Food and Wine for the First Time

[crusin and lovin it]

My husband and I are leaving October 9 for the Food and Wine at Epcot. Although we are seasoned Disney visitors we have never been for the Food and Wine. Any hints and ideas what to do and how to do it? All the information I have gotten is a little confusing and does not really explain what goes on.

[TinkerbelleMom]

All around the World Showcase are little booths with sample sizes of different foods and wines or beer from all the WS countries, plus a few extras. Prices range from $2.00 ish to $5.00 ish. We usually graze our way around, and end up full enough to skip dinner.

There are also cooking demos, wine tastings and other dinners that cost extra in addition to your park ticket.

[crusin and lovin it]

Is there anyway to get information before we get there?

[tiggr33]

My husband and I are leaving October 9 for the Food and Wine at Epcot. Although we are seasoned Disney visitors we have never been for the Food and Wine. Any hints and ideas what to do and how to do it? All the information I have gotten is a little confusing and does not really explain what goes on.
I am a F&W vet. Along WS there will be kiosks set up that sell tasting size portions of ethnic recipes. Not only are the countries of WS represented, but some countries come in only for F&W set ups. Here is a listing of the food offerings for the 2007 F&W http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/ep/fw07/fw07b.htm
Usually there are 2-3 beverage choices as well. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask. As far as hints:carry rolaids with you. Don't be afraid to try new things. Know your likes and dislikes. Check the posted demo's the day before so that you can plan. The 3 locations that do daily cooking/tasting demos put up the details the day before to make planning easy.

There are also cooking demos, wine tastings and other dinners that cost extra in addition to your park ticket.
Sorry, but that is not entirely true. Yes, there are hard ticketed events (many already sold out), but there are also FREE daily demonstrations and tastings. This years daily schedule has not been published as far as I know, but here is last years for an idea http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/ep/fw06/fw06k.htm This is how the scedule will look in the festival booklet. But as I said, stop by the locations and you will get more details for example the wines being tasted or the recipe being made, or the lecture topic.

[crusin and lovin it]

Thanks so much for the information. (I am not sure who I am replying to. This is really the first chat room type of forum I have ever done. Initially I joined 2 years ago when we went on our Disney cruise. Things have changed.) How soon do they usually have the information out or is that something that we get at check -in. I hate to miss anything! I went to the website that you suggested for last year. I am familiar with the majority of the Wineries as well as the wine makers. We are so excited!

[ZoZo]

That is correct - there are many FREE F&W events (like wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, etc.). Just be sure to arrive plenty early, because there are only a certain number of seats per event and they're very popular.

You should be able to pick up a schedule of events when you arrive, or check www.allearsnet.com for a schedule soon.

[crusin and lovin it]

We are so excited about going! We have signed up for several classes as well. I am concerned now that I won't get to see everything I want. OH well there is always next year! I have been checking Allears at least 2 times a day to get any new information. With the responses I have gotten so far I am already feeling a bit more ready for everything!

[tiggr33]

From past experiences, the daily schedule does not usually get published early. If it does it is incomplete. I usually wait until the start of the event and someone usually uploads a copy of the schedule.

[OKW Lover]

The best suggestion I can give you is to allow two days to do the booths. On the first day start in one direction and on the second day start going in the other direction. That's because by the time you get half-way around, you won't be hungry any more.

[Tina C]

I also have been to Disney many, many times, but have never before experienced the food and wine festival. It just happened to coincide with my vacation time. My question is: Can you use your snack credits from the dining plan at the vendors? Also, I have a four year old. I know the World Showcase will be packed, but what about the rest of EPCOT??

[tiggr33]

I also have been to Disney many, many times, but have never before experienced the food and wine festival. It just happened to coincide with my vacation time. My question is: Can you use your snack credits from the dining plan at the vendors? Also, I have a four year old. I know the World Showcase will be packed, but what about the rest of EPCOT??

As of last year's festival you could use your snack at most (not all) booths, for some (not all) items. If they do the same thing this year, there will be a symbol on the menu letting you know what items can be purchased as a snack on the dining plan. Depending on the day of the week and time of the day, you may not even notice the crowd at EPCOT. I would suggest doing another park on the weekends to avoid the crowd. Friday night - Sunday the F&W is the busiest I found. Weekdays, during the day is the least crowded. But there is a down size to that. If EPCOT isn't that crowded and the booths aren't busy food may sit a while before service. This is not true at all booths, but I have found differences in the same dish purchased at different times.

[Safari Queen]

For those without the dining plan, recommend bringing lots of small bills. We've found that the card readers go down sometimes and its faster and easier to use cash. Also, lunch is less busy than dinner time and weekdays are better than weekends, when local folks flock!

[NJtoATL]

F&W is simply great!!! Make sure to wear pants with an elastic waistband.
Everything is yummy!!!

I agree with all the others that have posted!! You will have a great time.

Enjoy!!;)

[Gens925]

Thanks for all of the great tips!! This will be DH and I's first F&B and we are really excited!!!

[WhyIsTheRUMGone?]

We charged up some Disney gift cards and used those at the vendors. Made everything go a lot smoother as long as the card readers were working.

[richard_andmel]

I am assuming you could also give someone Disney dollars to use for this...

[yellowfish78]

I checked out Allears website for last years F&WF freebies and noticed I don't know where some of these take place. Where is Festival Center located?

[PaulaSue]

Thanks for the tips!

[Dannielle_1]

I checked out Allears website for last years F&WF freebies and noticed I don't know where some of these take place. Where is Festival Center located?

"Festival Center" in the past has been located behind the Fountainview Cafe. But could possibly change to someplace else. I thought I had heard rumors that they will be using the Wonders of Life Pavilon for some F&WF Events and they also often use the Odysey Building as well. So who knows???

After the first day, someone will probably scan in and post the F&WF Booklet of Info that contains all that kind of info. So lots of that info will be available at the end of this week. Oh, I wish I was going this year :sad1:

One tip I have for the tastings is to get the "F&WF Booklet of Info" at the entrance to the park, take a pen and circle what you have at each booth as you go around. There's usually a listing of all the food items and most of the drinks at each booth. Then when you go back another day(s), take that same booklet so you have a running list of what you've had. You can also make notes if there is anything you want to get again. (I have always had multiple tastings of the Potstickers - not sure what it is, and my DH loves the Sha Cha Chicken). I also circle the events I've attended. Just makes a great souvie.

[mom2cookies]

Dh and I are also going for the first time this year, near the end of October. I am more of a foodie then he is so i am very very excited about going and trying different foods. I printed out a list of foods i want to try from each of the countries listed. Even tried to get some of the foods listed translated to English. Didn't work for everything. Anyone know what Spanakopita ( from Greece)is?

Anyone going to be at the Party for the Senses on October 27th?

[all4fun]

I printed out a list of foods i want to try from each of the countries listed. Even tried to get some of the foods listed translated to English. Didn't work for everything. Anyone know what Spanakopita ( from Greece)is?

I googled it (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=greek+food+spanakopita&spell=1)and this is what I came up with
(spanakopita) Spinach pie with cheese

[mustangp51]

I've been to every food and wine fest since inception. I'll be there opening day again this year. Not too thrilled about the cooking classes, did 2 of them and they aren't really worth the time wasted. Food TV has better classes and don't cut into your ride time.

The best thing going during the event and for the price is Party of the senses. That's really the only must do during the F&W fest. Other then that, just enjoy the food and wine at the booths. It's really grown over the years and is def the best time to go for couples.

[mustangp51]

I googled it (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=greek+food+spanakopita&spell=1)and this is what I came up with
(spanakopita) Spinach pie with cheeseWe have spanikopita at every diner in the NYC region. It's spinach, feta cheese and spices baked in phyllo dough. It's really good. Try everything that you've never had!