2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival *HAS ENDED*

[crazy4wdw]

Subscribing to this thread. My 3rd consecutive trip to the Food and Wine Fest!

I always look forward to when this thread is started. Looking for lots of great information again this year.

 

[TigerKat]

I'm here, on page 5!!!!! Slacking in my old age.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Is the Florida booth really new? I thought they've had Florida booths before? I'm really excited for the vegan one though, and think it's great that Disney is adding more special diet options.

 

[Melodious]

I'm not arriving until Nov 10 so I really hope that it is open until November 12th!


That would give me another day to enjoy. Do you think it will be crazy busy on the Monday because it's veterans day? I need to change my whole plan for this extra day.

QUOTE]

I'm waiting to see how the crowd predictions will change for this extra day too. We're not arriving the evening of Nov 9th and were planning on going Sunday but now we're wondering if Monday will be less crowded or more crowded since it's a holiday.

 

[suzimar57]

have over a year to go before we're back during F&W

will be first time at EP resort - planning no ADRs at EP, instead will be noshing the food booths - and spending the most time at F&W

 

[AmandaRG]

This will be our first full week visit to WDW, and I couldn't be more excited that we will be there during F&W! Our oldest DD is a foodie, too so we are really looking forward to sharing with her!

 

[SamSam]

I'm waiting not so patiently for info on the culinary demonstrations. For several years, I've been "on strike"-refusing to attend the culinary demos since they started charging for them. I can still remember when they were free-the last year was 2008, I think. One day it rained, and I spent the entire afternoon just going from free culinary demo and then getting in line for the next one! It was so much fun-and free! But now I'm a Food Network addict, so I've decided I really want to go, even if I have to pay. So I'm waiting

DH and I have been going for many years and we felt the way you did too, BUT it is well worth the $. We have found the food portions to be larger and the wine was definitely more than just the tiny sip you got when it was free. Just be sure to try and sign up ahead (assuming they have a savings for that).

 

[MaryJ]

that was apparenty attended by only one kid. However, it did sell out, and got good reviews from those who went. We'll see if they repeat, and if it means there will again be a weekend without a PFTS.

We have news now that there will be no PFTS on September 29 or November 10 (first and last Festival weekends - look for events related to the Wine and Dine Half Marathon on the last weekend - no idea what will happen on the first weekend although I understand the First Bites event will be discontinued this year.)

There is another runDisney event on the 29th, the Tower of Terror 10 Mile Run, but since that takes place in the Studios, I don't know why they would not have a PFTS that night.

 

[ImprovGal]

I don't know if anyone noticed this, but in the Disney Parks Blog, someone asked Pam Brandon when they can start making reservations for the PFTS dates and Pam replied August 14. I would assume that's the same reservation date for the rest of the events.

 

[redzinner]

I don't know if anyone noticed this, but in the Disney Parks Blog, someone asked Pam Brandon when they can start making reservations for the PFTS dates and Pam replied August 14. I would assume that's the same reservation date for the rest of the events.

Thanks ImprovGal.

 

[glaserjm]

We just found out we were expecting So no wine for me but my husband did ask if we needed to put more money on the gift card since I will be eating with no regards

Congratulations!! Baby's going to get to do some good eatin'!!

This will be our first F&W and I am SO excited! If I had to rank DH and my favorite pasttimes, Disney, international travel and food are pretty much tied for first along with Cardinal baseball (obviously from my Avatar), so this is the perfect storm for us.

Any advice for a first timer other than avoid the weekends if possible and utilize the wrist gift cards?

 

[Happy Mom2]

We had not initially planned to attend F&W, but when planning I realized we would arrive on the last day. After talking to DH, we decided we wanted to go even though we knew it would be very crowded. Well, now they have added an extra day...Monday, Nov 12th (Veteran's Day). I'm wondering if it would be worth the trouble of moving some ADRs and plans around to attend F&W on Monday. Moving the ADRs might prove to be difficult. I'm not really sure it's going to be any less crowded since it's Veteran's day. I'd really appreciate any thoughts.

For those who has been before...any advice? Can you use DP snacks for items at F&W booths? Do they come out with a menu in advance? Is the F&W gift card any different from the regular Disney gift card...other than the picture on the card?

 

[CandleontheWater]

Do you think that they're skipping PFTS on the 29th because they'll be prepping for Epcot's 30th the next day? Maybe there will be something going on in that space?

 

[princessluvsapirate]

Our first time to F&W.so excited .

 

[Dizneydaz]

For those who has been before...any advice? Can you use DP snacks for items at F&W booths? Do they come out with a menu in advance? Is the F&W gift card any different from the regular Disney gift card...other than the picture on the card?

No one knows for sure until Disney announces it but last year (and prior years) you were able to use your SC for all food items at the booths with the exception of the one food item that had alcohol (Grand Marnier on ice cream). I'm 99.9999999% sure that they will again this year.

Yes, the release the menus in advance. Last year I made a listing from the official menu awhile in advance.

 

[Happy Mom2]

Thanks for the info. I read something about a F&W passport or booklet. Can someone tell me what this is exactly? Does it cost extra? Where do you get them?

I apologize for all the questions. I'm a planner and I'm so excited that I can't help myself!

 

[Sweet Melissa]

Thanks for the info. I read something about a F&W passport or booklet. Can someone tell me what this is exactly? Does it cost extra? Where do you get them?

I apologize for all the questions. I'm a planner and I'm so excited that I can't help myself!

We picked up one of the booklets last year. The Festival Welcome Center and most of the Festival Marketplace Booths have them. They're just a free collectible "passport" that lists all the booths in the Festival Marketplace and the items they sell. The booths you visit will stamp your passport and you can check off the menu items you tasted. It's a cute little keepsake.

 

[glaserjm]

I thought I saw this question posed somewhere else before but can't remember, will the F&W kiosks be open later on Epcot EMH nights? Come to think of it, I can't even remember if WS stays open late on those nights...

 

[Forever Fairy]

I believe last time DH and I went in 2012 the did NOT stay open for extended hours. Keep in mind that Epcot EMH are usually on Friday's for the World Showcase - and Fri/Sat are usually the busiest days for locals to come in and enjoy the festival.

If you go on a weekend day, try to sample some things early (11AM) when they open. Otherwise, be prepared for lots of lines.

 

[TDC Nala]

Yes, the release the menus in advance.

This is true for the food kiosks. It is not true for the special events, signature dinners for the most part (Raglan Road has already released theirs though), and the Party for the Senses.

The kiosks generally do not stay open for extra magic hours. A couple of the more popular ones may operate a little bit past closing time.