EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, Sept. 25 - Nov 16 2015

[KiniShakenBake]

I saw one person report being able to do this. When she was questioned about it, because no one else has ever been able to do this, she got all defensive, saying she's been doing it for years and years. It makes me think there's something not quite right about that report.

I wondered about this myself. I'm skeptical, at best.

 

[karrit2000]

I saw one person report being able to do this. When she was questioned about it, because no one else has ever been able to do this, she got all defensive, saying she's been doing it for years and years. It makes me think there's something not quite right about that report.

I think she may have been someone who has a sense of entitlement so she demands until she gets her way. The only other report was from someone who claimed to have been told by a gift shop CM that she could have it done at the front desk. She could not prove her story as she didn't actually attempt the conversion at a front desk. But she repeatedly advised others that they could do it because a CM told her.

 

[betterlatethannever]

Damn you (said in the most friendly terms)
Now I gotta book this
I have been on the fence since I realized we'd be there on the 14th. I've picked up the phone to call and book most every day.
My hesitation is the time. We also have the Premium package that day
How long did the meal take?

It took about 2.5 hours.

Ed

 

[Judyfun]

Awesome..we will be on the look out for you I'll send you a PM ..maybe we can all meet up for a drink at BWI before the party We get in on the 16th and are not going to do the Halloween Party...thought about it but will attempt to do a little of Epcot food booths if we can make our way through the crowds No definite plans for sunday until that evening...Flying Fish Chefs Tasting Wine dinner Yummy!!

we are also going to be there on the 17th reserved seating 3 adults, getting so excited

 

[AngiTN]

It took about 2.5 hours.

Ed

Thanks. I know both DH and I would love it. We are both much more beer folks than wine folks. There are not many options for beer drinkers with the meals. The other one, the wine vs. beer in Italy would be great but we aren't there on a day they have that one. And the Beer one in Japan doesn't appeal much.

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

we are also going to be there on the 17th reserved seating 3 adults, getting so excited

Awesome!!! It will be my hubby and me We may all have to plan a meet for a pre party cocktail Not sure what everyones plans are that day but we will try to get through a couple of food booths at Epcot earlier in the day...then head back to BWI to rest and refresh before going back to the party. I'm really looking forward to it. The last time we did the PFTS it was all general admission.

Judy... I added you to our PM if you would like to meet up

 

[cushdisney]

[QUOTE="
We did this last Wednesday and I have very positive thoughts on it. The food was delicious and the wine was also good. We had a great server from a town close to Venice and she was cute. I found the gal who explained the wines a little hard to understand but she was so passionate about it all, it was hard not to get into it as well [/QUOTE]

May I ask what was on the menu? Just curious as I will be going in November. Thank you

 

[cushdisney]

Also, has anyone done the Italian Pairings with Wine versus Beer at Via Napoli? Thoughts?

 

[patster734]

Does the festival center open early on EMH days?

No. We attended Wednesday of last week with early EMH. Arrived a little after 8. We rode Test Track with little wait. We rode Mission Space with little wait. And then had to wait until 9am for the rope to drop to enter the F&W festival center.

 

[AngiTN]

Has anyone seen any updates as to the Beverage Seminar's that are still showing as TBD on the schedule?
Specifically the ones that are Thursday 10/15 and Sunday 10/18

 

[gottalovepluto]

No. We attended Wednesday of last week with early EMH. Arrived a little after 8. We rode Test Track with little wait. We rode Mission Space with little wait. And then had to wait until 9am for the rope to drop to enter the F&W festival center.

How are the crowds at the Center on weekday mornings?

 

[patster734]

How are the crowds at the Center on weekday mornings?

That Wednesday morning, the crowds were very light at the festival center. I was in a group of 7, and there were probably 6 other people waiting for rope drop into the center. We walked into the center, purchased a meal at Intermission Cafe, shopped briefly, and grabbed the free chocolate at the Ghirardeli stand. We didn't stay long because we had fast passes to Spaceship Earth (9:10-10:10), Soaring (10:20-11:20), and Journey in Imagination (11:25-12:25). Also, we had to pick up the commemorative port wine glass for AP holders before visiting Spaceship Earth.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Deleted

 

[b2k1121]

Any experience with crowds on Sundays compared to Saturday? Planned our Epcot day for Saturday 11/14 without realizing F&W was still going. Now I'm reading all the horror stories about crowds on Saturdays. Is it worth trying to move all my plans to Sunday 11/15 or are Sundays not much different?

 

[karrit2000]

Any experience with crowds on Sundays compared to Saturday? Planned our Epcot day for Saturday 11/14 without realizing F&W was still going. Now I'm reading all the horror stories about crowds on Saturdays. Is it worth trying to move all my plans to Sunday 11/15 or are Sundays not much different?

Saturday will be crazy as it is the last Saturday of the Festival. Sunday will also probably be very busy with folks trying to get their last visits in. We almost always visit during the final week or so of the Festival & the last Sunday always seems very crowded to me although it will be less than Saturday.

 

[ksromack]

May I ask what was on the menu? Just curious as I will be going in November. Thank you

Tutto Gusto Wine Celler-Italian Regional Wine and Food Pairing

• Trio di Antipasti-Prosciutto San Daniele, Parmigiano Reggiano DOP, Handcrafted Dry Salami paired with Vernaccia di Gimignano Toscolo, Medium Body
• First Course Trio- Risotto with Speck and Apples; Truffle and Cheese Sacchetti; Home-made "Maltagliati" Lamb Ragout paired with Babera d'Alba Batasiolo, medium body.
• Second Course Trio-Braised Short Ribs, Sweet Sausage, Beef and Veal Meatball with creamy polenta paired with Cabernet Montegrande, full body.
• Trio di Formaggi-Taleggio, La Tur, Gorgonzola Dolce paired with Passito Montegrande, light body
• Trio di Dolci-Panna Cotta al Limoncello, Cannolo di Ricotta, Warm Nutella Brownie paired with Bracchetto Batasiolo

I will be doing a trip report and will have photos of all of the dishes in that! I hope to start it this weekend.

How are the crowds at the Center on weekday mornings?

We were there at 9am on wednesday, Sept 30 in the area where you pick up your Sampler Package credentials this is also where you pick up the rest of the special event items. No wait at all
You pick up your deminar tickets at the Information Booth right across the way from there. We did run into a slight line there but I think most of it was because one lady was having trouble with something and it required lots of attention from the CMs.

Any experience with crowds on Sundays compared to Saturday? Planned our Epcot day for Saturday 11/14 without realizing F&W was still going. Now I'm reading all the horror stories about crowds on Saturdays. Is it worth trying to move all my plans to Sunday 11/15 or are Sundays not much different?

I would say Sunday is significantly less crowded than Saturday, especially in the late afternoon.

 

[b2k1121]

Saturday will be crazy as it is the last Saturday of the Festival. Sunday will also probably be very busy with folks trying to get their last visits in. We almost always visit during the final week or so of the Festival & the last Sunday always seems very crowded to me although it will be less than Saturday.

That's what I was afraid of. Unfortunately for us, I don't think any other day during out trip will work so we will have to brave the crowds as best as we can.

 

[Simba's Mom]

The only festival map I can find shows where booths are, but it doesn't tell you which booth is where. For example, I remember the Poland booth in 2 different places. But I can't find a map which shows where it is this year. In the past, the map showed which country's booth was where. Is there any such map this year- have I been looking for it in the wrong places?

 

[ksromack]

The individual booths are not labeled on the map.......Poland is in between the Italy and Africa booth on the lagoon side of the walkway. It is across from the Germany booth.

 

[B'rer Karen]

Has anyone seen any updates as to the Beverage Seminar's that are still showing as TBD on the schedule?
Specifically the ones that are Thursday 10/15 and Sunday 10/18

I have been wondering the same thing. I checked moments ago and still nothing. I am looking at the 17th and into the following week, but how do they not know what they'll be presenting 6 days from now? I am not going to shell out money until I know what I'll be drinking. On the upside, I'm guessing those will be available day of.