2008 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Reviews

[AnnB]

Hi Everyone,

I've been enthusiastically reading all your reviews leading up to my trip to Food and Wine that starts tomorrow--I will be taking photos and writing notes so that I can post my own reviews immediately upon my return.

One question: Is the tickets and entry to PFTS the same as years past? I am going this year with my retired parents, who really should have seats in order to enjoy this experience--their first trip to Food and Wine, and for that matter, Disney (as an aside, they can't quite figure how they wound up with a Disney nut for a daughter)! So I am prepared to be at rope drop as early as possible to see that we have seats. It's too bad that this has to be the case, but at $135 per ticket, we will do what we must to enjoy the experience.

When do they start signing people in and handing out wrist bands? And, are they still doing it by the American Showcase as they have in the past? How early do people start congregating at the event location (by Canada, right?)? Any tips for snagging tables in the crazy rush? It really is awful that Disney doesn't do a little more to allow everyone who wants seats the opportunity to have them.

Thanks again to everyone!

Ann

 

[Kteacher]

Check in is right across from the entry to the event room for the PFTS (between Canada and UK). This year we arrived around 5:45 and there were about 30-40 people already standing in front of the gate waiting to get in. After they opened the curtain there were staff members standing at the entrance to prevent people from running for tables. This was only my 2nd PFTS. Last year's seemed much more crowded to me, but I think it all depends on which weekend you go. It sounds like this past Saturday's was really crowded. We went on the 11th, and had no trouble finding standing tables at all, and were able to find tables with chairs available towards the front of the room during the party.

 

[TDC Nala]

The program was excellent, really needed the food listings. The print was very very small but at least it was there. Bring reading glasses if you need them, or someone to read the program to you.

Yes, lots of crowds last night. But some of the food offerings were excellent, some were good, some were OK, very simple to stuff yourself on the ones you liked. Lots of variety, some really creative dishes. I now have a fridge full of little chocolate truffles in my room. Robert Irvine was a riot. Also liked the talkative wine guy. Asked him why his line was so long and he said "I talk a lot. The wine helps too." (I think he meant people like the wine, not that he was imbibing himself) Can't remember his winery though.

as was mentioned, lots of security. There were so many people it was hard to find a table with chairs. We had a couple of folks with mobility issues in a party of seven so we wanted a table. Took a six chair table and added a chair. Lots of others asking my friend where he got the chair and were there any more. I think it helps a lot to have the stages at the sides.

The entry with the narration and music reminded me of the carousel scene in "Logan's Run." Am I the only one, maybe no one else remembers that movie.

 

[AnnB]

Thanks everyone for the information!

I look forward to reporting back after my week at WDW and the F&W.

Ann

 

[redzinner]

Would anyone who attended by so kind as to post the program? I'd love to "see" the details on the different dishes that were offered. Oh, and pics? (maybe, maybe, hope, hope)

Sounds like quite the crowd last night. Did anyone run out of food/wine due Brad

We didn't take any pics but friends did. They are vacationing all week in the World and I don't know if their schedule (or equipment) will allow them to psot pictures. Someone will have them!

We didn't have any experience of wine or food depletion.

If the program isn't posted by the time we get home tomorrow, I'll scan it and post it.

Also liked the talkative wine guy. Asked him why his line was so long and he said "I talk a lot. The wine helps too." (I think he meant people like the wine, not that he was imbibing himself) Can't remember his winery though.

His name was Potter and he was pouring Marques De Riscal, Rioja from Spain. He wouldn't allow you to sample the Gran Reserva until you sampled the Reserva first. When I came back for the Gran Riserva he looked at my plate to make sure the food was an appropriate match! He loved what he was doing for sure!

 

[webray]

Great news about the change to the program. REALLy glad to hear that they listened to the feedback! Would anyone who attended by so kind as to post the program? I'd love to "see" the details on the different dishes that were offered. Oh, and pics? (maybe, maybe, hope, hope)

Sounds like quite the crowd last night. Did anyone run out of food/wine due to the heavy attendance?

Unfortunately for those fans of the Signature dining (myself included), this is not good news. 1,400 attendees = lots of $$$ for WDW. Far more than a Signature meal could ever hope to return.

Brad

Didn't keep our booklet, lol. Dropped plates and booklet to make the last round checking out the wines we missed. The food was fantastic though.

Nobody ran out of anything that we noticed which was very good, as in past years they had run out with a lot less people in attendance.

 

[webray]

We actually saw 15 children - one family with three little ones, which amazed me since they didn't look like they had much fun.

Edit: oh, and there was so much security there! Disney security everywhere! It was crazy.

We did see those children as well, lol. What were those parents thinking the kids were bored stiff, sitting on the floor. If you can afford a PFTS's ticket, you can afford a babysitter for the evening. Definately not a place for kids.

You are right..a ton of security!

 

[dizneykid]

We did see those children as well, lol. What were those parents thinking the kids were bored stiff, sitting on the floor. If you can afford a PFTS's ticket, you can afford a babysitter for the evening. Definately not a place for kids.

You are right..a ton of security!

Yes, we also noticed lots of security. Hubby noticed many undercover or "foxes" there also.

They were probably there because of Robert Irvine. There was a crazy woman who asked him to feel his biceps. He literally took off his clothes for her. Stripped down to his very, very tight white tee shirt.

 

[redzinner]

Yes, we also noticed lots of security. Hubby noticed many undercover or "foxes" there also.

They were probably there because of Robert Irvine. There was a crazy woman who asked him to feel his biceps. He literally took off his clothes for her. Stripped down to his very, very tight white tee shirt.

Yes, and we hope to see pictures of this postprandial event!

 

[SamSam]

Yes, I will take lots of photos at PFTS tonight.

I attended the same Kitchen Conversations as Brenda a couple of days ago, but I had a different experience based on my location. There were some issues with food quality, but I enjoyed the event for the most part. Not enough to do it again, though. I should have told Brenda to voice her complaints to Guest Relations, as they were totally valid.

If posting from my iPhone wasn't such a pain, I would share more. I will post more on my review thread when I return home.

Looking forward to your reviews.

 

[ElizabethB]

Who is Robert Irvine? And, why does anyone want to see him in a T-shirt?

And, 1400 people at PFTS? Good heavens. I had no idea they sold that many tickets. I assumed the maximum was around 500. Stupid me.

I agree with a previous poster. We'll never see the return of Reserve Dinners or Exquisite Evenings when Disney can get $135 a head for 1400 people. Dh and I attended the first PFTS held in the Millenium Village building. We've never gone back. Believe me it was not even close to 1400 in attendance and we thought it was a zoo. We never booked another PFTS. We used to enjoy the Grand Gatherings held at the Odyssey building years ago. Those events probably had 200 or so people.

And, I'm sorry to hear about the cookbook. This thread seems generally to be about one disappointment after another this year. I certainly hope Disney Festival organizers are reading it.

Oh for the days when the only disppointment of the entire Festival was the Spirited Ball! What happened!!???

 

[podsnel]

Who is Robert Irvine? And, why does anyone want to see him in a T-shirt?

He's the original chef from Dinner Impossible on the Food Network. BIG biceps!

 

[ElizabethB]

Is he a chef or a wrestler?! I still don't get it. Does anyone care about food and wine -- or only celebrities? If it's celebrities, this year's Festival is perfect since it seems to be all about Food Network celebs.

 

[shovan]

We will be attending the French Regional Lunch this coming weekend. What was the dress code for this event? Normally for dinner at the Bistro we'd get dressed up, but this is lunch, so I'm wondering.

 

[SamSam]

Yes, we also noticed lots of security. Hubby noticed many undercover or "foxes" there also.

They were probably there because of Robert Irvine. There was a crazy woman who asked him to feel his biceps. He literally took off his clothes for her. Stripped down to his very, very tight white tee shirt.

Dh and I actually heard the security was so high because of actual fights over chairs. Yes, you read that right. Two different groups (that we are aware of) actually almost came to blows over the chairs. One man actually trying to remove an older woman from a chair he wanted for "his" table. Unbelievable the way a few people behave!

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Dh and I actually heard the security was so high because of actual fights over chairs. Yes, you read that right. Two different groups (that we are aware of) actually almost came to blows over the chairs. One man actually trying to remove an older woman from a chair he wanted for "his" table. Unbelievable the way a few people behave!

The rationale, if true, is really warped. Why not just take the money they were wasting on security personnel and add a few more tables and chairs.

 

[ElizabethB]

Really? A fight over the chairs?? That's unbelievable.

Perhaps Disney will bring back the nicer events after all! They're probably cheaper in the long run that hiring all that security -- and taking all that liability risk.

 

[Forever42]

And to be honest, with how the 10/18 PftS was, DH and I decided it will be our last one.

In past years, it still had some classiness to it, and I always described it to people as "a cocktail party for 600 people." This year, it was just a disappointment. People being greedy and selfish with chairs, the security, the crowds. In general people weren't even dressed as nicely as in the past, and my father was a little disappointed that I had suggested he wore a tie.

Next year, if they do still have the nicer Signature events, we'll be doing those instead, as long as they will accommodate my vegetarianism.

edit: and as I've said in the past, we've always done the PftS because it was easiest on us to get a good variety of foods and wines, since DH and I have never been seafood eaters, and now with myself being a vegetarian, a PftS has always had adequate variety with minimal fuss. But to be honest, we weren't even impressed with most of the food items they had - I could have made a lot of it at home, DH commented.

 

[ghidorah97]

Is he a chef or a wrestler?! I still don't get it. Does anyone care about food and wine -- or only celebrities? If it's celebrities, this year's Festival is perfect since it seems to be all about Food Network celebs.

Actually, I believe that celebrity chefs serve a real purpose during events like this by creating a stronger draw for the "average" Joes and Janes who may not be as into the food and wine as us "foodie freaks". While I would be MUCH more interested in meeting/listening to and/or eating the cuisine of chefs like Eric Ripert, Grant Achatz, Graham Elliot Bowles and Jose Andres, the aforementioned "average" Joe would have no idea whose those people are. Joe would be much more interested in an event featuring Bobby Flay, Rachel Ray, Paula Deen and, yes, Robert Irvine.

As long as the focus remains on good food, great wine and the ability to sample many tastes of each from various global cuisines/locales, the "celebrity" chefs help to bring in a larger crowd that can then be exposed to all the wonderful foods and wines that the world has to offer. Something beyond the horrifying TGIF, Olive Garden and Applebees type places that far too many people flock to when they go out for a meal.

Some of these celebrity chefs are actually pretty darn good, too, whenever they decide to get down to some actual cooking. Some, on the other hand, aren't. But that's another topic for another time and place. I'm starting to sound like a pompous a**, so I'd better stop here.

Brad

 

[ghidorah97]

Dh and I actually heard the security was so high because of actual fights over chairs. Yes, you read that right. Two different groups (that we are aware of) actually almost came to blows over the chairs. One man actually trying to remove an older woman from a chair he wanted for "his" table. Unbelievable the way a few people behave!

The Lowest Common Denominator never fails to disappoint.