Swan/Dolphin Food and Wine Classic

[CamColt]

DH and I am looking into going to this in October, however it looks to be a lot of seafood, which we don't eat. For those who have been, do you think people who don't eat seafood (and dont really drink wine), would enjoy this?

I'm wondering if dining at Shulas and getting a few cocktails would be better for us.

 

[Robert P]

DH and I am looking into going to this in October, however it looks to be a lot of seafood, which we don't eat. For those who have been, do you think people who don't eat seafood (and dont really drink wine), would enjoy this?

I'm wondering if dining at Shulas and getting a few cocktails would be better for us.

Tough call. The S/D Classic isn't majority seafood, but there are more than a few seafood offerings. Though, Shula's served their steak (filet Year 1, something other Year 2, sirloin I thing) both nights, with creamed spinach as a side. That's a good fall back for multiple sampling....
Several of the other booths changed offerings between Fri/Sat nights, so it wasn't a total redundancy. By the time you pay $80/person for a wristband this year, that $$$ makes for a pretty good dinner, with cocktails, at Shula's restaurant.
I went with a friend Year 1 who is not a seafood fan, and he was fine with the selection both nights, but he did get to lean heavily on the grilled filet mignon from the Shula's booth.
With the added booths Year 2 (almost double the Year 1 samplings), I would not rule out the Classic totally. It's really a close decision, IMHO.
Let me know if I can help with more info. I attended both nights of the 2010 and 2011 events, so I have an allotment of semi-useless knowledge on the subject.

 

[TDC Nala]

Can you buy the wristband the night of instead of ahead of time?

I would buy it ahead of time but the only night I can go is an arrival day, and if my plane is delayed I will miss it.

 

[Robert P]

Can you buy the wristband the night of instead of ahead of time?

I would buy it ahead of time but the only night I can go is an arrival day, and if my plane is delayed I will miss it.

They were selling them in the Swan lobby last year during the day of event, but I did not see anyone manning that desk setup when I came downstairs to attend on Friday. No idea about Saturday, as the event was moved inside due to the weather (tropical storm brought rain for 36+ straight hours), and from the West wing I didn't have to cross through the lobby/fountain area to go to the Swan convention wing. However, the wristband distribution Saturday night was at the counter area in the convention wing, and I 'thought' I saw signage that said purchase here, apart from the alphabetically grouped wristband pick up queu's.

 

[CamColt]

Thanks for the info!

I'm hoping the menus will come out in advance. Looking at last year's I would be happy with Friday night's offerings of the steak and spinach, meatball subs, and pulled pork...and of course the desserts.

I would like to do it for the experience but I also dont want to feel like its a waste.

I see beverages included were beer, sake, wine, and cocktails. Do you remember what kind of cocktails and beer were offered?

 

[Brocktoon]

I'm not a seafood fan, but I've heard so many good things about the event. I'm sure there will be enough of some sort of non-seafood offering that I could live with. $80 a ticket isn't that bad at all, considering I've easily dropped $100 a day at the F&W kiosks

I've already purchased my causeway tickets for Friday 10/12. Hope to maybe see some fellow DISers there

 

[Robert P]

Thanks for the info!

I see beverages included were beer, sake, wine, and cocktails. Do you remember what kind of cocktails and beer were offered?

The dominant alcohol is wine, for sure. Many stations with 2-3 different types. Beer, I don't recall seeing more than 1-2 stations. Year 1 was Chimay and several microbrews. Sake had 1 station that I recall, 2 types. Cocktails, well, I think they missed the boat on that one. The 'premise' was that it was some kind of cocktail competition, and people could vote with their ticket (tickets are an option for samples, rather than the wristband). They had some organic spirits and cucumber drinks. It was okay, but the bartenders couldn't keep up with the lines while making hand muddled drinks. In fairness, nobody can, it just wasn't possible. There was also a bourbon or whiskey station that I remember from Year 1. Year 2, I didn't even notice cocktails being there.
(Disclaimer - I had a few drinks that day before the event began. So, I may not have been as observant Year 2 as I could have been....)

If you like wine, and I mean numerous different types, then you should be happy. If going for cocktails, I was disappointed in selection and supply.

 

[Robert P]

I've already purchased my causeway tickets for Friday 10/12. Hope to maybe see some fellow DISers there

If nobody else does before then, I may start a list on this board, once we get closer to the date. Several DIS'ers have attended in past years.

 

[Leslie0905]

I purchased my causeway tickets for Saturday night, and I'm thinking about adding the Beer seminar for my hubby as well. Has anyone done the Beer seminar? I love the Food & Wine Festival, and think this event will be a nice twist since I've never been.

 

[TDC Nala]

I'm going Saturday night but not doing any seminars and not buying a ticket until I get there, because it's the same day as my flight arrival. I'm in a resort within walking distance, so if they'll sell me a ticket Saturday afternoon that's when I'll get it.