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

[ElizabethB]

And I've been able to change my MNSSHP tickets before, so what does it all mean? I don't know.

 

[oybolshoi]

Terrible change in policy... are they going to make backstage tours non-refundable as well? And if the F&W events are considered "hard-ticketed" then I want an actual ticket in my hand and I want reserved seating so that I don't have to stand in line for 30 minutes for something like Sweet Sundays just to guarantee that I can sit wth the rest of my party during the event.

I had emailed Disney last week about the lack of detail for the Festival and actually received a response inviting me to call back - they gave me an actual name and phone number! I couldn't call this week because I was out of the office quite a bit but I promise come Monday morning (after making reservations ) that I'm going to be placing a call and mentioning how unfriendly this policy is as well as voicing some of my other concerns.

Not feeling the Disney love like I used to...

 

[*Flower*]

Subscribing.....

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

And I've been able to change my MNSSHP tickets before, so what does it all mean? I don't know.

Me too...and at that time they told us the MNSSHP tix were non-transferrable or refundable, but they refunded for us and its not like I even had to argue. I'm sure the policy with F&W is probably to prevent folks from making ressies when they weren't even sure they were going to attend and therefore shutting people with a genuine interest out. I bet if someone really had an issue, Disney would accomodate on a case by case basis.

As for the non-transferrable thing...I know what it says...but that doesn't mean everyone will follow it. If however, they ask for my ID, I will be totally flattered as that has not happened to me in more than 30 years. (Plus I have no intention of missing my events). Nobody ever id'd my kids at any of the events either (although they are teens, I don't think they look anywhere nears drinking age).

Oybolshoi-I agree with you! If this is now considered a hard ticket event...I too want my actual ticket in hand and my assigned/reserved seating for the events. I never did like these events being treated as mere dining reservation where I didn't receive a written confirmation or a ticket. Last year for one of the PFTS we attended, seems they could not find us on the list. After whipping out the number I was given over the phone, they did locate it...although the CM who booked us butchered our name hideously and that was the issue. Having an actual ticket would have alleviated that 10-15 minutes of stress where a manager had to go inside and look us up.

 

[kmmccart75]

I noticed that there were several people posting about maybe securing/sharing a "DIS table" at the Party for the Senses on certain dates.

Haven't seen anyone mention 10/27 yet, so I thought I would say that DH and I plan on celebrating our 6th anniversary there...anyone else going?

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Terrible change in policy... are they going to make backstage tours non-refundable as well? And if the F&W events are considered "hard-ticketed" then I want an actual ticket in my hand and I want reserved seating so that I don't have to stand in line for 30 minutes for something like Sweet Sundays just to guarantee that I can sit wth the rest of my party during the event.

I had emailed Disney last week about the lack of detail for the Festival and actually received a response inviting me to call back - they gave me an actual name and phone number! I couldn't call this week because I was out of the office quite a bit but I promise come Monday morning (after making reservations ) that I'm going to be placing a call and mentioning how unfriendly this policy is as well as voicing some of my other concerns.

Not feeling the Disney love like I used to...

I have to get to Sweet Sunday early to get a seat? WTH is up with that? Though I know to expect that at Party for the Senses, (even though I still think it's crazy to not have enough seats,) we have to line up early to get a seat for Sweet Sunday? If that's the case, what makes it any different then the free cooking demos?

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Me too...and at that time they told us the MNSSHP tix were non-transferrable or refundable, but they refunded for us and its not like I even had to argue. I'm sure the policy with F&W is probably to prevent folks from making ressies when they weren't even sure they were going to attend and therefore shutting people with a genuine interest out. I bet if someone really had an issue, Disney would accomodate on a case by case basis.

As for the non-transferrable thing...I know what it says...but that doesn't mean everyone will follow it. If however, they ask for my ID, I will be totally flattered as that has not happened to me in more than 30 years. (Plus I have no intention of missing my events). Nobody ever id'd my kids at any of the events either (although they are teens, I don't think they look anywhere nears drinking age).

Oybolshoi-I agree with you! If this is now considered a hard ticket event...I too want my actual ticket in hand and my assigned/reserved seating for the events. I never did like these events being treated as mere dining reservation where I didn't receive a written confirmation or a ticket. Last year for one of the PFTS we attended, seems they could not find us on the list. After whipping out the number I was given over the phone, they did locate it...although the CM who booked us butchered our name hideously and that was the issue. Having an actual ticket would have alleviated that 10-15 minutes of stress where a manager had to go inside and look us up.

I agree too, I'd like a ticket as well. While I have never had any problems with my dining reservations except for the occasional misspelling, (which happens a lot, there're three ways people spell my name, so I'm used to it,) I have never had any problems, and have never not been seated.

I guess I'll be taking my credit card statement with me, to show I've been charged the $270 or whatever it is for two people, just in case. Hope for the best, but expect the worst.

 

[Wigit12]

I noticed that there were several people posting about maybe securing/sharing a "DIS table" at the Party for the Senses on certain dates.

Haven't seen anyone mention 10/27 yet, so I thought I would say that DH and I plan on celebrating our 6th anniversary there...anyone else going?

We're a possibility for 10/27 PFTS--we're trying to extend our trip now.

 

[oybolshoi]

I can only speak from my experience last year, but I made a reservation for a Sweet Sunday (morning session) for my husband, my parents, and myself on the morning that reservations opened. I was charged that day and told to get my party to the Odyssey about 15 minutes in advance of the start time (9AM).

We did just that, entering Epcot through the International Gateway. When we got there there was already a line of people waiting at the doors. I wasn't worred since they took down our names for the reservation and attendance was limited, but...

Once the doors were opened they just let people seat themselves at tables rather than making an effort to control the crowd and seat people according to their party size. The predictable result being that my party of four, which was the last to enter the building, was not going to be able to sit together for the three hour event. There was a party of five that ended up in the same predicament as us, and after 15 minutes of arguing the event planners finally figured out a way to set up another table so that we could all sit with each other.

Unless Epcot changed their organizational policies, you could run into the same problem that we did.

The event itself was wonderful (although the experience soured us enough to ensure that we won't do it again) and I'd still recommned trying it, but just be aware that seating could be an issue. It shouldn't be since they have a list of everyone who's slated to attend for a given event, but I guess their event planners are too dim to think of that.

For what it's worth, at the F&W pairings we did last year (Coral Reef and Marrakesh) Coral Reef was the only establishment to seat guests by party size. Bravo to them!

I have to get to Sweet Sunday early to get a seat? WTH is up with that? Though I know to expect that at Party for the Senses, (even though I still think it's crazy to not have enough seats,) we have to line up early to get a seat for Sweet Sunday? If that's the case, what makes it any different then the free cooking demos?

 

[*Flower*]

I just looked at the WDW official website listings and noticed this HUGE change in policies from prior years!!!!!!!

"Event cost is charged in full at time of booking. Changes/refunds are not allowed. Non-transferable. Must attend on the event day and time booked. "


The event cost being charged in full at time of booking is not new, but according to this notation -- anything you book is NON-REFUNDABLE!!!!! There is no cancellation window this year. Ouch!!

I guess everyone booking events during the reservation rush on Monday morning will be darned sure it's what they want. However, that also says to me that there can't be waitlists for events once they fill to capacity.

I just took a look at the disney website, and the nonrefundables are "Festival Dining Experiences" which are: Party for the Senses, Exquisite Evenings, Regional Feasts and Signature Dining.

We're going to confirm of course when we call, but I kind of think that they want to guarantee the 'big ticket' events no matter what.

JMHO though.......

Good luck to all!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

oybolshoi;20102573 - Thanks for the response. I guess I don't have to worry about seating then, since I'm going solo. Which by the sound of it, seems like a relief, and one less thing to worry about.

So for the 10:30 session, I should arrive there by what 10:00? Or a few minutes after at the latest. I am going to be at Epcot at opening so I can get FPs for Soarin. (This may be my last trip to WDW in three years, I don't want to waste a second of it. )

 

[oybolshoi]

oybolshoi;20102573 - Thanks for the response. I guess I don't have to worry about seating then, since I'm going solo. Which by the sound of it, seems like a relief, and one less thing to worry about.

So for the 10:30 session, I should arrive there by what 10:00? Or a few minutes after at the latest. I am going to be at Epcot at opening so I can get FPs for Soarin. (This may be my last trip to WDW in three years, I don't want to waste a second of it. )

Since you'll be on your own I'd say get there about 10 minutes early and you should be fine. There were "one-sies" scattered around the room but the staff didn't want to ask anyone to move and as soon as people picked a spot they sprinted off to the breakfast buffet. Totally unorganized, IMHO. But like I said, that was just the morning that we went - it's certainly possible that our experience was not the norm (I hope it wasn't!).

You can be sure I'll be reiterating this when I speak with the Disney CM who responded to my earlier email. I wrote a letter earlier this year about it and never got a response...I guess I wasn't articulate enough.

Hope you have a great time when you go!

 

[PatriciaH]

For our Jiko Signature Dinner and our Mexico Regional Feast last year we had an assigned table. I do wish they would add more tables at PFTS. Even around the edges/entrance they seem to have more room to do this.

 

[ImprovGal]

Exquisite Evenings have "assigned" seating, as well.
AFAIK, only the PFTS has fewer chairs than people, although that African Wine Event sounds to me like it might be a similar cocktail party atmosphere.

Flower -- I'm seeing the same non-refundable/non-transferable text at the bottom of the "Special Wine & Culinary Programs" page, too. The ** footnote refers to both groupings.

 

[kmmccart75]

We're a possibility for 10/27 PFTS--we're trying to extend our trip now.

Thanks for responding! Have you been to the PFTS before? It's our first time, but I've been reading that seating can be difficult to get and hold. I would be totally fine with just moving around the room as we graze, but it sounds like a lot of people "save" seats like back in school...

2 1/2 hours of eating standing up doesn't sound great, but neither does having to sit and guard seats while my husband gets food and drinks for both of us (not a very romantic anniversary dinner). So, I thought the idea of finding someone to share a table with sounded like a great idea that would allow us all to enjoy the evening.

Let me know if it works out (I can receive PMs, but I can't send 'em yet - so either post here, or at least look here for replies from me), I look forward to hearing from you!

 

[TDC Nala]

The MK party tickets also don't cost over $100 per person.

This sucks.

I'm sure the policy with F&W is probably to prevent folks from making ressies when they weren't even sure they were going to attend and therefore shutting people with a genuine interest out.

That's what the waitlist was for.

 

[TDC Nala]

I have to get to Sweet Sunday early to get a seat? WTH is up with that? Though I know to expect that at Party for the Senses, (even though I still think it's crazy to not have enough seats,) we have to line up early to get a seat for Sweet Sunday? If that's the case, what makes it any different then the free cooking demos?

You'll get a seat. However, if you arrive late, they might have to scatter your party around the Odyssey depending on where the still-open seats are.

 

[Wigit12]

2 1/2 hours of eating standing up doesn't sound great, but neither does having to sit and guard seats while my husband gets food and drinks for both of us (not a very romantic anniversary dinner). So, I thought the idea of finding someone to share a table with sounded like a great idea that would allow us all to enjoy the evening.

We're a party of 4. We've never been to PFTS before so I'm worried about the seating also. I think we're going to try to get the tickets Monday morning. If we get in--we'll find a way to extend the trip. If not, we come home

I'll post when I know we're in. And hopefully you get tickets too.

Can someone tell us how many can sit at a table?

 

[momandseandodisney]

anywhere I can find the exact menu for this years F&W fest?

 

[yearbook50]

anywhere I can find the exact menu for this years F&W fest?

You wont know menus until you are actually at the event.
You will know themes but that is the extent of it.

Such as I was considering the Peru Regional Feast, but without a menu, I search online for what exactly Peru food was and determined that a majority was things I wouldn't enjoy so I decided to not do that event.

Coral Reef Food & Wine Tasting. I don't eat clams, oysters, mussels so on. If there is a dish with that, I'll either pick around it or just enjoy the wine. Spending $45 makes it a bit better for me if I happen to get a menu that I will not entirely enjoy.