2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival *HAS ENDED*

[Arynrm1]

I will be there in 7 days!! We can't wait!

Does anyone know if there are still Tony vinylmations left? How about the makeup bags made from last years signs? I'm really hoping to get one of each

Thanks

 

[pmdeve]

Did anyone attend the PFTS last night? Review, please

 

[TDC Nala]

I'm guessing the new trays are either somehow "environmentally conscious" or are a reaction to complaints about the difficulty of eating from a plate on the move (they don't provide a lot of tables)

Does anyone know if there are still Tony vinylmations left? How about the makeup bags made from last years signs? I'm really hoping to get one of each

There were tons of both last weekend, I don't see them selling out.

 

[JenKatt]

Did anyone attend the PFTS last night? Review, please

We were at PFTS last night. It was busy. It started to pour at about 6:30 when we were checking in. They turned the "lobby" area of MilVil into a waiting area. Reserved and WVL lounge were off to the side and the main seating was in the middle. They let WVL in about 6:40 and reserved seating in shortly after. We were allowed to hit the booths about 6:50 (not sure about the exact time). The main seating was still not allowed in until 7:30. That was really nice. The reserved seating was around the walls of WVL and directly in front of the stage.
There was not alot of open seating. I saw a lot of people standing and eating. There were regular tables for the open seating as well as high tops. I would expect that for future PFTS, they'll put more tables in the "lobby" after they open the seating. The walkway between the reserved seating and the WVL in front of the stage wasn't very large. It was fine as long as there wasn't a Cirque show going on. Once people stopped and watched, it got tight in there.
The food was good. Great variety. A lot of non wine options this year. There were three beer vendors plus two or three liquor options (a margarita and a rum drink.)

 

[west&east]

Got a call from Disney yesterday confirming my PFTS WVL reservation for next Saturday! They actually called earlier in the day and did not leave a message, but I was suspicious. They called back in the afternoon. They confirmed the check in details, asked about mobility issues, asked if we were attending with anyone else, and whether there were food allergies. They also asked if we are celebrating any special events. It is in fact my birthday so I'm curious...

Thank you to the previous poster about the details from the first PFTS. Good to know that we should probably arrive fairly early for check in.

 

[nordkin]

There was not alot of open seating. I saw a lot of people standing and eating. There were regular tables for the open seating as well as high tops. I would expect that for future PFTS, they'll put more tables in the "lobby" after they open the seating.

We also attended this past Saturday and were unable to get reserved seating. We arrived around 6:30, after checking in at the 5:30 show, and watching the show. They did allow us in the lobby area around 6:40 when it began to rain. We were at the front of the lobby area and had no trouble getting a table when they let us in at 7:25. They did add tables in the lobby area after the masses were in. In hindsight, I am glad we did not spend the extra money for the reserved table. When the show was going on you could not move in the area of the stage and that is where the reserved seating was. We just followed the same strategy we always have and had a decent table without spending the extra money. I am sure for some the insurance of a table is comforting, but after discussing it, we will not even attempt to get a reserved table next year and spend the money on other things. Just our opinion.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

For those of you who were at the PFTS how was the "tempature"? I have two sweaters set out to pack. One long sleeve, one short sleeve... Decisions!

For me, as a solo traveler, I decided that if I couldn't reserve a table I would quit going. I was tired of not having anyplace to eat because of the "reserve my own table" program going on.

I think Disney tried to call me Saturday twice on my WVL seating. No biggie since I am solo.

 

[Empress Room]

My wife and I just returned from a long weekend (Oct 4 - Oct 7) at the F&W Festival and here are some thoughts for those who are attending events:

- PFTS was delicious and the food and wine variety better than in previous years. WVL area has been re-designed with very elegant and contemporary tables and chairs. Reserved seating took up almost the remainder of the room. General seating was only as you walked in and there was hardly a view of the Cirque performances from that area. Only disappointment was that the engraved WVL wine glasses this year do not include a year -- we always like a keepsake showing the year of the event -- more generic looking.

- Kitchen Memories was well worth the cost. Great chef presentation and excellent food combined with wine pairings that were repeatedly re-filled. No one was thirsty or hungry.

- Cheese seminar was very good; however, it was only paired with two wines (I believe that it was three last year) and the wines were not refilled. We were told to try the wines without the cheeses and then with the cheeses but were warned not to drink too much as that was all the wine we were getting for the four cheese courses. Last year, the wines were re-filled and more plentiful. That seemed a bit stingy for the price.

- Tequila Lunch. We really liked the food and the presentation. It may be a bit awkward and forced to pair tequila with various dishes, but the hosts were gracious and the four course "lunch" was light(er) but worked with the presentation. We still ate at food booths afterwards.

- We both thought that the execution at the food booths was excellent. Ended up eating at about half of the booths over the course of the weekend. Crowds were big but not unmanageable. Extremely hot, so maybe that kept things a bit more quiet on Saturday and Sunday.

 

[Inkmahm]

As far as I know there is no passholder preview of the New Fantasyland scheduled for October 8.

The days for the previews are November 3, November 10 and November 11.

The SIGN-UP for the previews on the passholder website takes place October 8.

It is a preview, not a soft opening. The passholders (who must sign up in advance) will be taken in groups on a "tour." They will ride Little Mermaid and it says there will be a tour of Be Our Guest, but not that anyone will actually be eating there.

I just got an email postponing the sign-up until next week Oct 15th instead of today. Typical Disney system problems I believe.

 

[TDC Nala]

I just got an email postponing the sign-up until next week Oct 15th instead of today. Typical Disney system problems I believe.

Yes it has been postponed. I am in WDW next week. Apparently you are required to print the confirmation, so I can't figure out a way to sign up on an Ipad with no immediate access to a printer. From what I can tell, the confirmation is not emailed, it is a webpage that needs to be printed.

 

[Inkmahm]

So it sounds like they are calling about a week in advance to confirm the PFTS reservations? We are attending on 10/27 and I was starting to wonder where my phone call was. I thought they called earlier in prior years.

For the reserved tables, are individual tables actually reserved with your name on it or do you just pick one of the reserved tables when you get there? I'd like one NOT right in front of the stage if possible. I'm not a huge fan of cirque anyway so sitting in front of them where it is really crowded isn't an advantage to me.

I"m glad to hear those with reserved tables are allowed to enter about 45 mintues before the general ticket holders. That initial quiet time before the mad dash to get in is my favorite time for walking around to see where everything is and to start enjoying dishes when it is still peaceful.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Yes it has been postponed. I am in WDW next week. Apparently you are required to print the confirmation, so I can't figure out a way to sign up on an Ipad with no immediate access to a printer. From what I can tell, the confirmation is not emailed, it is a webpage that needs to be printed.

Not 100% sure this will work, so you might want to play around first

I have an App "docs to go" on my IPAD. I think you could probably open the confirmation in that App and save it there. Then you can email it to yourself when you get home to print. I would play with it first to make sure as I haven't done this in a while.

 

[TDC Nala]

I have Adobe on mine, which could work. I have some time to play with the Ipad.

 

[Empress Room]

So it sounds like they are calling about a week in advance to confirm the PFTS reservations? We are attending on 10/27 and I was starting to wonder where my phone call was. I thought they called earlier in prior years.

For the reserved tables, are individual tables actually reserved with your name on it or do you just pick one of the reserved tables when you get there? I'd like one NOT right in front of the stage if possible. I'm not a huge fan of cirque anyway so sitting in front of them where it is really crowded isn't an advantage to me.

I"m glad to hear those with reserved tables are allowed to enter about 45 mintues before the general ticket holders. That initial quiet time before the mad dash to get in is my favorite time for walking around to see where everything is and to start enjoying dishes when it is still peaceful.

1. We did not receive any PFTS confirming telephone call, so I would not be concerned if you do not receive one.

2. The reserved tables have names associated with them, so it is not a mad dash.

3. Saturday was unique because of the rain. Everyone, WVL, Reserved and General, were let into the first holding area because of the weather. WVL were then allowed to enter first. After all were seated, Reserved guests were escorted to their tables. Finally, general admission was let in at the regular time. I would not count on a full 45 minutes without general guests, it was likely unique because of the weather. My guess is that it will be closer to the 15 minutes as in previous years.

 

[gwynne]

So it sounds like they are calling about a week in advance to confirm the PFTS reservations? We are attending on 10/27 and I was starting to wonder where my phone call was. I thought they called earlier in prior years.

For the reserved tables, are individual tables actually reserved with your name on it or do you just pick one of the reserved tables when you get there? I'd like one NOT right in front of the stage if possible. I'm not a huge fan of cirque anyway so sitting in front of them where it is really crowded isn't an advantage to me.

I"m glad to hear those with reserved tables are allowed to enter about 45 mintues before the general ticket holders. That initial quiet time before the mad dash to get in is my favorite time for walking around to see where everything is and to start enjoying dishes when it is still peaceful.

Just add, it was not over crowded in the reserved seating. The guests who were standing during performances were behind reserved (in front of wine view). You don't get to choose a table, your name will be on one.

 

[dznygrl]

Went to Oct 6th Party.....We decided not to get reserved seating, and that was absoltely no problem. We walked in a few minutes after 7:30 and there were tables in the front.
It seemed that were less kiosks this year, but I will have to compare my "menu" with those of previos years...(We've been doing PFTS since it was available)
The food as always was good....but really heavy on pork and duck, neither are my favorites. Dissappointed that there was not seared ahi... all in all the selections have been much better in the past. Donald Links Pickled shrimp was GREAT!!! but my saving grace was SIlver Oak!!!!
Oh, don't worry about "dressing" for this event, there were folks there in shorts and flip flops.
Well the rain has stopped and we are off to "eat " around the world!!!

 

[CWarkenthien]

Has anyone been to the Italian Regional Luncheon yet?? I'm going with my mother next week and am afraid her somewhat picky eating will waste the ticket.

 

[lisat723]

Has anyone been to the Italian Regional Luncheon yet?? I'm going with my mother next week and am afraid her somewhat picky eating will waste the ticket.

We went this past Saturday. The food very enjoyable! Started with tuna carpaccio and fennel salad. Then Matagliati (basically fresh pasta scraps) with a lamb ragu. Then Filet with Mascarpone polenta and mushrooms. Followed by a Gorgonzola cheese course and finished with with a dessert trio of tiramisu, cannoli, and torte. Four wines were paired with the meal. Same wine with filet and cheese. You can ask for refills! Service was good though a little slow on the refills though focaccia replenishment was frequent!! As was the water!! I think they were maybe a little underprepared in that the wine guy (Wayne) only described the first wine, which was very disappointing. He did come around to each tube but it would have enhanced the experience if he would have explained each wine and food pairing. But we'd do it again!!

 

[TigerKat]

We went this past Saturday. The food very enjoyable! Started with tuna carpaccio and fennel salad. Then Matagliati (basically fresh pasta scraps) with a lamb ragu. Then Filet with Mascarpone polenta and mushrooms. Followed by a Gorgonzola cheese course and finished with with a dessert trio of tiramisu, cannoli, and torte. Four wines were paired with the meal. Same wine with filet and cheese. You can ask for refills! Service was good though a little slow on the refills though focaccia replenishment was frequent!! As was the water!! I think they were maybe a little underprepared in that the wine guy (Wayne) only described the first wine, which was very disappointing. He did come around to each tube but it would have enhanced the experience if he would have explained each wine and food pairing. But we'd do it again!!

Thanks for the info! The food sounds great, hopefully they'll have the kinks ironed out with the reps from the wineries soon.

 

[andeesings]

The griddled cheese from the Greek booth is very mild with a texture of a melted mozzarella, not a fresh mozz, but the kind you might find on pizza. Not bitter at all and it does have some honey drizzled over it.

Your griddled cheese looks WAY better than mine was! Mine was cold... They definitely needed to griddle it more!