2007 International Food & Wine Festival (Marketplace Booth Details Now Available!)

[Pocahantas]

I too am waiting for the time to go there!!!! But I am also waiting to book a couple of the Food & Wine Pairings. I really hope the schedule is similar to last year because that is what I am going by since Disney won't give us any info for this year!!

 

[shellybaxter]

Thanks to everyone that has posted expiriences from prior years. That is helping me decide which events I might be interested in when the information is finally available

 

[shovan]

I too am waiting for the time to go there!!!! But I am also waiting to book a couple of the Food & Wine Pairings. I really hope the schedule is similar to last year because that is what I am going by since Disney won't give us any info for this year!!

Yep, it is pretty confusing, isn't it!

 

[ElizabethB]

Somes comments:

"Brilliant Bubbles" has been the theme of the first of the Exquisite Evenings of the festival for the past two years. It was started to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Festival and was continued last year. Hard to say if they will keep doing it -- depends on whether they can line up some champagne houses to send reps and champagne.

Although the Jiko dinner is usually a monthly event, last year there was one during the Festival -- and it was reserved for booking until F&W Festival bookings opened. Sounds like they aren't doing that this year.

Even when released last year, certain events were not yet priced (like the V&A Signature Dinner, presumably, because CM's were trying to get sign-off from bosses). I think we knew the price by the time we booked it, but the price was decided like the day before bookings opened. Numerous events weren't completely pinned down -- guest chef, winery, etc. -- until long after bookings opened.

Patricia is the only person I've ever heard say something positive about the "Spirited Ball". Most people (including us) were disappointed with the pedestrian wines and a dinner that many ate standing up, due to lack of seating. It hasn't been repeated and I don't think it will be. Some people demanded their money back.

There were a variety of new events last year -- some of which I suspect won't be back this year. Not all were well reviewed or well received.

Although there is alot of frustration, I assume it is quite a chore to line up guest chefs, wineries and get upper management sign-off in a timely manner. So, I'm trying to be patient! Part of the difficulty, IMO, is that other WDW reservations now open 180 days in advance. It used to be 90 days and I felt less pressure then than I do now. We haven't booked any ADRs yet as we're waiting for the Festival schedule.

As I said, trying to be patient!

 

[cdtommie]

We're also eagerly waiting for the schedule but will probably do only two PFTS this year. I was told last year that one of our favorite pairings (Sushi, Sake Sashimi at Japan) will have an overall Japanese cuisine theme this year so we'll probably skip this one. We found the Coral Reef pairing last year we attended rather disappointing and may try to do Le Cellier instead this year (which sells out quickly I have been told). Hope the prices don't jump the way they did in 2006.

I can also echo ElizabethB's comments about the Spirited Ball.

 

[Pocahantas]

Shovan I just noticed we are both from Louisiana and we both became DVC members at BCV in 2006!!! We live northwest of Lafayette. We will be at the F & W Fest Oct. 14 - 20. What are your dates???

 

[Werner Weiss]

I wrote an article last year about the 11th Annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival:

Not Just Food Booths: The Other Side of the Epcot Food & Wine Festival -- http://www.yesterland.com/wine2006.html​

The article discusses the free events and the "Exclusive Wine & Culinary Programs" last year. Some events last year were priced way too high. It will be interesting to see what they learned from last year.

 

[bnormant]

I've actually been reduced to searching for individual winery calendars to see if they've listed the food and wine festival. Here's what I've found so far.

One of our favorite wines last year were from Rudd winery. They produce fabulous wines that tend to be on the very expensive side. So having them at the equisite evening I believe and the PFTS was a real treat. I met the sales rep from there and got his card. So I emailed him yesterday to see if they were returning. Unfortunately, I won't be there this year when he is, but here is what he had to say.

"I will be back to the Epcot fest with some GREAT new wines this year. I will be there on October 10 to 14! I am not sure what I will be doing yet, but I will be giving at least 2 or 3 lectures and two dinners!"

Here's some other news I found on the internet.

Silver Oak Cellars
Silver Oak will pour our current release at several tastings and host seminars and a wine dinner October 19, 20 & 21.

I also see that Kendall-Jackson says they'll be there for it in the first week of November.

And some info on the new restaurant at AK set to open during the food and wine fest.
"The new restaurant currently under construction in Animal Kingdom's Asia will be named Yeti and Yak. To fit in with Anandapur, the fictional village that is home to Expedition Everest, the restaurant will be themed as a rural village in the Himalayan foothills. The pan-Asian establishment will house both a table service restaurant that seats 300 and a quick-service eatery that can hold 200 customers. The restaurant was announced in February 2006, and is set to open October 8, 2007"

So far, all the info I've found I'm going to miss out on as I'm there the first week of the festival until October 8. But I hope someone finds this info helpful or at least quenches a little thirst for some news.

 

[eva]

Since this is our first time, the Food and Wine Pairings sound like a fun way to sample a number of things. Are they offered every day? If so, is only one offered a day? What times do they normally run? I guess I am just trying to get an idea of how the schedule for these ran last year. Is it enough food to pass as a light lunch? What were some of your favorites? Do these book as quick as the other events?

 

[shovan]

Shovan I just noticed we are both from Louisiana and we both became DVC members at BCV in 2006!!! We live northwest of Lafayette. We will be at the F & W Fest Oct. 14 - 20. What are your dates???

Hi Pocahantas! It's a small world after all! We will arrive on the 20th. Will you be in the parks that day or is that your departure date? Maybe we get together for a glass of wine? There are some other LA folks that will be there the same time you are! Come chat with us on the Metro Nola thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1140229&page=328 It's not just new orleans gals, but former Louisianians too. We love to chat about food & wine!

 

[shovan]

Since this is our first time, the Food and Wine Pairings sound like a fun way to sample a number of things. Are they offered every day? If so, is only one offered a day? What times do they normally run? I guess I am just trying to get an idea of how the schedule for these ran last year. Is it enough food to pass as a light lunch? What were some of your favorites? Do these book as quick as the other events?

Last year 6 restaurants had the pairings. each one on a different day. Teppanyaki-Mondays, Marrakesh-Tues, Le Cellier-Friday, Bistro-Saturday, Alfredo's-Sunday, Coral Reef had them on W,TH & Fridays. The one we attended at Alfredo's was more than a light lunch, very genorous servings that were all great. I've heard some others complain about the small portion size at some of the other rests. but we were very happy & will try to do more this year. The price last year was $40!

 

[eva]

Last year 6 restaurants had the pairings. each one on a different day. Teppanyaki-Mondays, Marrakesh-Tues, Le Cellier-Friday, Bistro-Saturday, Alfredo's-Sunday, Coral Reef had them on W,TH & Fridays. The one we attended at Alfredo's was more than a light lunch, very genorous servings that were all great. I've heard some others complain about the small portion size at some of the other rests. but we were very happy & will try to do more this year. The price last year was $40!

Thanks so much for the info. Do you remember the time of day that they offered these?

 

[disneyfav4ever]

And some info on the new restaurant at AK set to open during the food and wine fest.
"The new restaurant currently under construction in Animal Kingdom's Asia will be named Yeti and Yak. To fit in with Anandapur, the fictional village that is home to Expedition Everest, the restaurant will be themed as a rural village in the Himalayan foothills. The pan-Asian establishment will house both a table service restaurant that seats 300 and a quick-service eatery that can hold 200 customers. The restaurant was announced in February 2006, and is set to open October 8, 2007.

Does anyone know if that opening date is accurate? I go home on 10/8, but I am spending the morning in a park. I was planning on MK, but if the restaurant is open, I'd go to AK.

 

[VickiVM]

Subscribing...

 

[B'rer Karen]

Thanks so much for the info. Do you remember the time of day that they offered these?

I'm thinking they are usually late afternoon, like 3/4 pm. By the way, the price includes gratuity, so I found the F&W pairings to be a pretty good deal. I've done them at Le Cellier and Coral Reef. I've liked them all, but Le Cellier was my favorite. Last year, though, the one that was being offered during my visit was already booked by the time I got through to reservations (I called right at 7 am and it was maybe 5 or 6 minutes before my call was taken and it had booked that fast). I hadn't thought of having a back up plan (Duh!) so I scrambled and ended up at Coral Reef, which was fine, but I probably would have liked to try something else since I had done Coral Reef the year prior. So this year I am going to have a back up plan. Of course I'm also planning on reserving more events too. Assuming the details are ever released!!!

 

[woolfcross]

The reason I suspect incompetence on the part of current management is that in the previous 11 years of the Food and Wine Festival, the schedule has never been released this late. Six weeks before the start date is too short a lead time for those (like us) who come from out of town and must book air travel, hotels, and restaurant dining around the events they most want to attend.

Even assuming that there are a few events (a vertical tasting or regional feast) that haven't been determined, it would be considerate, to say the least, to post the schedule as it now stands, with a couple of "TBA's" for the events still to be finalized.

A previous poster says s/he has friends involved with the Festival who say the information already exists and that they are pressing "upper management" to release it, but they are paying no attention.

Poor judgment or incompetence--take your pick!

 

[MermaidsMom]

How does the "ticketing" work for the events work? Is it like the MVMCP event where you purchase a ticket or like the CP where you reserve with a credit card and can cancel 48 hours out?

 

[budbeerlady]

How does the "ticketing" work for the events work? Is it like the MVMCP event where you purchase a ticket or like the CP where you reserve with a credit card and can cancel 48 hours out?

Good question, I wondered that also as I thought I had read about being waitlisted for a few things.

 

[bnormant]

Last year we had to have our credit card when booking on the phone. They charged you right away I believe. For events that were fully booked, they do start a waiting list but you don't have to pay for them unless you're able to get bumped into the booking.

Not sure about the cancellation policy as we didn't cancel anything. I think it might be 48 hours for most stuff, but it may be 7 days for equisite evenings since they are the most expensive and they'll want time to fill any vacant spots.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

How does the "ticketing" work for the events work?

When you make reservations over the phone for F&W events, your credit card is billed "immediately" for the amount of the event plus sales tax (but "immediately" can mean several days).

If you need to cancel, you can do so up until a deadline for a full refund. I don't recall the exact deadline last year, but I think it was around 5 days before the event. After that, you've paid for the event whether you go or not.

Despite the high dollar amounts involved, there are no physical tickets or confirmation mailings. You get a reservation number at the time you call in. When you arrive at the event, they'll check your name off a list.