2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival *HAS ENDED*

[franandaj]

What are these trays of which you speak? I'm thinking those palette-type, that hold a glass and food? I'm intrigued!

No the trays we are talking about are designed for scooters. We live close to DLR and drive in for the F&W event. We designed these trays for Taste which happens the last weekend of DCA F&W. It is the equivalent of PFTS in CA and happens only one night at the end of the festival since most of the people who attend the CA event are locals. We could drive in and not have to worry about luggage onboard a plane. My partner can not walk distances and I can not stand for long periods of time so this worked for us. She could use her scooter for something like the Wine View Lounge while I could use the table. We built them from wood and edging at Home Depot and used a planter support as the mounting element. She was quite ingenious in designing them. We strap them on with multiple zip ties and they work quite well. If we can't have a dedicated space then we both use the scooters with the tray tables. They are a little difficult to navigate with, but make it possible for us to attend these sorts of "tasting events".

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Disney Food Blog posted an interview with Chef Marianne Hunnel...

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2012/...ne-festival-news-menu-items-events-and-chefs/


Can't wait!

 

[TDC Nala]

And that interview clears up the mystery about the three tiers:

New this year, however, the party will have three separate ticketing tiers: regular entry, reserved seating, and Wine View Lounge. That second one is the new option, where guests will pay a slightly higher amount for reserved seats, but no access to the Wine View Lounge.

And it also states there will be no French Regional Lunches at all this year. Italy is going to be hosting lunches, though. The Healthy Living dinner will be returning, which is really no great surprise as it sold out last year.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Hmm.. I had planned on Wine View, but... may just go for reserved seating.

And I have a winner for "new addition that sounds gross"

"Nesquick Froth,” a light, airy Nesquick smoothie, at the Desserts and Champagne Booth (guests can choose from chocolate or strawberry)"


Do like the Wednesday tours with the chefs. May try to book that during my week.

 

[TDC Nala]

"Nesquick Froth,” a light, airy Nesquick smoothie, at the Desserts and Champagne Booth (guests can choose from chocolate or strawberry)"

I don't think it sounds so hot either, my guess is that this is one of the options that is being added primarily to appeal to children. There was some preliminary stuff going around that said they would be trying to include more "child-friendly" offerings.

 

[dgbg100106]

I don't think it sounds so hot either, my guess is that this is one of the options that is being added primarily to appeal to children. There was some preliminary stuff going around that said they would be trying to include more "child-friendly" offerings.

One of the things I loved about F&W was that it was geared for Adults.

 

[SamSam]

And that interview clears up the mystery about the three tiers:



And it also states there will be no French Regional Lunches at all this year. Italy is going to be hosting lunches, though. The Healthy Living dinner will be returning, which is really no great surprise as it sold out last year.

Oh, no! The French Regional Lunches were my favorite event the past couple of years, sorry to see them unavailable this year.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

One of the things I loved about F&W was that it was geared for Adults.

And the truth is
No matter what they do this is not going to be a "kid friendly" event. Strange food, adult beverages etc.

Sometimes Disney just has to "fix" what isn't broken!

 

[4orm]

I read it - but what about the BEER? Sure there will be a tap at the FL booth but what about events or a booth all to itself? I need specialty beer to bribe my husband with!

 

[TDC Nala]

Oh, no! The French Regional Lunches were my favorite event the past couple of years, sorry to see them unavailable this year.

Marianne did say they will be back next year. They are not being offered because Bistro de Paris will be undergoing renovation.

 

[4orm]

And the truth is
No matter what they do this is not going to be a "kid friendly" event. Strange food, adult beverages etc.

Sometimes Disney just has to "fix" what isn't broken!

And call me crazy but how is that drink even kid friendly? Not to go all nutty but refined sugar is really the last thing a growing child needs. Happy that they'll have some organic juices and wine though. Give my kid some juice so I can go to town on the cheese soup!

 

[gwynne]

One of the things I loved about F&W was that it was geared for Adults.

And the truth is
No matter what they do this is not going to be a "kid friendly" event. Strange food, adult beverages etc.

Sometimes Disney just has to "fix" what isn't broken!

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see the pluses of the PFTS becoming kiddie friendly. It's a unique, amazing party for adults.

 

[TDC Nala]

If WDW got enough complaints about "nothing for the kids to try or do" then I can see them responding. The idea wasn't to make PFTS kiddie friendly - the new smoothie is being served at the dessert kiosk in World Showcase, not at PFTS. I think OCC may have been referring to the festival as a whole. They are supposedly going to begin introducing non-alcoholic smoothies and fruit juices at the kiosks, for children.

On the other hand, this is the same Disney management that decided they needed a preschool character meal, maybe they just got around to messing with the Festival.

 

[gwynne]

If WDW got enough complaints about "nothing for the kids to try or do" then I can see them responding. The idea wasn't to make PFTS kiddie friendly - the new smoothie is being served at the dessert kiosk in World Showcase, not at PFTS. I think OCC may have been referring to the festival as a whole. They are supposedly going to begin introducing non-alcoholic smoothies and fruit juices at the kiosks, for children.

On the other hand, this is the same Disney management that decided they needed a preschool character meal, maybe they just got around to messing with the Festival.

Whew! I'm relieved. Thanks for explaining. I think the fruit juice, smoothie ideas in the World Showcase are great.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

If WDW got enough complaints about "nothing for the kids to try or do" then I can see them responding. The idea wasn't to make PFTS kiddie friendly - the new smoothie is being served at the dessert kiosk in World Showcase, not at PFTS. I think OCC may have been referring to the festival as a whole. They are supposedly going to begin introducing non-alcoholic smoothies and fruit juices at the kiosks, for children.

On the other hand, this is the same Disney management that decided they needed a preschool character meal, maybe they just got around to messing with the Festival.

I don't think they are trying with PFTS either. Thier solution there was to add that "healthy eating" event.

However, I think this could backfire. First they got complaints F&W wasn't family friendly. So they make it "friendly" Anyone want to guess what the next complaint will be... my bet is on "there were too many drunks" Look darling watch the folks drink themselves silly, it will be a learning event!

 

[crazy4wdw]

Disney Food Blog posted an interview with Chef Marianne Hunnel...

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2012/...ne-festival-news-menu-items-events-and-chefs/

Thanks for posting! I am really excited that the Canada booth will have a mushroom filet offered in their marketplace. Really looking forward to that!

 

[CupcakeLisa]

Does anyone know if Sweet Sundays will be happening again this year?

 

[SamSam]

Marianne did say they will be back next year. They are not being offered because Bistro de Paris will be undergoing renovation.

Thanks, that's what thought, but it's nice to know they will be back next year.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

One of the things I loved about F&W was that it was geared for Adults.

And the truth is
No matter what they do this is not going to be a "kid friendly" event. Strange food, adult beverages etc.

Sometimes Disney just has to "fix" what isn't broken!

Agreed. I guess we'll see what kind of impact it makes, if any, on the World Showcase's demographic this fall. I won't be in a corner grumbling about how EPCOT is no place for children (at least not out loud), but I do hope the efforts to include kids don't alter the Festival's vibe too much.

 

[robinbutterfly]

Well personally I am thrilled they are making it more "kid friendly". I have never been to it before, so I am not sure exactly what that means. My kids favorite park has always been Epcot, and I am sure they are going to love it even more after we go to the F and W festival!