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

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

We did the dessert party in Oct 2012. I thought the desserts were definitely better than the typical bakery case offerings, and probably better than most disney table service desserts, too. There is also a huge variety, so if you find something lacking, you can get something else. They had fresh donuts which were delicious (and I'm not usually a donut fan at all) - even with all of the fancier desserts, the donuts are what i remember most :lmao:. We've done the tomorrowland terrace dessert party twice and the 3d dessert party beats the pants off of it - thought the tomorrowland terrace desserts were good for quantity but not necessarily quality, while the 3d dessert party desserts had excellent quality, too.

we're hoping to go again this year, but will only be at the f&w fest one weekend (oct 18-20), and don't know if it will be offered that weekend. keeping our fingers crossed.

a couple other things to keep in mind, while i'm writing about it - last year they had a station with cheese and sliced meats, so if you're going with someone who prefers savory, or if you don't want to eat a full dinner beforehand but want some non-sweet food, there's plenty. also, if it's windy and they cancel illuminations, they'll keep the party going an extra half hour or so. :goodvibes
 
We will be visiting WDW the first week of November. Current plans are to visit F&W on Monday and Thursday. I am also considering Wednesday evening as it is EMH until 11pm. I have read that the food kiosks close down early and are not open during EMH so I am wondering if the booths are extremely busy in the early evening, say 5-9 or should I just visit Mon and Thurs. and not bother with the EMH on Wed? We never do EMH and are planning a resort day but thinking it might be a good way to squeeze in a bit more of the F&W Festival. :confused3
TIA
 
We will be visiting WDW the first week of November. Current plans are to visit F&W on Monday and Thursday. I am also considering Wednesday evening as it is EMH until 11pm. I have read that the food kiosks close down early and are not open during EMH so I am wondering if the booths are extremely busy in the early evening, say 5-9 or should I just visit Mon and Thurs. and not bother with the EMH on Wed? We never do EMH and are planning a resort day but thinking it might be a good way to squeeze in a bit more of the F&W Festival. :confused3
TIA
Won't it be super crowded due to EMH?
 


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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.

Yes, you do pay for each seminar, wine tasting, or special event at the time of booking. Just a note, Disney does not offer a refund for cancelled F&W special events. You will be provided a reservation number for each event that is reserved. I know for the events which take place at the F&W Welcome Center (old Wonder of Life Pavilion), there is a kiosk where you pick up tickets for the events you have reserved there.
 
Won't it be super crowded due to EMH?

That is what I am asking about to anyone who has been to F&W on a PM EMH day as this is the first time we are going to F&W Festival. I have only done Epcot EMH 1 time before and it seemed to be FW was Crowded not WS. If the lines to the kiosks are going to be crazy long I don't think it will be worth going for an extra F&W day. :confused3
 
EMH (either morning or evening) apparently has little to no effect on the Food & Wine Festival.

The kiosks aren't open during EMH, and those who come for the festival generally are not there to do the rides.

EMH might have an effect on Future World but I can't see making it a consideration if all you want to do is graze at the festival.

Still trying to decide if I want yo stick with Pop or rent points for a DVC studio.

If you're talking this year, I had reason to look up DVC availability over the weekend and you would likely not get anything if you are looking for a studio. They appear to be booked up. There could always be cancellations though.

I love the wrist gift cards they make getting stuff so easy. I have several other gift cards I buy at BJs at a discount. Can I take those gift cards and add them to a wrist gift card? Would make things a little easier.

You cannot use a Disney gift card to load another Disney gift card. I think you'd be able to do it with those Visa/Mastercard gift cards, but not with another Disney gift card.

I found it actually easier during Flower & Garden to use the touch-to-pay with a room key - this was even faster than using the gift card, and yes, I had my gift card with me. The only difference is that you can't wear your room key on your wrist.
 


You cannot use a Disney gift card to load another Disney gift card.



Oh no, really? They can't just move the amount from one card over to another card? This isn't logical to me. What happens if you lose your gift card? If you have the receipt I know they can replace it, so what would be the difference? I am hoping they can because I plan to ask for Disney gift cards for my birthday this year. :)

Editing to add - I just called Disney and asked. They told me yes, you can. You just have to bring the physical gift cards with you and they can transfer them to the wrist card. Whew.... ;)
 
They can reissue you a gift card if you lose it. But they won't move the balance on one gift card to another gift card. And whatever they told you, they won't do it at the kiosks. You may want to try at Guest Services.
 
They can reissue you a gift card if you lose it. But they won't move the balance on one gift card to another gift card. And whatever they told you, they won't do it at the kiosks. You may want to try at Guest Services.

The woman I talked to even put me on hold to go ask to make sure. I think we are splitting hairs here. What difference does it make if they void out the old gift card (as if it were lost) and reissue you a new wrist one? Whether you call it "move" or "reissue", the end result is the same. You have your money on the wrist card like you wanted. And I never load my wrist card at the kiosks anyway - always at the main gift shops right at the front of WS.
 
All I know is that it's been extensively reported in past years that they won't do it.
 
The woman I talked to even put me on hold to go ask to make sure. I think we are splitting hairs here. What difference does it make if they void out the old gift card (as if it were lost) and reissue you a new wrist one? Whether you call it "move" or "reissue", the end result is the same. You have your money on the wrist card like you wanted. And I never load my wrist card at the kiosks anyway - always at the main gift shops right at the front of WS.

I dont know about the food and wine (I have never been and cant wait to go)but I did try to do this at our disney store (combine 3 GC onto 1 so I would not have to carry around a 1.98 GC or two). they wouldn't do it.

Disney is famous for saying one thing and doing something else. I had this happened to me when I wanted to upgrade my ticket to an annual pass - couldn't at the hotel, they told me to go to guest services in the park, they couldn't in the park, they told me I had to go back outside the park to the ticket counter.

So I suggest you try when you get there but just be ready to carry them around.
 
Never been to F&W - so with this discussion in mind (GC and money) ~

do I need to bring cash/GC or can I just charge it to my room key? I had read somewhere as a tip that you should carry cash ($5 bills) in case the system goes down and they can take cash only. Does this happen often?

I am trying to decide now whether to get more GC (or cash) or just leave it on my KTTW. Suggestions?
 
Sorry - another question that may have been asked.....

we are doing the dining plan for dinners so was hoping to do the F&W for lunch - what time do the kiosks open? is it strictly like a lunch/dinner only or do they do some breakfast type items?

thanks
 
do I need to bring cash/GC or can I just charge it to my room key? I had read somewhere as a tip that you should carry cash ($5 bills) in case the system goes down and they can take cash only. Does this happen often?

In the first post, there is a summary of all the ways you can pay. Yes, you can use a Disney resort room key with charging privileges.

As for the system going down, it's not frequent but it does happen every once in awhile. Personally I think always carrying a little cash is a good idea.

what time do the kiosks open? is it strictly like a lunch/dinner only or do they do some breakfast type items?

They open at 11 AM when the World Showcase opens for business. As for breakfast, they don't have all that many "breakfasty" items. In the past couple of years there've been Belgian waffles, a couple of pastry-like items, the rest of the sweet items are desserts. You won't find anything like scrambled eggs and bacon. Usually there are a lot of sausages, but none that can be considered "breakfast" sausages.
 
thanks!

I had read the beginning a couple of days ago but must have forgotten....will go back again.

the open time helps with planning:thumbsup2

I guess I should consider the cash thing - was hoping to go cashless but I guess $20 should carry me for a just in case.
 
Yup - totally forgot :blush: as it really is on the very first page!

Okay so now instead of buying an extra GC for this event I am gonna wait until I can get that festival wristband :)
 
We did the dessert party in Oct 2012. I thought the desserts were definitely better than the typical bakery case offerings, and probably better than most disney table service desserts, too. There is also a huge variety, so if you find something lacking, you can get something else. They had fresh donuts which were delicious (and I'm not usually a donut fan at all) - even with all of the fancier desserts, the donuts are what i remember most :lmao:. We've done the tomorrowland terrace dessert party twice and the 3d dessert party beats the pants off of it - thought the tomorrowland terrace desserts were good for quantity but not necessarily quality, while the 3d dessert party desserts had excellent quality, too.

we're hoping to go again this year, but will only be at the f&w fest one weekend (oct 18-20), and don't know if it will be offered that weekend. keeping our fingers crossed.

a couple other things to keep in mind, while i'm writing about it - last year they had a station with cheese and sliced meats, so if you're going with someone who prefers savory, or if you don't want to eat a full dinner beforehand but want some non-sweet food, there's plenty. also, if it's windy and they cancel illuminations, they'll keep the party going an extra half hour or so. :goodvibes

Thanks for the info. I hope it's available on our weekend too. I suppose we could drive over on another weekend. It sounds like something I definitely want to try. I'll just have to figure out how we can keep our dinner ADR & pig out on desserts. :laughing:
 
Is there a special event that includes reserved seating to the Eat to the Beat concerts? I'd like to see both bands, when we're there. Unfortunately, my knee & back would never make it an hour or longer in line.
 
Is there a special event that includes reserved seating to the Eat to the Beat concerts? I'd like to see both bands, when we're there. Unfortunately, my knee & back would never make it an hour or longer in line.

I believe that party for the senses includes preferred seating for Eat to the Beat but that would be quite expensive - $200 range. Party for the senses is on Saturday only so the bands you are interested in may not be playing when the event is scheduled. Unless the band (s) is popular, most likely you can find a seat just before showtime, especially if go to the first performance. I saw the Pointer Sisters last year and I was able to get a seat just a few minutes before the show started. There was also plenty of seating during the show. Hanson performed later in the week and this band had a larger attendance.

I don't if other events include preferred seating, maybe others will know.
 

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