1st time to F&W; help me with ADR time!

[leebee]

Some details: DD17, DH, and I will be at Epcot on Sunday, 10/9/11 for F&W. We arrive at WDW late on 10/7, will go to Studios on 10/8 w/9:15pm ADR at California Grill. We are on the dining plan so will have 12 snack credits to share at F&W sometime on Sunday. On Monday we will go to AK for the day, 5pm dinner at Boma, then over to MK for MNSSHP. Tuesday we will have a lazy morning at POP and head to MCO on the 1pm DME.

How do you plan your day for F&W? Should I try for an early lunch ADR at an Epcot restaurant and then start noshing at F&W around supper time? Or have cs b'fast at POP, do F&W around 2-ish and have a very late supper (right now I have a 9:50pm ADR at Kouzzina, for after Illuminations, assuming that if we watch Illum from near France/UK we can get to Kouzzina in time)? Or do F&W as soon as it opens and do an ADR in Epcot at 7:45?

I am so confused! If three of us are sharing 12 snack credits at F&W, will we get full or will we WANT supper.... or will we spend more money and keep noshing? I have also read about credit bracelets for F&W; can you get/reload money on these from several locations "around the world."

How do YOU do the Food and Wine Festival?

 

[ems_mom]

I have only been to F&W once, so I'm sure you'll get much better advice from seasoned travelers.

It seemed to me that the lines for the booths get much longer the later in the day. If you want to do a sit down meal I would choose a later one because you get to visit many more booths if you start at 11:00AM and nosh your way around until dinner, rather than taking a long lunch break.

You will only know until you're there if a dinner reservation is really what you want. I know anything after 9:00 would be too late for me. It's a lot of eating and drinking during the day. And don't forget the Eat to the Beat concerts, they're a lot of fun.

If you know you want a TS meal I would try for one in Epcot in the 5-7PM range. Split a meal or have a couple of apps, its a good respite from the crowds and the heat.

Hope that helps.

 

[mama03]

Well, to be honest, on the weekends during F&W it is crowded. Not only are the tourists going but the locals. Now considering this is a sunday night, It might clear up later in the evening. You most definitely can get full from Noshing around the kiosks. Bracelets are sold at the festival welcome center. I know I read they are for sale in other areas as well, but do not know offhand. Yes, you can reload them too. Have fun and just remember good walking shoes.