*2013* epcot food & wine festival 9/27-11/11

[Mom21]

My husband and I are doing swan and dolphin package during their f&w classic for 3 nights. It's WAY cheaper than BW or BC and the location is still great. Our total for 3 nights with tax was just over $600, including 2 passes to the classic event. We also had AAA discount. I don't mind paying for parking if it saves me a couple hundred bucks!

This looks like a great deal, but says not available for singles. I priced it out and would be way more for just me. Does the second person have to be at checkin or can I just check in by myself and then just give someone the second ticket or trash it?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

This looks like a great deal, but says not available for singles. I priced it out and would be way more for just me. Does the second person have to be at checkin or can I just check in by myself and then just give someone the second ticket or trash it?

You don't have to have the second person with you, they don't check.

I found it was cheaper last year to book a room and then just add the event ticket so run it both ways.

Also, let me warn you that as a solo this event suffered from the same problem PFTS has, "table hogging" Groups and families block the tables. It was BETTER then PFTS as if you went to the ends of the "event" space there were large round tables you could generally find a seat and they actually helped by not letting one runner get food for a party of four at the popular places. (Did lead to some "adult temper tanturms" LOL!)

 

[ryansstitch]

Oh wow! I didn't anticipate that! I will be 6.5 months pregnant , so we will be mozying, arriving early. I will definitely need a seat at least part of the time. I know the events are different, but how do they compare? What was great and maybe not so great at the Classic?

 

[princesspooh323]

This will be my first food and wine festival. I am going down for a business trip, but I am brining the family down with me a few days early so that we can turn this into an extra Disney trip this year. I had booked some restaurant reservations, but I am wondering if we shouldn't plan to eat meals while we are down there. DS's are 5 and 10, and they are a bit picky.

 

[bellepearle]

We will be at Disney Oct 13-20. This will be our first F&W Festival and we're very excited about it! Any tips on how to best navigate it and what special events should we try to do? Thanks!

Just reposting! Tips and suggestions welcome!

 

[ryansstitch]

Just reposting! Tips and suggestions welcome!

Hi Belle! Here's my suggestions. Most importantly, no matter what day you go, get there at opening. Then you can relax ask questions at the booths if you like, go back for seconds with little or no wait, etc. Second, when booking opens up for the seminars and demos, book that morning. Be prepared beforehand after reviewing the event details so you can call right away. Sadly, I forgot last year and tried booking a few events the next day, especially the italian regional lunch. I couldn't get in and my husband was so disappointed! However, when it comes to "deminars", you may be able to get tickets day of or day before. They hold back some tickets from advance bookings. I thought I wouldn't get to see Warren Brown's buddy cake demo, and I was so excited I got to meet him AND attend the demo!! Next, review the menus before you arrive so you know what you really want to try if you have limited time. You can only eat so much in an afternoon and who wants to fill up on the food that was the most appealing to you? I would also suggest familiarizing yourself with the locations of the booths to avoid constant backtracking. If you do decide to attend a deminar, get there early. For a celebrity chef, I suggest a half hour early. The lines can get quite long. But, if you have others accompanying you you can step out to the restroom. Everyone was very pleasant and good humored while we were in line. It would be lots of fun and I hope my long winded answer is some help to you!

 

[bellepearle]

Hi Belle! Here's my suggestions. Most importantly, no matter what day you go, get there at opening. Then you can relax ask questions at the booths if you like, go back for seconds with little or no wait, etc. Second, when booking opens up for the seminars and demos, book that morning. Be prepared beforehand after reviewing the event details so you can call right away. Sadly, I forgot last year and tried booking a few events the next day, especially the italian regional lunch. I couldn't get in and my husband was so disappointed! However, when it comes to "deminars", you may be able to get tickets day of or day before. They hold back some tickets from advance bookings. I thought I wouldn't get to see Warren Brown's buddy cake demo, and I was so excited I got to meet him AND attend the demo!! Next, review the menus before you arrive so you know what you really want to try if you have limited time. You can only eat so much in an afternoon and who wants to fill up on the food that was the most appealing to you? I would also suggest familiarizing yourself with the locations of the booths to avoid constant backtracking. If you do decide to attend a deminar, get there early. For a celebrity chef, I suggest a half hour early. The lines can get quite long. But, if you have others accompanying you you can step out to the restroom. Everyone was very pleasant and good humored while we were in line. It would be lots of fun and I hope my long winded answer is some help to you!

Thank you so much! That was very helpful. We actually have 1 1/2 - 2 days devoted to just Epcot. I hope that gives us enough time to do the regular attractions as well as the Food & Wine Festival. About how far in advance do the special events get posted before they go on sale? Thanks!!

 

[pmdeve]

Anxiously awaiting the announcement of the Deminars. Can't wait to book!

 

[kabuki]

Anxiously awaiting the announcement of the Deminars. Can't wait to book!

Us too.. we haven't done one in a couple years and it would be fun to see one!

 

[ryansstitch]

Hi Belle! Here's my suggestions. Most importantly, no matter what day you go, get there at opening. Then you can relax ask questions at the booths if you like, go back for seconds with little or no wait, etc. Second, when booking opens up for the seminars and demos, book that morning. Be prepared beforehand after reviewing the event details so you can call right away. Sadly, I forgot last year and tried booking a few events the next day, especially the italian regional lunch. I couldn't get in and my husband was so disappointed! However, when it comes to "deminars", you may be able to get tickets day of or day before. They hold back some tickets from advance bookings. I thought I wouldn't get to see Warren Brown's buddy cake demo, and I was so excited I got to meet him AND attend the demo!! Next, review the menus before you arrive so you know what you really want to try if you have limited time. You can only eat so much in an afternoon and who wants to fill up on the food that was the most appealing to you? I would also suggest familiarizing yourself with the locations of the booths to avoid constant backtracking. If you do decide to attend a deminar, get there early. For a celebrity chef, I suggest a half hour early. The lines can get quite long. But, if you have others accompanying you you can step out to the restroom. Everyone was very pleasant and good humored while we were in line. It would be lots of fun and I hope my long winded answer is some help to you!

Sorry for my iPhone spelling errors! One of the statements I was trying to make was to plan so as to NOT fill up on the foods you don't really want to try.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

We're seriously considering booking the 3D dessert party, so I'll be stalking this thread too. The jury is out on whether or not we'll try to book anything else.

 

[bellepearle]

Sorry for my iPhone spelling errors! One of the statements I was trying to make was to plan so as to NOT fill up on the foods you don't really want to try.

That's ok! I understood what you were saying! So when do they usually post the special events?

 

[ryansstitch]

Thank you so much! That was very helpful. We actually have 1 1/2 - 2 days devoted to just Epcot. I hope that gives us enough time to do the regular attractions as well as the Food & Wine Festival. About how far in advance do the special events get posted before they go on sale? Thanks!!

Booking opened up mid August last year, but as it gets closer disney will announce it, and people on this board will be discussing it too. I think 2 days is good if its weekdays, and you do future world before world showcase opens up. I can't remember how many booths there were, but we needed 3 days, planned for only 2, but my DH stopped for beer a lot!

 

[ryansstitch]

Us too.. we haven't done one in a couple years and it would be fun to see one!

We can't wait either! Only thing is I'm pregnant and they paired wine with everything! I guess I'll just smell it and let DH decide if we should buy a bottle for post preggers time!

 

[sjs314]

You'll get lots of opinions on when to go. We go when it works in our schedule, and don't worry about overplanning the dates. The lines move quickly, generally. If a line is too long, I walk on to another booth, and catch the busy one later. Bring some cash, I usually bring plenty of 5's, just in case. If the registers go down and they can only take cash, you'll be waved to the head of the line.
You will have a lovely time as a solo at F&W. It's so nice to wander around, stop, enjoy a snack and then be off to explore some more. Enjoy!!

Excellent tip about bringing along some cash in the event that the registers go down, I can just see that happening with my luck.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Are the desserts typical WDW bakery pies/cakes/pastries that almost always look better than they taste or are they really good? We often feel the bakery offerings lack in flavor, but the TS desserts are much better. Which are the dessert party offerings more similar to? TIA

 

[oybolshoi]

Was at Narcoossees's about a week and a half ago and was talking to one of the managers about the new very impressive beer list (three of the managers now have cicerone certification) - they will be having a beer pairing event during F&W (most likely a lunch)...was just approved that week.

Lot's of Belgian's on the list and some craft american brews such as Bear Republic. Prices were reasonable for disney standards...had a Petrus Oud Bruin for only 7.25 a bottle...St Bernardus ABT 12 (one of my favorites) for 9.50.

Excellent news - thanks beerman!

 

[bellepearle]

Booking opened up mid August last year, but as it gets closer disney will announce it, and people on this board will be discussing it too. I think 2 days is good if its weekdays, and you do future world before world showcase opens up. I can't remember how many booths there were, but we needed 3 days, planned for only 2, but my DH stopped for beer a lot!

Great! Thanks so much for the tips! Yes, we are planning to visit Epcot on Monday and then again on Thursday. Everything that I've read thus far says that weekdays are much less crowded than weekends.

 

[ryansstitch]

Great! Thanks so much for the tips! Yes, we are planning to visit Epcot on Monday and then again on Thursday. Everything that I've read thus far says that weekdays are much less crowded than weekends.

It's amazing what a difference weekdays are!

 

[disneyjunkie]

We're doing our first Food and Wine visit this year. Since I'm a teacher, I have to deal with the weekend crowds. We'll be there Veteran's Day weekend. Still trying to decide if I want yo stick with Pop or rent points for a DVC studio.

Can the wrist bands be purchsed in advanced or at the resorts?

When bookings open this summer, so you pay at that time? Do you have tickets or a reservation numbers like ADRs?

Sorry for all the questions.