 What's Coming Next?

This episode is just the beginning!

Once I get to EPCOT, I'll be trying these foods and drinks and sharing my honest reviews.

So if you're planning your own Food & Wine Festival adventure, follow along because we're going to find out which items are worth the hype — and which ones aren't.

📅 Festival Details

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
📍 Walt Disney World — EPCOT
📅 August 27 – November 21, 2026

You've got plenty of time to make your way around the world!

💬 Let's Talk!

Have you ever been to the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival?

What's your must-eat?

What's your must-drink?

And if you've never been, which item from my list would YOU try first?

Come find me on Instagram @travelwithraeanne and let me know!

✨ Need Help Planning Your Disney Trip?

Planning Disney can be overwhelming — especially when you're trying to figure out dining, parks, resorts, transportation, reservations, and everything in between.

That's where I come in!

If you're dreaming about a Disney vacation, a solo adventure, or your next cruise, send me a message and let's start planning.

❤️ Connect With Rae

📱 Instagram: @travelwithraeanne

🎙️ Podcast: Rae K Uncharted

🏰 Disney • Solo Travel • Cruises • Travel Tips

Follow along for more adventures, travel tips, Disney planning, and plenty of moments that make you say:

“Wait… I actually want to do that.”

#RaeKUncharted #TravelWithRaeAnne #DisneyWorld #EPCOT #EPCOTFoodAndWine #FoodAndWineFestival #DisneyFood #DisneyTravel #DisneyAdult #SoloDisney #SoloTravel #DisneyTips #WaltDisneyWorld #DisneyPodcast #TravelPodcast

📲 IG: @travelwithraeanne

🌍 www.travelwithraeanne.com

Today’s episode is inspired by National Bucket List Day—but we’re not talking about the typical list of dream destinations.

Yes, places like Greece and Italy will always be iconic… but what if your bucket list was about more than just where you go?

What if it was about how you experience those places?

In this episode of Rae K Uncharted, I’m sharing a different kind of bucket list—one filled with meaningful experiences, unforgettable moments, and the things I truly want to feel, do, and live out while traveling.

Because your bucket list shouldn’t just sit in your notes app… it should be something you’re actively checking off.

 What You’ll Take Away:

•  Why your bucket list should go beyond destinations 
•  How to shift your mindset from “someday” to “right now” 
•  Inspiration to start creating experience-based travel goals 
•  A reminder that your dream life is meant to be lived, not postponed

💬 Let’s Connect:

What’s on your bucket list right now—places, experiences, or both?

Come share it with me! I love hearing what you’re dreaming about and helping you turn those ideas into actual plans.

📲 Connect with me on social: @travelwithraeanne
 ✨ Tag me in your bucket list posts: #RaeKUncharted

✈️ Ready to Start Checking Things Off?

If you’re done waiting for the “perfect time” and ready to start planning your next experience, I’m here to help.

Whether it’s your first solo trip, a dream Disney vacation, or finally booking that cruise—you don’t have to figure it out alone.

💌 Reach out to start planning your next adventure

📲 IG: @travelwithraeanne

🌍 www.travelwithraeanne.com

Rae shares her first-ever Mardi Gras experience, what the celebration really means, and why New Orleans does it like nowhere else. From college memories and parade kings to King Cake traditions and travel tips, this episode breaks down everything you should know before heading to Mardi Gras — plus why Universal Orlando might be the perfect alternative for a more low-key celebration.

🎭 In This Episode:

• Rae’s first Mardi Gras story (Everclear included)
• What Mardi Gras actually means and when the season runs
• King Cake traditions and favorite bakeries
• Must-know parade weekends and celebrity kings
• Important travel tips (streetcars, laws, and planning ahead)
• Why Mardi Gras is better with friends and not alone — and when to choose Universal Orlando instead

✈️ Travel Tip Takeaway:

Mardi Gras is unforgettable, but knowing the traditions, timing, and logistics makes all the difference.

📲 Connect with Rae:

Follow along on Instagram @travelwithraeanne and tag your adventures using #RaeKUncharted.

📲 IG: @travelwithraeanne

🌍 www.travelwithraeanne.com

Rae takes you on a festive stroll down Main Street, through Adventureland, and beyond as she shares her must-try snacks and sips from Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. From Mickey-shaped cinnamon rolls to peppermint funnel cakes, this episode is a treat-by-treat guide to the most magical flavors of the season — with a dash of solo-travel inspiration and plenty of Disney cheer.

🍪 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Rae’s full rundown of this year’s exclusive holiday food lineup
• Hidden gems and can’t-miss treats from each park area
• Why solo Disney trips are the best way to savor the details
• How to slow down, snack smart, and find your own Disney magic

💡 Key Takeaway:

Every bite has a little bit of magic — especially when you take the trip your way.

📲 Connect with Rae:

Follow along on Instagram @travelwithraeanne
and tag your own Disney foodie finds using #RaeKUncharted.

📲 IG: @travelwithraeanne

🌍 www.travelwithraeanne.com

In this episode, Rae dives into her favorite moments of self-discovery that came from traveling solo — from enjoying meals alone to embracing total freedom with no schedules. She opens up about realizing she’s shy and connects with people on her own terms, the humor in daydreaming about meeting Mr. Right on a flight, and the deep confidence that comes from learning who you are when no one else is around.

Rae reminds listeners that solo travel isn’t just about the destinations — it’s about finding yourself along the way. And if you’re ready to plan your own escape, don’t be afraid to ask for help — there are travel advisors who specialize in solo adventures.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• How solo dining can feel empowering
• The joy of traveling with no time constraints
• Why solo travel is perfect for introverts
• The fun in embracing spontaneity and self-confidence
• Tips for planning your first solo trip

🔑 Key Takeaway:
Solo travel isn’t lonely — it’s liberating. It’s your chance to discover what truly makes you happy.

📲 Connect with Rae:

📲 IG: @travelwithraeanne

🌍 www.travelwithraeanne.com

Ever wonder what it’s really like to take your very first trip alone? In this episode of Rae K Uncharted, Rae shares the story of her very first solo adventure — and why she chose the “Happiest Place on Earth” to take that leap.

From nervous excitement to the freedom of realizing she could do it all on her own, Rae dives into how Disneyland became the perfect starting point for her solo travel journey. You’ll hear the behind-the-scenes thoughts, fears, and magical moments that sparked her lifelong love of exploring alone.

🌟 What You’ll Learn:

• Why Disneyland was the ideal first solo destination
• How Rae faced her fears of traveling alone
• The unexpected confidence that came from doing it anyway
• How that trip reshaped the way she travels today
• Tips for choosing your own first solo destination

💬 Rae’s Takeaway:

The first step is always the hardest — but once you take it, your world opens up.

🧳 Mentioned in This Episode:

• Disneyland (Anaheim, California)
• Rae’s favorite solo Disney moments
• Planning solo park days and making your own magic

📲 IG: @travelwithraeanne

🌍 www.travelwithraeanne.com

When people ask Rae why she travels solo, her answer is simple: because it changed her life.

 In this episode of Rae K Uncharted, Rae takes you back to where it all began—her very first solo trip—and how a spontaneous decision to visit Disneyland turned into a lifelong passion for exploring the world alone.

You’ll hear the honest truth about fear, stubbornness, and learning to let go of waiting for others. From that first Disneyland trip to building confidence through small adventures, Rae shares how solo travel transformed her life—and how it can do the same for you.

🌍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why Rae chose Disneyland for her first solo trip (and why it was the perfect choice).
• How fear and stubbornness can actually work in your favor.
• The importance of starting small and building confidence with each trip.
• Why waiting for others might be holding you back from your dream adventures.
• How solo travel can lead to clarity, confidence, and even new life paths.

💡 Episode Takeaway:

Stop waiting for someone to join you—go anyway. The trip that scares you might just be the one that changes everything.

🧳 Mentioned in This Episode:

• Disneyland (Rae’s first solo trip)
• Las Vegas
• Walt Disney World
• Rae’s upcoming solo adventure: Europe

📲 IG: @travelwithraeanne

🌍 www.travelwithraeanne.com

Fear is natural. It protects us, but it can also hold us back—especially when it comes to solo travel. In this episode of Rae K Uncharted, Rae breaks down the fear of being “alone” and how to reframe it as an opportunity for freedom and confidence.

She shares her own experience of being scared before her first solo trip, why humans are wired to resist being alone, and how travel can flip that script. Plus—practical tips you can try today to start building your solo travel confidence, no passport required.

🌍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why fear of traveling solo is so common—and what it really means.
• How being “alone” doesn’t have to equal being “lonely.”
• The mindset shift that transforms fear into opportunity.
• Practical ways to practice solo travel before booking a big trip:
  • Dining out alone
  • Taking a day trip nearby
  • Planning a short weekend getaway

💡 Episode Takeaway:

Solo travel doesn’t have to start with a plane ticket. Confidence builds step by step—starting right where you are.

📲 IG: @travelwithraeanne

🌍 www.travelwithraeanne.com

I’m Rae, a solo traveler and travel advisor who’s here to share my stories, tips, and confidence-boosters to help YOU explore the world your way. From solo trips to group adventures, Disney days to foodie escapes—I’ll inspire you to travel on your terms and within your budget.

📲 IG: @travelwithraeanne

🌍 www.travelwithraeanne.com