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

[BeerMe]

We've been to the F&W five times and never attended a seminar. We only went for a week each time though. This time we'll be there or four weeks and we will definitely go to some. Are the daily ones easy to get into?

 

[redzinner]

We've been to the F&W five times and never attended a seminar. We only went for a week each time though. This time we'll be there or four weeks and we will definitely go to some. Are the daily ones easy to get into?

Availability depends on how famous the speaker/presenter/chef. If it is Robert Irvine tickets will be sold out the first day they are available on line. If it is a Disney Chef, excluding Scott Hunnel of V&A, tickets will still be available the day of the seminar.

 

[BeerMe]

As long as some are still open the day of that's fine with me. Thanks

 

[BigPoppi]

Wife and are 1st timers at F&W hoping to attend PFTS on Nov. 2..Is it worth the experience? They have 3 levels of reservations.(145/185/285). Looking for some feed back on there experience with PFTS and what tips they can add....

 

[BeerMe]

We want to go with the $15 ones or free ones. Maybe one signature but I'm not sure what one. We don't know most of those people at any rate.

 

[jcvalenti]

Super excited. We weren't planning to go to Disney at all this year, but we had dinner with some new friends last night and they really wanted to do a Disney trip with us. Turns out he travels a ton, so right on the spot he hooked us up with a suite at the Swan and a rental car using his points, which made it pretty hard to turn down a trip. So basically, we're on for 4 days in October !

Problem is - now I have a ton of planning to do in not so much time. Looking forward to checking up on this thread over the next few days.

 

[TDC Nala]

Does the Sweet Sundays count for the advanced reservations for DVC, AP & TIW? I don't want to hold a place in the call queue if I just need to be calling on the 13th.

Also does anyone know if you have to be 21 & over for that one since alcohol is served?

The discounts and advance reservations are ONLY for the seminars. Sweet Sunday is a full event and does not qualify.

You may attend if you are under 21 but will not be served any alcohol. The possibility of getting an alternate beverage besides water varies with each event. No price reduction.

 

[snykymom]

Where do I go to find out if a seminar or demonstration is still available on the day of?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Where do I go to find out if a seminar or demonstration is still available on the day of?

You go to the festival center each morning.

 

[BeerMe]

We may get to take our youngest granddaughter for a few days and her parents come too. I really hope that happens! She loves the British Invasion or whatever they are now.

 

[Nakkira]

We want to go with the $15 ones or free ones. Maybe one signature but I'm not sure what one. We don't know most of those people at any rate.

I can only afford the $15 or free ones, but I am hoping to make it to a couple of them.

 

[WDWGeek1971]

You can get wristbands for the Eat to the Beat concerts? Please tell me more about them. Actually, please tell me more about the Eat to the Beat concerts. I'm determined to see the Gogo's! They're my favorite growing up.

There are no wristbands. First come, first served, and usually not even a line. These are usually easier to view that something like Candlelight Processional. I often show up only 10-15 minutes before a set and have no problems finding a seat. Since there are usually three sets, you have a few opportunities to see and hear the act. Oh, and the sets are usually all different. For example, last year, 38 Special did one acoustic set, which was pretty amazing. I bought their album of acoustic tracks from amazon.com while still sitting in my seat after the performance was done. ;-)

 

[WDWGeek1971]

The $525 per seat pricing of the V&A special event has me a bit surprised/perplexed. Previous years, the big ticket events were more of the $375 per seat range. We did the Chef's Table--not during F&W, almost two years ago, and it ended up (with wine pairings and tip) to be about $780 for the two of us. I thought that was crazy, but this would be on the order of $300 more than the Chef's Table for a couple and you have to share the Chef among 16 diners rather than just the four we had with our experience.

I think it's a bit excessive. What's your opinion?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

There are no wristbands. First come, first served, and usually not even a line. These are usually easier to view that something like Candlelight Processional. I often show up only 10-15 minutes before a set and have no problems finding a seat. Since there are usually three sets, you have a few opportunities to see and hear the act. Oh, and the sets are usually all different. For example, last year, 38 Special did one acoustic set, which was pretty amazing. I bought their album of acoustic tracks from amazon.com while still sitting in my seat after the performance was done. ;-)

Sorry, but last year there wer wristbands. If you have a Chase Disney Visa last year you could go to the lounge and get wristbands for preferred seating at the concerts.

Not required, but they did get you closer to the front without standing in line. (and amazingly some folks get in line at 11 am for their seat.)

 

[Disbug]

The $525 per seat pricing of the V&A special event has me a bit surprised/perplexed. Previous years, the big ticket events were more of the $375 per seat range. We did the Chef's Table--not during F&W, almost two years ago, and it ended up (with wine pairings and tip) to be about $780 for the two of us. I thought that was crazy, but this would be on the order of $300 more than the Chef's Table for a couple and you have to share the Chef among 16 diners rather than just the four we had with our experience.

I think it's a bit excessive. What's your opinion?

I am one that agrees this level of cost is pricing me out of attending... but since it is a high-end event which sells out quickly Disney is smart to keep adjusting the price up until they reach the price point where they can't fill the seats.

I am glad there is an event of this caliber for those that choose to afford it. Disney truly has something for everyone! Looking forward to someone reporting back who attends this year!

 

[LVSWL]

I am SO ready to plan my culinary demos, mixology sessions and wine/beverage! Hopefully, the information about times and such will be out tomorrow. I would love to have a little bit of time to make our decisions before I call to book on Friday. Anybody else getting antsy?

 

[B'rer Karen]

Has anyone attended the Discovery of Chocolate event in the past? I searched for a review and found one from 2011 but was hoping to find one from someone who attended last year.

Thanks.

 

[ryansstitch]

Super excited. We weren't planning to go to Disney at all this year, but we had dinner with some new friends last night and they really wanted to do a Disney trip with us. Turns out he travels a ton, so right on the spot he hooked us up with a suite at the Swan and a rental car using his points, which made it pretty hard to turn down a trip. So basically, we're on for 4 days in October !

Problem is - now I have a ton of planning to do in not so much time. Looking forward to checking up on this thread over the next few days.

What a wonderful gift to you guys! I guess the good thing about you starting your planning a bit later is that you don't have to sit in suspense over the F&W info releases for quite as long. I've been planning and waiting since April!

 

[ryansstitch]

Sorry, but last year there wer wristbands. If you have a Chase Disney Visa last year you could go to the lounge and get wristbands for preferred seating at the concerts.

Not required, but they did get you closer to the front without standing in line. (and amazingly some folks get in line at 11 am for their seat.)

Doesn't even need to be a Disney visa. It's any Chase debit or credit card. I got in with my business Ink card and DH used an airline card through Chase.

 

[Tamar]

Has anyone attended the Discovery of Chocolate event in the past? I searched for a review and found one from 2011 but was hoping to find one from someone who attended last year.

Thanks.

I can't remember if we attended last year or the year before. I think it was last year. It was a bit of a disappointment for us because they served meat as one of the two dishes...I guess it didn't occur to me that this could happen, and neither DH or I eat meat.

It was informative and the sweet offering was good, plus they served a chocolate liquor and also red wine that was supposed to pair with the savory offering. In all, if I'd been a meat eater (and if the meat/chocolate dish was good) I'd say it's worthwhile....I just wish we'd chosen something else.